Biography
Sam Mehran co-established the brief 2000s punk outfit Test Icicles while simultaneously generating an enormous catalog of music across numerous aliases, both independently and through repeated partnerships with fellow creators. Under assorted identities such as Outer Limits Recordings, Blues Runner, Matrix Metals, and additional handles, he issued extensive quantities of chillwave and lo-fi pop recordings. His contributions also extended to sessions and productions involving Ducktails, Raw Thrills, Puro Instinct, and countless further projects where he performed or handled production duties. Prior to his passing in 2018, he had been developing fresh solo material, portions of which later formed the basis for the 2021 posthumous collection Cold Brew—the initial release issued under his given name.
Born in Miami during 1986, Mehran assembled the dancy punk group Test Icicles alongside Rory Atwell and Devonte Hynes after relocating to London in 2004. The band dissolved in 2006, prompting his return to the United States, where he shifted toward far quieter solo output, frequently distributed via limited-run cassettes or brief vinyl editions under multiple monikers. Among these endeavors, Outer Limits Recordings—sometimes shortened to Outer Limitz—emerged as one of the more prominent. He continued supporting associates by playing or producing on their records, including guitar on Ducktails’ 2013 album The Flower Lane and production for Friends vocalist Samantha Urbani’s 2017 EP Policies of Power, plus numerous additional credits. In July 2018, while residing in Los Angeles and actively tracking material for a forthcoming instrumental album under his own name—having completed over 100 songs within several months—Mehran was discovered deceased at his residence following suicide. Friends subsequently reviewed the tapes and assembled the posthumous album Cold Brew, issued by the Domino label in July 2021.
Born in Miami during 1986, Mehran assembled the dancy punk group Test Icicles alongside Rory Atwell and Devonte Hynes after relocating to London in 2004. The band dissolved in 2006, prompting his return to the United States, where he shifted toward far quieter solo output, frequently distributed via limited-run cassettes or brief vinyl editions under multiple monikers. Among these endeavors, Outer Limits Recordings—sometimes shortened to Outer Limitz—emerged as one of the more prominent. He continued supporting associates by playing or producing on their records, including guitar on Ducktails’ 2013 album The Flower Lane and production for Friends vocalist Samantha Urbani’s 2017 EP Policies of Power, plus numerous additional credits. In July 2018, while residing in Los Angeles and actively tracking material for a forthcoming instrumental album under his own name—having completed over 100 songs within several months—Mehran was discovered deceased at his residence following suicide. Friends subsequently reviewed the tapes and assembled the posthumous album Cold Brew, issued by the Domino label in July 2021.
Albums
Singles
