Ex-Nihilo

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Origin
Genres
Years active
Labels
Members
Associated acts
Website

Ex-Nihilo
Origin	Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock • Indie pop • Pop rock • Christian rock
Years active	2010s–present
Website	exnihilomusic.com

Ex-Nihilo (often stylised Ex Nihilo) is an American alternative / indie pop rock band from Columbus, Ohio. The group combines melodic pop hooks with atmospheric rock arrangements and faith-influenced lyrics, drawing comparison to bands such as Coldplay, Switchfoot and Fickle Friends.<ref>About section on Ex-Nihilo Bandsintown profile. https://www.bandsintown.com/a/1357349-ex-nihilo</ref>

History

After a previous band dissolved, bassist Matt Brooks began a new project with drummer David Sadowski in Columbus and started looking for additional members.<ref>A to Z Entertainment – Ex-Nihilo band bio. https://www.comediansandspeakers.com/music/christian-musicians/ex-nihilo/</ref> The lineup solidified with the addition of vocalist / keyboardist Austin Hafner and guitarist Joel Sheppard, and the band adopted the name Ex-Nihilo (“out of nothing”).<ref>A to Z Entertainment – Ex-Nihilo band bio. https://www.comediansandspeakers.com/music/christian-musicians/ex-nihilo/</ref>

Ex-Nihilo describe themselves as an “Alternative-Indie-Pop Rock band from Columbus, Ohio” whose music “speaks to our life experiences” and aims to both “make you move” and “make you think.”<ref>Bandsintown – Ex-Nihilo profile. https://www.bandsintown.com/a/1357349-ex-nihilo</ref> They began appearing regularly in the Columbus scene in the mid-2010s, playing venues such as Rumba Café and Spacebar alongside regional acts like Graceful Closure, Captain Kidd, Shiny Penny and others.<ref>Columbus Dispatch – “Local Limelight: Ex-Nihilo”, 6 April 2017.</ref><ref>Concert listing – Ex-Nihilo at Rumba Café and Spacebar, Columbus, Ohio. https://www.concertarchives.org/ and related Facebook event archives.</ref>

The band released a self-titled debut EP, Ex-Nihilo, which became available on iTunes, Spotify and other digital platforms.<ref>Ex-Nihilo Twitter/X bio. https://twitter.com/ex_nihilomusic</ref><ref>A to Z Entertainment – Ex-Nihilo band bio. https://www.comediansandspeakers.com/music/christian-musicians/ex-nihilo/</ref> Songs from the EP (including “Enemy”) circulated via YouTube and ReverbNation, helping the group build a following inside and outside Ohio.<ref>YouTube – “Enemy” by Ex-Nihilo video description. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAssiGijWCc</ref><ref>ReverbNation – Ex-Nihilo band page. https://www.reverbnation.com/exnihiloband</ref>

Members

Current members

• Austin Hafner – lead vocals, keyboards<ref>A to Z Entertainment – Ex-Nihilo band bio. https://www.comediansandspeakers.com/music/christian-musicians/ex-nihilo/</ref>
• Matt Brooks – bass, backing vocals<ref>ReverbNation – Ex-Nihilo band members section. https://www.reverbnation.com/exnihiloband</ref>
• David Sadowski – drums<ref>A to Z Entertainment – Ex-Nihilo band bio. https://www.comediansandspeakers.com/music/christian-musicians/ex-nihilo/</ref>
• Josh Beaudoin – rhythm guitar, backing vocals<ref>A to Z Entertainment – Ex-Nihilo band bio. https://www.comediansandspeakers.com/music/christian-musicians/ex-nihilo/</ref>
• Joel Sheppard – lead guitar<ref>Equipboard – Joel Sheppard (Ex-Nihilo) gear pages. https://equipboard.com/pros/joel-sheppard</ref>

Former / additional live members

• Brittany Reed – early member (role not consistently documented)
• Tyler Monroe – early member (role not consistently documented)<ref>A to Z Entertainment – Ex-Nihilo background section mentioning early lineup. https://www.comediansandspeakers.com/music/christian-musicians/ex-nihilo/</ref>

Musical style

Writers have described Ex-Nihilo’s sound as “airy yet serious alternative pop rock,” noting the band’s blend of upbeat, polished production with earnest lyrical themes.<ref>Ryan Getz, “Ohio artists to watch – 2017 edition”, Tuned Up. https://www.iamtunedup.com/ohio-artists-to-watch-2017-edition/</ref> The group cite Coldplay, Switchfoot and Fickle Friends among their major influences, alongside a broad mix of alternative and pop-rock artists.<ref>Bandsintown – Ex-Nihilo profile. https://www.bandsintown.com/a/1357349-ex-nihilo</ref>

Discography

EPs

• Ex-Nihilo (self-titled digital EP, self-released) – debut EP available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and other platforms.<ref>Ex-Nihilo Twitter/X bio. https://twitter.com/ex_nihilomusic</ref><ref>YouTube – “Enemy” by Ex-Nihilo video description. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAssiGijWCc</ref>

Notable live shows

• 10 January 2017 – The Tree Bar, Columbus, Ohio – with Project Elise, Kostka and Keith Cretin.<ref>Project Elise Facebook event archive. https://www.facebook.com/ProjectEliseMusic/</ref>
• 10 February 2017 – Rumba Café, Columbus, Ohio – with Graceful Closure, Come Wind and Captain Kidd.<ref>Concert Archives – Graceful Closure / Come Wind / Ex-Nihilo / Captain Kidd show listing. https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/graceful-closure-come-wind-ex-nihilo-captain-kidd</ref>
• 27 April 2017 – Spacebar, Columbus, Ohio – with North by North and She Bears.<ref>Fluent Fame Facebook – show announcement including Ex-Nihilo at Spacebar. https://www.facebook.com/fluentfame/</ref>

External Links

• Official website
• Bandcamp
• Ex-Nihilo on Twitter/X
• ReverbNation profile
• Bandsintown artist page

References

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