American Princes

American Princes function as a sharp-edged yet melodic indie rock quintet, merging jagged guitar patterns and tension-laden singing with catchy tunes and dependable grooves. The group stands out for relocating from a major metropolis to chase greater opportunities rather than the reverse. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist David Slade, drummer Matt Quinn, and bassist John Beachford first collaborated in New York City, where high costs and constant strain hindered creative concentration. Early in 2003 the three relocated to Little Rock, AR, hoping for lower expenses and extra hours dedicated to music. A failing van left Slade stranded in New Jersey for several weeks as his bandmates reached the South; when he finally arrived, Quinn and Beachford had already begun playing with local guitarist Collins Kilgore, whose approach fit seamlessly with the newcomers. By August the lineup had completed its debut album, We Are the People, for the independent Max Records imprint and launched a cross-country tour. Summer 2004 brought the follow-up Little Spaces, also issued by Max. Extensive roadwork followed the second release, and early 2005 saw John Beachford exit, with Luke Hunsicker stepping in on bass.

Following suggestions from their Lucero associates, the band inked a contract with Yep Roc Records midway through 2005 and entered the studio alongside producer Alan Weatherhead to cut its third album and Yep Roc debut, 2006’s Less and Less. Guitarist and vocalist Will Boyd completed the roster by year’s end, after which Less and Less attracted fresh listeners, among them veteran R&B producer Chuck Brody, whose résumé includes Beastie Boys, Northern State, and Wu Tang Clan. In an unexpected alliance Brody took the producer’s chair, prompting American Princes to travel to his Manhattan facility for work on a fourth album. Other People reached stores in April 2008, folding in traces of 1980s new wave and post-punk.