Unknown Mortal Orchestra is an American and New Zealand psychedelic rock band composed of singer, guitarist and songwriter Ruban Nielson, bassist Jake Portrait and drummer Riley Geare. The band was started by Nielson in 2010 and they have released 4 studio albums to date.
Band Members
Ruban Nielson
Ruban Nielson is the founder, frontman, singer, songwriter and guitarist of Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Some key facts about Ruban Nielson:
- Born in New Zealand in 1976. He is currently 46 years old.
- Prior to UMO, Nielson was part of the band The Mint Chicks from 2001 to 2010.
- Formed UMO as a solo recording project in 2010 while living in Portland, Oregon.
- Released UMO’s self-titled debut album in 2011.
- Nielson writes, records, produces and mixes all of UMO’s music.
- His main musical influences are psychedelic rock, funk, soul, jazz, lo-fi indie rock.
- Nielson’s songwriting often explores themes of isolation, relationships, sex and mortality.
- He is the sole continuous member of UMO across all 4 of their studio albums.
Jake Portrait
Jake Portrait is the bassist for Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Some key facts about Jake Portrait:
- Born in the 1980s in New Zealand.
- Joined UMO in 2011 after the release of their debut album.
- Portrait was previously the bassist for the Mint Chicks from 2003 to 2010.
- He has appeared on all UMO albums except their debut.
- Portrait mainly plays bass but also contributes occasional synthesizer parts.
- He has co-written a few UMO songs with Ruban Nielson such as “Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)”.
Riley Geare
Riley Geare is the drummer for Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Some key facts about Riley Geare:
- Born in the 1980s in New Zealand.
- Geare joined UMO in 2012 prior to the release of their 2nd album II.
- He replaced original UMO drummer Julien Ehrlich who left in 2012.
- Geare was previously the drummer for New Zealand bands Home Brew and London Bar.
- He has appeared on UMO’s last 3 studio albums from II onwards.
- Geare’s energetic, polyrhythmic style has become integral to UMO’s live sound.
Band History
Here is a brief history of Unknown Mortal Orchestra from their formation to present:
2010: Solo project origins
UMO started as a solo recording project for Ruban Nielson while he was living in Portland, Oregon in 2010. Nielson posted anonymous tracks online under the band name which drew positive buzz and intrigue. These tracks would later make up their debut self-titled album.
2011: Debut album
Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s self-titled debut album was released in June 2011 on Fat Possum Records. It featured the singles “Ffunny Ffrends” and “How Can U Luv Me”. The album drew critical acclaim for its blend of lo-fi, psychedelic rock and funk. It established UMO’s sound and aesthetic.
2012: Lineup solidified
After heavy touring following their debut, the UMO lineup solidified in 2012 with the addition of longtime collaborators Jake Portrait on bass and new recruit Riley Geare on drums. This cemented them as a full band rather than Nielson’s solo project.
2013: II
UMO’s second album II was released in February 2013. It was a slicker, fuller sounding record than their lo-fi debut and drew praise for its mix of rock, soul and funk. Singles included “Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)” and “So Good At Being In Trouble”.
2015: Multi-Love
Multi-Love was released in May 2015 as UMO’s third studio album. It was their first record to crack the Billboard 200 albums chart, reaching #106. The title track “Multi-Love” and the psychedelic “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone” were released as singles.
2018: Sex & Food
UMO’s fourth album Sex & Food was released in April 2018. It reached #22 on the Billboard Alternative Albums chart and #137 on the Billboard 200. The synth-driven single “Hunnybee” and funk-inspired “Major League Chemicals” were released ahead of the album.
2021 – Present: Cisceaux Era and upcoming fifth album
UMO released two singles in 2021 – “Weekend Run” and “That Life” – marking a transition into a new musical era referred to as the “Cisceaux Era”. Both tracks were more synth and groove driven, hinting at their forthcoming fifth album expected in 2023.
Musical Style and Influences
Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s musical style blends elements of:
- Psychedelic rock
- Lo-fi/indie rock
- Funk
- Soul
- Jazz
- Synthpop
Some of their major influences and inspirations include:
- 60s psychedelic rock like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Carlos Santana
- Progressive rock like King Crimson
- Funk and soul artists like Prince, Sly and the Family Stone
- Jazz legends like John Coltrane and Sun Ra
- Lo-fi indie rock bands like Pavement, Guided By Voices
Nielson’s songwriting often explores offbeat themes like isolation, sexual frustration, mortality, drugs, dreams vs. reality. His lyrics are frequently abstract and surreal. The music matches these themes with an unorthodox approach to structure, harmony and melody that draws from psychedelia.
Band Members’ Other Projects
The members of Unknown Mortal Orchestra also participate in several other music projects during downtime from UMO activity. These include:
Ruban Nielson
- Mint Chicks – Nielson’s prior band from 2001 to 2010
- Opossom – Nielson’s electropop solo project
- Kody Nielson – Collaborations with his brother Kody under the name Kody & Ruban Nielson
- Brendan Knols – Psychedelic improvisational duo with Brendan Knols
Jake Portrait
- Mint Chicks – Portrait’s prior band from 2003 to 2010
Riley Geare
- Home Brew – New Zealand hip hop group Riley drums for
- London Bar – Prior New Zealand psych band Riley drummed for
Live Performance Style
Unknown Mortal Orchestra are known for very energetic, tight and compelling live performances. Here are some key elements of their live shows:
- Nielson’s enthusiastic stage presence and guitar heroics
- The band’s extremely tight rhythm section (Portrait & Geare)
- Extended psychedelic guitar/keyboard improvisations
- Creative setlists drawing from all their albums
- Visual projections complementing the psychedelic music
They extensively tour across the US, Europe, Australia and sometimes Japan. UMO have built a reputation as one of the most exciting modern psychedelic rock bands to see live.
Awards and Recognition
Some awards and achievements by Unknown Mortal Orchestra include:
- Their 2011 debut album was shortlisted for the New Zealand Taite Music Prize
- Multi-Love was nominated for the 2015 New Zealand Silver Scroll award for songwriting
- Sex & Food was nominated for Best Alternative Album at the 2019 A2IM Libera Awards
- UMO were featured artists at major summer festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, Primavera Sound, Pitchfork Music Festival
While they have not won many major awards, UMO are critically well-regarded and have built a strong international fanbase through their touring and album releases.
Discography
Unknown Mortal Orchestra have released 4 studio albums:
Album | Year |
---|---|
Unknown Mortal Orchestra | 2011 |
II | 2013 |
Multi-Love | 2015 |
Sex & Food | 2018 |
They have also released the EPS Blue Record in 2011 and IC-01 Hanoi in 2018.
Their key singles and songs include “Ffunny Ffrends”, “How Can U Luv Me”, “Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)”, “So Good At Being In Trouble”, “Multi-Love”, “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone”, “Hunnybee”, and “That Life”.
Their fifth studio album is expected to be released sometime in 2023.
Conclusion
In summary, Unknown Mortal Orchestra is a critically acclaimed American/New Zealand psychedelic rock band led by Ruban Nielson. Formed in 2010, they have released 4 albums combining elements of psychedelic rock, funk, soul, jazz and lo-fi indie. Their lineup consists of Nielson on guitar and vocals, Jake Portrait on bass, and Riley Geare on drums. They are renowned for their energetic live shows and Ruban Nielson’s imaginative songwriting. While not hugely mainstream, UMO have a devoted cult following internationally and continue to make intriguing psychedelic rock music.