Matthew Philip Hines is the visionary Austin singer-songwriter who began The Eastern Sea as a bedroom project in 2005 and eventually gathered some other musicians to record under the moniker, issuing debut full-length
Plagues earlier this year. Band membership swells to as high as 11 and shrinks as low as seven, with string and horn players brought on to add nuanced texture along with synths, bass, Wurlizter, finger-picked guitar and layered percussion. The result is a mix of shimmery indie pop, soundscaping prog and lush folk rock. Also with Roadkill Ghost Choir, Empire Cinema.
— Leilani Polk