The American Analog Set

The American Analog Set (often abbreviated as AmAnSet) quietly established themselves as a cornerstone of late 90s and early 2000s American slowcore and indie rock. Formed in Fort Worth and based in Austin, Texas, the band specialized in a sound defined by hushed, restrained vocals, sparse arrangements, and a characteristic analog warmth, often achieved through the prominent use of vintage keyboards (Rhodes, Farfisa) and vibraphone. Led by singer-songwriter Andrew Kenny, the group built a repertoire of songs that were emotionally resonant without ever being loud, creating a hypnotic, ambient pop style that drew influence from krautrock, post-rock, and shoegaze. Their masterpiece, Know by Heart (2001), remains a seminal document of the era, and their 2023 reunion and new album For Forever reintroduced their distinctive "swimming-in-honey" aesthetic to a new generation.

Biography

The American Analog Set was founded in Fort Worth, Texas, in the spring of 1995, emerging from a living room-based project. The initial core members included Andrew Kenny on guitar and vocals, Mark Smith on drums, and Lisa Roschmann on keyboards. Shortly thereafter, Lee Gillespie (sometimes credited as Jesse Lee) joined on bass, solidifying the group's early configuration before they relocated to Austin later that year.

Their early sound, characterized by long, instrumental passages and ambient textures, quickly drew comparisons to krautrock (like Can) and the languid, beautiful expanse of shoegaze (like Cocteau Twins). The band released their debut album, The Fun of Watching Fireworks, in 1996, and quickly followed with From Our Living Room to Yours in 1997, establishing their commitment to sparse, emotionally resonant, lo-fi arrangements.

The lineup saw its first major shift around 1999 when founding keyboardist Lisa Roschmann departed. She was replaced by Tom Hoff and multi-instrumentalist Sean Ripple (vibraphone, guitar) in early 2000, broadening the band’s palette. This new configuration recorded what is widely considered the band's crowning achievement, Know by Heart (2001, Tiger Style Records). The album was a critical success, blending their signature meditative textures with a slightly more concise, pop-influenced song structure. Key tracks like "Aaron & Maria" and "Punk as F**k" showcased their knack for transforming simple, repetitive musical phrases into something majestic and deeply catchy.

The group followed up with Promise of Love (2003), which continued the evolution toward a slightly more guitar-forward approach, and their sixth album, Set Free, in 2005. The band was operating amidst an evolving lineup and shifting labels, and following Set Free, they entered an extended hiatus to pursue individual endeavors, though they never formally dissolved.

During the hiatus, Andrew Kenny formed the folk-leaning project The Wooden Birds in 2009. However, the legacy of AmAnSet remained potent. They briefly reunited for a one-off performance of their 1999 album The Golden Band in 2009, and their catalog remained a favorite of influential artists and indie fans.

In 2023, The American Analog Set officially broke their long silence with For Forever, their first new studio album in 18 years. This new work, released alongside a series of archival reissues by The Numero Group, signaled a genuine revival. The reunion lineup featured core members Kenny, Gillespie, Smith, Hoff, and Ripple. The band continues to tour and release new material, confirming their enduring commitment to their unique brand of introspective, meticulously crafted indie rock.

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"Queen of Her Own Parade" HD Visualizer

Full concert 2009

Personnel

• Andrew Kenny (Vocals, guitar, organ, synth)

• Lee Gillespie (Bass)

• Mark Smith (Drums)

• Sean Ripple (Vibraphone, backing vocals, guitar)

• Tom Hoff (Keyboards, guitar)

Discography

• The Fun of Watching Fireworks (1996) The debut album that established their foundational sound: long, sparse, instrumental-leaning songs characterized by tape hiss, vintage keyboards, and krautrock influences.

• From Our Living Room to Yours (1997) Further developing their signature slowcore sound, the album solidified their reputation for atmospheric, emotionally restrained songwriting and repetitive, hypnotic motifs.

• The Golden Band (1999) A transitional album released just before a lineup change. It is noted for its spaciousness and gentle snark, moving towards more defined pop structures while maintaining instrumental restraint.

• Know by Heart (2001) Widely regarded as the band's masterpiece, this critically acclaimed album blended their ambient textures with shorter, more concise songs, perfecting their unique sound. Key tracks: "Aaron & Maria," "Punk as F**k," and "The Postman."

• Promise of Love (2003) This album continued their evolution toward song-based structures, featuring a slightly louder, more guitar-forward sound while retaining the essential melancholic pop sensibility. Key track: “Hard to Find.”

• Set Free (2005) The band's sixth album and final release before their hiatus. It showcases their refined sound, abundant with their signature vibraphone, hushed vocals, and compelling hooks.

• For Forever (2023) Their first new studio album in 18 years, marking the end of their hiatus. The record found the band returning to their classic, ambient-pop form with fresh energy and textures.