Girlpool
{{short description|Indie band from Los Angeles, California}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Girlpool
| image = Avery Tucker Harmony Tividad Girlpool Sasquatch.jpg
| landscape = yes
| alt = two white guitar players in their 20s perform a festival stage in the daylight — one has long blonde hair and the other has short curly red hair
| caption = Girlpool at Sasquatch! Music Festival in May 2018
| alias =
| origin = Los Angeles, California
| genre = {{hlist|Indie rock|indie pop|dream pop|lo-fi}}
| years_active = {{start date|2013}}–2022
| label = Anti-, Wichita Recordings
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
}}
| website = {{URL|http://girlpoolmusic.com/}}
| current_members =
| past_members = Avery Tucker
Harmony Tividad
}}
Girlpool was an indie rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed by friends Avery Tucker and Harmony Tividad. Their debut self-titled EP Girlpool was released on Bandcamp in 2014 and re-released on Wichita Recordings later that year. They released their debut album Before the World Was Big in 2015, followed by Powerplant (2017) and What Chaos Is Imaginary (2019). Their fourth and final studio album, Forgiveness (2022), was released on April 29. In August 2022, the duo announced that they will be taking an indefinite break from the band.
Background
=2013-2018: ''Girlpool'', ''Before the World Was Big'', and ''Powerplant''=
Girlpool was formed in 2013 by friends Avery Tucker and Harmony Tividad. Their self-titled debut EP "Girlpool" was released on Bandcamp in February 2014, and re-released on Wichita Recordings later that year.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmj.com/reviews/girlpool-girlpool-ep/|title=Girlpool Review|work=CMJ|date=19 November 2014|access-date=20 February 2015|author=Plaugic, Lizzie}} The EP received generally favorable reviews from critics, with a weighted average score of 79 on Metacritic.{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/girlpool-ep/girlpool | title=Girlpool Reviews | work=Metacritic | accessdate=20 February 2015}} In his review of this EP, Chris Conaton compared their sound to "an angrier, socially conscious Kimya Dawson."
On June 2, 2015, Girlpool released their debut album, Before the World Was Big, also on Wichita Recordings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2015/03/in-the-studio-girlpool-before-world-was-big/|title=Girlpool Revisit Childhood on Their Debut Album, 'Before the World Was Big'|work=Spin|date=10 March 2015|access-date=11 March 2015|author=Brodsky, Rachel}} It also received generally favorable reviews from critics, with a 79 out of 100 score on Metacritic.{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/before-the-world-was-big/girlpool | title=Before The World Was Big | work=Metacritic | accessdate=15 October 2016}} Pitchfork's Jayson Greene gave it a score of 7.8 out of 10 and described it as "a quiet album of uncommon intensity."{{cite web | url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20465-before-the-world-was-big/ | title=Before the World Was Big | work=Pitchfork Media | date=5 June 2015 | accessdate=15 October 2016 | author=Greene, Jayson}}
In March 2017, Girlpool announced they had signed to Anti- Records, along with their second studio album and a United States tour.{{Cite web|url=https://www.anti.com/press/girlpool-sign-to-anti-records/|title=GIRLPOOL SIGN TO ANTI- RECORDS|website=Anti-|date=March 6, 2017|access-date=May 10, 2021|language=en}} On May 12, 2017, the band released their second studio album, Powerplant, via Anti-. The album received an 8.3 by Jillian Mapes on Pitchfork. Mapes described their new sounds as "echoing second-wave emo sourness (“Your Heart”), Britpop jangle (“She Goes By”), and classic alt-rock loud-quiet-loudness throughout".{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23213-powerplant/|title=Girlpool - Powerplant|last=Mapes|first=Jillian|date=12 May 2017|website=Pitchfork|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=14 March 2019}} In Summer 2017, Avery Tucker came out as a trans man.
On February 1, 2018, Girlpool released "Picturesong" featuring Dev Hynes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/02/girlpool-picturesong-ft-blood-orange-stream/|title=Girlpool – "Picturesong" ft. Blood Orange|website=Spin|last=Gordon|first=Arielle|date=February 1, 2018|access-date=May 12, 2021|language=en}} The band said about the song, "Picturesong is a word invented to explore what we create in each other when we want to feel deep love because of loneliness or otherwise, and brings into question the reality and delusion of the things we feel," Hynes said about making a song with Tucker and Tividad, “I’m such a fan of Girlpool, and loved working with them. Their harmonies are some of my favourites that are out there.”{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1981194/girlpool-picturesong-feat-dev-hynes/music/|title=Girlpool – "Picturesong" (Feat. Dev Hynes)|website=Stereogum|last=Rettig|first=James|date=February 1, 2018|access-date=May 12, 2021|language=en}} The song was initially released on SoundCloud, then on other streaming services a week later.
