In the summer of 2008, the three brothers in Pontiak issued a split 12" with Arbouretum called "Kale" as their first release on Thrill Jockey. Shortly thereafter in September we reissued their second album "Sun On Sun" (originally sold only on tour) and then their third album "Maker" quickly followed in April 2009. Having spent the majority of that year on the road, Pontiak were quickly establishing their reputation as an ear-splitting live band with a galvanizing onstage presence.

In October 2009, Pontiak issued their fourth release for Thrill Jockey in a little over a year, thus cementing their reputation as a prolific band as well. Pontiak wrote, recorded and mixed "Sea Voids" in eight evening sessions over the course of three weeks. The brothers sketched out what kind of album they wanted to make while on a two month US tour. It would be visual, it would be expressive, and it would be inspired by what the brothers had seen.

When they returned home from tour they had just four weeks to write and record the album before disembarking on a European tour. They spent many long nights, amps blazing into the summer darkness, drums echoing off the surrounding hills, working to finish. They tuned the bass and the guitar down to B, cranked their amps and let the air open up. Hardly any distortion pedals were used. It was just LOUD.

Pontiak finished "Sea Voids" the day they left for Europe. The record benefited greatly from the work of Richard Prince and Chris Burden, and to them the band gives a huge thanks!

 

"Sea Voids" will be limited to 1,000 copies on vinyl only and the jackets are hand screened by Crosshair. Never ones to rest, the Carney brothers are already hard at work recording their next album and getting ready for another European tour in early 2010 with label mates White Hills.