AJR: Biography of the Indie Pop Band
American indie pop band consisting of three brothers known for self-produced, genre-blending music and theatrical live performances.
AJR is an indie pop band formed in 2005 by New York City brothers Adam (b. 1990), Jack (b. 1997), and Ryan Metzger (b. 1991). Entirely self-produced from their apartment studio, they gained viral fame with 'I'm Ready' (2013) and achieved mainstream success through Billboard-charting albums like 'Neotheater' (2019) and 'OK Orchestra' (2021). Known for eclectic sounds incorporating brass, electronics, and unconventional samples, they've sold out global tours while maintaining independent control over their creative process.
- The band name AJR combines the first initials of brothers Adam, Jack, and Ryan Metzger.
- All members are multi-instrumentalists: Ryan composes/produces, Jack is lead vocalist, and Adam handles bass/technical production.
- Their song 'Sober Up' (featuring Weezer's Rivers Cuomo) samples a 1970s Spiro Gyra jazz track, showcasing their unconventional sampling approach.
- Despite major-label offers, AJR remains fiercely independent, producing all music from their Manhattan apartment using DIY equipment.
- Their 2021 single 'Bang!' references pandemic-era anxiety and became their highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 hit (#8).
