Vertical Scratchers

After the demise of his experimental pop band <a href="spotify:artist:3jJxGc6wl7xvZHSg8tg61V">Enon</a> in 2007, John Schmersal wasted no time finding other outlets for his music. Along with performing in <a href="spotify:artist:4aEnNH9PuU1HF3TsZTru54">Caribou</a>'s live band, he also formed <a href="spotify:artist:7bWg6xEwF2x78dVIfAgv5I">Crooks on Tape</a> with former <a href="spotify:artist:3jJxGc6wl7xvZHSg8tg61V">Enon</a> bandmate Rick Lee and Vertical Scratchers with Christian Beaulieu, also a member of Peace Creep and <a href="spotify:artist:2f8XUOmMEEoZdOSNtvx0mG">Anywhere</a>. Taking their name from a type of scratching preference for cats, Vertical Scratchers played brash, jangly rock inspired by <a href="spotify:artist:1SQRv42e4PjEYfPhS0Tk9E">the Kinks</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:2DxlS3lTLFIq70S7ap5H3y">Buzzcocks</a>. In 2012, Beaulieu and Schmersal recorded what would become their first album at Los Angeles' famed venue/studio/gallery The Smell. The duo spent a chunk of 2013 touring the American west coast before signing to <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Merge+Records%22">Merge Records</a>; they released Daughter of Everything in early 2014. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi