Scott Bottomley and Al Palacio met each other the same way many musicians of the early '90s hooked up in LA and Orange County: The Recycler. An answered classified ad doesn't exactly make for a glamorous introduction, but in this case it created a strong musical union. Their music melds deep glassy pop guitars with cutting Euro-Pop sensibilities rarely heard from a band from SoCal..


Together in various incarnations since 1993, Scott and Al have etched out a niche for themselves in a band named, appropriately, Etch. Ask them how to describe their music, and they'll answer "ambient pop." Ask what Etch is and they'll respond, "an American band that makes world music." Like all good bands with veteran musicians, Etch found its own style via the influence of others. Hints of such musical innovators as the Beatles, Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel, and the Goo Goo Dolls can be heard in Etch's collective music.

Etch's radio debut w...