Cults (band)
{{Short description|American indie pop band}}
{{About||the similarly named British hard rock band|The Cult}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Cults
| image = Cults 2014 Kranhalle-9.jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion performing in 2014
| origin = Manhattan, New York, U.S.
| genre = {{Flatlist|
- Indie pop{{cite magazine |last=Gaca |first=Anna |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/09/cults-right-words-stream/ |title=Cults – "Right Words" |magazine=Spin |date=September 22, 2017 |access-date=May 21, 2024}}
- indie rock{{cite magazine |last=Branch |first=Kathryn |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/timely-cults/ |title=Timely {{!}} Cults |magazine=T |date=March 30, 2011 |access-date=May 21, 2024}}
- {{nowrap|dream pop{{cite news |last=Shurba |first=Nicolette |url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/music/dream-pop-duo-cults-make-a-long-anticipated-orlando-return-thursday-32467808 |title=Dream-pop duo Cults make a long-anticipated Orlando return Thursday |newspaper=Orlando Weekly |date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=May 21, 2024}}{{cite magazine |author=Matt the Raven |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/cults_offering |title=Cults: Offering |magazine=Under the Radar |date=November 14, 2017 |access-date=May 21, 2024}}}}
- synth-rock{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2013/10/17/236236447/cults-live-in-concert |title=Cults, Live In Concert |publisher=NPR |date=October 17, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2024}}
- {{nowrap|twee pop{{cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/51091-cults-announce-new-album-static/ |title=Cults Announce New Album Static |website=Pitchfork |date=July 25, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2024}}}}
- experimental pop{{cite web |last=Phares |first=Heather |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cults-mn0002415385#biography |title=Cults Biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=May 21, 2024}}
- psychedelic pop{{cite news |last=Raymer |first=Miles |url=https://chicagoreader.com/blogs/today-at-daytrotter-cults/ |title=Today at Daytrotter: Cults |newspaper=Chicago Reader |date=October 20, 2010 |access-date=May 21, 2024}}
}}
| years_active = 2010–present
| label = {{hlist|In the Name Of|Columbia|Sinderlyn|Imperial}}
| website = {{URL|http://cultscultscults.com/}}
| current_members = * Brian Oblivion
- Madeline Follin
}}
Cults is an American indie pop band formed in New York City in 2010. The band first rose to prominence after the release of their debut extended play, Cults 7″ (2010), which was released on their Bandcamp page.{{cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|title=Rising: Cults|date=March 8, 2010|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/38113-rising-cults/|website=Pitchfork|accessdate=May 30, 2011}} They signed with English singer Lily Allen's record label In the Name Of, an imprint of Sony Music to release their eponymous debut studio album (2011). A song from the album, "Bad Things" was sampled by American rapper J. Cole for his 2013 single, "She Knows", on which they were credited as featured artists.{{Cite web|url= https://pitchfork.com/features/update/9225-cults/|website=Pitchfork|title=Cults — Pitchfork|date=September 29, 2013}}
History
Cults formed in 2010 while guitarist Brian Oblivion and singer Madeline Follin, both from San Diego, were students in New York City.{{cite news |last=Rowe |first=Sian |title=Cults: loved by Lily, patronised by Perez, and now a hit with soccer moms |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/may/28/cults-madeline-follin-bian-oblivion |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=4 August 2023 |date=27 May 2011 |quote=Follin and Oblivion (not his real name, he was christened Ryan Mattos) met in San Diego two years ago when he was tour-managing Madeline's brother's band the Willowz.}} Oblivion went to New York University to study documentary cinema, while Follin went to The New School. Follin had previously recorded with punk band Youth Gone Mad on the album Touching Cloth. Cults released an EP on Forrest Family Records, Cults 7″, with the track "Go Outside" recorded by Paul Kostabi at Thunderdome Studios,{{cite web |url=http://www.wix.com/thunderdomestudios/paulkostabi |title=Thunderdome Studios Recording |publisher=Wix.com |access-date=2013-11-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215062059/http://www.wix.com/thunderdomestudios/paulkostabi |archive-date=February 15, 2012}} and the album earned the title of "Best New Music" by Pitchfork.{{cite web|last=Fitzmaurice|first=Larry|title=The Playlist: Cults – "Go Outside"|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11826-go-outside/|website=Pitchfork|access-date=May 30, 2011|archive-date=August 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825114533/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11826-go-outside/|url-status=dead}} They toured supporting the Richie Follin's Band with overlapping members for six months before signing to ITNO/Sony. Their song "Go Outside" had a video made for it which starred Emma Roberts and Dave Franco. Another video featured the band intercut with footage of Jim Jones and Jonestown.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAM9diyVRiM |title=Cults – Go Outside |date=July 15, 2011 |via=YouTube |access-date=May 26, 2014 |archive-date=May 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521195323/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAM9diyVRiM}}
