Par Avion

Par Avion is a SPIN.com pick band currently consisting of singer/guitarist/composer Paul Avion, bassist/composer Zachary Ginder, keyboardist/composer Zandro Urbiztondo and drummer Andrew Rivera.

Par Avion was formed in 2004 in Los Angeles, and originally consisted of Tanya Haden (cellist, sister of Petra Haden, now wed to comedian Jack Black), Nick Lucero (a former drummer for Queens of the Stone Age), session musician Korel Tunador) and Paul Avion.

Par Avion's first official EP release, in 2006, was produced by Scott Benzel, although earlier demos were recorded by Ben Mumphrey, producer of Frank Black & the Catholics Devil's Workshop EP.

The current lineup has been in existence since 2006, as the band has seen an evolution in a more '90s direction, with some alt-country elements, as well. Since then, the band has released a number of singles, such as "Stand Up, Be a Man" and "Fibromyalgia," which have appeared on PBS' Roadtrip Nation and Fuel TV's extreme sports show, The Daily Habit.

"Fibromyalgia," which was featured as a download on SPIN.com, appears to have been written about local musician Annie Hardy of Giant Drag, who suffers from the disease. In February 2009, Par Avion received further press in SPIN.

The band has also received press in College Music Magazine, Glasswerk UK, Sentimentalist Magazine and other outlets.

In June 2009, Under the Radar Magazine's Digital Sampler, Volume IX included the single "Art School Dropout" along with a number of bands from Sub Pop, Merge Records and Saddle Creek Records.

In July 2009, they received a write-up in New York's Sentimentalist Magazine further likening their sound to that of the '90s.