Dinosaur Feathers

Brooklyn-based indie pop purveyors Dinosaur Feathers synthesize African, Brazilian, and retro-pop influences into their own sunshine-soaked sonics. The project began in summer 2008 as a solo outing for singer/guitarist/drum machine player Greg Sullo to reimagine the sounds of the Beatles and Os Mutantes with modern technology, but grew as keyboardist/singer (and Sullo's college a cappella bandmate) Derek Zimmerman offered to serve as harmony vocalist, and the group was rounded out with bassist Adam Fetcher (who was later replaced with Ryan Michael Kiley). Dinosaur Feathers slowly built their network and fan base and made their recorded debut in 2009 with the Family Records single Know Your Own Strength, followed that August by the self-released Early Morning Risers EP, which they offered for free on their website. Its layered vocals, warm guitar, and globally flavored rhythms — along with a rigorous performance schedule around New York — put the band on the map and earned them "hardest working band in Brooklyn" honors from earfarm.com. Their self-released first full-length, Fantasy Memorial, arrived the following March as the band embarked on their first U.S. tour and performed at the SXSW, CMJ, Sasquatch!, and Treefort music festivals. Later in the year, Dinosaur Feathers refreshed their sound with the addition of live drummer Nick Brooks, and the band traveled to Oakland the following year to record their sophomore album with Eli Crews (Deerhoof, tUnE-yArDs, Thao and Mirah). The band started 2012 on a sour note as their equipment was stolen, but a benefit mixtape helped soften the blow. That April, follow-up LP Whistle Tips arrived on the Ernest Jenning Record Co. label. Third album Control materialized in late 2014, its soulful pop tunes inspired directly by a phase of adoration and awe for Janet Jackson.