The Rishis

Originating in Athens, Georgia, the Rishis operate as a duo whose delicate tracks weave together psych-pop, folk-rock, and the 1960s-tinged chamber pop associated with the Elephant 6 collective. Nearly a decade of shared work preceded their first release, the 2022 album August Moon.

Ranjan Avasthi and Sofie Lute formed the central pair and began performing in the early 2010s, shaping melodic indie pop rich in harmony, colored by folk-rock accents and stray psychedelic elements. Recording eventually drew on players connected to Athens’ longstanding Elephant 6 indie collective. August Moon, the Rishis’ debut, included appearances by Andy Gonzalez (Marshmallow Coast), Peter Alvanos (Elf Power), Scott Spillane (Neutral Milk Hotel), John Kiran Fernades (Olivia Tremor Control), James Huggins III (Of Montreal), and others; it first appeared as a digital edition in June 2022, followed by wider physical release in April 2023.