{{Multiple image|total_width = 300
| image1 = Cults 2014 Kranhalle-7.jpg
| image2 = Cults 2014 Kranhalle-4.jpg
| footer = Follin (left) and Oblivion (right) performing in Munich in 2014
}}
Their eponymous debut studio album was released on June 7, 2011, by Columbia Records imprint In the Name Of run by Lily Allen.{{cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|title=Cults Unveil New Album|date=April 4, 2011|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/42104-cults-unveil-debut-album/|website=Pitchfork|access-date=May 30, 2011}} The album received generally positive reviews,{{cite web|title=Cults Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/cults|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=June 6, 2011}}{{cite web|last=Tangari|first=Joe|title=Album Reviews: Cults: Cults|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15432-cults/|website=Pitchfork|access-date=June 6, 2011}} and a second "Best New Music" from Pitchfork was earned for the track "Abducted".{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Zach|title=The Playlist: Cults – "Abducted"|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12172-abducted/|website=Pitchfork|access-date=May 30, 2011|archive-date=August 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827073718/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12172-abducted/|url-status=dead}} In 2011, Cults collaborated with the group Superhuman Happiness on a version of the track "Um Canto De Afoxé para o Bloco Do Ilê" for the Red Hot Organization's most recent charity album Red Hot+Rio 2. The album is a follow-up to the 1996 Red Hot + Rio. Proceeds from sales were donated toward causes raising awareness of AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues. The band was chosen to perform at the ATP I'll Be Your Mirror festival curated by ATP and Portishead in September 2011 in Asbury Park, New Jersey,{{cite web|url=http://www.atpfestival.com/events/ibymasburypark.php |title=ATP America presents I'll Be Your Mirror curated by Portishead & ATP – All Tomorrow's Parties |publisher=Atpfestival.com |access-date=August 31, 2011}} and also by Battles to perform at the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas festival that they co-curate in December 2011 in Minehead, England.{{cite web|url=http://www.atpfestival.com/events/nightmare2011.php |title=Nightmare Before Christmas curated by Battles/Caribou/Les Savy Fav - All Tomorrow's Parties |publisher=Atpfestival.com |date= |access-date=2013-11-02}}
In early 2012, Cults played the Australasian music festival Laneways. In an interview with 3news{{cite web |title=Interview with 3news.co.nz |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Laneways---interview-with-Cults/tabid/418/articleID/239380/Default.aspx#top |access-date=January 16, 2012 |publisher=3news.co.nz}}{{Dead link|date=July 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}Article is still available in the Newshub Archive, [https://web.archive.org/web/20160311073608/http://www.newshub.co.nz/entertainment/laneways--interview-with-cults-2012011611 here.] they said people could expect a more "aggressive sound" with a lot of changes being made to songs as a five-piece band. In an interview with the magazine Coup De Main,{{cite web|url=http://www.coupdemainmagazine.com |title={is your friend} please read me. or I will eat you up & swallow you whole |publisher=Coup De Main Magazine |date=2013-09-27 |access-date=2013-11-02}} Follin was quoted saying that "You Know What I Mean" is her favorite song on their self-titled debut album. In 2013 they were featured alongside Amber Coffman on J. Cole's Born Sinner album which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200. The song later peaked at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also in 2013, the band released their second album, Static, in the aftermath of the duo's breakup. Reviews were generally favorable. In 2016, Follin collaborated with her brother Richie James Follin for a side project called Follin. Their single "Roxy" was released online on February 23 of that year. On October 6, 2017, the band released their third album, Offering. On September 18, 2020, the band released their fourth album, Host.{{Cite web|title=Cults: Host|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/cults-host/|access-date=2020-09-23|website=Pitchfork}} On August 17, 2021, their single "Always Forever" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and later was certified platinum on July 18, 2022.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=single|title=Always Forever|artist=Cults}}
Band members
- Brian Oblivion
- Madeline Follin
Live members
- John Eatherly - drums
- Max Kamins - bass guitar
- Cory Stier - drums
- Nathan Aguilar – bass guitar (past)
- Marc Deriso – drums
- Richie Follin – guitar (past)
- Gabriel Rodriguez – aux, guitar (past)
- Loren Humphrey - drums
