The project of Shaun Kilfoyle,
Minks' moody take on indie pop initially drew comparisons to
the Cure,
New Order, and
My Bloody Valentine. Little was known about the group until the April 2010 release of their first single, Funeral Song, by Captured Tracks, also home to the like-minded
Wild Nothing. That summer, the band returned with the single
Ophelia, which revealed a softer side to
Minks' music. Live shows (for which the band expanded to a six-piece) with
Veronica Falls and labelmates
Cosmetics and
Blank Dogs increased buzz around the band, culminating with the release of
Minks' debut album,
By the Hedge, in January 2011. Vocalist
Amalie Bruun left the group to join
Ex Cops and Kilfoyle refined
Minks' music into a sleeker, breezier sound. While staying at Long Island's East End, he was inspired by a decrepit beachfront estate named Tides End; it became the namesake of
Minks' 2013 album, which Kilfoyle recorded with producer/engineer Mark Verbos. ~ Heather Phares