Future Islands and Valient Thorr

While all studying art at East Carolina University, Welmers, Cashion and Harding met and were inspired to create a musical side project, later joined by Erick Murillo on an electronic drum kit.

In 2006 the band self-released their debut EP “Little Advances” which helped to establish them on the underground scene, creating a small buzz. The following year they released a split EP alongside Welmers’ side project Moss of Aura.

Their debut album “Wave Like Home” was recorded in a skate shop in North Carolina and released through London based independent label Upset the Rhythm in 2008. Later that year Future Islands parted ways with Murillo, relocated to Maryland, US and focussed on continuing as a trio. During their US tour, the band recorded “Feathers and Hallways”.

In 2009 the band signed to Thrill Records and the following year released their second album “In Evening Air” which featured the singles “Tin Man” and “In the Fall”. Supporting the release of the album, the band spent the majority of 2010 touring relentlessly before releasing their triumphant third album “On the Water” which reached number 12 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart.

2014 was a big year for Future Islands as they signed to the British indie label 4AD and released their eponymous fourth album “Singles”. Off the back of the album’s release, the band were invited onto The Late Show with David Letterman where they performed the lead single “Seasons (Waiting on You)”. With majestic synths and an abundance of emotional vulnerability as Harding sang of heartbreak infused with catchy pop beats made for an iconic display. The Letterman performance took social media by storm and had everyone talking about this magical spectacle even leaving Nirvana producer Butch Vig and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin mesmerised.