The Drums are a band formed in 2006 by Jonathan Pierce and Jacob Graham, childhood friends who - prior to this band - played in groups like Goat Explosion, Elkland and Horse Shoes. In the spring of 2009 they moved to Brooklyn, where they were joined by Connor Hanwick and Adam Kessler. That same year they recorded two singles, “Let’s Go Surfing” and “I Felt Stupid”, which became two of their most celebrated songs, later included on the “Summertime! EP”. Moshi Moshi and Island took care of the distribution of their self-titled debut album in June 2010 in Europe and the USA, respectively.

After the “traumatic” departure of Adam Kessler in September, the remaining band members had several discussions on which direction to take for their second album - and were on the verge of calling it quits altogether. Eventually, they managed to finish the album, and in September 2011 “Portamento” came out. It possesses a similar sound to “The Drums”, but with several dark twists, more prominent synths and the odd nod to cosmic music.

Selected discography

“Summertime! EP” (Moshi Moshi, 2009)

“The Drums” (Moshi Moshi, 2010)

“Portamento” (Moshi Moshi, 2011)