Hailing from Lafayette, Colorado, Gauntlet Hair is the project of Andy R. and Craig Nice, who began making music together when they were 15. The pair's shifting, epic avant pop caused a stir in 2010 even before they released their first single, drawing favorable comparisons to Yeasayer, Animal Collective, Surfer Blood, and Passion Pit. That spring, they played the MtyMx festival in Mexico as part of a block of bands curated by Denver venue Rhinocerpolis. One of their songs, "I Was Thinking...," was featured on a mixtape by local producer Pictureplane, increasing the buzz around Gauntlet Hair on indie rock blogs. One such blog, Gorilla vs. Bear, released the band's debut 7", I Was Thinking.../Our Scenery, on its Forest Family imprint as a limited edition of 500 copies in summer 2010. After several other short releases, including the Mexican Summer single Out, Don't/Heave, Gauntlet Hair released their self-titled debut album on Dead Oceans in October 2011. The sophomore record Stills was released in 2013, and found the duo drawing from '80s goth and alternative rock influences. ~ Heather Phares