Justin Ansley | drums Jacob Coles | bass Russell Holbrook | guitar/vocals
Russell Holbrook moved from Athens, GA to Chapel Hill, NC and met up with
drummer Justin Ansley (Cub Country, Jennyanykind) and bass player Jacob Coles.
The three immediately began to write and rehearse the material
that would later make up their debut album, “La Mancha”. The group recorded the
album with Jay Murphy (The Nein, Cold Sides) at Ponchartrain
studios in Chapel Hill and it was released in 2000 on Chapel Hill label,
Sit-n-Spin. CYOA spent the next two years touring and playing shows, ocasionally
opening for prominent intrumentalists Explosions in the Sky, as well as Crush Kill Destroy and Rival Schools
and built a strong following on the east coast. The band also recieved significant critical
acclaim for “La Mancha”. Russell, Justin and
Jake began to work on a series of recordings with Jay Murphy at Ponchartrain, and
Nick Peterson and Russell Ellis at Track and Field Studios (Ben Davis, Bellafea).
While experimenting with home recording in addition to the studio work, it became apparent
that due to the sheer volume of material they would have to split the next record
into two separate chapters. The logical decision was to release the first half,
“Let ‘em Work, Let ‘em Live”, on Trekky Records and the second half, “The Long
Defeat” on Sit-n-Spin Records in January and December 2004, respectively.
During this time, Jacob’s wife had twins and he decided to leave the band to
devote time to his family. Russell and Justin continued to work as a two-piece
until Russell decided to move back to the Athens/Atlanta area and Justin decided
to stay in Chapel Hill to concentrate on Cub Country. Russell still continues
to write, record and perform under the name Choose Your Own Adventure, occasionally with
Justin and/or other friends.
The Long Defeat is part two of two in the companion set of albums from Choose Your Own Adventure.
Released by Sit-N-Spin Records.
Boat, Wave, Walker
Let 'Em Work, Let 'Em Live is the first half of a two part series from Choose Your Own Adventure. "The album flowers into
a pastiche of blustered depth and frustration, light and hope, doom and fragility...and judiciously doles out
splendor, unadorned etheriality and repose." -Robbie Mackey, the Crutch.
Come on Down to Street/You Are Listening to WXDU
La Mancha (released on Chapel Hill label Sit-n-Spin) is Choose Your Own Adventure's debut LP that won the band a reputation as
the sharpest instrumental band in the area. Intense and mature and beautiful.
The Long Defeat is part two of two in the companion set of albums from Choose Your Own Adventure.
Released by Sit-N-Spin Records.
Let 'Em Work, Let 'Em Live is the first half of a two part series from Choose Your Own Adventure. "The album flowers into
a pastiche of blustered depth and frustration, light and hope, doom and fragility...and judiciously doles out
splendor, unadorned etheriality and repose." -Robbie Mackey, the Crutch. 
La Mancha (released on Chapel Hill label Sit-n-Spin) is Choose Your Own Adventure's debut LP that won the band a reputation as
the sharpest instrumental band in the area. Intense and mature and beautiful.
