Created in 1997 by guitarist Scott Loose (pronounced ‘Low Zee’) and drummer Trevor Schrotz, Arise From Thorns (AFT) began exploring and writing melodic, atmospheric and diverse music. Shortly thereafter, Scott’s sister, Michelle Loose, joined the band to provide keyboards and lead vocals. The music of AFT began to take form as the three members wrote and recorded their first self-titled CD that was released in 1998. AFT began playing in and around their hometown of Dale City, Virginia, a suburb of Washington D.C., and established a name for themselves in original, avant-garde music. In 1998, the trio was joined by bassist Chris Welborn, who previously played in the Northern Virginia-based band Division and guitarist Tom Phillips, founder of the band While Heaven Wept. The five of them began work for their follow up CD entitled ‘Before An Audience of Stars’ and continued to play clubs and festivals on the East Coast.


In March 2000, A...