Citing the "blissful British sounds" of early Smiths records as his first source of inspiration, Patrick Phelan has over the years come up with a minimalistic formula for balance of form and emotion. He began working as a member of Richmond, VA, band South in the late '90s. South released its self-titled debut album in 1999, with Phelan acting as vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist, and pianist to Nathan Lambdin's guitar, keyboard, and vibes. The album was cerebral without falling into clichéd art rock territory, thanks to Phelan's serene vocals and the band's allowing the music to ebb and flow texturally, rather than forcing it in one particular direction. That same year, he contributed vocals to Drunk's Raised Toward and guitar and drums on Tableside Manners. In October of that year, he co-produced and played piano on Spokane's Leisure and Other Songs. 2000 also saw the release of his first solo effort, Songs of Patrick Phelan, which featured Phelan's tenacious production values and glacial guitar work and Paul Watson's delicate, muted cornet playing. Parlor, Phelan's second, more ascetic release, came out in June of 2001. Four years later, he issued Cost. ~ Travis Drageset, Rovi