Ui

Ui shares affinities with the more earthbound, instrument-driven players in the U.S. post-rock movement whose central figure is Tortoise, yet the New York outfit distinguishes itself through sharp, interlocking rhythms generated by its twin-bass lineup. Bassist Sasha Frere-Jones, previously a member of Dolores and more widely recognized for his writing than for his music, joined drummer Clem Waldmann to establish the group in 1990. The pair performed a number of shows, sometimes augmented by bassist Alex Wright and DJ/percussionist David Weeks, until Wilbo Wright replaced the latter two in 1991. The resulting trio issued its debut recording, the 2-Sided EP, on the British Hemiola imprint in 1993. Throughout 1995 the musicians tracked the Unlike EP along with an additional EP and a single for Soul Static Sound. While touring that year alongside Tortoise and Labradford, the band secured a deal with Southern Records in Chicago. Its first full-length, Sidelong, appeared in 1996 and was soon followed by the Dropplike EP. Ui subsequently worked with Techno Animal, Luke Vibert, and other figures from the experimental electronica underground before joining forces with Stereolab on the Fires EP, which they released under the name Uilab. A second album, Lifelike, surfaced in 1998. Following an extended hiatus, the members reconvened in 1999 for a European tour, a John Peel session, and the EP The Iron Apple. After spending the next two years composing material and performing intermittently, they recruited bassist Erik Sanko to complete the 2003 album Answers.