Anberlin

Emerging from Winter Haven, Florida, Anberlin arose after the dissolution of several local bands. Fronted by Stephen Christian's soaring vocals and guided by an optimistic outlook, the lineup featured Joseph Milligan on guitar, Nathan Young on drums, Joey Bruce on guitar, and Deon Rexroat on bass. The group delivered an alternative pop/rock style marked by emo sincerity yet aligned more closely with the polished approach of Third Eye Blind. A five-song demo drew interest from Seattle-based indie label Tooth & Nail, leading to the band's signing in 2002. Blueprints for the Black Market arrived as the debut full-length in May 2003, after which Anberlin toured in support alongside Fall Out Boy and Story of the Year. Nathan Strayer soon entered as second guitarist, and the band issued its follow-up, Never Take Friendship Personal, in February 2005.

Cities, the third album, surfaced two years afterward and entered the Billboard charts at number 19. Shortly following its release Strayer departed, with former Acceptance guitarist Christian McAlhaney stepping in as replacement. The reconfigured ensemble signed with Universal Republic Records and tapped Neal Avron—who had previously produced releases for Fall Out Boy, Yellowcard, and New Found Glory—to helm New Surrender, which appeared in 2008. Early in 2010 Anberlin entered the studio under Grammy-winning producer Brendan O'Brien, resulting in the fifth studio album, Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place, issued later that year. Two years on came the compilation Dancing Between the Fibers of Time: The Best of Anberlin's Tooth & Nail Years.

The sixth studio effort, Vital, followed in 2012 and emphasized a heavier rock and metal direction accented by electronic elements. Anberlin declared their breakup in 2014 while unveiling Lowborn as the seventh and concluding studio album. Marking the tenth anniversary of Never Take Friendship Personal, a complete live performance of that 2005 release, recorded in New York City during 2014, was released in 2015 under the title Never Take Friendship Personal: Live in New York City.