The Ceremonies at The Fonda Nov. 12 (Sarah Zahedi)

After releasing their first 5-song EP last October, Los Angeles-based rock band The Ceremonies have already been named MTV’s artist to watch, presented at the 2013 American Music Awards and completed their first national tour with The Fratellis.

Performing in nine different cities on both the east and west coasts, brothers Matthew, Mark and Michael Cook of The Ceremonies said they were thrilled to share their music with new fans and play the last stop of their tour at the sold-out Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles.

Michael Cook at The Fonda Nov. 12 (Sarah Zahedi)

“The romantic notion of traveling across the country, performing to sold-out crowds and finishing in our hometown at the Fonda, playing to our family, friends and fans was a feeling absolutely unparalleled,” they said. “It’s a gratifying feeling to know your audience is readily anticipating your work and is eager to listen.”

First releasing songs in late 2012, the band said their motivation to pursue music as a career roots from their love and appreciation for creation. As Matthew and Michael have studied fine arts and Mark has pursued business at the University of Southern California, the brothers said the classes they have taken throughout their schooling have helped to develop this appreciation. 

Mark Cook at The Fonda Nov. 12 (Sarah Zahedi)

“We see the world around us as unfinished works of art, and being able to contribute to this colossal piece, with music, writing, paintings and ideas, is incredibly gratifying,” they said. “We love the possibilities that art and music afford us—being able to brainstorm an idea, embellish it, and shape it into being.”

Naming some of their musical influences as bands such as Echo and The Bunnymen, The Smiths and The Cure, the Cook brothers also noted poets like William Wordsworth and William Blake in addition to writer Aldous Huxley as inspirations in the creation process of their music. 

Matthew Cook at The Fonda Nov. 12 (Sarah Zahedi)

As lyricist of the trio, Matthew, 21, also sings, plays guitar, keys, bass and the drums. Additionally, both Mark and Michael, 20, sing, play guitar, and percussion in the band.

Planning to release their first full-length album in 2014, The Ceremonies said they hope audiences can be taken on a musical journey through the listening experience.

“All of our music is rooted in engaging with an experience; and not just a happy or a sad one, but both and everything in between,” they said. “We want people to hear our music and engage their mind to let it take them places.”

As they continue to craft new music, the Cooks said they want to positively affect listeners’ mindsets as The Ceremonies.

“We hope people walk away with a renewed or newfound perspective—or at least a mind ready to absorb and interpret the art found everywhere in the world around them,” they said. “The greatest success we could have would be to inspire creativity, encourage people to be open-minded to the many perspectives of the world, and to live genuinely.”

Check out The Ceremonies' newest music video for “Land of Gathering” here.

Reach reporter Sarah Zahedi here.