The Willis emerged in December 2002 out of the monastic isolation of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and consists of longtime friends and periodic bandmates from, “Congratulations on Your Decision to Become a Pilot,” and “Cookie Bug,” just to name a few. The sound is pop inflected but resists sonic, tonal & rhythmic conventions with orchestral arrangements that don’t sacrifice the rock. The Willis’ debut album is produced by James Lison (formerly of Smart Studios, Madison, WI). The songs consist of traditional guitar, drum & bass compositions, complimented by diverse textures created by unlikely instruments such as marimba, orchestra bells, vibraphone, Moog, Hammond and Rhodes pianos and string quartet. The ultimate goal of the band is to create the Midwest’s indie-rock version of Pet Sounds. Also featured on the album is Alan Weatherhead, who has produced tracks for Cracker, Crooked Fingers and others, and performs with Sparklehorse and Hotel Lights