From Love Spirals Downwards to Melodyguild: A New Chapter
By 1999, Suzanne Perry had parted ways with Ryan Lum. After a handful of live performances and interviews supporting Love Spirals Downwards’ 1998 album Flux, she quietly disappeared from the spotlight. Meanwhile, Lum compiled the retrospective album Temporal: A Collection of Music Past & Present, released by Projekt in January 2000, before moving forward with new musical collaborators as Lovespirals. Perry’s absence left fans wondering when—or if—she would return.
Then, in 2002, something unexpected happened—Suzanne Perry returned. But before fans could fully embrace her new project, Melodyguild, it was gone. What happened to Aitu, and why did it take four years to see the light of day?
A Band of Interwoven Paths: Melodyguild’s Shifting Lineup
Melodyguild wasn’t formed overnight—it emerged from a web of musical connections that had stretched across nearly a decade. While its lineup fluctuated, the band’s members had a history of crossing paths in Los Angeles’ dream pop and ethereal music scenes, working together at different points on various projects.
Rodney Rodriguez had been a key figure in this network, leading The Von Trapps, a project with a rotating lineup that released music between 1997 and 2003. Initially collaborating with John West, Rodriguez handled guitar and drum programming while West contributed bass on their 1997 contribution to Splashed With Many A Speck—a Dewdrops Fanzine compilation that also featured Love Spirals Downwards. Over the years, The Von Trapps evolved, with Rodriguez shifting roles between guitar, bass, and vocals while recruiting various musicians like drummer Matt Gleason for their 2003 album, This Is The Von Trapps.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez had another connection to Love Spirals Downwards, contributing guitar to “Alicia” on their 1998 album Flux. He also joined Perry and Lum onstage as a second guitarist for Love Spirals Downwards’ final live performance at ProjektFest Los Angeles on March 15, 1998.
By the time Melodyguild took shape in 2002, it wasn’t simply a gathering of close-knit bandmates—it was a fluid collaboration among musicians who had worked together on and off for years. As Perry later described:
“I wanted to do some work beyond Love Spirals Downwards—something that fit my voice. That’s really how we came together, just trying each other out.”
Even as Melodyguild’s lineup changed, there was always a thread of familiarity between its members. However, tracking those shifts is part of the mystery surrounding the band. The credits on Aitu list:
- John West (Bass)
- Matt Gleason (Guitar)
- Nicholas Pallos (Drums)
- Suzanne Perry (Vocals)
Yet, by 2004, Perry described the lineup differently in Gothic Beauty:
“Nicholas Pallos is primarily on drums, with some synthesizer and guitar work. Cris Miller is our guitarist, and myself, Suzanne Perry, on vocals for now. We also have some others who have contributed on the album and on bass guitar when we play live.”
Additionally, the official Melodyguild bio from that time stated:
“Matt, who was the drummer for LA indie/dreampop band The Von Trapps, began collaborating with their ex-bass/guitarist John, and Love Spirals Downwards singer Suzanne in 2002. Nicholas, who is also the lead in local band The Battle of Lake Erie, soon joined on drums. John left the band in 2003 and was replaced by Von Trapps guitarist, Rod, on bass. Cris, with a soon-to-be-released album on Clairecords under the name Silver Screen, soon joined on guitar to complete the lineup.”
Despite these shifting roles, the band moved forward, recording Aitu and performing live in Los Angeles.
Melodyguild’s friendships extended beyond its core members, too. Instead of working in a traditional studio setting, the band chose to record with trusted friends who had access to professional equipment. As Pallos explained:
“We have some friends who have actual recording studios who let us record there. Much cheaper than going through a full studio.”
Perry echoed that sentiment:
“These are people we are close friends with who know what they are doing as far as the recording equipment goes.”
Though Melodyguild’s lineup was anything but stable, the band was ultimately built upon long-running creative partnerships—ones that had formed, dissolved, and reformed over the years.
Here’s a look at the musicians who contributed to Melodyguild at different points in time:
- Nicholas Pallos (Drums/Synthesizer/Guitar): Formerly of The Battle of Lake Erie, Pallos brought a multi-instrumental sensibility and played a key role in shaping the band’s self-produced recordings.
- Matt Gleason (Guitar): Originally the drummer for The Von Trapps, Gleason switched to guitar for Melodyguild, reuniting with West and Rodriguez.
- John West (Bass) – A former member of Elysium and The Von Trapps, West was Melodyguild’s original bassist and is credited on Aitu.
- Rodney Rodriguez (Bass): Leader of The Von Trapps, Rodriguez also played in Elysium and contributed to Love Spirals Downwards’ Flux (1998). He performed as second guitarist during their final live show and later replaced West as Melodyguild’s bassist in 2003.
- Cris Miller (Guitar/Keyboards): Known for his solo project Silver Screen, Miller joined in 2004, rounding out the band’s final lineup. Though not featured on Aitu, he led the band’s recording of Sally’s Song.
