Girlpool

Girlpool was an indie rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed by friends Avery Tucker and Harmony Tividad.[2][3] Their debut self-titled EP Girlpool was released on Bandcamp in 2014 and re-released on Wichita Recordings later that year. They released their debut album Before the World Was Big in 2015, followed by Powerplant (2017) and What Chaos Is Imaginary (2019). Their fourth and final studio album, Forgiveness (2022), was released on April 29. In August 2022, the duo announced that they will be taking an indefinite break from the band.

Girlpool
Girlpool at Sasquatch! Music Festival in May 2018
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California
Genres
Years active2013 (2013)–2022
LabelsAnti-, Wichita Recordings
Past membersAvery Tucker[1]
Harmony Tividad
Websitegirlpoolmusic.com

Background

2013-2018: Girlpool, Before the World Was Big, and Powerplant

Girlpool was formed in 2013 by friends Avery Tucker and Harmony Tividad. Their self-titled debut EP "Girlpool" was released on Bandcamp in February 2014, and re-released on Wichita Recordings later that year.[4] The EP received generally favorable reviews from critics, with a weighted average score of 79 on Metacritic.[5] In his review of this EP, Chris Conaton compared their sound to "an angrier, socially conscious Kimya Dawson."[6]

On June 2, 2015, Girlpool released their debut album, Before the World Was Big, also on Wichita Recordings.[7] It also received generally favorable reviews from critics, with a 79 out of 100 score on Metacritic.[8] Pitchfork's Jayson Greene gave it a score of 7.8 out of 10 and described it as "a quiet album of uncommon intensity."[9]

In March 2017, Girlpool announced they had signed to Anti- Records, along with their second studio album and a United States tour.[10] On May 12, 2017, the band released their second studio album, Powerplant, via Anti-. The album received an 8.3 by Jillian Mapes on Pitchfork. Mapes described their new sounds as "echoing second-wave emo sourness (“Your Heart”), Britpop jangle (“She Goes By”), and classic alt-rock loud-quiet-loudness throughout".[11] In Summer 2017, Avery Tucker came out as a trans man.[12]

On February 1, 2018, Girlpool released "Picturesong" featuring Dev Hynes.[13] The band said about the song, "Picturesong is a word invented to explore what we create in each other when we want to feel deep love because of loneliness or otherwise, and brings into question the reality and delusion of the things we feel," Hynes said about making a song with Tucker and Tividad, “I’m such a fan of Girlpool, and loved working with them. Their harmonies are some of my favourites that are out there.”[14] The song was initially released on SoundCloud, then on other streaming services a week later.

2018-2021: What Chaos Is Imaginary
Avery Tucker
Harmony Tividad
Avery Tucker (top) and Harmony Tividad (bottom) in 2018

On October 9, 2018, the band released the singles "Lucy's" and "Where You Sink", their first release to feature Tucker singing much deeper than he did previously.[15] On November 13, 2018, Girlpool released the single "Hire", and announced their third studio album.[16] The album, titled What Chaos Is Imaginary, was released on February 1, 2019. It received generally favorable reviews, with an average score of 74 on Metacritic.[17] Sasha Geffen of Pitchfork said about the album, "Weaving in and out of concrete, direct, indie-rock songwriting and meditative, impressionistic dream pop, the record takes up more space than any of Girlpool’s previous music."[18]

On March 12, 2020, Girlpool released the single "Like I'm Winning It" and an accompanying music video. Tucker said about the song:

"‘Like I'm Winning It’ is about power and lust: How can the weight of someone’s attention feel so heavy just because of its scarcity? This is a song about playing with that line—the line between the electricity in receiving attention and what’s unattainable."[19]

Shortly after the release of the single, Tucker and Tividad were forced to self-isolate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] On May 1, 2020 Girlpool released Chaos Demos, a collection of demos for songs from their previous studio album, on their Bandcamp. It included a write-up from Avery reflecting on making peace with who he used to be, and being a trans man in a band called Girlpool.[21][22] On August 31, 2020, the band released a remix EP titled Touch Me (It's Like I'm Winning It) featuring new versions of "Like I'm Winning It" by Porches, Lydia Ainsworth, and previous collaborator Dev Hynes.[23] In April 2021, Tividad appeared as a grocery store employee in the music video for "Posing in Bondage" by Japanese Breakfast.[24] She also appeared as a dancer in the music video for "Slumber Party" by Ashnikko in May.[25]

2021–2022: Forgiveness and split

On December 8, 2021, Girlpool released the single "Faultline", alongside a self-directed video featuring Julian Klincewicz.[26][27]

On January 19, 2022, Girlpool released the song "Lie Love Lullaby" along with a music video directed by Amalia Irons.[28] The band also announced their fourth studio album Forgiveness, which released on April 29, 2022. [29] On February 23, Girlpool released the single "Dragging My Life Into a Dream", alongside a self-directed video.[30]

On August 25, Girlpool announced that they will breakup at the end of the year, and that their remaining tour dates would serve as a farewell tour.[31]

Musical style and influences

Tividad has cited alternative rock bands such as Cocteau Twins and Siouxsie and the Banshees as influences, as well as 2010s solo acts such as Charli XCX and Tyler, the Creator.[32] The Fader's Shaad D'Souza said that "Los Angeles duo Girlpool write songs about change, and the things we gain or leave behind when moving from one part of life to another."[32] The band is also often compared to The Shaggs, a band notable for their perceived ineptitude at playing conventional rock music. In an article about the Shaggs, Matt McMahon from The Observer states: "The band most inspiring this spiritual connection [to The Shaggs] is Girlpool, a stripped back punk duo with a penchant for raw instrumentation and emotive harmonies".[33]

