For The Record: Post Animal, "we'd collaborate with John Mayer... or Mozart"

Javi Reyes, guitarist and vocalist in the Chicago-based Psych-pop outfit, discusses his record collection, most memorable gig, and collaborating with dead Austrian composers

Skiddle Staff

Last updated: 16th Mar 2020

Aficionados of psych-pop and hit Netflix shows may already be familiar with Illinois five-piece Post Animal.

Originally beginning life as a sextet, comprised of Dalton Allison, Jake Hirshland, Javi Reyes, Matt Williams, Wesley Toledo and former guitarist turned Stranger Things actor, Joe Keery, the group have amassed a global following off the back of a number of well received records and impressive live performances.

Although, some might say, Keery's role as Steve Harrington in the 80s-influenced sci-fi smash hit, and the weird admiration many have for his hair, helped to pluck the band from obscurity, it would be greatly unjust to assume this talented group have achieved success on the merit of Keery's association alone.

Now writing, releasing and performing as a five-some, Post Animal are signed to American independent label Polyvinyl (Jay Som, Kero Kero Bonito, Deerhoof) and recently released Forward Motion Odyssey, containing eleven expertly crafted tracks, highlighting the collective's exceptional musicianship and songwriting maturity.

The band have been touring relentlessly across the states and Europe since late 2019, recently embarking on another run of dates across North America (however, like many artists the world over, the group have sadly announced the postponement of their tour due to the Covid-19 outbreak)

Skiddle recently got the chance to speak with guitarist and vocalist Javi Reyes as part of our 'For The Record' series, discussing his personal record collection, his most memorable live experience, and who he thinks we should be watching in 2020.

Reyes said, “My record collection consists of albums I‘ve poached from my mom’s collection, and records I’ve liked so much that I’ve had to go out and get them on vinyl. The ones I have bought represent a timeline of all the phases I’ve gone through, which is cool to look back on. I’m not too much of a vinyl head but I can’t say it’s not fun to pop one on every now and then.”

Is there a record you can't stop playing right now?

JR: “Standards by Tortoise.”

How many records do you personally own?

JR: “About 60.”

What’s the weirdest, rarest or most expensive record you own?

JR: “Europe ‘72 - Grateful Dead.”

If you could only play one record for the rest of your life, what would it be?

JR: “Black Sabbath self titled.”