Headphones (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Headphones


Img_capt = "Lenz and Bazan in the studio"
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = Seattle, Washington, US
Genre = Indie rock, electronic
Years_active = 2005 ("on indefinite hiatus")
Label = Suicide Squeeze
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Current_members = David Bazan, Frank Lenz, Nick Peterson
Past_members = Tim Walsh
Notable_instruments =

Headphones is an American indie rock band with members David Bazan (formerly of Pedro the Lion), Frank Lenz of Starflyer 59, and Nick Peterson (formerly of Fleet Foxes).

History

Headphones, a project led by David Bazan, formed and released one album shortly before the dissolution of his primary creative outlet, Pedro the Lion. The band's sound is marked by the use of synthesizers and live drums and percussion, sometimes drawing comparisons to other indie rock electronic groups such as The Postal Service. [cite web | title=Slate Wiped Clean: Pedro the Lion Goes Secular with Headphones | work=Portland Mercury | url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=33825&category=22153 | accessdate=26 July | accessyear=2006] Bazan has drawn a distinction between Headphones and electronic pop, however, and has said that he had no interest in paying homage to either 1980s music or dance pop, such as the Postal Service attempted, instead aiming for a simple synthesizer and drums setup.

The band is also unique to Bazan in terms of the lyrical style. Bazan often included religious references in his work with Pedro the Lion, but Headphones is considered a more secular band in comparison [cite web | title=Slate Wiped Clean: Pedro the Lion Goes Secular with Headphones | work=Portland Mercury | url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=33825&category=22153 | accessdate=26 July | accessyear=2006] .

The band has toured extensively in support of their debut album, "Headphones" [cite web | title=Headphones Head Out on Tour | work=Pitchfork Media | url=http://pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-04/13.shtml | accessdate=26 July | accessyear=2006] , which received positive critical reception [cite web | title=Crank up the Headphones | work=MSNBC | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8500126/ | accessdate=26 July | accessyear=2006] [cite web | title=Headphones: Pitchfork Record Review | work=Pitchfork Media | url=http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/18633/Headphones_Headphones | accessdate=14 February | accessyear=2007] . Since Bazan has now signed with Barsuk Records as a solo artist, he is leaning against recording again under the Headphones moniker, though he has not officially done away with it. [cite web | title=A conversation with David Bazan | work=It's Hard to Find a Friend (blog) | url=http://hardtofindafriend.blogspot.com/2006/12/conversation-with-david-bazan.html | accessdate=4 Jan | accessyear=2007]

T.W. Walsh, who joined Bazan during the final two years of Pedro the Lion's tenure, was originally a member of the group, but later left for personal reasons [cite web | title=TW Walsh: Frequently Asked Questions | work=T.W. Walsh | url=http://twwalsh.com/blog/?page_id=2l | accessdate=26 July | accessyear=2006] .

Discography

* "Headphones" · (2005)"See also: Pedro the Lion discography, David Bazan discography

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.headphonesmusic.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.spin.com/features/band_of_the_day/2005/05/05162005_the_headphones_1/ Spin.com] Band of the Day page.
* [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8500126/ MSNBC:] Independent Study.