Tennis

Tennis is a US indie band from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2010 by husband-and-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley. The group is active from 2010 to the present and also includes James Barone.

Style and sound

Their music is generally described as dream pop, indie pop, lo-fi and synth-pop, with a sound that also draws on 1970s soul and 1980s new wave. Moore’s expressive singing and Riley’s melodic guitar playing are central features of the group’s music.

Recording and releases

The band usually records its own material and runs the label Mutually Detrimental. Their first album, Cape Dory, is based on the time Moore and Riley spent sailing and exploring the North Atlantic coast after leaving Denver. Many of its tracks deal with the practical difficulties of that trip.

Background

The project begins after Moore jokes about Riley playing tennis in college, which gives the band its name. The two then spend eight months travelling by sea before writing and recording songs about their experiences.