Band members

Former members

  • Avery Tucker – guitar, bass guitar, vocals (2013–2022)
  • Harmony Tividad – bass guitar, guitar, vocals (2013–2022)

Former touring members

  • Miles Wintner – drums (2017)
  • Stephen Steinbrink – guitar (2017)
  • Kevin Boog – guitar (2018)[12]
  • Patrick Nolan – guitar, bass (2017–2022)
  • Sariah Mae – keyboards (2017–2022)
  • Ross Chait – drums (2017–2022)[12]

Discography

Studio albums

Demo albums
  • Chaos Demos (May 1, 2020, Self-released)

EPs
  • Girlpool (November 2014, Wichita Recordings)
  • Touch Me (It's Like I'm Winning It) (August 2020, Anti-)[34]

Singles
  • "Chinatown" (2015, Wichita Recordings)
  • "Picturesong" (2018, Anti-)
  • "Lucy's" (2018, Anti-)
  • "Where You Sink" (2018, Anti-)
  • "Hire" (2018, Anti-)
  • "Like I'm Winning It" (2020, Anti-)[35]
  • "Faultline" (2021, Anti-)
  • "Lie Love Lullaby" (2022, Anti-)
  • "Dragging My Life Into a Dream" (2022, Anti-)

References
  1. "The Best Rock Albums of 2019". Pitchfork. December 11, 2019. On What Chaos Is Imaginary, Girlpool's Avery Tucker and Harmony Tividad push past any lingering codependent habits from their teenage years of writing together.
  2. Cridlin, Jay (November 13, 2019). "This weekend's best Tampa Bay concerts: Dwight Yoakam, Doobie Brothers, Third Eye Blind, Blue Oyster Cult, Cursive, Girlpool and the 99.5 QYK Guitar Pull perform as well". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Their latest album What Chaos Is Imaginary drifts across a palette of Harmony Tividad's ethereal vocals and Avery Tucker's occasionally fuzzy, occasionally jangly guitars.
  3. Arjuna (October 25, 2019). "American Grandma with Girlpool at Lost Lake". Out Front Magazine. The new Girlpool album, What Chaos is Imaginary, is also the first album released by the duo since Avery Tucker, guitarist and vocalist, transitioned and began taking testosterone.
  4. Plaugic, Lizzie (19 November 2014). "Girlpool Review". CMJ. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  5. "Girlpool Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  6. Conaton, Chris (14 January 2015). "Girlpool EP Review". PopMatters. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  7. Brodsky, Rachel (10 March 2015). "Girlpool Revisit Childhood on Their Debut Album, 'Before the World Was Big'". Spin. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  8. "Before The World Was Big". Metacritic. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  9. Greene, Jayson (5 June 2015). "Before the World Was Big". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  10. "GIRLPOOL SIGN TO ANTI- RECORDS". Anti-. March 6, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  11. Mapes, Jillian (12 May 2017). "Girlpool - Powerplant". Pitchfork. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  12. field, Lauren (May 3, 2018). "meet cleo tucker, girlpool's new frontboy". i-D. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  13. Gordon, Arielle (February 1, 2018). "Girlpool – "Picturesong" ft. Blood Orange". Spin. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  14. Rettig, James (February 1, 2018). "Girlpool – "Picturesong" (Feat. Dev Hynes)". Stereogum. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  15. Gotrich, Lars (October 9, 2018). "Hear Two New Songs From Girlpool: 'Where You Sink' And 'Lucy's'". NPR. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  16. Alston, Trey (November 13, 2018). "Girlpool Announce New Album, Share New Song "Hire": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  17. "Metacritic Review". Metacritic. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  18. Geffen, Sasha (February 1, 2019). "Girlpool: What Chaos is Imaginary". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  19. Minsker, Evan (March 12, 2020). "Girlpool Share Video for New Song "Like I'm Winning It": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  20. D'Souza, Shaad (March 24, 2020). "Here's how to self-isolate like Girlpool". The Fader. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  21. "Chaos Demos". Bandcamp. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  22. Tucker, Avery (May 1, 2020). "Girlpool's Avery Tucker: How I Learned to Hold My Shame By Releasing Songs Made Pre-Transition". them. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  23. Rettig, James (August 31, 2020). "Dev Hynes, Porches, & Lydia Ainsworth Remix Girlpool's "Like I'm Winning It"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  24. Martoccio (April 8, 2021). "Japanese Breakfast Drops Spooky 'Posing in Bondage' Video, Announces Tour Dates". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  25. "Ashnikko - Slumber Party (ft. Princess Nokia) [Official Music Video]". YouTube. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  26. Rettig, James (December 8, 2021). "Girlpool – "Faultline"". Stereogum. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  27. Farrell, Margaret (8 December 2021). "The New Girlpool Single Finds Them Caught at the "Faultline"". FLOOD Magazine. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  28. Minsker, Evan (19 January 2022). "Girlpool Announce New Album Forgiveness, Share New Song "Lie Love Lullaby": Listen". Pitchfork (website). Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  29. Renshaw, David (19 January 2022). "Girlpool announce new album, share "Lie Love Lullaby"". The Fader. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  30. Helman, Peter (23 February 2022). "Girlpool – "Dragging My Life Into A Dream"". Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  31. Minsker, Evan. "Girlpool Break Up". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  32. D'Souza, Shaad (9 July 2019). "Girlpool's Fantasie mix is a romantic trip through pop history". The Fader. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  33. "Is it time to give The Shaggs another listen? // The Observer". The Observer. 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  34. Gregory, Allie (31 August 2020). "Girlpool Get Porches, Dev Hynes, Lydia Ainsworth for Remix EP". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  35. Gregory, Allie (12 March 2020). "Girlpool Drop New Single "Like I'm Winning It"". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
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