>BIOTECH:

Rising from the ashes of the Portland, Oregon electronic act, Omnibox, SD6 was officially born in 2002. After a seemingly never-ending search for additional personnel, singer/songwriter Brandon Jerwa reassigned manager Jessica Blackshear to the role of a full-fledged band member. Soon enough, everything naturally fell into place: a relocation to Seattle turned out to be a creative breath of fresh air, and the duo quickly found their missing link with the addition of highly skilled keyboardist Nicole Edmonds.

Jerwa's sudden - and successful - breakthrough as a comic book writer forced the band to take their time during the recording process, so they simply rolled with the punches. The extra time spent on the record paid off, allowing the band's sound to grow and evolve naturally for their first release, rather than forcing the process through the crunch of deadlines. Along the way, the circle widened to include Fritter (former drummer for Backandtotheleft, Noxious Emotion and Omnibox).

With everything in place, Tom Shear of Assemblage 23 was recruited for his well-known production polish to bring out the best in the music created by the band. The result is the band's debut, "Between Noise and Transmission", a unique blend of emotionally intense lyrics, ear-catching melodies, and relentless dance beats with a fluid electronic backdrop. Indeed, the album is a still-life portrait of a band constantly in motion, but unwilling to be pushed in one defined direction.

The band continues to play regular shows, supporting such acts as Covenant, Melotron, Cesium 137 and Icon of Coil. Full-scale tour plans are currently being mapped out for 2007, following the release of the new record. "Between Noise & Transmission" was released on 23db Records on January 30th, 2007.

/ BRANDON JERWA / vocals, programming, testosterone

I was born a poor black girl in Mississippi -- wait, no. Basically, I grew up in Kansas, moved around a lot and eventually landed in Longview, Washington. Our high school choir had two Yamaha V-50 keyboards that were never used…until a friend and I got our hands on them.  Soon, we had learned basic programming and were putting on shows consisting of our own synth-pop creations mixed in with covers of Depeche Mode and Anything Box songs. I was fifteen, and electronic pop was my calling, but even then I knew that I wouldn’t be satisfied with cold machines…there had to be emotion and a human element for the music to work the way it did in my head.

My career as a comic writer (GI Joe) has forced a patient approach to music, which has really turned into a blessing. I’ve learned to enjoy myself again, rather than worrying about whether we’re playing enough shows or if we’re getting enough club play. That’s what music is about for me now…enjoyment, not achievement. We will make a record, and if people embrace it, all the better; at the end of the day, it really only has to matter to us. The business end will be tended to properly, of course, but we’re at the point where that business isn’t conducted day-to-day -- yet -- and that’s fine.

/ JESSICA BLACKSHEAR / vocals, keyboards, programming, media

A perpetual native of the Pacific Northwest, I spent my early to high school years (where I was a band nerd) in Toledo, WA (about 70 miles north of Portland, OR).  From 97-99 I was a disc jockey and promotions assistant at a cluster of radio stations in Longview, WA, and in 98 my employer purchased the local competitor stations in town (where Brandon also worked as a disc jockey).  Brandon and I became fast friends, and I soon joined his band at that time, Omnibox, as a sometimes-vocalist.

Due to the timing of multiple unrelated events, one of them being their manager mysteriously "falling off the planet," and the mutual decision that I could better serve the band by filling that void; I began working behind the scenes instead.  After many shows in Portland and Seattle, as well as a very successful show in Hollywood, Omnibox released their debut, "Alpha.”  However, many changes were on the horizon, including:

> the choice to leave their label;

> a relocation to Portland, Oregon;

> a change in lineup for the band; and

> the music of Omnibox taking on a new form entirely.

In the wake of these changes, SD6 was born.  In early 2003, after a long and unsuccessful period of trying to fill at least one more role in the band, I stepped in and everything else started to naturally fall into place. 

/ NICOLE EDMONDS / keyboards, programming, pink lady

I grew up in Albuquerque New Mexico, with brief residential stints in SF Bay area, and Hamburg Germany. 4 years ago, I moved to the Seattle area after many years of wishing to do so. Outside of Europe, I do not want to live anywhere else. Upon moving to Seattle I joined up as the live keyboardist for Static Engine. In 2003 I joined up with SD6 as a keyboardist thanks to the recommendation from Fritter from BATTL.

As to the history of my life, I started playing piano when I was 7, and I am classically trained. I also play the oboe, and some mandolin (My newest instrument love).  Musically these days, I only have time for playing live keyboards. I work full time as the head of QA for a software company, and go to school full time pursuing my degree in Environmental Science. Upon graduation I hope to contribute more musically, especially in the area of composition...If Brandon and Jessica let me.  :)   

      (B & J: We can't wait!)

I'd add stuff about liking long walks on the beach and what not, but that generally goes without saying. :)