Balance and Composure
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Doylestown, Pennsylvania , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Balance and Composure is a US-based emo group originating from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Established in the winter of 2007 following the dissolution of two local ensembles, their early sound was shaped by influences such as Nirvana, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sunny Day Real Estate, Jawbreaker, and Braid. Their musical approach has often been likened to Nirvana and fellow Pennsylvania natives Title Fight.
Initially, the band produced three full-length albums alongside two EPs. Their sophomore record, The Things We Think We're Missing, achieved a peak position of number 51 on the Billboard 200 chart, reached number 10 on the Independent Albums list, climbed to number 13 on the Modern Rock/Alternative Albums ranking, and secured number 16 on the Rock Albums chart.
On December 14, 2017, lead vocalist Jon Simmons revealed that their forthcoming anniversary tour would mark the band's final performances. In January 2019, a farewell tour comprising six shows was announced and subsequently expanded due to popular demand. This tour featured opening acts including Tigers Jaw, mewithoutYou, and Touche Amore.
On April 11, 2023, Balance and Composure made a comeback with an unexpected release of a 7-inch single entitled Too Quick to Forgive, containing two new tracks produced by longtime collaborator Will Yip and distributed through his label Memory Music. The band also declared plans for reunion concerts supported by Webbed Wing, Grist Mil, Fleshwater, Seahaven, Death Bells, Choir Boy, and Toledo. The lineup for 2023 features Simmons, Andy Slaymaker (guitar), Erik Petersen (guitar), Matt Warner (bass), and newly added drummer Dennis Wilson (previously with Saves the Day and Every Avenue).
Their fourth studio album—and first release in eight years—titled With You in Spirit, was launched on October 4, 2024, under Memory Music.
Members
Current members
- Jon Simmons – lead vocals (2007–2019, 2023–present), rhythm guitar (2010–2019, 2023–present), lead guitar (2007–2010)
- Andy Slaymaker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2007–2019, 2023–present)
- Matt Warner – bass (2007–2019, 2023–present)
- Erik Petersen – lead guitar (2010–2019, 2023–present)
- Dennis Wilson – drums, programming (2019, 2023–present)
Former members
- Bailey Van Ellis – drums, programming (2007–2019)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
- Separation (2011)
- The Things We Think We're Missing (2013)
- Light We Made (2016)
- With You in Spirit (2024)
EPs
- I Just Want to Be Pure (2008)
- Only Boundaries (2009)
- Balance and Composure/Tigers Jaw split (2010)
- Acoustic 7" (2012)
- Braid & Balance and Composure split (2012)
- Off the Board: A Studio 4 Family Compilation (2013)
- Postcard/Revelation 7" (2016)
- Slow Heart 7" (2017)
- Too Quick to Forgive 7" (2023)
Music videos
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "Quake" | Dan Centrone |
| 2013 | "Reflection" | |
| "Tiny Raindrop" | Alex Henery | |
| 2016 | "Postcard" | Jason Michael Roberts |
| "Afterparty" | ||
| 2023 | "Savior Mode" | Jon Simmons, Erik Petersen, Britain Weyant |
| "Last to Know" | Dessie Jackson | |
| 2024 | "Cross to Bear" | Drew Horen |
| "Sorrow Machine" | Dessie Jackson | |
| "Believe the Hype" | Drew Horen | |
| "Any Means" | Britain Weyant | |
| "With You in Spirit" | Dessie Jackson |