Aloha

by Heather Phares
Ohio's experimental rock quartet Aloha consists of guitarist/vocalist Tony Cavallario, bassist Matthew Gengler, multi-instrumentalist/percussionist Eric Koltnow, and drummer Cale Parks. On the group's two Polyvinyl Records releases, 1998's limited-edition 7" and the following year's The Great Communicators, the Interpreters, the Nonbelievers EP, Aloha incorporates jazz and post-rock elements with personal, emotional songwriting, which is mirrored in their intense, often improvised live performances. That's Your Fire marked the band's first full-length album. Released in 2000, That's Your Fire was welcomed by critics and indie cult favorites. Two years later, Aloha delved into a heavier soundscape for Sugar. Some Echoes followed in 2006. After releasing the EP Light Works in January 2008, Aloha announced a U.S. tour for spring that same year.