Defining Their Sound: Shoegaze, Indie Rock & Dream Pop
Melodyguild often described their music as a blend of “shoegaze,” “indie rock,” and “dream pop.” In a 2004 interview with Gothic Beauty, Pallos stressed the band’s independent nature:
“We’re pretty much self-produced. We knew and know kind of how we want it to sound, and we enjoy being able to do it ourselves and have control over the final product.”
Perry elaborated on her musical intentions:
“It’s a totally natural creative drive for me to do it. I do it completely on the side of everything else I do in life, but I feel like it’s something I ‘have’ to do. Money and attention aren’t really a focus for me or I would go about it differently. If I ever compromised that I don’t think it would be as good or enjoyable. I never labor over my lyrics. I just let whatever I do come out naturally. I never try to sound any other way than how I sound, I simply do it.”
Live Performances and Early Buzz (2003-2004)
Melodyguild’s first major public appearance came in January 2003 at Club Violaine, an iconic Los Angeles venue known for showcasing shoegaze, ethereal, and indie acts. Sharing the stage with Bethany Curve, the band made an impression on local fans and DJs alike.
In March 2003, Melodyguild returned to Club Violaine, performing alongside The Arrogants for another buzzed-about show. To promote the event, they made their radio debut on Generation Death with Club Violaine founder, DJ Wednesday, on KSPC 88.7 FM. The band premiered their first recorded song, giving fans a glimpse of their forthcoming material.
In late 2004, Perry and Pallos sat down for an interview with Gothic Beauty magazine, discussing their creative process, the newly recorded EP, and even teasing plans for a full-length album. They also revealed their contribution to Projekt’s Holiday Single 2 compilation: a haunting cover of Danny Elfman’s “Sally’s Song.” Recorded with Miller and Pallos, the track showcased Perry’s delicate, melancholy vocal delivery.
Perry confided to Gothic Beauty:
“This is a song I’ve wanted to do for a long time, “Sally’s Song” from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It came out really well. I think anybody who enjoyed the film will be really pleased with our version. It’s not a very long song, but I think people will be pleasantly surprised.”
A Sudden Disappearance: What Happened to Aitu?
Anticipation for Melodyguild’s debut EP was steadily building, with Aitu officially listed on Projekt’s ‘Upcoming Releases’ page. But then—silence. The band’s website disappeared, no new music surfaced, and the band was nowhere to be found. Fans were left wondering: Had Aitu been shelved indefinitely?
Behind the scenes, Melodyguild had quietly disbanded. In 2006, Gleason and Rodriguez moved on to form a new band, Life Underwater, alongside vocalist/keyboardist Laura Derby and drummer Anna McEntee. Meanwhile, Perry collaborated with ambient artist Falling You on several tracks in 2006 and 2008—including “And The Rain Comes In Waves,” which featured Rodriguez on bass and guitar.
Miller continued his solo work as Silver Screen, releasing When You Don’t See Me in late 2007. Pallos stepped away from music, shifting his focus to film, where he wrote and directed the short Neither Here Nor There: The Waiting Room and co-wrote the sci-fi thriller Shadowplay, both in 2007.
Then, as if emerging from the mist, Aitu finally saw the light of day in June 2008—four years after the band had faded from the scene. To celebrate the long-awaited release, Melodyguild briefly reunited for a record release party at Club Violaine, returning to the very venue where their journey had begun.
Aitu: Track-by-Track Overview
“Panamint”: The EP’s opener sets the tone with shimmering guitars, understated percussion, and Perry’s wistful vocals. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and nostalgia: “I’m awake over you / Long for the nights when I’m with you.” The song’s gradual build culminates in a dramatic guitar break, echoing Slowdive’s best moments.
“Panamint” might be considered the album single, as it was featured ahead of the EP on Projekt 2007.1 and again on Projekt 2009 Sampler, two budget-priced CD compilations promoting the label’s artists.
“Accomplice”: With its upbeat melody and candid lyrics, “Accomplice” contrasts sharply with the opener. Perry’s biting lines—“Good thing I planned to hate you anyway”—add a touch of defiance to this jangly, Sundays-esque track.
“Flicker”: The third track drifts into melancholic dream pop, blending deep basslines with delicate guitar work. The lyrics explore themes of memory and time: “Captured as a frame / A flicker on your wall.” Gleason’s guitar work stands out here, shifting between clean arpeggios and light distortion.
“Un Parallel”: Closing the EP, “Un Parallel” is its most ambitious and emotionally charged track. The song’s languid verses build to a chaotic crescendo, with screeching guitars and crashing drums underscoring the tension in Perry’s lyrics: “You always said we were un parallel / Too far apart, too far apart.”
Pallos described “Un Parallel” in Gothic Beauty as:
“A study of dynamics. We wanted a song that wasn’t on ’10’ or ‘1’ volume-wise the whole time. In terms of music, we wanted a longer-than-your-average-pop-song piece that would be very fluid and changing as it went along.”
