Manchester Orchestra is an indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. Their latest album, 'Simple Math' was released last week.

The band is headed by singer/songwriter/guitarist Andy Hull.

Back in April 2009, Hull started putting his life back together again. The new concept album is about that experience...according to Andy, “It’s the reaction to my marital, physical, and mental failures. But for the first time, I’m not blaming anyone but myself."

Manchester Orchestra's latest album is much more than simply defining it as a 'concept album'...it a lot more than that. It's this emotional musical diary that becomes a full out experience when you listen to it. You can feel the passion, the rawness and the honesty to the core. It truly is brilliant.

Five things about the band:

-Lead singer, Andy Hull spent seven years living in Canada (ages 7-14) when his dad came to pastor a church in Toronto

-Andy began writing while attending high school. Encouraged by positive response, he decided on home schooling during his senior year, so he could spend more time composing and recording in the studio.

-The band's debut EP was released through the band's own label, Favorite Gentlemen Recordings.

-On the release & buzz of that EP alone, Manchester Orchestra played at SXSW and Lollapalooza festivals even before beginning to work on their first full-length album.

-Manchester Orchestra has a similar musical vibe to The Weakerthans and Death Cab for Cutie with a little Ron Sexsmith thrown in...it's that weird Atlanta-based fusion of grunge, blues and country that totally works.

Current members

Andy Hull - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
Robert McDowell - lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
Chris Freeman - keyboards, additional percussion, backing vocals
Jonathan Corley - bass
Tim Very - drums, percussion

Discography

2004: Nobody Sings Anymore
2006: I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child
2009: Mean Everything to Nothing
2011: Simple Math

Canadian Tour Dates

May 16 Toronto: The Mod Club Theatre
July 30 Montreal: Osheaga 2011

You can follow Manchester Orchestra on Twitter at @ManchesterOrch

Simple Math