Absentstar's Major Label Debut Sea Trials to be Released on Canvasback Music/Columbia Records

NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Canvasback Music/ Columbia Records) - Canvasback Music/Columbia Records is readying the release of Sea Trials, the major label debut album from the rising young Chicago-based rock band Absentstar for early 2008.

Formed in 2005, Absentstar is Derek Ingersoll (vocals), Andy Dixon (guitars), Marshall Hanbury, Jr. (guitars), Heath Hamilton (drums), and Noel Arnim (bass/vocals). While some of the members met and started playing music together in their Bedford, Indiana grade school, it wasn't until 1998 that they moved to Chicago with the intention of recording and touring together as a band.

By 2005, the group-now expanded to five members-had released its own indie debut, To All That Buy In, premiering Absentstar's distinctive blend of U.K. musical refinement and American rock & roll energy.

Sea Trials was recorded with singer/songwriter/producer Dan Wilson at the Terrarium Studio in Minneapolis and mixed by Michael Brauer (John Mayer, Coldplay, My Morning Jacket, among others). Wilson, whose solo debut will come in October on American Recordings, took home a Song Of The Year Grammy(R) in February for co-writing "Not Ready To Make Nice" with the Dixie Chicks.

New Absentstar originals include: "For God Sakes," "Half Life," "Don't Lock Me Out," "Give In To Me," "Everyone You Know," "If What You Mean Is Harm," "A Year From Now," "Quietly Conceited," "For The Moment," and "All Is Forgotten."

Absentstar will preview songs from Sea Trials during the group's North American tour (see full itinerary following).

Absentstar Tour Itinerary
July 24 The Picador Iowa City, IA
July 25 The Hurricane Kansas City, MO
July 26 The Kathouse Manhattan, KS
July 27 The Blue Fugue Columbia, MO
July 28 D-Fest Music Festival Tulsa, OK
August 4 Badger Music Theatre Reedsburg, WI
August 10 The Annex Madison, WI
August 22 The Bluebird Bloomington, IN
August 23 Jakes Bloomington, IN
August 24 Chicago City Limits Schaumburg, IL
September 6 Howards Club H Bowling Green, OH
September 7 Frankies Inner City Toledo, OH
September 8 Highland Music Festival Louisville, KY
September 22 The Poison Room Cincinnati, OH