Longstanding denizens of the Twin Cities space-rock underground, Dallas Orbiter is a Minneapolis-based quintet that pulls surprisingly catchy songs out of a wide-ranging sonic palette. 70s art-rock, widescreen psychedelia, abstract noise, out-jazz, and electronic production techniques all find their way into the band's imaginative arrangements. 

The group began with long Krautrock and electric Miles Davis-inspired space jam sessions in the late nineties featuring singer and guitarist Mark Miller, bassist/guitarist Daniel Gahres, Rhodes piano and analog synth master Jonathan Schmig, and drummer Greg Flanagan. The current lineup solidified in 2000 when multi-instrumentalist Eric Lodahl joined up on bass, guitar, filters, Farfisa, and lap steel. Soon after, the band went to work on their first recording project in a tiny practice space near downtown Minneapolis.

Dallas Orbiter's first self-titled cd was released in a handsome, handmade, hand-numbered limited edition in 2002. Fakejazz.com declared it a "slab of psych-pop/rock genius." A super limited (and again hand-packaged) experimental ep followed in 2003, entitled "Dallas Orbiter in a Vat of Laser." The winter of 2002-2003 was spent building a studio in drummer Flanagan's basement. 

A second full-length cd, (the first recorded in their home studio) entitled "Magnesium Fireflies" was released on Princess Records in January of 05. The record attracted rave reviews for its atmospheric arrangements and creative forays into a wide array of styles and influences, also managing to find its way into a number of Twin Cities music writers' year-end Top Ten lists.

January of 2008 sees the official release of Dallas Orbiter's third full-length entitled MOTORCYCLE DIAGRAMS, again on Princess Records. With yet another DIY effort, the band continues looking forward, raising the tempos while assimilating even more disparate influences and approaches to music-making. 


“If music could shimmer, Dallas Orbiter's surely would. The band is well-served by the workhorse quality present on their latest, Motorcycle Diagrams. Without coming across as too playful or wacky, the disc delivers just the right amount of fun.”
– City Pages A-List, Pat O’Brien