Matt Pond Pa Biography
Chamber pop quintet Matt Pond PA was led by titular singer/songwriter Pond, who formed the group upon relocating from New England to Philadelphia; also featuring guitarist/bassist Josh Kramer, cellist Jim Hostetter, violinist Rosie McNamara-Jones and drummer Sean Byrne, they debuted in 1998 with Deer Apartments, that same year winning top honors in the Unheard? unsigned bands competition sponsored by online retailer CDnow. Matt Pond PA's sophomore effort, the lovely Measure, followed in 2000. The I Thought You Were Sleeping EP appeared in spring 2001 and dates with Very Secretary, Ted Leo, and Aspera followed that summer. Within the next year, the band shifted around its roster to included Mike Kennedy (drums), Matt Raisch (bass), Jim Kehoe (guitar) and The Rachel's Eve Miller (cello) alongside Pond and Hostetter. A third album, The Green Fury was released in spring 2002 while Pond also took on duties writing music for the Oxygen Network. The Nature of Maps followed several months later. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
