Lichens was the solo improv project of Chicago composer Robert Lowe, previously known as the bassist with art rock combo 90 Day Men. A product of the Kansas City area, Lowe signed on with 90 Day Men in 1996, just prior to their relocation from St. Louis to Chicago; when the group went on hiatus following a European tour supporting its 2004 disc Panda Park, Lowe channeled his energies into his long-simmering solo pursuits, appearing as Lichens at that summer's Arthur magazine-sponsored Million Tongues Festival and self-releasing a limited-edition CD-R, R. Brown. Looping wordless vocals and avant-folk fingerpicking to create otherworldly sheets of deep-listening drone, Lowe soon captivated the attention of Kranky Records co-owner Bruce Adams, and in the autumn of 2005 the label released Lichens' official debut, The Psychic Nature of Being. ~ Jason Ankeny