The Present is the new project from legendary New York musician and producer Rusty Santos (Panda Bear's Person Pitch, Born Ruffians' Red Yellow & Blue, Animal Collective's Sung Tongs). Described by one band who worked with him as "a hyper boy genius," Santos has always fixed his attention on producing music that is experimentally rich yet accessible.  
 
After many years and variant modes of collaboration, Santos formed The Present with Jesse Lee and Mina, who bring a plethora of extra dimensions to the sound. Mina's background in classical piano and her love of Japanese traditional songs meet at intense and imaginative levels with the expressive attitude of the band, while the long-standing musical partnership between Lee and Santos, which began when they were in high school together, gives the songs one voice and the band the sound of a single instrument. 
 
Forged from intense improvisational sessions, The Present's debut, World I See, tramples on musical boundaries and preconceptions, yet is an album to which a wide audience can still relate, musically and emotionally. Though the instruments on World I See aren't necessarily new (the basic elements are piano, guitar, and drums), the band makes timeless music by using the most minimalist methods in innovative new ways. The result is the beautifully elegant, powerful sound of The Present. 
 
"This record is pure instinct with no attention paid to belonging. It is raw intellect and emotion. The Present is indeed both gift and now. Open your ears and your mind will follow. God bless this record for teaching me that." 
--Brian Degraw, Gang Gang Dance