Boards of Canada: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Videos
• Photos
• Groups/Boards
• Fan Sites

• Urban Tribe
• Fennesz
• Gescom
• Air
• Kruder & Dorfmeister
• The Black Dog
• Bola

• Brian Eno
• Raymond Scott
• Tranquility Bass
• Ultramarine
• My Bloody Valentine
• Neu!
• Mike Oldfield

• Canon Blue
• Kelpe
• Maps
• Maps
• Cex
• Hammock
• Thom Yorke

Formed:

Jan 1, 1996 in Scotland

Genres:

Electronic & Dance Music, Ambient Music, Trip Hop Music

Decades Active:

1980's|1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

High

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Medium

Ratings Guide

Boards of Canada is the duo of Michael Sandison (b. July 14, 1971) and Marcus Eoin (b. May 27, 1973). Based on the northern coast of Scotland, the group got their start on acclaimed experimental electronica label Skam in 1996 after recording an obscene number of tracks and pressing the best of them up as a miniscule-run 12-inch, Twoism, a eight-track promo EP the group sent to labels in lieu of a demonstration tape. The pair's first official release appeared on Skam toward the middle of 1996, and was quickly hailed as among the label's finest releases to date. Titled Hi Scores, the EP is an engaging mix of simple, infectious three-part synth melodies, subtle hip-hop and electro references, and alternately tense and relaxing beatwork endlessly repeated in shifting combinations (a la Autechre, Bochum Welt, and Cylob). Almost a mini-LP at six tracks and nearly half an hour in length, the debut was followed in late 1996 by a series of live gigs opening for Plaid and Autechre, as well as compilation tracks for Uvm and Skam/Musik Aus Strom side project label Mask (under the name Hellinterface). Further releases for Skam, Mask, and 4th World in-house label Ampoule were scheduled, and in 1998 Boards of Canada issued Music Has the Right to Children. Nearly four years later (and after the release of only a single four-track EP), the duo returned with their second LP, Geogaddi.

- Sean Cooper, All Music Guide