An Horse is an Australian pop and rock[2] duo, formed in 2007 in Brisbane, Australia and founded by Kathleen "Kate" Cooper and Damon Cox.[1] The duo has released three studio albums (Rearrange Beds in 2009, Walls in 2011 and Modern Air in 2019) and two 2009 hit singles ("Camp Out" and "Postcards").
History
Becoming An Horse
Kathleen "Kate" Cooper and Damon Cox met while working at an independent record store called Skinny's in Brisbane, Australia. They began making music together in 2007, and set up a PA in the store, where they would rehearse after-hours and organise shows in the Brisbane area.
2007–2008: Not Really Scared
The duo's first recording was a 5 song EP, Not Really Scared, which was released by local Brisbane label Valve Records.[3] Kathleen handed a rough mix version on CD to Tegan and Sara at the Canadian duo's in-store performance at Skinny's, and not long after received an invite for An Horse to open their Out of Hibernation US tour in April 2008.[4] Off the back of that tour, they were the first duo to be signed to New York label Mom + Pop Music by Michael Goldstone.[5] They returned to the US in October 2008 for tours with Bishop Allen and Jessica Lea Mayfield,[4] while continuing to tour at home in Australia with Death Cab For Cutie,[6]The New Pornographers and more.
The duo did not play live for several years after coming off tour in support of Walls. The duo reconvened for one show on 29 December 2015 at Crowbar in Brisbane.[22] There were hints of working on new music during 2017.[23] During the duo's hiatus, Cooper released an eponymous solo album via Mom + Pop in June 2015.[24] Meanwhile, Cox toured as a drummer for Kevin Devine and occasionally Tancred, as well as an auxiliary percussionist and drum tech for Brand New up to their 2017 tour.
2018: Return and "Get Out Somehow"
On 1 March 2018 the duo announced they were going to start playing again, beginning with three shows in Canada with Camp Cope.[25] Later, on 5 March, they announced they would be touring the US with The Front Bottoms.[26] On 16 May, the duo released the single "Get Out Somehow", which marked their first new music since 2011.[27]
2019: Rearrange Beds re-issue and Modern Air
On 23 January 2019, the duo announced a new album was to be released in May on Lame-O Records, with a vinyl repressing of Rearrange Beds preceding it in late January.[28] On 18 March, they revealed the album was called Modern Air with a release date of 3 May. Mike Sapone produced and mixed the album.[29] The album's release was preceded by two further singles: "This is a Song" on 20 March, and "Ship of Fools" on 12 April. In May 2019 the duo toured North America with longtime friends Camp Cope.[30]
Appearances
Film and television
On March 12, 2009, An Horse made their first ever television appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, performing their song "Camp Out". "Postcards" (another song by the duo) appeared in a television advertisement for the Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class in 2008.[31] "Trains and Tracks" (one of the duo's other songs) was featured in the 2017 British romantic comedy-drama film Happy Birthday, Toby Simpson.