Tapes'n Tapes, an indie rock group formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the winter of 2003 at Carleton College, consisted of Josh Grier (guitar, vocals), Jeremy Hanson (drums), Matt Kretzman (keyboards, multi‑instruments), and Erik Appelwick (bass guitar). The band first released a self‑produced EP in 2004, followed by the full‑length The Loon on Ibid Records in 2005; the album was reissued by XL Recordings on 25 July 2006 after the group signed to the label, and the single "Insistor" earned a Best New Music designation from Pitchfork Media. In 2008 the group released Walk It Off, produced by David Fridmann, and later that year issued the single "Hang Them All". A third studio effort, Outside, followed on 11 January 2011. During this period Tapes'n Tapes performed on the Late Show with David Letterman, at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and at Lollapalooza, and appeared in the 2007 MTV comedy program Human Giant and the film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. The band earned a star on the exterior mural of Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue, a recognition given to performers who have made a significant cultural contribution to the venue.
