Hammock

Hammock is an ambient, electronic, instrumental rock and post-rock group from Nashville, United States. The project begins in 2004 and features Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson.

Formation and style

The group develops from informal recording sessions between Byrd and Thompson, who begin making music together without an initial plan to release it. Their work grows into a sound that combines ambient music, electronic elements, post-rock and neoclassical influences, with a dense, atmospheric character. They describe their approach as “Southern Ambient”, linking it to the open landscape of the American South. Their music is also associated with shoegaze and minimalism-drone.

Early releases

Hammock’s debut album, Kenotic, appears in 2005 and establishes their textured, guitar-led style. It is followed in 2005 by the EP Stranded Under Endless Sky and later by The Sleepover Series, Vol. 1 (Remastered), a long-form, drone-influenced album.

Further albums and collaborations

Their second album, Raising Your Voice...Trying to Stop an Echo, follows in 2006 and is noted for balancing melody with experimentation. In 2007, Hammock is invited by Jónsi Birgisson and Alex Somers to perform at the overseas debut of their Riceboy Sleeps art collaboration, which becomes the group’s first live show. The music written for that performance is later released as Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow, a studio performance album with artwork by Riceboy Sleeps.

Chasing After Shadows...Living With the Ghosts follows in 2010, alongside the four-track Outtakes EP. The album is darker and heavier in sound than earlier releases and includes the group’s first use of horn section, string quartet and live drums. David Altobelli creates the video for “Breathturn”. Later that year, the beatless and wordless EP Longest Year is released.

Later work

In 2011, Hammock releases Asleep in the Downlights, which includes vocals and lyrics from Steve Kilbey and Tim Powles of The Church, alongside two new Hammock tracks. Departure Songs, the group’s first double album and fifth LP, follows in 2012. It is mixed by Tim Powles, mastered by Taylor Deupree and includes contributions from Keith Kenniff. The release is a meditation on death and loss. Later that year, Oblivion Hymns expands the group’s sound further with string quartet, children’s choir, accordion, French horn and glockenspiel, bringing their neoclassical side to the foreground.

Recognition and labels

Hammock receives attention from Pitchfork, BBC, The Wire and NPR, and is also praised by artists including Mark Eitzel, Brian McBride, Adam Bryanbaum Wiltzie, Steve Kilbey, Tim Powles, BT, The Antlers, Jónsi and Alex Somers. Their releases appear on Darla Records, Hammock Music, Republic of Texas Recordings and Somewherecold Records.