Unknown Mortal Orchestra are the Portland, Oregon-formed project of New Zealand-born Ruban Nielson, formerly of The Mint Chicks, launched anonymously online in 2010. His fuzzy, soul- and funk-inflected psychedelic pop is best entered through II (2013) or Multi-Love (2015), both on Jagjaguwar. Explore Unknown Mortal Orchestra vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra formed in Portland, Oregon in 2010, the project of New Zealand-born songwriter, guitarist, and producer Ruban Nielson, formerly of the band The Mint Chicks. What began as an anonymous online release grew into a celebrated touring band. Nielson writes, performs, and produces much of the music, often recording in home-studio settings, and records for Jagjaguwar.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra play psychedelic rock and psychedelic pop infused with soul, funk, and lo-fi textures. The sound centers on Nielson's warm, fuzzy guitar tone, falsetto vocals, and adventurous, sometimes experimental production. Albums like Multi-Love expanded the palette with synths and disco and funk influences, broadening the project's range.
The band's catalog has appeared in numerous colored-vinyl variants through Jagjaguwar and Fat Possum, of interest to psych and indie collectors. II and Multi-Love are popular collector titles.
Listeners new to Unknown Mortal Orchestra often start with II (2013) or Multi-Love (2015). For related listening, see and .
