Hop Along

Hop Along originated in 2004 as an acoustic freak folk solo project called Hop Along, Queen Ansleis, founded by Frances Quinlan during her final year of high school. The name “Hop Along” came from a high school nickname for Quinlan, while “Queen Ansleis” was a character’s name derived from a wildflower. Quinlan released the debut album “Freshman Year” in the summer of 2005. For several years, Quinlan performed solo, recognizing the inherent energy a full band could bring to her music. In 2007, her brother Mark joined on drums, followed by bassist Tyler Long in 2009. At this point, the band shortened its name to Hop Along and released the EP “Wretches” in 2009. The group’s second full-length album, “Get Disowned,” was released on May 5, 2012, to critical acclaim in the independent music press. During the production of “Get Disowned,” the band enlisted Joe Reinhart from Algernon Cadwallader, who later officially joined Hop Along as lead guitarist.

In October 2014, Hop Along signed with Saddle Creek Records, an independent record label. This partnership led to the release of their third full-length album, “Painted Shut,” on May 4, 2015. Following this release, the band toured extensively, supporting established acts such as Modest Mouse and The War On Drugs in 2015. On January 22, 2018, Hop Along announced their fourth album, “Bark Your Head Off, Dog.” The lead single, “How Simple,” was released the following day, and the full nine-track album became available on April 6, 2018. This project was recorded by Joe Reinhart and Kyle Pulley at Headroom Studios, further solidifying their collaborative creative process. The band continued to perform, including a US tour of the Midwest and East Coast in the fall of 2021, marking their return to touring post-pandemic, and performed with Dr. Dog at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. Their distinct blend of indie rock, folk, and emo, coupled with Frances Quinlan’s unique vocal style and literary lyrics covering themes of death, loss, poverty, and abuse of power, has cemented their position in the contemporary music scene.

Frances Quinlan’s solo album, “Likewise,” released in January 2020, showcased her continued artistic exploration. While it featured all members of Hop Along in various studio capacities, it represented a different creative trajectory for Quinlan, leaning into more folk, pop, and ambient moods. The album was primarily developed with Joe Reinhart at Headroom Studios, allowing for a more spontaneous and less labor-intensive approach compared to the band’s usual process. This endeavor allowed Quinlan to experiment with sounds and songwriting, creating a body of work that reflected her personal artistic growth while maintaining the lyrical depth recognized in her work with Hop Along. The solo project underscored the band’s willingness to support individual artistic pursuits while maintaining their core identity.