=2018-2021: ''What Chaos Is Imaginary''=
{{multiple image
| footer = Avery Tucker (top) and Harmony Tividad (bottom) in 2018
| image1 = Girlpool (41851640804).jpg
| alt1 =Avery Tucker
|width1 = 220
| image2 = Girlpool (41672263915).jpg
| alt2 =Harmony Tividad
|width2 = 220
|align=right
| direction = vertical
}}
On October 9, 2018, the band released the singles "Lucy's" and "Where You Sink", their first release to feature Tucker singing much deeper than he did previously.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/10/09/655784407/hear-two-new-songs-from-girlpool-where-you-sink-and-lucy-s|title=Hear Two New Songs From Girlpool: 'Where You Sink' And 'Lucy's'|website=NPR|last=Gotrich|first=Lars|date=October 9, 2018|access-date=May 12, 2021|language=en}} On November 13, 2018, Girlpool released the single "Hire", and announced their third studio album.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/girlpool-announce-new-album-share-new-song-hire-listen/|title=Girlpool Announce New Album, Share New Song "Hire": Listen|website=Pitchfork|last=Alston|first=Trey|date=November 13, 2018|access-date=May 12, 2021|language=en}} The album, titled What Chaos Is Imaginary, was released on February 1, 2019. It received generally favorable reviews, with an average score of 74 on Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/what-chaos-is-imaginary/girlpool|title=Metacritic Review|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=May 29, 2019}} Sasha Geffen of Pitchfork said about the album, "Weaving in and out of concrete, direct, indie-rock songwriting and meditative, impressionistic dream pop, the record takes up more space than any of Girlpool’s previous music."{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/girlpool-what-chaos-is-imaginary/|title=Girlpool: What Chaos is Imaginary|website=Pitchfork|last=Geffen|first=Sasha|date=February 1, 2019|access-date=May 10, 2021|language=en}}
On March 12, 2020, Girlpool released the single "Like I'm Winning It" and an accompanying music video. Tucker said about the song:
"‘Like I'm Winning It’ is about power and lust: How can the weight of someone’s attention feel so heavy just because of its scarcity? This is a song about playing with that line—the line between the electricity in receiving attention and what’s unattainable."{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/girlpool-share-video-for-new-song-like-im-winning-it-watch/|title=Girlpool Share Video for New Song "Like I'm Winning It": Watch|website=Pitchfork|last=Minsker|first=Evan|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=May 11, 2021|language=en}}Shortly after the release of the single, Tucker and Tividad were forced to self-isolate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/03/24/girlpool-activities-list-covid-quarantine-interview-2020|title=Here's how to self-isolate like Girlpool|website=The Fader|last=D'Souza|first=Shaad|date=March 24, 2020|access-date=May 18, 2021|language=en}} On May 1, 2020 Girlpool released Chaos Demos, a collection of demos for songs from their previous studio album, on their Bandcamp. It included a write-up from Avery reflecting on making peace with who he used to be, and being a trans man in a band called Girlpool.{{Cite web|url=https://girlpoool.bandcamp.com/album/chaos-demos|title=Chaos Demos|website=Bandcamp|date=May 1, 2020|access-date=May 11, 2021|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.them.us/story/girlpool-avery-tucker-personal-essay|title=Girlpool's Avery Tucker: How I Learned to Hold My Shame By Releasing Songs Made Pre-Transition|website=them.|last=Tucker|first=Avery|date=May 1, 2020|access-date=May 11, 2021|language=en}} On August 31, 2020, the band released a remix EP titled Touch Me (It's Like I'm Winning It) featuring new versions of "Like I'm Winning It" by Porches, Lydia Ainsworth, and previous collaborator Dev Hynes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2096536/girlpool-like-im-winning-it-remix-dev-hynes-porches-lydia-ainsworth/music/|title=Dev Hynes, Porches, & Lydia Ainsworth Remix Girlpool's "Like I'm Winning It"|website=Stereogum|last=Rettig|first=James|date=August 31, 2020|access-date=May 12, 2021|language=en}} In April 2021, Tividad appeared as a grocery store employee in the music video for "Posing in Bondage" by Japanese Breakfast.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/japanese-breakfast-posing-in-bondage-tour-1152254/|title=Japanese Breakfast Drops Spooky 'Posing in Bondage' Video, Announces Tour Dates|last=Martoccio|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 8, 2021|access-date=April 8, 2021}} She also appeared as a dancer in the music video for "Slumber Party" by Ashnikko in May.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luZyMQjPTkM|title=Ashnikko - Slumber Party (ft. Princess Nokia) [Official Music Video]|website=YouTube|date=May 13, 2021|access-date=May 14, 2021|language=en}}
=2021–2022: ''Forgiveness'' and split=
On December 8, 2021, Girlpool released the single "Faultline", alongside a self-directed video featuring Julian Klincewicz.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2170079/girlpool-faultline/music/|title=Girlpool – "Faultline"|website=Stereogum|last=Rettig|first=James|date=December 8, 2021|access-date=December 8, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://floodmagazine.com/97153/watch-girlpool-faultline/|title=The New Girlpool Single Finds Them Caught at the "Faultline"|website=FLOOD Magazine|last=Farrell|first=Margaret|date=8 December 2021|access-date=25 February 2022}}
