The Instruments is the musical project of Heather McIntosh, cellist in a number of

Athens, Georgia Athens is a consolidated city-county in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. Downtown Athens lies about northeast of downtown Atlanta. The University of Georgia, the state's flagship public university and an Research I university, ...

groups including

Circulatory System In vertebrates, the circulatory system is a system of organs that includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood which is circulated throughout the body. It includes the cardiovascular system, or vascular system, that consists of the heart ...

Elf Power Elf Power is an American indie rock band that originated in Athens, Georgia, United States. The line-up consists of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Rieger, keyboardist Laura Carter, guitarist Dave Wrathgabar, bassist Bryan Poole, and drummer Peter ...

, and

Japancakes Japancakes is an American indie rock group, based in Athens, Georgia, United States. History Rhythm guitarist Eric Berg formed the band with the idea of putting ten musicians in a band without any rehearsal, and performing a D chord for 45 minu ...

. They released three albums between 2003 and 2008. Other members of the band include

Peter Erchick The Olivia Tremor Control were an American psychedelic band from Athens, Georgia that released two studio albums, a bonus disc, a singles collection and a live album between 1996 and 2000. The main members were Will Cullen Hart, Bill Doss, Er ...

Will Cullen Hart William Cullen Hart (June 14, 1971 – November 29, 2024) was an American musician, singer, songwriter and visual artist. He was a co-founder of the Elephant 6 Recording Company, as well as the rock band the Olivia Tremor Control. Following that ...

, John Fernandes, Hannah Jones,

Jeff Mangum Jeffrey Nye Mangum (born 24 October 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who gained prominence as the founder, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist of Neutral Milk Hotel, as well for his co-founding of The Elephant 6 Recording Comp ...

, and Derek Almstead. McIntosh toured with

Gnarls Barkley Gnarls Barkley is an American soul music, soul duo composed of singer-songwriter CeeLo Green and producer Danger Mouse (musician), Danger Mouse. They released their debut studio album, ''St. Elsewhere (album), St. Elsewhere'', in 2006. It contai ...

in 2008 as their bass player and later the same year played bass and cello on

Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He is often regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, as well as one of the greatest rappers of all ...

's tour. In 2009, Heather contributed cello to the tracks "Graze" and "Bleed" on

Animal Collective Animal Collective is an American experimental pop band formed in Baltimore County, Maryland. Its members consist of Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Geologist (Brian Weitz), and Deakin (Josh Dibb). The band's work is cha ...

's Fall Be Kind EP.

Discography

Albums

*''Billions of Phonographs'' (

Orange Twin Records Orange Twin Records is an Athens, Georgia-based record label run by Laura Carter of the band Elf Power. The label started in 1999 originally as a fundraiser for the Orange Twin Conservation Community and has released influential works by Jeff ...

, 2003) *''Cast a Half Shadow'' (Orange Twin Records, 2006) *''Dark Småland'' (Orange Twin Records, 2008)

References

Elephant 6 artists {{US-rock-band-stub