Inspired by some of the more cutting-edge bands that successfully merged electronics with rock in the late '90s (specifically Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, and Björk), in 1997 the two core members of Echostream befriended each other while attending the Royal Academy of Music in London. Both Japanese transplants, Ryoko studied piano while Tony studied French horn and music composition. As an aspiring vocalist as well as an accomplished pianist, Ryoko sent a demo tape to a major label, which was met with an offer to fly to Japan to record. She invited Tony, and after a year of recording with producer James DeBarrado, they realized that they were being pushed into an overly mainstream pop mold and left the label to pursue a more creative avenue in music. Tony became further interested in creating textures and incorporating live instrumentation, and as he continued to work behind the boards, he brought in guitarist Tomo Asahi and keyboardist Deron Reynolds to fill out the sound. After moving to the States and signing to the roster of Force of Change Records, they completed their first album, Identity, in 2005. To round out their live sound, two drummers were added, with Jen on an acoustic set and CJ on electronic drums, before a tour followed. Their second album, The Duality of Courage, followed in 2008. ~ Jason Lymangrover