Brian McBride, a member of Stars of the Lid, passes away at the age of 53

Stars of the Lid • Brian McBride • Kranky: Brian McBride, the influential figure in the realm of ambient music and one half of the duo Stars of the Lid, has passed away, as confirmed by his label Kranky to Pitchfork. The band conveyed their grief on Instagram, stating, "I am deeply saddened to tell everyone that Brian McBride has passed away. I loved this guy & he will be missed." Brian McBride was 53 years old at the time of his passing.

McBride's impact on the world of ambient and electronic music is immeasurable, largely through his work with Stars of the Lid. His journey began in 1990 when he relocated to Austin, Texas, and fortuitously crossed paths with his future musical collaborator, Adam Wiltzie. This serendipitous encounter led to the formation of Stars of the Lid in 1993. Drawing inspiration from luminaries like Brian Eno, Arvo Pärt, and Talk Talk, the duo incorporated guitars, piano, strings, and horns into their compositions, crafting a form of classical-inspired drone music. Despite its minimalist nature, Stars of the Lid were known for weaving unexpected sources into their songs, ranging from the sounds of Wiltzie's pet dog Frog to the unassuming ring of a telephone in Twin Peaks.

Their debut album, "Music for Nitrous Oxide," which they recorded alongside musician Kirk Laktas, took two years to complete in 1995. Even after Laktas's departure, McBride and Wiltzie maintained a remarkable pace, releasing four consecutive albums in the subsequent years: "Gravitational Pull vs. the Desire for an Aquatic Life" (1996), "The Ballasted Orchestra" (1997), "Per Aspera Ad Astra" (1998), and "Avec Laudenum" (1999). The pinnacle of their career came with the release of two critically acclaimed albums, "The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid" in 2001 and "And Their Refinement of the Decline" in 2007, with the latter serving as their final studio album. However, the duo made sporadic appearances in the following decade, including rare shows in 2012 and a performance at a festival curated by Sigur Rós.

Notably, their later works were created separately, with McBride in Chicago and Wiltzie in Austin during "The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid." This method allowed them to reflect on each other's contributions more deliberately, fostering a deeper creative process. By the time they embarked on "And Their Refinement of the Decline," McBride had relocated to Los Angeles, and Wiltzie had moved to Belgium, prompting the duo to experiment with digital recording methods.

In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, McBride emphasized the importance of authenticity in their music, stating, "Working on the music, for me, it’s kind of important to not fake it in some ways, to not try to force this emotional state out of it, to sort of pay attention to what’s going on in your life, if you’re feeling inspired or motivated just letting it happen." He noted the challenge of maintaining genuine artistic expression after releasing numerous records over the years.

A remarkable aspect of their journey was the expansion of their audience in the 2000s, attracting diverse listeners from science fiction writers to yoga practitioners and new parents. Today, many of their records are revered as some of the finest ambient albums ever produced.

Born as Brian Edward McBride in Irving, Texas in 1970, his early passion for music was matched only by his fervent involvement in debate. McBride was a formidable debater on the Westbury High School team, concluding his senior year with an impressive record of 117 wins and 11 losses, including 12 tournament victories. He continued his debate journey at the University of Texas, where he secured a first-round-at-large bid to the National Debate Tournament (NDT) for three consecutive years, achieving multiple tournament wins and numerous top-five speaker awards.

Following his graduation from the University of Texas, McBride dedicated himself to directing the University of Texas National Institute of Forensics' high school debate camp, a role that had a profound impact on countless students. He also coached debate teams at various universities, leading Northwestern University to three NDT victories, guiding the University of Redlands to the NDT quarter-finals twice, and achieving numerous wins with the University of Southern California during his tenure as their Assistant Director of Debate from 2006 onwards.

In addition to his work with Stars of the Lid, McBride explored other musical projects. He released two solo albums, "When the Detail Lost Its Freedom" in 2005 and "The Effective Disconnect" in 2010. The latter also served as the score for the 2009 documentary "Vanishing of the Bees," an investigation into the worldwide disappearance of honey bees and beehives.

Upon relocating to Los Angeles, McBride joined forces with Kenneth James Gibson, best known for his work in Furry Things, to create the band Bell Gardens. Their musical journey resulted in the debut EP "Hangups Need Company" in 2010, followed by full-length albums "Full Sundown Assembly" in 2012 and "Slow Dawns for Lost Conclusions" in 2014. Over the years, their music delved into diverse genres, including chamber pop, folk rock, Americana, and psychedelia. Although the band mentioned working on new material in 2016, no subsequent releases have emerged.

In a poignant interview with the Five Questions podcast, McBride shared that what he would miss the most in life were surprises and the ability to find beauty in the mundane. He cherished those moments when, unexpectedly, he would find delight in the everyday, a sentiment that resonates deeply with many.

Following the news of his passing, numerous musicians paid tribute to McBride, including his Stars of the Lid partner Adam Wiltzie, Mark Nelson of Labradford, Kyle Bobby Dunn, former Death Cab for Cutie member Chris Walla, Trevor de Brauw of Pelican, Eluvium, Luke Silas of Anamanaguchi, Sarah Hennies, More Eaze, and Clipping. The Texas Forensic Union Debate Team also expressed their condolences, acknowledging McBride's revolutionary contributions to debate and critical thinking.

Brian McBride's legacy extends far beyond his music, touching the lives of students and fellow musicians alike. His dedication to authenticity in art, his profound impact on the ambient music genre, and his influence in the world of debate will continue to resonate with generations to come.