After the disbanding of their Gainesville, Fla.-based prog-rock group Emperor Moth, multi-instrumentalist brothers Joshua and Mishco Makay moved to Athens, Ga., where they formed Macha. The shift from one thriving college town to another -- and a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia -- changed their music forever. Their guitars, keyboards and drum kits were now surrounded by zithers, hammer dulcimers and enough gongs to fill a few temples in the rain forest.
Older brother Joshua began writing the Makays' present pet-project, Seaworthy, during breaks from Macha's tour schedule. Their debut album, "The Ride," lacking the Makays' Indonesian influences but maintaining the droning, otherworldly mystique that gave Macha its signature sound, chronicles the deterioration of Joshua's last relationship.
The first three tracks, with their hypnotic reverb and heartbeat-percussion, gently push you from shore and into the murky waters of Joshua's psyche. The vocals are low, almost inaudible whispers.