Biography
Vapour Theories operates as a sporadic duo effort from the guitar-playing siblings John and Michael Gibbons, who also established the psychedelic Philadelphia outfit Bardo Pond. Amid commitments to that primary group and various other ventures, the pair occasionally reconvene to shape immersive, soothing soundscapes drawn from live improvisations, evident in the 2021 album Celestial Scuzz.
Since Bardo Pond began in 1991, both Gibbons brothers have contributed to its singular fusion of shoegaze, psychedelia, and noise rock. They have likewise joined additional side ensembles, among them Hash Jar Tempo, formed through Bardo Pond’s partnership with New Zealand guitarist Roy Montgomery, plus the stoner rock trio Alasehir and the drone-folk quartet Alumbrados. Decant marked their initial Vapour Theories release, a 2003 self-issued CD-R that included flute from Bardo Pond’s Isobel Sollenberger. Moving past the guitar-and-synth foundation of that debut, the 2006 follow-up Joint Chiefs, put out by The Lotus Sound, added saxophone, drums, and tabla. In 2014 the duo issued a split LP alongside avant-folk guitarist Loren Connors via Carbon Records. They resurfaced in 2021 on Fire Records with Celestial Scuzz, which contained a version of Brian Eno’s “The Big Ship.”
Since Bardo Pond began in 1991, both Gibbons brothers have contributed to its singular fusion of shoegaze, psychedelia, and noise rock. They have likewise joined additional side ensembles, among them Hash Jar Tempo, formed through Bardo Pond’s partnership with New Zealand guitarist Roy Montgomery, plus the stoner rock trio Alasehir and the drone-folk quartet Alumbrados. Decant marked their initial Vapour Theories release, a 2003 self-issued CD-R that included flute from Bardo Pond’s Isobel Sollenberger. Moving past the guitar-and-synth foundation of that debut, the 2006 follow-up Joint Chiefs, put out by The Lotus Sound, added saxophone, drums, and tabla. In 2014 the duo issued a split LP alongside avant-folk guitarist Loren Connors via Carbon Records. They resurfaced in 2021 on Fire Records with Celestial Scuzz, which contained a version of Brian Eno’s “The Big Ship.”
Albums
Singles
