Autonomy wants local music scenes to matter again, to show that what's happening in your area is just as important as what's happening in the big New York & L.A. studios - if not moreso. Autonomy is the champion of so many great bands/musicians who are overlooked because they aren't industry pawns with tons of money behind them. Having the name of the band tie so directly into independence and self-empowerment seemed perfect.

Autonomy has become a fixture on the Minneapolis music scene, and has played all of the major rock venues in town. The band is beginning to tour regionally and will concentrate on blanketing the midwest in 2005.

The internet is a huge advantage for many unsigned artists who wish to get their music out in front of new people. Music downloading has revolutionized the way people hear music, and has leveled the playing field a bit. Digital music is here to stay and they are tasked with trying to make money off of something that is already free. The music industry wants to find a way to stay viable and profitable while their empire of greed and control is crumbling. It is a beautiful time of change that I hope will lead to a renaissance. The internet is the last remaining hope for people to give music back to the musicians - where it belongs.

We would sign with a major label only if we were given the creative freedom to do what we currently do. That is highly unlikely though, as most record contracts come with control mechanisms designed to turn artists into puppetlike music manufacturing machines. It is far more likely that Autonomy will remain self-produced and continue to build a grassroots campaign to raise awareness about how corporate greed has stunted the creative production of the music industry. If using a corporate label's support to get that message out is an option, we'd take it.

Autonomy was formed in the summer of 2001 by songwriter William Lorentz (Avalon, Second Skin, Project Eleven) and relocated Dallas percussionist and video guru Rockula (the Necrotonz). The intention was to create intelligent, distinctive music that was high-energy and visually artistic at the same time. Rockula was growing unhappy with the music scene in Dallas and Lorentz was in need of a drummer. Lorentz was convinced the Twin Cities music scene was primed and hungry for a 'deep' band to emerge. They due set out to build a band that was the total package - melodic yet forceful, rhythmic yet not tied down too tightly to structure, stylish and talented. In an age of canned beats and falsified artistry, Autonomy would bring the focus back to songwriting, musicianship, and performance. They began enacting a plan to create the band the Twin Cities, and maybe even the world, had been waiting for.

They were joined by their longtime friend Akbar, who also relocated from Dallas. Autonomy was now a trio, and worked up an EP's worth of material together. They took their newly developed sound into Back Alley Studio in Minneapolis. Akbar moved back to Dallas for personal financial reasons shortly after the recording of this EP and had to leave the band to finish the mixing and move on.

Autonomy auditioned guitarists for some time before finding Billy Graczyk. His developing sound quickly melded with Autonomy and the group was complete again- and sounded better than ever before. The band played clubs all over the Twin Cities metro area, and even into Wisconsin building a grassroots local following. In the spring of 2003, this new incarnation of Autonomy brought a road-tested set back to Back Alley for the recording of their debut album. The group worked on the album for most of that year, and in December signed on with Under the Radar as they were about to release the final product. Autonomy's debut, self-titled album was released on January 1st, 2004 and is available through http://www.utrmusicgroup.com

Autonomy loves deep music. We're really into lots of styles, but a few bands stand out to us that really accomplish something similar to what we're after. Tool is a great example of a band that isn't afraid to write deep music and use powerful visuals to hammer the point home. Pink Floyd is another good example.... We're big fans of the Live in Pompeii video. Radiohead is an excellent band with a very artistic approach to their writing. We like a lot of early 90s rock/grunge stuff. Billy is really into jazz and Ether loves electronica and classical music too.

Minneapolis is our favorite city.

Ether plays vintage Les Paul basses through an all-tube Fender system. Any digital effects the band uses are provided by Zoom, except vocals which are done using a Digitech processor. Autonomy employs a Zoom drum machine for all electronic programs/sounds.

Autonomy is the kind of band you can follow throughout their career to watch them grow and develop. The band treats their mission as a marathon, not a sprint. Great care is taken to put on great performances, especially in their hometown of Minneapolis. Please take time to discover a great Minnesota rock band and experience them for yourself live!