Intuitively blending folk, noise, and snippets of pop into an organic, experimental whole, First Nation features singer/guitarists Nina Mehta and Kate Rosko and percussionist Melissa Livaudais. The New York City-based trio got its start when Mehta and Rosko, who had been playing together for a while, began jamming with mutual friend Livaudais (who was formerly a member of Wikkid and also plays in Telepathe). After spending a year practicing and honing their sound -- which revolves around layered vocals, circular guitar parts, and volatile, expressive rhythms -- they began playing live dates, beginning with a tsunami benefit in January 2005; later on, the band shared the stage with acts such as Excepter and Gang Gang Dance. First Nation caught the attention of Animal Collective, who signed the band to their Paw Tracks imprint and took the band on tour with them. Their debut single, Coronation, arrived in early 2006, with the full-length First Nation following that summer. After Livaudais left the lineup and was replaced by Abby Portner (sister of Animal Collective's Dave Portner), the trio revamped their sound and continued onward as Rings. ~ Heather Phares