Crumb (band)
American psychedelic rock band formed at Tufts University.
Crumb is an American psychedelic rock band formed by Brooklyn-based musicians Lila Ramani (guitar, vocals), Jesse Brotter (bass, vocals), Bri Aronow (synthesizers, keyboard, saxophone), and Jonathan Gilad (drums), who met while attending Tufts University. The band gained attention with their early EPs and has released three studio albums, with their sound described as a blend of psychedelic, jazz, and indie rock influences.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Indie rock · psychedelic rock · neo-psychedelia · dream pop · trip hop · jazz rock · acid jazz
- Origin
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Landscape
- yes
- Current Members
- Lila Ramani / Jesse Brotter / Bri Aronow / Jonathan Gilad
- Years Active
- 2016–present
- Label
- Crumb Records
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Crumb formed when Ramani, Brotter, Aronow, and Gilad met at Tufts University, often living and playing together until 2016. That year, they developed and recorded a collection of songs Ramani had started writing in high school and college, resulting in their first two EPs: Crumb (2016) and Locket (2017). Locket was released while the band was split between Boston and New York, and both EPs were independently released with limited vinyl runs and cassettes by Citrus City Records.
The band released their debut full-length album, Jinx, on June 14, 2019, which received positive reviews from music critics. On March 10, 2021, they released the single "Trophy," the first since 2019, with a music video directed by Haoyan of America and animations by Truba Animation. Their second album, Ice Melt, followed on April 30, 2021.
In 2023, Crumb released the single "Le Temple Volant" with French artist Melody's Echo Chamber. In March 2024, they announced their third studio album, AMAMA, and released a single of the same name. A second single, "The Bug," was released on April 24, 2024, and the album was released on May 17, 2024.
Reader's Guide
Crumb represents a contemporary evolution of psychedelic rock, blending 1960s psych, loose jazz, and freeform indie rock into a soothing pop amalgamation, as noted by Paste magazine. Their sound has also been described as psychedelic slacker-rock and psychedelic jazzy lo-fi dream pop. The band's trajectory from independent EPs to critically praised albums like Jinx and Ice Melt illustrates the modern indie music ecosystem, where college-formed groups can build a following through self-released recordings and limited physical media. Their collaborations, such as with Melody's Echo Chamber, highlight cross-cultural musical exchanges. Crumb's significance lies in their ability to merge nostalgic psychedelic elements with contemporary indie sensibilities, maintaining a distinct identity within the broader psychedelic rock revival. Their discography, including the 2024 album AMAMA, continues to explore this fusion, solidifying their place in the genre's current landscape.
Did You Know?
- The band members met while attending Tufts University.
- Their debut EP, Crumb, was released in 2016.
- The music video for 'Trophy' was directed by Haoyan of America with animations by Truba Animation.
- Their third studio album, AMAMA, was released on May 17, 2024.
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