Brian McBride of influential ambient duo Stars Of The Lid dies, aged 53
"I loved this guy & he will be missed,” his bandmate Adam Wiltzie said
Brian McBride, the ambient composer and one half of influential duo Stars Of The Lid, has died at 53.
The news was confirmed on Sunday (27th August) by his bandmate of 30 years, Adam Wiltzie, who wrote on the band’s Instagram, “I am deeply saddened to tell everyone that Brian McBride has passed away. I loved this guy & he will be missed.” According to his family, the coroner’s report cited natural causes.
McBride and Wiltzie formed Stars Of The Lid in Austin, Texas in 1993. Inspired by the likes of Brian Eno, Arvo Pärt, and Talk Talk, the pair went on to explore the boundaries of ambient and drone music through incorporating unusual samples, field recordings, and sprawling, effects-treated guitars along with piano, strings, and horns.
The duo released six studio albums between 1995’s debut ‘Music For Nitrous Oxide’, and the 2007 record, ‘And Their Refinement Of The Decline’. As a solo artist, McBride released ‘When The Detail Lost Its Freedom’ in 2005, followed by ‘The Effective Disconnect’, which serves as a soundtrack to the documentary Vanishing of the Bees, five years later.
Later in his career, McBride – then based in Los Angeles – formed Bell Gardens with Furry Things member Kenneth James Gibson. The duo’s most recent record ‘Slow Dawns for Lost Conclusions’ was released in October 2014 via Rocket Girl.
Aside from his musical feats, McBride also helmed the University of Texas National Institute of Forensics’ high school debate camp. Following the news of his death, the society acknowledged the transformative impact of his teaching practices, tweeting: “He was a stalwart of Texas Debate and the UTNIF. Our program is forever indebted to his legacy. He revolutionised argument style in our activity and taught a generation of students how to think critically.”
Tributes have been paid to the hugely influential musician and composer following news of his passing. Listen to ‘Don’t Bother They’re Here’, and read some of those tributes from the world of electronic music below.
