The American Analog Set
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs, singles, compilations |
| Website | theamericananalogset |
The American Analog Set—also known as AmAnSet—is an indie rock ensemble based in Austin, Texas, with a discography comprising seven studio albums released under labels such as Emperor Jones, Tiger Style Records, and Arts & Crafts. On October 27, 2023, they unveiled For Forever, their first album in 18 years. Subsequently, in February 2024, The Numero Group launched the New Drifters box collection, which includes their initial three albums alongside previously unreleased demos and outtakes. Additionally, a box set spotlighting their Tiger Style period is scheduled for release in April 2024.
History
Established in 1995, the band initially incorporated influences from krautrock, post-rock, and British shoegaze, characterized by extended instrumental passages. Over time, their sound shifted toward more concise compositions with a stronger pop sensibility. Their output encompasses seven full-length albums, four EPs, and numerous singles.
Fronted by singer-songwriter and guitarist Andrew Kenny, the group’s roster has featured Jesse Lee, Mark Smith, Craig McCaffrey, Tom Hoff, Lisa Roschmann, and Sean Ripple. Roschmann exited the band in 1999; Hoff and Ripple became members in 2000; McCaffrey succeeded Hoff for the 2005 release Set Free; Hoff returned to the lineup in 2013.
In 2005, despite circulating speculation about a breakup, the band refuted any plans to disband but acknowledged a potential pause in touring due to other engagements. That same year, the album Set Free was distributed in North America through Canadian label Arts & Crafts.
The song "Gone to Earth" from Know by Heart was featured on the soundtrack of the 2009 motion picture The Time Traveler's Wife.
After nearly two decades without a new release, For Forever signaled their comeback in October 2023. In September 2024, they performed live in Austin for the first time in thirteen years.
Current members
- Andrew Kenny – guitar, vocals, organ, electric piano, synthesizer (1995–2005, 2013–present)
- Jesse Lee – bass guitar, tapes (1995–2005, 2013–present)
- Mark Smith – drums (1995–2005, 2013–present)
- Sean Ripple – vibraphone, backing vocals, guitar, drums, percussion (2000–2005, 2021–present)
- Tom Hoff – organ, electric piano, guitar, drums (2000–2003, 2013–present)
Former members
- Lisa Roschmann – organ, electric piano, flute, backing vocals (1995–1999)
- Craig McCaffrey – organ, electric piano (2003–2005)
Live members
- Shawn O'Keefe – guitar (1997–2000)
- Josh Wright – guitar (1999)
- Matt Frank – drums (2024–present)
Albums
- The Fun of Watching Fireworks (1996; Emperor Jones)
- From Our Living Room to Yours (1997; Emperor Jones)
- The Golden Band (1999; Emperor Jones)
- Know by Heart (2001; Tiger Style)
- Promise of Love (2003; Tiger Style)
- Set Free (2005; Arts & Crafts)
- For Forever (2023; Hometown Fantasy)
Live albums
- Bootleg Club Volume One: 1996–1999 (2014)
- Bootleg Club Volume Two: 2000–2002 (2014)
- Bootleg Club Volume Three: 2003–2005 (2014)
EPs
- Late One Sunday & The Following Morning (1997, Darla Records)
- Updates (2002, Tiger Style)
- Songs of Hurt and Healing (2005, Tylenol/Ouch!) (Split release with White Magic)
- Everything Ends in Spring (2005)
Singles
- Diana Slowburner (1996, Emperor Jones)
- Magnificent Seventies (1997, Emperor Jones)
- Split release with Adventures In Stereo (1997)
- The Only Living Boy Around (1999)
- New Equation (2001, Tiger Style)
- Collaborative split with The Twilight Singers and Jeff Hanson (2003, Devil in the Woods)
- Queen of Her Own Parade (2023, Numero Group)
- Where Did You Come From? (2023, Numero Group)
Compilations
- Through the 1990s: Singles and Unreleased (2001, Emperor Jones)
- Hard to Find: Singles and Unreleased 2000-2005 (2009, Hometown Fantasy)
- New Drifters (2024, The Numero Group)
Appearances
- New Voices Vol. 30 (1999)
- New Voices Vol. 49 (2002)
- Artist Sampler 2002-2003 (2003)
- Another Country (2003)
- Musikexpress 80: Sounds Now! (2003)
- Off The Wall: 10 Years of Wall of Sound (2003)
- We Love You... So Love Us Three (2004)
- Comes With A Smile #15: Gloved Hands in Squeeze (2005)
- La Revolution de Spunk (2005)
- All Tomorrow's Parties 3.1 (2005)
- Electracoustic (2006)
- Duyster.II (2006)
- Peace on Earth (2008)
- Not Given Lightly (2009)
- Morr Music 2005 (2013)
- The Best of the Bliss Out (2015)
External links
- American post-rock groups
- Musical groups from Austin, Texas
- Indie rock musical groups from Texas
- Arts & Crafts Productions artists
- 1995 establishments in Texas
- Slowcore groups
- Darla Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1995
- Musical groups disestablished in 2005
- Musical groups reestablished in 2023
- The Numero Group artists
- American indie rock groups