When at a loss in descriptive powers, resort to metaphor: if bands were wines, Shearwater would be a French Chardonnay. Their sound is rich yet delicate, smooth and fleshy, packing tightly layered elements that offer to the palate lush sonic fruits with a proud, metallic Old World austerity. It's easy to imagine Shearwater's Jonathan Meiburg in monk's robes tending to ancient vines. But luckily for audiophiles, he's currently tending to a new release instead- The Golden Archipelago, due out early next year. (Fun Fun Fun Fest attendees just may be treated to a sample pour, if you will.) Jonathan was gracious enough to take time out to answer a few of our questions and whet our palate.

