Pale Young Gentlemen formed in a large, unused bedroom in Madison, WI in August of 2004. Brothers Michael & Matt Reisenauer and friend Brett Randall started out as a three-piece (piano, drums, guitar), but soon added Milwaukee-based musician Andrew Brawner on bass and cellist Elizabeth Weamer. Drawing upon the folk-classical movements of Brahms, the evocative storytelling of Randy Newman, and the pop orchestration and sensibilities of Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney, this group fashioned a unique and compelling sound.

PYG's self-titled debut (self-released in 2006) was a demonstration of musical imaginativeness. The songs ranged from dark tales of pulsing theatricality expressed through bouncy piano and old dance hall beats, to delicate and powerful narratives with soft vocals and quivering cello in the foreground. After the album was finished, PYG's music continued to evolve, and so did their lineup. Currently, the band consists of original members Brett Randall (bass), Matt Reisenauer (percussion) and Michael Reisenauer (vocals, guitar, piano), accompanied by Beth Morgan (cello, backing vocals) and Gwen Miller (viola, bell kit).

In October 2008, PYG finished the creation of their sophomore album, Black Forest (tra la la). Musically and emotionally expansive, Black Forest twists and flows and weaves like scenery on an uncertain path. The tracks tie together by shared musical and narrative threads, with each building upon the next for an astounding, cinematic effect. The album is rich and diverse, ranging from the frantic guitar-and-drum-driven “Coal/Ivory”, to the languid lyrical meanderings of “Kettle Drum (I Left a Note)”.

As with their debut, Black Forest was recorded and mixed at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin and produced by Beau Sorenson (Death Cab For Cutie, Sparklehorse). This is Pale Young Gentlemen’s first release with Science of Sound.

Featured on Black Forest (tra la la): Mike Reisenauer - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano Matt Reisenauer - Percussion Brett Randall - Bass Guitar Liz Weamer - Cello Beth Morgan - Backing Vocals, Bell Kit Gwendolyn Miller - Viola Derek Powell - Violin Leelanee Sterrett - French Horn Margaret Mackenzie - Harp Matt Peters - Xylophone Jacqueline Reisenauer - Flute

Current lineup for live shows: Mike Reisenauer - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano Matt Reisenauer - Percussion Brett Randall - Bass Guitar Beth Morgan - Cello, Backing Vocals Gwendolyn Miller - Viola, Bell Kit