Band of Horses

by Andrew Leahey Emerging in 2004 with a woodsy blend of midtempo rock and reverb-laden vocals, Band of Horses quickly gained an audience in their native Northwest before Everything All the Time made them indie rock darlings. Multi-instrumentalists Ben Bridwell and Mat Brooke founded the group after an eight-year run with Carissa's Wierd, and an early performance alongside future labelmates Iron & Wine caught the attention of Sub Pop Records. The Seattle-based label signed the group in 2005 and reissued their self-released EP later that year, while Band of Horses retreated to the studio to record their full-length debut. Everything All the Time emerged in March 2006 and was warmly received; however, Brooke did not tour in support of the album and had officially left the group by July, choosing instead to devote his time to another Sub Pop act, Grand Archives. Nevertheless, Bridwell solidiered on with now-permanent bandmates Rob Hampton (bass) and Creighton Barrett (drums), playing stateside shows and touring Europe in support of the band's debut. The group returned to the States and relocated to Mt. Pleasant, SC, to be closer to their families; soon after, Band of Horses entered the studio with producer Phil Ek (who also helmed Everything All the Time) to record their sophomore album. Cease to Begin was released in October 2007, and the band set off on another stateside tour that same month.