If we were telling the polished and whimsical Reader’s Digest version of alternative-rock-electronica powerhouse Stellar Vector’s rise on the Minneapolis indie scene, it would start with founding members Charles Sadler (vocals, keyboards) and Jonathan Ford (rhythm guitar) playing together for the first time at First Avenue—a venue Prince has played many times and used as a principal locale for Purple Rain. It would include the release of their song “Agoraphobia” on the Electro Punk 2 compilation and then cut to the present, with the band at last releasing their debut full length album A Flock of Cowards after two well received EPs, Not In A Parallel Universe, Either and You’re Not Included.

Yet that cleanly written history would leave out the much more fascinating joys and struggles, the highs and lows. The five-piece Stellar Vector now describes itself as a “post modern rock band that draws heavily from various neo-prog and post-punk influences (Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Peter Murphy, Buzzcocks, etc.) and makes heavy use of synthesizers. But in the early 2000s, Sadler and Ford—who met while gigging together at the Fireball in St. Paul when Sadler was with Little Tin Box and Ford was part of Disassociate--actually started out with a completely different sound as a solo synth-pop project called {space bar}. 

The original lineup of {space bar} played its first gig in the First Avenue Main Room in 2004 and later recorded a three song demo with producer Ev Olcott (12 Rods/Halloween, Alaska/Dot Dot Dot). But after Charles penned “Agoraphobia,” which also appeared on Not In A Parallel Universe, Either, the band—which they rechristened Stellar Vector--shifted from its developing angsty vibe to more progressive rock (a la old Genesis, Gabriel and Bowie). Along the road, there were a series of key personnel changes, but all the comings and goings have led to Sadler and Ford’s current live and recording lineup: Kevin Hahn (lead guitar), Stephan Ahonen (drums) and Mike Johnson (bass). Currently expanding beyond their status of Twin Cities local phenomenon, Stellar Vector has held court at some of the region’s top venues over the past few years, including The Varsity Theatre and the Triple Rock Social Club.