Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Unknown Mortal Orchestra (also known as UMO) is a New Zealand psychedelic rock band from Auckland and now based in Portland, Oregon. It emerged as one of the most inventive and shape-shifting bands of the 2010s, led by New Zealand-born musician Ruban Nielson. The group quickly became known for blending lo-fi psych-rock with elements of R&B, funk, and experimental pop, carving out a sound that was as playful as it was introspective.

Singer and guitarist Ruban Nielson released the track "Ffunny Ffrends" on his Bandcamp profile in the spring of 2010. It was paired with no further information and notably no mention of who created it. Soon, popular bloggers got hold of the track. Through their reposting and attempts to hunt down the creator, Nielson eventually claimed the track as Unknown Mortal Orchestra's.

The band's debut self-titled album was released June 21, 2011 on Fat Possum Records. The album quickly received critical acclaim. Pitchfork gave the album an 8.1, describing that with "an expert use of space rare for such a lo-fi record, UMO manages a unique immersive and psychedelic quality without relying on the usual array of bong-ripping effects."

In the spring of 2012, the band won the Taite Music Prize for the album. Although the nominated Unknown Mortal Orchestra did not win Best Alternative Album, Nielson took home the title of Best Male Artist at the 47th annual Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

In September 2012, Unknown Mortal Orchestra announced that they had signed to Jagjaguwar and were working on their second full-length album. Unknown Mortal Orchestra's second album, II, was released on February 5, 2013. The first single from the album, entitled "Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)", was first available as a 7" on their tour with Grizzly Bear.

II has received widespread critical acclaim. In November 2013 it won Best Alternative Album at the New Zealand Music Awards. II was nominated for the Taite Music Prize 2014, an annual music prize awarded for the best album from New Zealand. Clash Music gave the album a 9 out of 10, saying "from opener ‘From The Sun’, which recalls George Harrison-psychedelia, to the tender Family Stone shuffle of the closing of ‘Secret Xtians’, ‘II’ displays both a glowing warmth in its production and a deft use of space that illuminate Nielson’s superbly crafted compositions.” Paste Magazine called the album "a modern, beat-heavy take on ‘60s psych, with plenty of hooks and fuzz to get you hooked and feeling fuzzy." NME praised Ruban's ability to turn his songs into "works of warm, fuzzy beauty."

During the winter of 2012, Unknown Mortal Orchestra capitalized on the success of II and embarked on a world tour. The tour started off with shows in Australia, and hometown shows in New Zealand, followed by several stops in Europe. The band then toured extensively throughout North America with opener Foxygen. In March 2013, Unknown Mortal Orchestra was named one of Fuse TV's 30 must-see artists at SXSW. Unknown Mortal Orchestra consistently sold out shows in both the UK/Europe and in North America, and as a result of their success on the road they announced in early April that they would extend their tour through the end of 2013. That summer the band performed at a number of major European festivals, including Roskilde Festival, Pukkelpop and Lowlands.

In 2013, Unknown Mortal Orchestra made their American television debut, performing "So Good At Being In Trouble" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The band released an EP titled Blue Record, including three acoustic versions of songs taken from their previous album.

In 2015, the band took a major step forward with the release of their third album, "Multi-Love." The title track, unveiled as the first single, signaled a new direction, filled with vibrant synth textures and a more expansive production style. The album was met with critical acclaim, praised for its daring approach and personal storytelling. Songs such as "Multi-Love" and "Can’t Keep Checking My Phone" became fan favorites, even earning heavy rotation on BBC Radio 6 Music. The success of the record propelled the band on a wide-reaching tour across Europe, the United States, and Canada, with many sold-out shows. Their growing popularity also landed them on major late-night television programs, including Late Night with Seth Meyers, Conan, and Last Call with Carson Daly. "Can’t Keep Checking My Phone" even found a place in pop culture through its inclusion on the soundtrack for the video game FIFA 16.

Three years later, the band returned with "Sex & Food," released in April 2018. The album continued the adventurous spirit of its predecessor but pushed deeper into experimental territory. Critics praised the record’s fusion of soulful vocals, textured synths, and inventive percussion, calling it a bold yet cohesive entry in the band’s catalog. The BBC later named it one of the best albums of the year, cementing its impact. Following its release, the band embarked on a global tour, performing across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. That same year, they released "IC-01 Hanoi," an instrumental project that grew out of the recording sessions for "Sex & Food." With its atmospheric, improvisational sound, the record revealed another side of the group’s creativity.

After a brief hiatus, Unknown Mortal Orchestra returned in 2021 with "Weekend Run," their first new single in three years. Bright and groove-driven, the track was described by Nielson as music meant to lift someone’s day. It was followed by another single, "That Life," which further built anticipation for the band’s next chapter.

In 2022, Unknown Mortal Orchestra announced plans for an ambitious double album. The first glimpse came with the single "I Killed Captain Cook," a tender and reflective track that highlighted Nielson’s songwriting depth. In early 2023, more singles followed, including "Layla" and "Nadja," leading up to the release of the double album "V" in March 2023. Expansive in both scope and sound, "V" showcased the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to their core identity of blending experimentation with emotional resonance.

From the raw psych-rock of their early recordings to the layered, genre-blurring soundscapes of "V," Unknown Mortal Orchestra has built a career on reinvention. With each album, the band continues to expand its sonic universe, making them one of the most innovative acts of their generation.

Current Members: Ruban Nielson – lead vocals, guitar, drums, bass, piano, keyboards, synthesizers (2009–present) Jacob Portrait – bass, synthesizers, backing vocals (2010–present) Kody Nielson – drums, percussion, synthesizers, backing vocals (2013–present)

Current Touring Musician: Christian Li – keyboards, backing vocals (2022–present)

Former Members: Julien Ehrlich – drums (2010–2012) Gregory Rogove – drums, backing vocals (2012–2013) Riley Geare – drums, backing vocals (2013–2017) Amber Baker – drums (2017–2018) Thomas "Mabus" Hoganson – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2018)

Former Touring Musicians: Quincy McCrary – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2015–2018; 2019) Chris Nielson – keyboards, synthesizers, saxophone, backing vocals (2018–2019)