Deerhunter

Deerhunter is an American indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, that was formed in 2001 by vocalist-guitarist Bradford Cox and drummer Moses Archuleta. Its most recent lineup comprised Cox, Archuleta, guitarist-keyboardist Lockett Pundt, bassist Josh McKay, and keyboardist-saxophonist Javier Morales. Deerhunter have described themselves as "ambient punk," though they incorporate a wide range of genres, including noise, garage rock, art rock, as well as significant pop elements.

Founded by Cox, Archuleta and bass guitarist Paul Harper, Deerhunter's first stable line-up featured guitarist Colin Mee and Harper's replacement Justin Bosworth. After recording a split EP with Alphabets, Bosworth died aged 24 on March 29, 2004, of head injuries suffered during a skateboarding accident. The band recorded their first studio album, Turn It Up Faggot (2005), with Josh Fauver occupying the vacant role of bass guitarist. Following the album's release, Cox asked childhood friend, Lockett Pundt, to join Deerhunter as a song-writing partner, second guitarist, and occasional lead vocalist.

Recorded in two days, the band's follow-up, Cryptograms (2007), combined ambient work and more angular garage rock songs. The release was quickly followed by the EP, Fluorescent Grey (2007). While touring the releases, Mee departed from Deerhunter, due to disagreements over the band's schedule, but rejoined soon after. Deerhunter then released two studio albums, Microcastle (2008) and Weird Era Cont. (2008). Both albums were recorded without the participation of Mee, who again departed for a second and final time. The band enlisted former cheerleader and high school friend of Cox, Whitney Petty, as his touring replacement.

Recorded as a four-piece alongside producer Ben H. Allen, the band's fourth studio album Halcyon Digest (2010) was released to widespread critical acclaim and was ranked as Pitchfork's 29th and Stereogum's 78th best album of the decade. In 2012, the departure of long-time bassist Fauver placed the band's future in doubt. Cox, Pundt and Archuleta regrouped with new members, bassist Josh McKay and guitarist Frankie Broyles, to record the primitivist garage rock and musique concrète-influenced Monomania (2013). The album expanded on a darker and more disturbing sound, complete with treated tape recordings of rats and insects, exploring themes of disassociation and mental illness.

The following year, Cox was struck by a vehicle while walking his dog near his home in Atlanta's Grant Park. During his recovery and rehabilitation he focused on writing songs resulting in the album Fading Frontier (2015). Several years later, the band released its most recent album, Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared? (2019), which was produced by Cate Le Bon. The band has been on an extended hiatus since finishing the album's accompanying tour in late 2019.