An ambitious symphonic rock/orchestral pop collective based out of Austin, Texas and spearheaded by bandleader and founder Nick Gregg, Mother Falcon was formed in 2008 by Gregg with the help of members of the Red Armada String Quartet, a high school ensemble. Taking a cue from other classical-minded pop artists like Sufjan Stevens, Beirut, and the Polyphonic Spree, the group eventually added members from other area schools, and by the time they began performing, numbered anywhere from 11 to 20 musicians on any given night, with core vocalists Gregg, guitarist Claire Puckett, and accordionist-pianist Tamir Kalifa leading the charge. Mother Falcon quickly became a must-see event around town, playing numerous high-profile festivals and releasing a string of well-received EPs and LPs, including Still Life (2010), Alhambra (2011), You Knew (2013), and Good Luck Have Fun (2015). ~ James Christopher Monger