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums and with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:27em;"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Peaks on the Billboard 200:
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| CAN ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| LTU
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Cults
|
| 52 || 89 || — || 133 |
| scope="row" | Static
|
| 114 || — || — || — |
| scope="row" | Offering
|
| — || — || 61 || — |
| scope="row"| Motels
|
| — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" | Host
|
| — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" | To the Ghosts
|
| — || — || — || — |
| colspan="16" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year |
| scope="row"| Offering B-Sides & Remixes
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Host B-Sides & Remixes
|
|
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:8em;" | Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="font-size:90%; width:2.75em" | UK Sales {{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/23957/cults/ |title=Cults Official Charts |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=July 20, 2023 }} |
| scope="row"| "Um Canto De Afoxé Para O Bloco Do Ilê" {{small|(with Superhuman Happiness)}} | rowspan="4" | 2011 | — | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "Abducted"
| — | rowspan="3" | Cults |
| scope="row"| "Go Outside"
| 12 |
| scope="row"| "You Know What I Mean"
| 63 |
| scope="row"| "High Road"
| 2013 | — | Static |
| scope="row"| "Being It"
| 2014 | — | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "Offering"
| rowspan="3" | 2017 | — | rowspan="3" | Offering |
| scope="row"| "I Took Your Picture"
| — |
| scope="row"| "Right Words"
| — |
| scope="row"| "Spit You Out"
| rowspan="4" | 2020 | — | rowspan="4" | Host |
| scope="row"| "Trials"
| — |
| scope="row"| "No Risk"
| — |
| scope="row"| "Monolithic"
| — |
| scope="row"| "Bourgeois"
| rowspan="3" | 2021 | — | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "Beach Ball"
| — | rowspan="3" | Cults (10th Anniversary Edition) |
| scope="row"| "Make Time"
| — |
| scope="row"| "Valentine"
| rowspan="2" | 2022 | — |
| scope="row"| "Poodles Dancing"
| — | Host B-Sides & Remixes |
| scope="row"| "Crybaby"
| rowspan="3" | 2024 | — | rowspan="3" | To the Ghosts |
| scope="row"| "Left My Keys"
| — |
| scope="row"| "Hung the Moon"
| — |
| colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart. |
==As featured artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="8" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:8em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |
| scope="col" style="font-size:90%; width:2.75em" |US Peaks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart:
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%; width:2.75em" |US
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%; width:2.75em" |US
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%; width:2.75em" |LTU
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%; width:2.75em" |SCO
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%; width:2.75em" |UK
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%; width:2.75em" |UK
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%; width:2.75em" |WW
|
|---|
| scope="row"| "Bowl Cut" (DoM featuring Madeline of Cults) |2011 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |{{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "She Knows" (J. Cole featuring Amber Coffman and Cults) |2013 | 90 || 24 || 11 || 47 || 77 || 68 || 10 || 175 | |
| scope="row"| "Moonshine" (Chewing featuring Cults) |2018 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |Pacific Ocean Blue |
| colspan="16" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
= Other charted songs and certified songs =
= Guest appearances =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Other artist(s) ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row" | "Sail It Slow"
| 2010 | Guards | Guards |
|---|
= Production and songwriting credits =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Title(s)
! scope="col"| Year(s) ! scope="col"| Artist(s) ! scope="col"| Credit(s) |
|---|
| scope="row"| "NDL Overture" {{small|(featuring Niko Omilana & Miles Away)}} | rowspan="2" | 2021 | rowspan="2" | CTI | rowspan="2" | Producers & Writers |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Cults (band)}}
- {{Official website|http://www.cultscultscults.com}}
- [http://www.myspace.com/cultscultscults Cults' MySpace Page]
- [http://cults.bandcamp.com/ Cults' Bandcamp Page]
- {{in lang|fr}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20111219160519/http://www.brain-magazine.com/article/interviews/6472-Cults---La-Pop%2C-L_Amour-%26-Les-Cheveux-pour-Religion Cults la pop, l'amour&les cheveux]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cults}}
Category:2010 establishments in New York City
Category:American dream pop musical groups
Category:American pop music duos
Category:American rock music duos
Category:Experimental pop groups
Category:Indie pop groups from New York (state)
Category:Indie rock musical groups from New York (state)
Category:Musical duos from New York (state)
Category:Musical groups established in 2010
Category:Musical groups from New York City