The indie pop group, The Minders, was formed in Denver, Colorado in 1995 by Martyn Leaper and Robert Schneider (Apples in Stereo).  The band started out as a recording project with Robert Schneider producing the first single (Build) which was released in early 1996 on the Elephant 6 imprint. The Minders quickly became a live act, with Joel Richardson on bass, Rebecca Cole (Wild Flag) on drums, and Jeff Almond on lead guitar; a follow- up single (“Paper Plane”) was released later in 1996, when the band quickly gained popularity as a new member of the growing elephant six collective. The Minders would release four singles before delivering their first full-length album, Hooray for Tuesday, in 1998 on SpinArt records.

The Minders sound has evolved over the years. From its simple garage origins, the group has grown to incorporate complex arrangements that harken back to the heady days of nineteen sixties and seventies baroque pop music.  Since 1998, the Minders have resided in Portland, Oregon and have released six records, each of which has tackled different styles in pop and new wave.

The Minders new album Into the River (September 2016 release on Space Cassette records) Recorded at Jackpot! Recording Studio and Produced by Larry Crane (Elliott Smith, M.Ward, Go-Betweens and countless others) is a return to form after an 8-year absence.  Their latest single, “It’s Gonna Breakout” is a bold, lush statement laden with hooks- that offers up a taste of things to come from an album that promises to be their most ambitious release yet.