Speck Mountain

The dreamy soundscapes of Speck Mountain first took shape in Brooklyn, New York, where founding members Karl Briedrick and Marie-Claire Balabanian held their first rehearsals in 2005. Evoking the vocals of Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval and the lush orchestrations of space rock, the band honed its sound before being joined by multi-instrumentalist Kate Walsh and relocating to Chicago. Summer Above, Speck Mountain's self-produced debut, was released in 2006 by Burnt Brown Sounds. Carrot Top Records issued the engaging follow-up effort, Some Sweet Relief, in March 2009. ~ Andrew Leahey