PLEASANTRIES

Pleasantries biography
Pleasantries is an eclectic, experimental rock band based in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois that was formed by Andy Markantonatos circa 2013 and focuses on combining catchy melodies with complex instrumentation and odd time signatures to create their intriguing and unusual compositions. Inspirations range from progressive and experimental artists such as King Crimson, Yes and Mr. Bungle to more mainstream artists such as Talking Heads and David Bowie.

The music is composed by Andy Markantonatos, and performed with help of his bandmates Campbell Markantonatos on fretless bass and Sam Ayers on rhythm guitar. The band's music is often accompanied by animated videos on YouTube, but is also available on the major streaming platforms, their first full-length album being the self-titled 'Pleasantries' from 2017. Two further full albums, 'Tiny Heart's Core' and 'I Love This' followed in 2020 and 2021, and there have also been several EPs.

The Pleasantries song She Takes His TV Time was chosen for inclusion in the 'Odd Times and Atmospheres' (a Los Angeles based sharing portal for musicians and music lovers within the modern, progressive, and experimental music scenes, and focussing specifically on math rock and post rock) first compilation album, released in January 2018, and another song from the debut album, called Its Time To End was chosen to lead the sixth annual 'Patrick Lives On Film' Showcase held at Resolution Studios, Chicago, in March 2023.