On January 19, 2022, Girlpool released the song "Lie Love Lullaby" along with a music video directed by Amalia Irons.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/girlpool-announce-new-album-forgiveness-share-new-song-lie-love-lullaby-listen/|title=Girlpool Announce New Album Forgiveness, Share New Song "Lie Love Lullaby": Listen|website=Pitchfork (website)|last=Minsker|first=Evan|date=19 January 2022|access-date=25 February 2022}} The band also announced their fourth studio album Forgiveness, which released on April 29, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2022/01/19/girlpool-forgiveness-lie-love-lullaby|title=Girlpool announce new album, share "Lie Love Lullaby"|website=The Fader|last=Renshaw|first=David|date=19 January 2022|access-date=19 January 2022}} On February 23, Girlpool released the single "Dragging My Life Into a Dream", alongside a self-directed video.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2177289/girlpool-dragging-my-life-into-a-dream/music/|title=Girlpool – "Dragging My Life Into A Dream"|last=Helman|first=Peter|date=23 February 2022|access-date=25 February 2022}}
On August 25, Girlpool announced that they would breakup at the end of 2022, with their remaining tour dates serving as a farewell tour.{{cite web|last=Minsker|first=Evan|title=Girlpool Break Up|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/girlpool-break-up/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=August 25, 2022}}
=2023–present: Solo work=
On August 25, 2023, Tividad released her debut solo EP Dystopia Girl under the mononymous name Harmony.{{Cite web|last=Baratta|first=Franchesca|year=2023|title=Harmony {{!}} Introducing The Artist's Debut EP ‘Dystopia Girl’|url=https://www.flaunt.com/post/harmony-debut-ep-dystopia-girl|access-date=2024-01-30|website=Flaunt Magazine}} Harmony's debut album, Gossip, was released on October 11, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2275842/harmony-ex-girlpool-announces-debut-solo-album-gossip/music/|title=Harmony (Ex-Girlpool) Announces Debut Solo Album Gossip|website=Stereogum|last=Chelosky|first=Danielle|date=13 August 2024|access-date=13 August 2024}}
Musical style and influences
Tividad has cited alternative rock bands such as Cocteau Twins and Siouxsie and the Banshees as influences, as well as 2010s solo acts such as Charli XCX and Tyler, the Creator.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/07/09/girlpool-current-mood-fantasie-playlist-mix-listen-2019|title=Girlpool's Fantasie mix is a romantic trip through pop history|publisher=The Fader|date=9 July 2019|accessdate=2 May 2021|first=Shaad |last=D'Souza}} The Fader's Shaad D'Souza said that "Los Angeles duo Girlpool write songs about change, and the things we gain or leave behind when moving from one part of life to another." The band is also often compared to The Shaggs, a band notable for their perceived ineptitude at playing conventional rock music. In an article about the Shaggs, Matt McMahon from The Observer states: "The band most inspiring this spiritual connection [to The Shaggs] is Girlpool, a stripped back punk duo with a penchant for raw instrumentation and emotive harmonies".{{Cite web|date=2015-09-24|title=Is it time to give The Shaggs another listen? // The Observer|url=https://ndsmcobserver.com/2015/09/time-give-shaggs-another-listen/|access-date=2021-11-20|website=The Observer|language=en}}
Band members
Former members
- Avery Tucker – guitar, bass guitar, vocals (2013–2022)
- Harmony Tividad – bass guitar, guitar, vocals (2013–2022)
Former touring members
Discography
=Albums=
==Studio albums==
- Before the World Was Big (June 2, 2015, Wichita Recordings)
- Powerplant (May 12, 2017, Anti-)
- What Chaos Is Imaginary (February 1, 2019, Anti-)
- Forgiveness (April 29, 2022, Anti-)
==Demo albums==
- Chaos Demos (May 1, 2020, Self-released)
=EPs=
- Girlpool (November 2014, Wichita Recordings)
- Touch Me (It's Like I'm Winning It) (August 2020, Anti-){{Cite web|last=Gregory|first=Allie|date=31 August 2020|title=Girlpool Get Porches, Dev Hynes, Lydia Ainsworth for Remix EP|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/girlpool_get_porches_dev_hynes_lydia_ainsworth_for_remix_ep|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-17|website=Exclaim!|language=en-ca}}
=Singles=
- "Chinatown" (2015, Wichita Recordings)
- "Picturesong" (2018, Anti-)
- "Lucy's" (2018, Anti-)
- "Where You Sink" (2018, Anti-)
- "Hire" (2018, Anti-)
- "Like I'm Winning It" (2020, Anti-){{Cite web|last=Gregory|first=Allie|date=12 March 2020|title=Girlpool Drop New Single "Like I'm Winning It"|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/girlpool_drop_new_single_like_im_winning_it|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-17|website=Exclaim!|language=en-ca}}
- "Faultline" (2021, Anti-)
- "Lie Love Lullaby" (2022, Anti-)
- "Dragging My Life Into a Dream" (2022, Anti-)
References
External links
- [https://girlpoool.bandcamp.com/ Girlpool on Bandcamp]
- [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/girlpool-mn0001990614/discography Girlpool] at AllMusic
{{Authority control}}
Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles
Category:Punk rock groups from California
Category:American rock music duos
Category:Wichita Recordings artists
Category:Anti- (record label) artists
Category:2013 establishments in California