Ultrasound

Ultrasound are a group from London, United Kingdom, active from 1996 to the present. The name refers to two different acts, including a 1990s British indie rock band and an American drone ambient trio.

British indie rock band

The English indie band is fronted by singer and guitarist Andrew “Tiny” Wood, with guitarist Richard Green as the principal songwriter. Wood, Green and drummer Andy Peace previously work together in Sleepy People. The line-up is completed by Matt Jones on keyboards and Vanessa Wilson on bass and vocals; the group also includes Bob Birch and Bruce Renshaw in the wider membership listed for the act.

The band mixes elements of 1970s glam rock and prog with an independent approach. Its first single, “Same Band”, is released on Fierce Panda in 1997. The debut album, Everything Picture, is a double-length release on Nude Records in 1999. The band splits on 12 October 1999 after tensions within the group, which also lead to the cancellation of several festival appearances.

After the split, Richard Green forms The Somatics, Matt Jones becomes Minuteman, and Tiny Wood forms Siren. Ultrasound reunites in 2011 and later releases a second album, Play for Today.

American drone ambient trio

The other act called Ultrasound is a drone ambient trio made up of Karen Palazzini, Rfovetz and Kirk Laktas. Their music is described as layered, dreamlike drone ambient, and Kirk Laktas has previously been a member of Stars of the Lid.