The ELM

Animal Collective is an American experimental pop band formed in Baltimore County, Maryland. Its members include Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Geologist (Brian Weitz), and Deakin (Josh Dibb). The band’s work features an eclectic mix of styles such as psychedelia, freak folk, noise, and electronica, incorporating elements like loops, drones, sampling, vocal harmonies, and sound collage. The members met in school and began collaborating at a young age. In 1999, they established the record label Paw Tracks, releasing their debut album, Spirit They’re Gone, Spirit They’ve Vanished, in 2000, along with work by other artists. Their 2007 album Strawberry Jam was their first to appear on the Billboard 200 chart. The 2009 album Merriweather Post Pavilion was their most commercially successful release, reaching number 13 on the US chart. Its sound, characterized by reverb-heavy psychedelic pop, was influential in the independent music scene of the following decade.