Adrianne Lenker discusses Big Thief’s growth and the creation of Double Infinity

Big Thief is a Brooklyn indie rock band known for their ever-evolving take on folk-inflected indie rock, requiring comfort with shifting sounds and moods. Their sixth album, Double Infinity, reflects their love for open-hearted collaboration, despite the challenges of change.

Frontwoman Adrianne Lenker shared that the band’s diverse projects and solo ventures feed back into their collective creative process, allowing them to grow as musicians. After the departure of founding bassist Max Oleartchik for personal reasons, the core trio had to regroup and reimagine their sound without his significant contributions. This led to the creation of Double Infinity, a collection of nine songs that contrasted the expansive nature of their previous work.

Despite the formal reduction in band members, the album thrives on collaboration. The band brought in a large cast of musicians to New York’s Power Station studios, working over three weeks to bring their songs to life. They aimed to create an “ecstatic feeling” and a high frequency on the album, with a subtle drone element threading through the record to support the arrangements without drawing overt attention.

Ambient and new age pioneer Laraaji contributed to the album, bringing a deeper presence and musicality that matched the band’s vision. While he did not lead laughter meditation sessions during recording, his influence and energy were deeply felt. His unique approach to laughter meditation, which involves laughing from different parts of the body, created a beautiful and contagious atmosphere in the studio.

Despite the emotional challenges of change and the departure of a founding member, Big Thief’s journey with Double Infinity exemplifies their commitment to growth and evolution. Through collaboration, experimentation, and embracing new influences, they continue to push the boundaries of their sound while staying true to their authentic and grounded creative spirit.