Gauntlet Hair is an independent noise pop band from Denver, Colorado. The members consist of Craig Nice and Andy Rauworth. After releasing two extended plays, they signed to record label Dead Oceans and have now released their self-titled debut album.
Craig and Andy had been playing music since teenagers. Previously located in Chicago, the boys had moved to Denver to hone a sound that seems to have gained inspiration from enormity of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Critics say that their songs are "Reverb-pop gems". In an interview, Craig Nice had said this statement:
" I think it can all be traced back to me bringing home a delay pedal for the first time, and just fucking with that and just looping shit. When you layer a sound like a hundred times it just becomes a drumbeat. We always needed something percussive so I could follow [the loops] on my set... if it's just like loose guitar it doesnt really cut through the mix and its much harder to keep time.
In 2010, Gauntlet Hair released a single called "I Was Thinking", which aired on ESPN. Pitchfork gave it a positive review saying "I Was Thinking..." is a delirious, fire-spewing stomper from this Denver-based avant-pop duo affiliated with Rhinoceropolis, the Denver DIY space which local hero Pictureplane calls home. They also made a single called "Out...Don't" which was published by Mexican Summer.
In 2011, Gauntlet Hair signed to independent record label Dead Oceans, and started to record their debut LP. "Gauntlet Hair" was released on October 18, 2011 and has met with mixed to positive reviews, with Pitchfork giving a lovely 7.8.
Gauntlet Hair will release their song "My Christ" as a single on January 24, 2012.