Space Captain is a psych-soul group signed to UK indie label Tru Thoughts, and includes songwriter/vocalist Maralisa Simmons-Cook, bassist/producer Alex Pyle, guitarist/producer Gray Hall, keyboardist/vocalist Joy Morales, and a rotating cast of characters featured both live and on record including flutist/vocalist Jill Ryan and drummer Donnie Spackman (Great Time), trumpeter Lessie Vonner (Beyoncé), saxophonist Sly5thAve (Prince, Ghost-Note), guitarist Mike Haldeman (altopalo, Moses Sumney), and drummer Joey Ziegler (Cherubim). They have appeared with BADBADNOTGOOD, Ghostface Killah, Nick Hakim, Khruangbin, Palehound, Kendra Morris and more. Lauren Laverne (BBC Radio 6 Music) calls them "really interesting...a sound of their own."
Space Captain's initial release, singles Easier / Remedy (2015) and their In Memory EP (2016) were followed by the group's debut record All Flowers In Time in October 2017 on Tru Thoughts. The LP channels seemingly disparate genres into a stirring, progressive proposition laced with stealthily addictive hooks. It has seen support from Indie Shuffle, DJ Mag, The Deli Magazine, Earmilk, Okayplayer and Bandcamp, with the latter stating, "everything is discussed here—the good times and emotional pain, the darkness and spiritual breakthrough.” Following east and west coast regional tours in support of the record, the band has since released a series of acoustic and extended versions of album tracks as well as remixes by labelmates The Seshen and Sly5thAve, Ian Chang (Son Lux) and producer Jesse Fischer. Their songs have been included on Spotify’s Chillmatic, Sweet Soul Sunday and Mellow Morning playlists. Following their debut album, in 2020 they have released two sets of double singles with Tru Thoughts. ‘Secret Garden / Back of My Mind’ (released May 21) and ‘Birthday Cards / Chester Springs’ (released July 21) encapsulate a time of immense change for singer Maralisa Simmons-Cook, harping on themes of stagnancy and growth, identity, and emotional expression in growing alongside someone. ThrdCoast writes “‘Secret Garden / Back of My Mind’ dials down the dreaminess for a more focused, grounded, and ear-catching Space Captain than ever before.”