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Artist
The Ceremonies
12+ albums
indiealternativeindie rockindie poplos angeles
about
Upon meeting Matthew, Mark, and Michael Cook — three smart, stylish, and somewhat serious-minded brothers who make up the Los Angeles band The Ceremonies — it’s clear that these aren’t just any ordinary young people. Their biggest influences are ’80s post-punk pioneers Echo & The Bunnymen, The Smiths, and The Cure. The oldest, 21-year-old Matthew, who is The Ceremonies’ musical architect and lyricist, cites the romantic poets William Blake and William Wordsworth, and British futurist writer Aldous Huxley as major inspirations. A lover of conceptual art and experimental film, Matthew attends art school, as does Michael, 19, who is also an abstract painter. Rounding out the highly artistic trio is Michael's twin brother Mark, who pursues creative writing and painting with his brothers while also working toward a business degree. The images that The Ceremonies’ have made public are stark black and whites of their creative lives, whether it’s a shot of them playing guitars in the studio, Michael drawing a self-portrait, or all three of them composing a painting to illustrate the concept behind their debut single “Land of Gathering.” Drawn to the full sensory experience (it’s hard to think of Depeche Mode or Joy Division without conjuring up Anton Corbijn’s iconic portraits), The Ceremonies are in full control of their visual statement as well as their musical one. “We cross-breed the rock band feeling with a multi-media theatrical element when we perform,” says Matthew, citing t
