Marie / Michel, the latest release from Missouri-based instrumental duo SISTERS OF…, is a two-movement EP that plunges the listener into a powerful emotional journey. Released via Crowquill Records, this 17-minute piece is designed to be experienced as a single, cohesive work. The EP explores themes of loss, grief, anger, and eventual catharsis, expressed through thick, cinematic soundscapes that have become the band’s hallmark. Each movement—”Marie” and “Michel”—carries its own weight, yet together they form a dynamic narrative of emotional transformation.
Opening with “Marie,” the EP immediately sets a reflective tone. The track was born from the feeling of missing someone deeply, a theme that manifests through its tranquil yet heavy opening moments. “Marie” creates the sensation of floating—weightless yet burdened—before waves of sound begin to rise. These waves mimic the physical and emotional struggle of grief, reaching a climactic peak of intensity before abruptly cutting off, leaving the listener adrift, unresolved yet still afloat.
“Michel” picks up without pause, erupting with raw energy. If “Marie” captured the despair of loss, “Michel” channels the anger that often follows. The song’s aggressive opening chugs and hypnotic grooves propel the listener forward, offering a sense of defiance and power. Midway, the track softens, introducing a serene loop that provides a brief moment of comfort and reflection. This calm is shattered as “Michel” builds to a monumental crescendo, closing the EP with an explosive burst of sound that feels like a definitive end to the emotional odyssey.
Crafted through the unique creative process that defines SISTERS OF…, Marie / Michel showcases the band’s ability to construct intricate and deeply personal compositions. Aaron Coker and Chris Clark, who live across the street from one another, write and record their music by exchanging pieces remotely, layering ideas into immersive soundscapes. For this release, they introduced multiple tunings within the same project—a first for the band—which added even greater depth and texture to the EP’s sonic palette.
SISTERS OF… have built their reputation on albums like Follow Me As A Ghost (2013) and The Serpent, The Angel & The Adversary (2015), and their influences—RUSSIAN CIRCLES, ISIS, MOGWAI, and CVLT OF LUNA—are evident in their ability to craft music that feels both massive and intimate. Yet Marie / Michel stands apart as a bold evolution in their sound, one that pushes the boundaries of their creativity while staying true to their core ethos: to write music they themselves would want to hear.
Marie / Michel is not just an EP; it’s an emotional experience, a story told through sound, and a reminder of the power of music to convey what words cannot. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to their work, Marie / Michel offers a listening experience that is as moving as it is unforgettable.
About SISTERS OF…
SISTERS OF… is an instrumental duo based in St. Joseph, Missouri, formed officially in 2012 by longtime collaborators Aaron Coker and Chris Clark. Known for crafting richly layered, emotionally charged soundscapes, the band creates music that bridges the intensity of post-metal with the introspection of post-rock. Their influences—RUSSIAN CIRCLES, ISIS, MOGWAI, and CVLT OF LUNA—are evident in their ability to blend crushing heaviness with cinematic beauty.
Despite living across the street from one another, SISTERS OF… compose their music in a uniquely remote fashion, exchanging parts and ideas digitally and layering them meticulously. This process allows the duo to construct deeply intricate songs that evolve organically during recording. It’s a method that has shaped their sound into something both vast and deeply personal, resonating with fans of immersive, instrumental music.
Their discography includes two acclaimed full-length albums, Follow Me As A Ghost (2013) and The Serpent, The Angel & The Adversary (2015), both released on Crowquill Records. Each record showcases their talent for weaving dense textures and dramatic dynamics into a cohesive sonic narrative. Their latest release, the two-movement EP Marie / Michel, continues this tradition while pushing the boundaries of their creativity, using multiple tunings and exploring new thematic depths.
Though primarily a studio project—with fewer than ten live performances since their inception—SISTERS OF… have built a reputation for their dedication to craft and their ability to evoke profound emotion without uttering a single word. Their music is not just a collection of songs; it’s an invitation to feel deeply, to lose oneself in the ebb and flow of sound, and to connect with something larger than oneself.
SISTERS OF is:
Aaron Coker – Drums, Guitar
Chris Clark – Guitar, Bass
Marie / Michel Album Credits:
Producer: SISTERS OF…
Recording Studio: Self-recorded
Engineer: SISTERS OF…
Mastering: SISTERS OF…
Mixing: SISTERS OF…
Album Cover Artist: SISTERS OF…