Horse Lords

Horse Lords comprise an experimental rock quartet based in Baltimore, known for performing exclusively in just intonation after modifying their instruments and adopting nonstandard tunings to achieve a distinctive sonic identity. The musicians further incorporate modular synthesis, algorithmic composition, microtonal harmonies, and additional methods. Their extended, hypnotic, polyrhythmic compositions draw influence from Krautrock, Afrobeat, and Appalachian folk traditions while remaining unusually approachable within the realm of experimental music. Since forming in 2010, the group has become a mainstay of the American D.I.Y. circuit through relentless touring and a series of well-received releases that includes Interventions from 2016 and The Common Task from 2020. Comradely Objects, issued in 2022, contains some of their most dance-oriented work to date.

The lineup features Andrew Bernstein on saxophone and percussion, Max Eilbacher handling bass and modular synthesizers, Owen Gardner on guitar, and Sam Haberman on drums; the majority of the members had previously collaborated in Teeth Mountain. Drawing inspiration from composers La Monte Young and James Tenney, the quartet began writing music in just intonation upon forming in 2010, employing self-modified guitars whose frets they repositioned. They released Mixtape, Vol. 1 in 2012 and followed it with their self-titled debut album on Ehse Records. Two additional mixtapes appeared as the band toured across the United States and Canada alongside Matmos, Guerilla Toss, and Guardian Alien. After a 2013 split 7" with Lower Dens on the Famous Class label, Horse Lords delivered their second full-length, Hidden Cities, via Burlington, Vermont-based NNA Tapes in 2014. The digital collection Hidden Cities Remix surfaced in 2015 and included reinterpretations by Jason Urick, Wobbly, and individual mixes from both members of Matmos. Their third album, Interventions, came out on Brooklyn's Northern Spy label in 2016. Mixtape IV arrived in 2017 and featured the Julius Eastman piece "Stay on It" along with the group's own "Remember the Future." The Common Task, Horse Lords' most politically oriented release, appeared in 2020. Their first album for RVNG Intl., Comradely Objects, followed in 2022. The record reflects the quartet's exploration of varied studio-based compositional approaches during the extended period without live performances.