Rilo Kiley

Rilo Kiley
Company type	Indie rock band
Industry	Music
Founded	1998 in Los Angeles, California, United States
Founder	Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, Jason Boesel
Defunct	2013 (hiatus), reestablished 2025
Headquarters	Los Angeles, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, Jason Boesel
Products	Music albums, EPs, singles
Number of employees	4 (band members)
Website	www.rilokiley.com

Rilo Kiley () is an indie rock group originating from Los Angeles, California, established in 1998. The band consists of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel.

Their initial album, Take-Offs and Landings, was launched in 2001 under the Seattle-based independent label Barsuk Records. Subsequently, they produced three additional studio albums along with several EPs. In 2007, Rilo Kiley signed with Warner Bros. Records, marking their major label debut with Under the Blacklight.

History

Rilo Kiley's inaugural performance took place at Spaceland in Los Angeles in January 1998. Their first EP, originally titled Rilo Kiley and later reissued as The Initial Friend EP, was released in 1999. In 2000, both Sennett and Lewis appeared on ABC's Once & Again, performing the track "The Frug." The band secured a contract with Barsuk Records to release their debut full-length album in 2001. Following this, they transitioned to Omaha-based Saddle Creek Records, where they issued The Execution of All Things in 2002. Their 2004 release, More Adventurous, came out on their own Brute/Beaute Records imprint with distribution by Warner Bros. Records, before eventually signing directly with Warner Bros.

The year 2004 marked increased exposure for the band: Sennett and Boesel launched an album with their side project The Elected, while Lewis provided backing vocals on The Postal Service's Give Up. Lewis also toured with The Postal Service prior to two tours promoting More Adventurous. This album appeared on the Billboard's Heatseekers Chart and was supported by performances on shows such as Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. In 2005, Rilo Kiley toured internationally as the opening act for Bright Eyes and later joined Coldplay on their Twisted Logic Tour across North America. Tracks like "I Never" and "Ripchord" were featured in movies including Must Love Dogs and John Tucker Must Die. Songs from earlier releases were also included in television series such as Six Feet Under and Weeds.

Their fourth studio album, Under the Blacklight, was released on August 20, 2007, in the UK and a day later in the US. The leading single, "The Moneymaker," included a music video showcasing real adult film performers. The subsequent single was "Silver Lining." To promote the album, the band embarked on a North American tour beginning September 2007, featuring support from Orenda Fink and Kristin Gundred.

Rilo Kiley was also recognized for philanthropic activities, notably their support for the Elliott Smith Memorial Fund. Band members took part in a tribute concert following Smith's passing in 2003 and offered merchandise sales benefiting the fund.

Hiatus and breakup

In 2010, drummer Jason Boesel revealed that the group was on a break but working on compiling unreleased recordings, without immediate plans for new material. By 2011, Blake Sennett indicated that while the band was essentially inactive, future reunions remained possible.

February 2013 saw Rilo Kiley announce Rkives, a collection of rare and previously unreleased tracks issued through Pierre de Reeder's Little Record Company label.

In a 2014 interview, Jenny Lewis confirmed that Rilo Kiley had officially disbanded. Nonetheless, a partial reunion occurred at Coachella in April 2015 when Sennett joined Lewis on stage to perform "Portions for Foxes." Lewis continued her solo career with Boesel contributing to both studio sessions and tours.

In 2025, Rilo Kiley reunited for a North American tour and appeared at the Just Like Heaven Festival on May 10 at the Rose Bowl. The day prior, they performed "Silver Lining" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Lewis described this reunion as an opportune moment to share happiness with fans; de Reeder compared it to reconnecting with family members. Early shows during this reunion received favorable reviews from critics.

Origin of the band's name

During an August 2005 episode of the radio program Loveline, Sennett explained that "Rilo Kiley" originated from a dream about an old sports almanac featuring an Australian rules football player named Rilo Kiley. He noted that no actual individual bears this name; online searches predominantly return results related to the band. Initially intended as a temporary name, it ultimately became permanent.

Alternative explanations have mentioned Scottish sports almanacs or a dream figure foretelling Jenny Lewis' death as inspirations behind the band's name.

Band members

Current line-up

Jenny Lewis – lead vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass (1998–2013, 2025–present)
Blake Sennett – lead guitar, keyboards, backing/occasional lead vocals (1998–2013, 2025–present)
Pierre de Reeder – bass, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1998–2013, 2025–present)
Jason Boesel – drums, percussion (2001–2013, 2025–present)

Current touring musicians

Harrison Whitford – rhythm guitar, keyboards (2025–present)

Former members

Dave Rock – drums, percussion (1998–2001)
Mike Bloom – pedal steel guitar, additional guitars (2004–2005)

Discography

Videography

The Frug (1999, dir. Morgan J. Freeman)
Wires and Waves (recorded in 2001 but unreleased until 2007, dir. Morgan J. Freeman)
Bulletproof (2001, dir. Liam Lynch)
Portions for Foxes (2004, dir. Brian Lazzaro)
It's a Hit (2005, dir. Andrew Bruntel and Matt Enlow)
The Moneymaker (2007, dir. Autumn de Wilde)
Silver Lining (2007, dir. Autumn de Wilde)
Let Me Back In (2013, dir. Rilo Kiley)
Emotional (2013, dir. Austin Nagler)

External links

Official website
Rilo Kiley has ended hiatus and disbanded scenepointblank.com