After the demise of his experimental pop band Enon in 2007, John Schmersal wasted no time finding other outlets for his music. Along with performing in Caribou's live band, he also formed Crooks on Tape with former Enon bandmate Rick Lee and Vertical Scratchers with Christian Beaulieu, also a member of Peace Creep and Anywhere. Taking their name from a type of scratching preference for cats, Vertical Scratchers played brash, jangly rock inspired by the Kinks and Buzzcocks. In 2012, Beaulieu and Schmersal recorded what would become their first album at Los Angeles' famed venue/studio/gallery The Smell. The duo spent a chunk of 2013 touring the American west coast before signing to Merge Records; they released Daughter of Everything in early 2014. ~ Heather Phares