Mothers

Led by singer/songwriter Kristine Leschper, the group Mothers cultivates a close-knit yet expansive approach to indie rock marked by exploratory edges. As an undergraduate in 2013, Leschper first presented her material unaccompanied before widening the endeavor into a complete ensemble. Their inaugural full-length, When You Walk a Long Distance You Are Tired, appeared in 2016.

Raised in Union City, Georgia, Leschper relocated to Athens after completing secondary school in order to pursue printmaking at the Lamar Dodd School of Art within UGA. During this period she originated Mothers as a solitary undertaking, taking the stage publicly for the initial time in 2013. Her exposed and singular vocal approach swiftly drew notice within the local circuit. She encountered drummer Matthew Anderegg in 2014; together they developed her compositions further, later incorporating guitarist Drew Kirby and bassist Patrick Morales into the permanent roster. Following support dates alongside fellow Athens act Of Montreal, the ensemble’s stark and wistful first LP, When You Walk a Long Distance You Are Tired, surfaced via Grand Jury and Wichita Recordings in February 2016. Drew Vandenberg (Widespread Panic, Futurebirds) handled production, while guest contributions came from Josh McKay of Deerhunter and McKendrick Bearden of Grand Vapids. Throughout the ensuing eight months the band resumed extensive travel, performing across the United States and Europe.

Although Kirby contributed to the subsequent release, he exited the lineup in mid-2017 to concentrate on other pursuits, among them his Marching Banana Records imprint and the experimental solo outlet Civils. Chris Goggans instead supplied bass for the record in Morales’s stead. During this interval Mothers relocated their operations to Philadelphia and aligned with Anti-, which issued the John Congleton-produced Render Another Ugly Method in September 2018. The set explored more intricate rhythmic patterns and relaxed compositional frameworks.