Pinegrove

Pinegrove is an American rock band formed in Montclair, New Jersey in 2010. The band's lineup is variable, with singer-songwriter Evan Stephens Hall and drummer Zack Levine representing its "core" members. The two met in childhood and played in various bands before founding Pinegrove.

The band's musical style, which utilizes instruments such as the banjo and pedal steel guitar, is commonly described as a fusion between alternative country and emo. Pinegrove spent its early years self-releasing its music—including their debut album, Meridian, in 2012—and performing do-it-yourself (DIY) house shows.

After signing to independent record label Run for Cover, the group issued an anthology of their early work, titled Everything So Far (2014). Their second album, Cardinal (2016), represented a breakthrough, amassing a devoted fan listenership and appearing on many music critics' top-ten year-end lists.

After recording their third full-length, Skylight, the band took a year-long hiatus after Hall was accused of "sexual coercion" by an anonymous person with whom he had a relationship.

Formed in 2010 by childhood friends Evan Stephens Hall and drummer Zack Levine, Pinegrove have released four albums — Everything So Far, Cardinal, Skylight, and Marigold (2020) — to widespread critical acclaim, garnering them a growing and devoted listenership.

They’ve described their sound as variously as ‘introspective party music’, or ‘energetic music in the folk tradition’; in any case, they have combined catharsis and inventive structures with irrepressible melodies, resonant lyrics and emotive twang.

Zack describes Pinegrove as “a constellation of soulmates.” Zack and Evan have known each other for 26 years and been playing music together for 21, communicating via a “telepathic musical connection.” Nearly everyone they work with are friends and collaborators from way back.

Their most recent release, a live album recorded at the band’s previous studio and home, Amperland, NY, features Evan, Zack, Josh Marre, Megan Benavente, Sam Skinner as well as appearances from Nandi Rose, Nick Levine, Michael Levine and Doug Hall. Sam also engineered and co-produced the record, as he has on every Pinegrove recording since 2015.