Out of their shell: post rockers Tortoise

In Aesop's fable, the determination of the tortoise helped him beat the swift but cocky hare, proving that hard work will triumph in the end. It's an apt metaphor for the reptile's music-world namesake. Well into their third decade, Tortoise may not be the world's biggest-selling band, but as they prepare for their first Asia tour, they are one of its most critically acclaimed.

Widely credited with originating the post-rock genre — an experimental fusion of diverse styles from jazz and classical to hard rock, found sounds and repetitive beats — they have inspired a litany of bands such as American arena act Animal Collective and Britain's 65daysofstatic in an ever-growing subculture where musicianship comes first.

Members of Tortoise have helped score movies, produced some of the experimental arts' biggest names including Stereolab, and collaborated with alt-rockers including Bonny Prince Billy and Bright Eyes.

But since forming in Chicago in 1990, the band's career output has been slow at best: they've made just six albums. Their most recent, Beacons of Ancestorship, was released five years ago. Work on a new CD is progressing at, well, a tortoise's pace. It's a work rate that drummer and band kingpin John McEntire is comfortable with.

"We've been taking our time because we've got a lot of other things on the go and we try not to repeat ourselves," McEntire says of the recording sessions for the new album, not due out for another year. "That's really difficult for instrumental bands because you can't rely on the lyrics or the focus on a singer."

Tortoise, who play Grappa's Cellar in their debut Hong Kong gig on May 15, took shape from the embers of McEntire's earlier band Bastro, who were joined by fellow Chicago experimentalists Doug McCombs on bass and percussionist John Herndon. At a time when Seattle was becoming the world focus of indie rock with grunge, the Chicagoans were looking for a different outlet.