Mystery Girl is over the moon to announce the imminent return of one of the most highly acclaimed genre blending benders in the business; one of the most freakingly awesome indie bands on the planet.
Mystery Girl and 95bFM Present Animal Collective New Zealand Show December 2009
With special guest Bachelorette
Tuesday 8th of December 2009
The Powerstation – Auckland – New Zealand
Tickets on sale from 25th of September 2009 from www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Animal Collective were formed in Baltimore County by long time friends and musical collaborators Avey Tare (David Porter), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Deakin (Josh Dibb), and Geologist (Brian Weitz). The Collective released their debut album, Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished (originally titled Avey Tare and Panda Bear) in 2000 on their own Animal imprint.
As the Collective's popularity grew, so did their reach, resulting in a distribution deal with English independent label Fat Cat, which issued their first two albums as a package deal and paved the way for subsequent releases. The band returned in May 2004 with the triumphant Sung Tongs, a mysterious, fragilely melodic album that garnered positive press both at home and overseas, resulting in a series of successful international tours. The band released the People EP in 2006, followed by the much heralded full-length Strawberry Jam in 2007, the band's first for Domino Records. Merriweather Post Pavilion, the group's eighth and most successful and accessible record to date, was released in 2009.
Solo and side projects have been a continual occupation for most members, including Panda Bear (Young Prayer, Person Pitch) and Avey Tare (Pullhair Rubeye), the latter recording with his wife, Múm's Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir.
In whatever formation, Animal Collective are a genuinely thrilling live unit. Their refusal to accept obvious formulas and creative desire to continually shift and rapidly move forwards has meant them testing audience expectations and always appearing to be one step ahead of themselves.
Animal Collective’s natural affinity with pop music makes up the crux of their sound. Whilst they may recall a wide array of past and present influences, it’s without ever aping them or sounding retro. And most of all, in whatever guise they assume, Animal Collective always manage to sound like no-one but themselves – stunningly unique and resonating with a deeply committed self-belief.
