Many people grow up not far behind older siblings, forever following them around and stealing their stuff.

This may seem like a mindless annoyance at first, but Joel Petersen, bassist of Broken Spindles, says it was his sibling antics toward his brother that led him to a passion of music.

“He would bring an instrument into the house, and I would play it when he was not home,” Petersen says.

His parents played a part in his musical awakening as well.

“We always had music playing,” Petersen says. “My parents would listen to the oldies station, and we listened to these poppy bands that had elements of surf and punk.”

An obsession with his brother’s instruments and his parents persistent oldies station lead to Petersen’s helping create The Faint, playing bass for the Omaha, Neb. band. Just as Petersen has moved beyond the likes of borrowing his brother’s instruments, The Faint has taken a back seat while Petersen branches out with his side project, Broken Spindles.

Fellow Faint members Todd and Clark Baechle have evolved together with Petersen during the past 10 years, and although The Faint has successfully recorded three albums, Petersen says he wanted to experiment with sound outside of that arena.

“I was having musical ideas that did not fit with The Faint, so I decided to write on my own,” Petersen says.

Broken Spindles combines Petersen’s personal style of acoustic and electronic elements.

“I am mood- and-texture orientated,” he says. “I have different moods I work through.”

However exciting this new side project is, Petersen has not let go of The Faint. He continues to work with both groups.

“I like to be busy,” Petersen says. “I don’t want to be lazy watching TV. I would rather be productive with my time.”

Broken Spindles is on a three-week tour with Passage & Restiform Bodies, and Des Moines is their second stop.

“It has been a while since I have been out there like this, so I think it will be fun,” Petersen says.

Passage & Restiform Bodies’ latest album has recently joined Petersen’s collection, and he says that the mix with Broken Spindles will make the show diverse.