William Cashion of
Future Islands and Bruce Willen of
Double Dagger make up
Peals, an improvisation-based experimental duo. Unlike the more bombastic new wave and punk rock played by the musicians' main bands,
Peals is a more contemplative affair, with releases like 2016's
Honey filled with atmospheric loops, field recordings, and fragile rhythms.
Cashion and Willen formed
Peals in their home city of Baltimore in early 2012, initially calling themselves Believers. After creating a website which cleverly allowed users to manipulate and remix the 16 tracks of "Furniture,"
Peals signed with Thrill Jockey, which released their debut album, Walking Field, in 2013. The duo then went on tour throughout the United States and Canada, with an emphasis on art shows. In early 2015,
Peals released Seltzer, a cassette consisting of a live performance inside the clock room of Baltimore's Bromo Seltzer Tower, as well as a mix of improvised home recordings. Second album
Honey, featuring a guest appearance by
the Smashing Pumpkins'
James Iha, was released by
Friends Records in 2016. Thrill Jockey re-released the album in 2020. ~ Jason Lymangrover & Paul Simpson