Odelia

In autumn 2001, Odelia came into existence on a front porch in Fullerton, California. Jason Hensley, Daniel Johns, and Bob Lexin—three veterans of the earlier outfit Frank Falupa—chose to form a fresh ensemble that favored an unstructured style, weaving in loops and unconventional rock instruments while trading those instruments mid-performance and embracing an overall DIY ethic. Capitalizing on the simplicity of home recording, Hensley captured every track at either his residence or a rehearsal space with nothing more than a basic four-track and computer rig, then self-released the results in the new century. Their debut, Argyplanischa, appeared in 2002. Echoing the group’s stage methods, the record prioritized instrumental mood over standard song forms and lyrics, yielding an engaging though somewhat shapeless first effort. Looking back, the band viewed the album more as a moment frozen in time than a definitive statement. Matters improved when Reuben Mahler joined, the first dedicated supporter drawn from beyond the original trio’s immediate circle of acquaintances. Mahler supplied keyboards, an element the musicians had sought to add, and the subsequent round of songwriting and tracking produced the follow-up, The Angel as an Imposter, issued in 2003. Tighter and more potent than Argyplanischa, with greater range, the record, paired with several live shows, strengthened the quartet’s rising profile in the area as they prepared material for a third album slated for 2004.