Calpurnia was a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2017, originating from Vancouver. The band consisted of Finn Wolfhard (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Malcolm Craig (drums), Ayla Tesler-Mabe (lead guitar, vocals) and Jack Anderson (bass, vocals).[1]

Calpurnia
OriginVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Genres
Years active2017–2019
Labels
Past members
Websitecalpurniatheband.com

The band released their debut single, "City Boy", on 7 March 2018. They announced their debut EP, Scout, alongside the release of the second single, "Louie", on 12 April 2018. On 18 May 2018, they released their third single, "Greyhound", as their first single on vinyl. Scout was released on 15 June 2018. On 8 November 2019, the band announced on their official Instagram page that they were parting ways.[2]

Career

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Prior to Calpurnia's formation, Finn Wolfhard had met drummer Malcolm Craig in 2014, on the set of the music video for "Guilt Trip" by PUP, while guitarist Ayla Tesler-Mabe was a friend from rock camp and bassist Jack Anderson was recruited for a charity fundraiser.[3] The band officially formed in 2017, with their first release being a cover of "Wanted You" by Twin Peaks.[4]

The band signed with the Canadian independent record label Royal Mountain Records in November 2017 and began recording an EP, with Cadien Lake James of Twin Peaks producing and engineering.[5] In January 2018, the band performed at the Rough Trade in New York City, covering "Here She Comes Now" by The Velvet Underground, "Where Is My Mind?" by Pixies, "El Scorcho" by Weezer and "Butterfly" by Twin Peaks.[6]

The band's official debut, "City Boy", was released on 7 March 2018 and was the lead single of their then-unannounced Scout EP.[7] The single debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard Alternative Digital Song Sales chart with sales of 2,000 units.[8] The second single, "Louie", was released by the band on 12 April, with the band simultaneously announcing the forthcoming release of the Scout EP,[9] slated for 15 June 2018. The band made their television debut on 23 July 2018 as the musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

In February 2019, Weezer featured the four members of Calpurnia as the stars of their new music video for their cover of the a-ha track "Take On Me," from the album Weezer (The Teal Album). The video takes a trip back to the 1980s, paying tribute to the original music video by a-ha.[10] The decision to have Calpurnia participate in the video was solidified after Weezer had requested the band cover their hit song "Say It Ain't So" for Spotify's Under Cover podcast in 2018.[11] The band announced on Instagram that they had split up on 8 November 2019.[2][12]

Band members

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  • Finn Wolfhard – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2017–2019)
  • Ayla Tesler-Mabe[13] – lead guitar, vocals (2017–2019)
  • Jack Anderson[14] – bass (2017–2019)
  • Malcolm Craig[15] – drums (2017–2019)

Discography

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Extended plays

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Title Details
Scout Release: 15 June 2018
Format: Digital download, CD, vinyl

Covers

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References

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  1. ^ "CALPURNIA". Royal Mountain Records. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Calpurnia on Instagram". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ Kaplan, Ilana (11 April 2018). "Calpurnia are teen rockers with old souls". Dazed Digital. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Finn Wolfhard's band Calpurnia cover Twin Peaks' "Wanted You" — watch". Consequence of Sound. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  5. ^ Gore, Sydney (19 November 2017). "Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things forms band called Calpurnia, signs to Royal Mountain Records". The Fader. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  6. ^ "See 'Stranger Things' Star Cover Velvet Underground With His Band Calpurnia". Rolling Stone. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  7. ^ Boucher, Ashley (11 March 2018). "'Stranger Things' Star, Finn Wolfhard's Band Calpurnia Debuts First Single (Video)". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  8. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (13 March 2018). "'Stranger Things' Actor Finn Wolfhard Makes Billboard Chart Debut With His Band Calpurnia". Billboard. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  9. ^ Murphy, Sarah (11 April 2018). "Calpurnia Announce 'Scout' EP, Share New Single "Louie"". Exclaim!. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Watch Weezer Tap Finn Wolfhard's Calpurnia For New 'Take On Me' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Calpurnia Stars In New Weezer Video For a-ha's "Take On Me"". Rolling Stone. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Finn Wolfhard's Band Calpurnia Break up | Exclaim!".
  13. ^ "Your query : Creator's Name begins with TESLER MABE AYLA on any territories (Domestic works)". ISWC. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Your query : Creator's Name begins with ANDERSON JACK on any territories (Domestic works)". ISWC. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Your query : Creator's Name begins with CRAIG MALCOLM on any territories (Domestic works)". ISWC. Retrieved 22 January 2020.