Azure Ray

The Southern dream pop duo of Azure Ray began their rise in 2001 when former Bright Eyes members Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor joined Crooked Fingers/Archers of Loaf's Eric Bachmann for something musically enchanting. A little more stripped than Bright Eyes and their other outfit, Little Red Rocket, Fink, and Taylor shaped a delicate soundscape for their 2001 critical self-titled debut. The next winter, Azure Ray issued the November EP on Saddle Creek, which featured collaborative work with Andy Lemaster (Now It's Overhead). Sophomore effort Burn and Shiver followed in spring 2002 and exuded a more serene soundscape and slick production work from Bachmann. Fink and Taylor also collaborated with Moby on the song "The Great Escape" for his 2002 release, 18. A year later, Funk and Taylor continued their steady pace of writing and recording. Their naturally warm tone was polished up for Hold On Love.