Rainer Maria defy comparison. From their very first performances at d.i.y. basement and living rooms shows across the U.S. almost 10 years ago to the release of their latest, instantly inspiring album Catastrophe Keeps Us Together, this inseparable trio has always set their sights on uncharted musical territories, rather than mainstream musical trends.

During the past three years, the band has focused almost exclusively on writing, recording and mixing Catastrophe Keeps Us Together. After extensive touring in the U.S., Japan, Canada, and Europe for the better part of 2003 and 2004, they returned to the studio. Drummer William Kuehn explains: