Animal Kingdom were an English alternative rock band formed in 2004 at Goldsmiths College, London, originally performing under the name The Sofa Club. The group consisted of vocalist and guitarist Richard Sauberlich, bassist Hamish Crombie, and drummer Geoff Lea. Their debut album, Signs and Wonders, recorded by Phil Ek in Seattle, was released in 2009. The lead single “Tin Man,” was named iTunes Single of the Week, and the band was also recognised by iTunes as Best New Alternative Act. The album led to extensive touring across the UK, Europe, and North America, including support slots for Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses, Snow Patrol, and Silversun Pickups, as well as numerous festival appearances. In 2012, the band released their second studio album, The Looking Away, produced by David Kosten and issued via Mom+Pop, with the lead single “Strange Attractor,” gaining significant attention, amassing over half a million YouTube views and becoming the 8th most played track on US alternative radio that year.
