DIIV (previously known as Dive) is an ongoing project composed of Beach Fossils guitarist Cole Smith, Devin Ruben Perez, Andrew Bailey, and ex-Smith Westerns drummer Colby Hewitt. DIIV's first release, the Sometime 7" on Captured Tracks, was released on Oct. 11th, 2011, Oshin their debut album was released in June 2012.
Inter Arma formed in 2007 in Richmond, VA. Playing many basements around the area and writing many songs, they released their debut, Sundown, in May 2010 via Forcefield Records. "Richmond's INTER ARMA totally floored me at The Charleston with their furious mix of black metal, southern stoner style and NEUROSIS-style imperial riffage." – BBG // BrooklynVegan "Further blurring the lines between what constitutes pure Norwegian black metal, Scandinavian blackened death metal and their influences Stateside, Richmond, VA's INTER ARMA unveil one intense demon of an album with Sundown.
Andrew Pekler was born in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (then U.S.S.R.). His family immigrated to the U.S., eventually settling in Monterey, California. In the mid 90s he moved to Heidelberg, Germany to attend university. Since 2000 he has been living and working in Berlin.
Under his own name he has produced two records for the ̃scape label, Station to Station (2002) and Nocturnes, False Dawns and Breakdowns (2004) as well as releasing Strings + Feedback (2005) on Staubgold. His latest album Cue, was released in June 2007 on Kranky (Chicago, USA).
Bottomless Pit was formed in the fall of 2005 by erstwhile Silkworm members Tim Midgett and Andy Cohen. Their longtime friends Chris Manfrin (Seam) and Brian Orchard (.22) complete the quartet. 2007 finds the group playing "their blues" - soulful, emotionally intense, and often transcendent postpunk that is as inviting as it is bracing. "Hammer of the Gods" is the first Bottomless Pit album. It is the first release from New Jersey's Comedy Minus One records. It was released November 6, 2007.
Karen Lee Orzolek, better known as Karen O, is the lead vocalist for the New York rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs. She also performs as Karen O and the Kids. She was born on November 22, 1978 in South Korea. Karen's mother is Korean and father is Polish. Karen grew up in New Jersey, went to Dwight-Englewood high school, and attended Oberlin College, but transferred to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Samothrace initially came together out of friendship made through involvement in DIY Punk/Hardcore/Metal community. Although currently based in Seattle, Washington, their hometowns span from New Mexico, Kansas and Oklahoma. Their lyrics, albeit poetic, are rooted in the ideals of social change, political incoherence, and a bleak but positive outlook on life... intended for those who've taken back their breath and risen on their own and those who wish to do so. Samothrace is an evolving beast. Keep it heavy... keep it underground. Heavy music for heavy times.