_{By Trevor Myers}

The first project released by Our Time In Space was put out in 2004. The group took a hiatus beginning in 2008 that lasted about eight years. They got back to playing and writing together more regularly beginning around 2019. The next project wasn’t released until 2020, with their latest EP, Past, Present, Future…, coming out in July 2023.

Our Time In Space is a trio made up of Ryan Nielsen, Rod McNeely, and Chris Peterson. Nielsen is on guitar, bass and vocals, while McNeely is on drums and Peterson is on guitar and bass. The three bandmates grew up in the same town, with McNeely and Peterson playing together before Nielsen later joined. The three reunited after relocating to Salt Lake City at various times. 

Our Time In Space cited several influences for their sound, including Smashing Pumpkins, Fionna Apple, Pearl Jam, David Bowie and Pink Floyd. “We’re influenced by certain albums rather than bands,” the trio said.

The entire Past, Present, Future… EP sounds like a time capsule from a period that is both familiar and unknown, both nostalgic and futuristic. The EP almost has the same vibe as Stranger Things — something that we know was created recently, but it effectively manages to capture the essence of another time.

McNeely and Peterson were involved in a metal project before Nielsen joined the group, and there are definitely traces of metal in this project. The group’s instrumentals are described as a “full-dimensional, explosive waterfall of sonics” on their Bandcamp page. The vocals bring a sort of throwback vibe to the EP, and where the project really shines is in the echoes, crashes and strums of the songs.

It may not be immediately obvious that it is just the three of them responsible for all of the instrumentals on the project, but knowing that makes their work that much more impressive.

One track that was especially explosive was “Pendulum Ring,” the final song on the project. It opens with some simpler guitar and drums and builds up before the vocals sneak into the mix. Once the song gets about halfway through, things start to slow down a bit, but not for long. The vocals build with the intensity of the drums and everything crashes together again in a gloriously orchestrated climax. 

Another particularly interesting thing to note about the project is the song “Sirens Calling II,” and the fact that its counterpart, the first “Sirens Calling,” came out nearly two decades prior. The songs feature the same lyrics and melodies, but listening to the two versions back-to-back highlights the evolution of the band’s skills, production and overall sound. 

The 2004 version is a minute longer, while the 2023 version opts to showcase a cleaner, more put-together sound throughout. All the instrumental breaks throughout the new EP lend to the feeling of the instruments being an extension of the band members, rather than just a tool they are using. 

For future projects, it would be great to hear Our Time In Space continue to clarify the vocals a little more. At times, the lyrics are not as clear as they could be, though this could be an artistic choice to highlight the musical talents of the group, as there are times when the vocals are crystal clear.

Overall, Past, Present, Future… has such a distinct, mature sound that is not too common among smaller, local artists. In September 2023, Our Time In Space played live at The Boardwalk.

“If you like our albums, you’ll love our live show,” they said. “We put everything we have into them and do everything in our power to melt your face off.”

Make sure to follow Our Time In Space on Instagram. You can listen to “Pendulum Ring” below.