The Intima

Andrew Neerman -- Vocals Nora Danielson -- Violin, Vocals Alex Neerman -- Drums Themba Lewis -- Bass Kyla Cech -- Violin (2003) Defunct as of early 2004. Nora and Themba went on to play with numerous other artists, such as Calvin Johnson, Lyrebird, Mirah, The Mountain Goats, Tara Jane O'Neil, and Young People. Alex was a member of Operative with Jed Bindeman (Little Axe/Freedom To Spend) and Spencer Doran (Visible Cloaks). Andrew has run the Beacon Sound label and record shop since 2011. "The Intima use great instrumental prowess to build a near-constant state of tension in their shadowy, sweeping songs. Their taut structural designs are charged with carefully wielded aggression and barbed wire hooks, sounding experimental while maintaining a melodic accessibility. The tightly knit quartet's emphasis shifts delicately from sparse ethereality to densely juxtaposed clamor and dissonance - built from disjointed guitar, sharp, wavering rhythms, and sawing violin - and tied together by a common thread of comforting intimacy, enormous heart, and intelligence. The Intima are entrenched in the aesthetics of both British post-punk (Mekons, Gang of Four) and American progressive art-punk (Unwound, Sonic Youth), but they hardly sound derivative and their raw impact is as powerful as their primary ancestors." – Andrew Bottomly, Skyscraper