In late 2010, Brooklyn multi-instrumentalist Kurt Feldman was splitting his time between the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and the Depreciation Guild. Feldman began writing songs and recording demos on what would come to be the Depreciation Guild's final tour. While Feldman was unclear on whether the songs fit into Depreciation Guild's stylistic bigger picture, the point soon became moot as the band broke up in early 2011. Feldman continued work on these demos, eventually fleshing them out for Ice Choir. Over the next year, Feldman crafted an album of songs indebted to '80s production, enamored with vintage synthesizer tones, and touched with his own special gift for unique pop hooks. Ice Choir's debut album, Afar, arrived in summer 2012. ~ Fred Thomas