The Parish is from Oakland. Zac & Kim Stanley's previous band from Minneapolis - Little Dirt- garnered local press attention and opened for The Wrens, David Thomas (Pere Ubu) and Mark Mallman. Zac and Kim continued on when Little Dirt broke up, and spent a year recording their debut album, "The Way We Bend."

Released on their own Cavalry Recordings in December 2006, this record puts sound in a place not quite romantic, not quite nervous. Pursuing an off-center line, walking off-balance while balance remains in sight, each song feels like various songs and possibilities co-existing at once. Crescendos reverse themselves, open up and close in. The music might be moving to a peak, but the peak turns out to be a clearing - and quickly it's back into traveling.

Zac remains on guitar/vocals and Kim's on keyboards/vocals. Graham Hill (Roman Ruins), the drummer, adds well-watered southern roots. Andy Asp (The Pattern, Nuisance) is on first guitar. He loves motorbikes and California. Frankie Koeller (Jim Yoshii Pile-Up) eats egg salad while listening to PIL; he plays bass.