Big Sir is the longtime collaboration between bassist Juan Alderette (The Mars Volta) and singer/composer Lisa Papineau. Since its inception in the late 90s, Big Sir has explored a vast array of tunes merging electronic and analog sounds with Papineau's extremely versatile vocal acrobatics that leap from delicate whisper to soaring wail. Their third album Before Gardens After Gardens finds the duo expanding their sonic palette with varied instrumentation and moods. At times danceable, others darkly haunting, the album is as visually evocative and it is musically compelling.