Sunset Rubdown

Sunset Rubdown
Sunset Rubdown performing in 2009.
Background information
Origin	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres	Indie rock, Art rock
Years active	2005 (2005)–2009
Labels	Absolutely Kosher, Global Symphonic, Jagjaguwar
Members	Spencer Krug Camilla Wynne Ingr Michael Doerksen Jordan Robson-Cramer Mark Nicol

Sunset Rubdown was a Canadian art rock music group from Montreal. The band began as a solo project for Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade, who released his debut, Snake's Got a Leg, in early 2005. Eventually the concept expanded to become a full band which included Camilla Wynne Ingr (former Pony Up!), Jordan Robson-Cramer (Magic Weapon), and Michael Doerksen.

Sunset Rubdown is built around lyricist Spencer Krug's unique vocals and eccentric musical compositions. Krug's lyrics are characterized by surreal and mythological imagery, and often tell epic stories (most notably on their LP Dragonslayer). Musically, the band's sound is highlighted by distinct drum, keyboard, and guitar signatures. The compositions usually have creative melodies, irregular song structures, and simple instrumentation. Sunset Rubdown's live performances emulate the full sound and passion captured on their recordings.

Krug released the solo-created Sunset Rubdown EP in January 2006. This was followed by the first full band album Shut Up I Am Dreaming recorded in Montreal in early 2006 and released in May to immediate widespread critical acclaim, finishing the year with a 15th-place ranking on Pitchfork's best albums list.

Random Spirit Lover, recorded in Montreal's Breakglass studios in the late winter of 2007, was released on the band's new label, Jagjaguwar, in October of that year. The recording featured a highly eclectic, elaborate, and sometimes challenging collection of songs, which was heralded as one of 2007's best albums by several critics and music publications. The CD made numerous top-20 albums of the year lists, earned Pitchfork's "Best New Music" distinction and finished in 14th spot in Pitchfork's year-end Readers Poll. The album also made NPR's list of top albums of 2007, and was nominated for the U.S. Indie Music industry's Plug Award in the Best Indie Album of the Year category.

In 2007 Mark Nicol was added as the band's fifth member. Sunset Rubdown completed their first ever tour of UK and Europe in June 2008.