Jr Jr

JR JR, an American indie-pop band, was formed in late 2009 by Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein in Royal Oak, Michigan. They started recording in Zott’s basement with minimal public exposure intentions. The initial name, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., was a comedic reference to the NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. In 2011, the band clarified to Dale Earnhardt Jr. that their naming was not meant to mock him, receiving a supportive response. The band’s early work gained recognition, being noted as one of the ‘best new bands’ of 2010 by various sources such as Stereogum and SPIN. They released their first EP, “Horsepower,” in July 2010, followed by “My Love Is Easy: Remixes Pt.1” in November 2010.

In April 2011, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. released the “We Almost Lost Detroit” EP through Warner Bros. Records and Quite Scientific Records. Their debut full-length album, “It’s A Corporate World,” was released in June 2011. The band continued their progression, releasing the single “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor)” in April 2013, which preceded their “Patterns” EP. They performed live on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” and on Conan in 2013, showcasing new material. Their second studio album, “The Speed of Things,” was released in October 2013, with input from Paul Simon. They toured with Atlas Genius and Family of the Year following the album’s release, further expanding their audience and experience.

A significant turning point occurred on July 15, 2015, when the band officially changed their name from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. to JR JR to alleviate confusion with the NASCAR driver. This rebranding marked a new phase for the band, and they premiered their single “Gone” from their self-titled album “JR JR” the following day. Throughout their career, JR JR has released multiple EPs and albums, contributing to the indie-pop genre and establishing a distinct musical identity. Their discography includes several singles and a double album titled “Invocations / Conversations,” released in May 2019.