Los Angeles-based
Ex-Poets are a moody indie rock duo comprising vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Colin Killalea and multi-instrumentalist Jordan Brooks. The pair first emerged as backing musicians with
the Strokes'
Albert Hammond, Jr. before launching
Ex-Poets with the 2018 single "Colorguard."
Initially, Brooks and Killalea met while studying music at New York's The New School. In 2007, they formed the band
Pocketknife with drummer Robbie Sinclair, and performed around the city before calling it quits. Killalea eventually moved to a friend's farm in Virginia, and stayed active performing with artists like
Natalie Prass and
Juliana Daugherty. Brooks also kept busy, playing with
Sondre Lerche,
Lee Fields, and
John Congleton. The duo kept in touch, and started sharing musical ideas online.
Along the way, they were hired to join
Albert Hammond, Jr.'s band, and spent the next couple years touring and recording with the
Strokes guitarist. Away from
Hammond, they would often spend off hours recording at a friend's studio in Williamsburg. They eventually relocated to Los Angeles, and released their debut album as
Ex-Poets, Too Much Future, in 2018. Included on the album was the single "Colorguard." ~ Matt Collar