Stars of the Lid

A drone-based ambient music duo, comprising Adam Wiltzie (°1969) and Brian McBride (1970-2023). The duo formed in Austin, Texas (USA) in 1993 and they list among their influences minimalist and electronic composers such as Arvo Pärt, Zbigniew Preisner, Gavin Bryars and Henryk Górecki, as well as Talk Talk, Labradford and ambient innovator Brian Eno. Their songs are largely beatless soundscapes, composed of droning, effects-treated guitars along with piano, strings, and horns; volume swells and feedback fill the gap of rhythmic instruments, providing dynamic movement within the songs. Their sound has been described as "divine, classical drone without the tedious intrusion of drums or vocals".