The Apes on Tape 100K Party creeps closer and today’s preview is on our party opener, Spokane’s Exploring the Depths. Now, admittedly, I’ve been good buddies with both ETD band members Jace Gobble and Max Newman since our pre-pubescent days. Additionally *full disclosure* Jace and I played in Jacen Magnolia together and I produced the ETD album. That being said, you could say I’m a certified expert on ETD so hear me out.

Exploring the Depths crafts, fittingly, exploratory instrumental jams. Perhaps best described in the words of drummer Jace Gobble’s professor, ETD’s debut album feels “dreamy, hypnotic and beautiful”. In his first official music project, guitarist Max Newman found himself coming into his own after years of being the best player in any of our basements. Max’s playing is equally informed by long-time NW favorites Modest Mouse (whom they’ve covered) and Explosions in the Sky. While Jace grew up more familiar with the hardcore scene, it’s personally been a great pleasure to watch him “explore” new percussive territory that reminds me of the feel good ethos of Helio Sequence. Stream their debut EP below and catch them opening the AOT100K Party this Saturday. And check out yesterday’s preview on Seattle’s Kithkin.

The AOT100K Party goes down Sat Sept 1 at Kelly’s Olympian in Portland, OR