A Texas-bred duo that relocated to California in pursuit of wider recognition, Explorer Tapes followed an indirect path before their first album reached the public. Their material draws from classic pop of the 1960s and ’70s, resulting in melodic, relaxed songs shaped by meticulous craftsmanship, rich vocal blends, and refined production that favor warm adult-contemporary textures over the harder-edged approach common among many younger acts. After gaining notice as writers, the pair tracked their self-titled debut in 2015, yet a shift in leadership at the label left the project shelved until its eventual appearance in 2021.
Explorer Tapes originated in 2011 when Denton, Texas natives Drew Erickson and Max Townsley, both songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, began collaborating. Shared admiration for the Beatles, Brian Wilson, and Todd Rundgren guided their early efforts. The pair built a home studio to capture developing ideas and assembled a circle of sympathetic players known as the Colors Orchestra to augment the sessions. Once they had assembled a strong demo, Erickson and Townsley moved to Los Angeles in hopes of entering the upper ranks of the industry. Their timing proved fortunate: a publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Music soon followed, leading to co-writing sessions with established composers and, notably, a partnership with Dillon O’Brian and Steve Lindsey that yielded “Texas Time,” later recorded by Keith Urban.
With their profile as songwriters rising, Erickson and Townsley secured a deal with Warner Records and adopted the Explorer Tapes moniker. Producer Mike Elizondo oversaw the sessions, and with assistance from several studio musicians the album was finished in under a month. Plans called for a 2016 launch, supported by live performances intended to build anticipation. After delivery, however, a management change at the label prompted new executives to delay the release. As time passed without movement, Erickson concentrated on other work, serving as a session player, writer, and producer for Jonathan Wilson, Father John Misty, the Killers, Weyes Blood, and Tim Heidecker. Townsley, for his part, contributed to projects by Midlake, OK Sweetheart, and Neon Indian. Although the album appeared to have missed its window, Omnivore Recordings judged the material worthy of an audience and issued the long-delayed Explorer Tapes in August 2021.
