The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/12/09 Section: Variety

Media Credit: Courtesy Pattern is Movement Chris Ward, left, and Andrew Thiboldeaux formed Pattern is Movement after an attempted Christian rap group "fizzled out." [Click to enlarge]

Some bands are born out of an empty garage and salvaged instruments; some arise out of an accidental meeting and a shared musical vision; some are born of classified ads, music class or mutual friends. And, of course, there are those bands that have a different story entirely.

Philadelphia-based duo Pattern is Movement is one of those bands. The founding members, Andrew Thiboldeaux and Chris Ward, met in church and initially, Ward said, they "hated each other."

Though the two weren't friends at first, they eventually reconnected and embarked on their first musical venture as a Christian rap duo. Saturday, they will share the 40 Watt stage with striking female vocalist, Annie Clark (better known by her stage name, St. Vincent).

"I was coming into my own with music, and I really loved Dr. Dre's The Chronic," Ward said of his musical evolution. "Obviously, that doesn't really resonate well when you love Jesus."



The Christian rap group fizzled out, and after high school, college and countless now-defunct musical projects, Ward and Thiboldeaux connected once again to form Pattern is Movement.

The group initially had five members, but after several line-up changes, the band finally became a duo, consisting only of Thiboldeaux and Ward.

"[Thiboldeaux and I] had the idea of, 'Why don't we just pare it down to the two of us and make a record as a two-piece?'" Ward said. "We did it and it worked and now here we are."

Since its final restructuring, the duo has released four records, embarked on numerous tours, and has spent countless hours perfecting their completely unique brand of eccentric, wavering circus-rock.

"You can kind of dance to our music, but it's a little topsy-turvy and it's changing so much," Ward said. "But there is a groove in there. The arrangements are definitely a little different than your average rock 'n' roll song."

Though the band has found a niche in the current sound, Ward cited the natural evolution of the songwriting process and the need to explore new musical territory.

"I think that idea of stop-starting and things kind of falling out of nowhere was something that we all had kind of an affinity for," he said. "It seems to come out a little, but its not something we're striving for. I would say if anything, we're leaving that behind."

The group plans to release a new album next year and is looking forward to their time in Athens.

"We love Athens," Ward said. "It feels like a second home when we're on tour."

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