How a Berklee quartet transformed from a Brooklyn duo into indie folk royalty
In short: Formed in 2015, Big Thief emerged from the Brooklyn indie scene with a sound that critics described as both fragile and noisy. From their early days as a duo to Grammy-nominated triumphs, the band's evolution is a masterclass in musical chemistry and adaptation.
The foundations of Big Thief were laid by Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek, who first met at a show in Boston. After reconnecting as undergraduates, the pair performed as a duo in 2013, releasing the EPs 'a-sides' and 'b-sides' in 2014. The group officially coalesced in 2015 in Brooklyn, adding drummer Jason Burger and bassist Max Oleartchik—a longtime friend of Meek's. Notably, the core members shared a common academic background, having all attended the Berklee College of Music.
The band's ascent was marked by a string of critically acclaimed releases on labels like Saddle Creek and 4AD. Their 2016 debut, 'Masterpiece', earned high praise from NPR's Bob Boilen, while 2017's 'Capacity' achieved 'universal acclaim' with an 81 Metacritic score. By 2019, the release of 'U.F.O.F.' saw the band reaching number one on several Billboard charts, including Alternative New Artist Albums, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.
Despite their success, the band has navigated significant transitions. The departure of longtime bassist Max Oleartchik in June 202 and the shift from a quartet to a core trio for the 2025 album 'Double Infinity' marked the end of an era. While Joshua Crumbly joined the live lineup to provide a new melodic foundation, Lenker noted that the original chemistry was irreplaceable. Through lineup changes and even controversial concert cancellations in 2022, the band continues to expand, recently debuting the triple album 'Horsepower' in 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Big Thief
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