Headlights

Formed in Champaign, Illinois, the indie trio Headlights pulls its personnel from Kindercore act Maserati and Parasol outfit Absinthe Blind. Following several name shifts, stalled beginnings, and roster tweaks—including an earlier identity as Orphans—the musicians locked in their present title and configuration during 2004, with Erin Fein handling vocals and keyboards, Brett Sanderson on drums, and Tristan Wraight covering vocals, guitar, and bass. They tracked their first release, The Enemies EP, under producer Adam Schmitt. The set blended an early-’90s American noise-pop style echoing Velocity Girl and Lilys with contemporary electronics; it reached listeners solely via mail order or at Headlights shows. Once that pressing sold through, Polyvinyl recognized the demand, inked the group, and put The Enemies EP back into circulation in November 2005. Recording continued, yielding the full-length debut Kill Them with Kindness in 2006, which was cut mainly in Milwaukee. For the next album the band chose to work nearer home, resulting in Some Racing, Some Stopping, issued in February 2008. A fresh touring cycle followed, this time with Oklahoma’s the Evangelicals. Wildlife arrived the year after, presenting Headlights at their most direct and emotionally charged.