It Hugs Back

Originating in Kent, England, It Hugs Back crafted a droning yet jangly sound shaped by the influences of Stereolab, Sonic Youth, and Wilco. Guitarist/vocalist Matthew Simms, keyboardist/vocalist Jack Theedom, bassist Paul Michael, and drummer Dimitri Sudell formed the initial lineup, with Will Blackaby later taking over on drums. The group issued its debut single, Lights in the Trees, in 2006 as a limited run of 1,000 copies. The following year brought the Carefully 7", after which the band signed with Too Pure and made its first appearance on the label via the Early Evening single. Early 2008 saw the arrival of Other Cars Go, which earned XFM airplay and drew NME praise that likened the band to Bright Eyes. Later that spring, the compilation The Record Room collected the group's early singles. One year later, 4AD released Inside Your Guitar, the band's first official full-length album. In 2010 Simms joined art punk legends Wire as a guitarist. It Hugs Back kept issuing EPs and online-only tracks during the intervals between studio albums. The band launched its own imprint, Safe & Sound Records, in 2012 and used it to put out the second album, Laughing Party. Recommended Record followed in 2013, again on the band's own label. Krautrock-tinged Slow Wave appeared in 2015.