THE HISTORY OF AUTONOMY

Autonomy was formed in the summer of 2001 by songwriter William Lorentz (Avalon, Second Skin, Project Eleven) out of a desire to create intelligent, powerful and emotional music with a kickass stage show. The mission was to build a band that was the total package - melodic yet forceful, an organized presentation that wasn't too tied to structure, stylish and trippy. In an age of canned beats and falsified artistry, Autonomy would bring the focus back to songwriting, musicianship, and performance.

Lorentz enlisted the help of two old friends from Dallas with very odd names to create the first incarnation of Autonomy. One called himself Count Rockula (later shortened to 'Rockula') who was a very raw, aggressive, and unorthodox drummer with whom Lorentz had established a strong friendship. They formed the core sound of Autonomy before adding the guitar stylings of their mutual friend Akbar. Akbar was with the band only a short time before moving back to Dallas, and Rockula stayed with the group until 2004 before returning home to pusue other projects.

Autonomy sifted through lots of guitarists before finding Billy Graczyk, but once he joined the lineup he fit like a glove. Graczyk was 18 when he joined the band, and had no previous experience. The band put faith in his potential and he stepped up to deliver on that potential by attending MusicTech and practicing very hard. There he honed his skills while Autonomy's growing fanbase watched.

The band played clubs all over the Twin Cities metro area, and even into Wisconsin as they built a loyal regional following. In the spring of 2003, Autonomy brought a road-tested set to Back Alley Studios 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 www.utrmusicgroup.com

Longtime friend of the band Jendeen Forberg [All the Pretty Horses, the Wolverines Big Band] worked with Autonomy as a backup drummer for some time before signing on as an official third member, all the while expanding the band's already big sound.. Her experience proved to be a huge asset to the group and her unbelievable talent brought exciting new dimensions to the material. As the group wrote new material together, the spark was definitely there and all eyes were looking toward the next album with great anticipation. This new trio discovered it had the ability to create music with a wonderful synergy uncommon in modern rock bands, and set about a plan to expose people to the new Autonomy.

Autonomy attracted immediate attention and critical acclaim with their debut single "Tear It All Down" which not only showcased the band's intensity, but their musical prowess. The follow-up single "We Have It All" displayed a more electronic, pop-friendly side to the band's driving sound which immediately attracted radio attention. Both songs have been featured on modern rock and college radio stations, but the band is in a constant struggle to break through to bigger radio markets.

See the slideshow of the Back Alley Studio sessions