Islands | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Genres | Indie rock, indie pop, art rock |
Years active | 2005–present |
Labels | ANTI-, Rough Trade, Tomlab, Manque Music |
Associated acts | The Unicorns, Th' Corn Gangg, Small Is Beautiful, Juiced Elfers, Human Highway, Sister Suvi, The Magic, American Tomahawk, Mister Heavenly, Evan Gordon and the Sad Clowns |
Website | islandsareforever |
Members |
Nicholas Thorburn Evan Gordon Geordie Gordon Adam Halferty |
Past members |
Jim Guthrie Aaron Harris Kate Perkins Mike Feuerstack Jamie Thompson Patrice Agbokou Patrick Gregoire Sebastian Chow Alexander Chow Luc Laurent |
Islands is an indie rock band formed in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and currently based in Los Angeles, California.
Following the abrupt breakup of The Unicorns in 2004, members Nicholas Thorburn and Jamie Thompson simultaneously formed Islands and hip-hop group Th' Corn Gangg, and recorded Islands' debut album, Return to the Sea during 2005. The album was recorded at Breakglass Studio and Thompson's bedroom in Montreal, Canada, and was produced by audio engineer/record producer Mark Lawson.
Return to the Sea was re-mastered in England for the European version of the album, and was released there by Rough Trade Records on April 3, 2006. In North America, the album was released on the upstart label Equator Records on April 4, 2006. The cover of the album is a painting by Caspar David Friedrich titled The Wreck of the Hope. The album features numerous guest appearances, including members of Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade.
The band played various shows around the US and Canada throughout mid-late 2005, followed by an opening slot for Metric on their early 2006 tour. After Return to the Sea was released in April 2006, the band embarked on their first full headlining tour, playing small clubs around the US and Canada throughout May. They were joined by Cadence Weapon and Why? on the first half of the tour, and Cadence Weapon and Busdriver on the second. The band generally received critical acclaim for their live shows, which sometimes ended with the band leading the audience out of the venue "pied piper style" and onto the surrounding streets.