The Hangabouts

The Hangabouts operate as a power pop trio from Southeast Michigan. Multi-instrumentalists Gregory Addington and John Lowry first assembled the project in the mid-2000s, issuing the EP The Odd Mess in 2006 while operating under the Suburban Hi-Fi moniker. Their material drew on classic pop songcraft, echoing the intricate melodic approach heard in the work of the Hollies, Big Star, the Beach Boys, Neil Finn, and Paul McCartney. The lineup later grew to a trio with the addition of Chip Saam, prompting a name change to the Hangabouts ahead of their debut full-length album. Issued in late 2014, Illustrated Bird broadened their sound by folding in psychedelic and baroque pop textures within an ever-more detailed pop framework.