Caveman

Brooklyn-based quintet Caveman deliver an ambitious, sprawling take on indie pop by drawing influences from experimental rock, post-rock, wistful indie rock, and African music traditions. Comprised of Matthew Iwanusa (lead vocals, guitar, drums), Jimmy “Cobra” Carbonetti (guitar), Stefan Marolachakis (drums, vocals), Sam Hopkins (synthesizer, vocals), and Jeff Berrall (bass, vocals), the band formed in January 2010, parlaying its attention-getting live shows into opening slots for bands like Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Cursive, and White Rabbits as well as a spot on Stereogum’s 40 Best Bands of 2011 list. Their full-length debut, CoCo Beware, arrived digitally in September 2011, followed two months later in physical form on their own Magic Man!/ORG Music label, balancing varied elements like four-part harmonies, tribal drums, trickling keyboards, and hazy guitars with inspired results. A second, self-titled album arrived in 2013. The more subdued, reflective melodies of Caveman drew more than a few comparisons to the Shins, primarily for the similarities between the voices of Shins vocalist James Mercer and Iwanusa. ~ Chrysta Cherrie, Rovi