Distance does a number on everyone.

When Arun Antonyraj moved to Los Angeles in 2001, he found himself without a band to play with for the first time in years. The left coast can be isolating for new transplants, and Arun spent lots of time alone, exploring his voice and guitar. The results soon eclipsed his existing proficiency with the keyboard—his position with Milwaukee’s Until the Tape Runs Out.

After several years of small releases for friends and family—the annual December Holiday EPs—Arun started recording his best tracks for a first public release. In 2005, with graduation looming, the five-song Are You Saying I'm Still Alive? CD EP saw release. It’s a gentle, warm exploration of indie-pop, with quiet electric and acoustic guitars and inviting, half-whispered vocals.

The newest release from Hamilton is an original score for a short film by independent writer/director Andy Chaney (also of Until the Tape Runs Out). The film remains unreleased, but Arun’s short instrumental soundtrack, Transparent Seas, has been available online since 2006.

Arun is the founder of Roses & Hello as well as the guitarist for City Breathing, who expect to release their first record in early 2008. In the meantime, he’s writing new songs for a new full-length Hamilton release—this time, from the right coast.