Critical and Fan Reception
Critics and fans alike greeted Aitu as a stunning comeback. The EP quickly climbed to #6 on the Projekt Top 10, a testament to the enduring allure of Perry’s voice and the curiosity surrounding her musical return.
AllMusic Guide (Ned Raggett): “Aitu captures a full-band performance, a subtle but clear change from Perry’s duo work in the past. The cascading guitars, moody bass, and Slowdive-style moments ensure the EP’s atmospheric appeal.“
Liar Society: “Melodyguild is at its best on the epic-length ‘Un Parallel,’ a song that builds from dying embers back into a full blaze. Perry’s vocals remain the common thread, making Aitu worth the wait for Love Spirals Downwards fans.”
Heathen Harvest: “Pure shoegazer sound. Melodyguild shifts between clean arpeggios, distorted notes, and sweet melodies, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of The Cure’s Disintegration and lighter My Bloody Valentine moments.“
Amazon reviewers shared similar sentiments:
“It’s such a joy to hear Suzanne Perry’s lustrous voice once more… Melodyguild is a full-fledged band, not merely a vehicle for Suzanne’s sublime vocals.” — Tim Lukeman
“One of the selling points of Aitu is that it showcases Suzanne Perry’s luminous vocals. But what also needs to be brought to the forefront is a four-song release of well-structured, interesting songs with just enough noise for the shoegaze fanatics.” — Jennifer Griggs
Rediscovery and Revival: Aitu Finds a New Audience
In early 2021, Projekt reissued Aitu on their Bandcamp page, accompanied by a reflection from label owner Sam Rosenthal:
“A DJ in Los Angeles recently mentioned to me how much he loves this EP from Suzanne Perry. Hard to believe it’s been 12+ years since I released it on Projekt… Aitu is a lovely shoegazer portent of a band that was never to be.”
The reissue made the EP available on streaming services, though it was erroneously listed under the Love Spirals Downwards name with the title Suzanne Perry’s Melodyguild: Aitu. Despite the confusion, the release introduced Melodyguild to a new generation of listeners—proving that even a brief, fleeting project can leave an enduring impression.
The 2024 review by Drowning in Melancholy captured the EP’s enduring impact:
“Melodyguild may be like a shooting star that flashed for a moment and then disappeared… but I hope it will continue to remain in the memories of many people in the future.”
A Beautiful But Fleeting Moment
Despite the promise of Aitu, Melodyguild’s story ended almost as quickly as it began. The band never recorded a full-length follow-up, and over time, its members drifted into other projects and pursuits.
While Perry never formed another band, she remained engaged with music through select collaborations. In 2010, she lent her voice to the Sleepthief song, “Empyrean,” for the compilation Beauty 2: Music That Touches the Soul. The song later appeared on the expanded 2015 edition of Labyrinthine Heart.
In 2011, Perry collaborated on another song with Falling You for the album, Adore. The jangly guitar and live drum sound of ‘Champagne’—along with Perry’s pop-inflected harmonies—echo the wistful energy of Melodyguild. Her lyrics reflect a quiet longing: ‘Let me just this once / Find someone to hear the story / For me.’ Whether intentional or not, the line carries a certain weight, hinting at unfinished stories and unspoken reflections.
In 2017, Perry reunited musically with Miller on “Until the Stars Align” for Falling You’s album Shine, an album Projekt released on CD and digital format. Streaming services credit both Suzanne Perry and Love Spirals Downwards on the track, likely due to metadata tagging, though her former bandmate, Lum, was not involved.
Reflecting on the song’s creation, Perry shared with Projekt:
“As it has always been for me, it’s not been about thinking or connecting the sounds to the world as it is in these fleeting moments. But I recall thinking about the night sky. The lyrics for ‘Until the Stars Align’ were written mostly by Cris Miller.”
Miller provided backing vocals, as well, performing throughout the song as a duet.
Beyond studio recordings, Perry briefly returned to the stage in 2013, performing with Seattle dream pop band Golden Gardens at the Brickbat Mansion Boat Cruise, an event hosted by longtime friend and Club Violaine founder, DJ Wednesday.
Though their time was brief, Melodyguild provided Perry with a deeply fulfilling creative outlet. ‘For me, Melodyguild is a lovely extension of what I did with Love Spirals Downwards,’ she told Gothic Beauty. ‘I had other opportunities, but this connection with Melodyguild was the most enjoyable to me.’
With its brief existence and elusive history, Melodyguild almost feels like an Aitu itself—a spectral presence in Perry’s musical legacy, appearing suddenly and vanishing just as quickly, leaving behind a haunting and beautiful fragment of sound.
In the end, Aitu is more than just a lost EP—it’s a fleeting, shimmering dream, one that lingers in the hearts of those who still press play, hoping to glimpse Melodyguild’s ghostly beauty one more time.