Life Without Buildings

Although the short-lived Scottish band Life Without Buildings only released one studio album, the group earned a loyal following during the turn of the 21st century, thanks to an indie-rock sound inspired by post-punk pioneers like Television and the Talking Heads. Formed in Glasgow in 1999, the band consisted mainly of visual artists and graphic designers, many of whom had previously studied at the Glasgow School of Art. Drummer Will Bradley, bassist Chris Evans, and guitarist Robert Johnston were the first to join, with frontwoman Sue Tompkins completing the lineup later that year. Led by Tompkins' unique delivery, which found the vocalist singing her lyrics one minute and rhythmically speaking them the next, Life Without Buildings released their first single, "The Leanover," in March 2000. Any Other City followed in 2001, with outlets like Pitchfork hailing the debut album as one of the decade's best releases. Produced by Any Miller, Any Other City was also a hit at college radio, where the album peaked at Number 22 on the CMJ. Radio 200. Life Without Buildings briefly toured in support of Any Other City's release, even playing a show in London with fellow indie-rock buzz band the Strokes. Tompkins soon announced her decision to prioritize visual art over music, however, and the band broke up during the final weeks of 2002. The four musicians focused on other creative endeavors following the band's split, with Tompkins and Evans both becoming internationally-recognized visual artists. Meanwhile, Live at the Annandale Hotel was released posthumously in 2007. Recorded in December 2002 in Sydney, Australia, the concert album captured one of Life Without Buildings' final performances.