Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Unknown Mortal Orchestra are a New Zealand psychedelic rock band formed in 2010 and based in Auckland and Portland. The group centres on Ruban Nielson, who sings, plays guitar and writes songs, with Jacob Portrait on bass. Other members associated with the band include Julien Ehrlich, Lunar R•A•E, Kody Nielson and Riley Geare. The band is active from 2010 to the present.
The group begins as Ruban Nielson’s project after his move to Portland, Oregon, from New Zealand, following his earlier work with The Mint Chicks. Its sound draws on lo-fi, indie rock, garage rock and psychedelic styles, including psychedelic pop and psychedelic rock. Early material appears on Bandcamp in late 2010 with the single ‘Ffunny Ffrends’, which points toward a mix of 1960s psychedelia, krautrock minimalism and indie rock.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra release their self-titled debut album in 2011 on Fat Possum Records. Their second album, II, follows in 2013 and wins Best Alternative Album at the New Zealand Music Awards. Later albums include Multi-Love (2015), Sex & Food (2018), IC-01 Hanoi (2018), V (2023), IC-02 Bogotá (2025) and CURSE (2025).
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