Hammock are an American two-member ambient/post-rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. Hammock create atmospheric music by combining orchestral arrangements with electronic beats, piano and droning guitar. They have released 10 albums and five EPs since 2005, mostly on their own label, Hammock Music, which is distributed through Redeye. They have garnered favourable reviews from critics, including Pitchfork and AllMusic.
Hammock were formed as a collaboration between guitarists Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson – both formerly of alternative rock band Common Children – that developed out of informal recording sessions between songwriting projects. Byrd and Thompson initially had no intention of releasing their studio efforts. After building up a collection of almost 40 songs they changed their minds.
Hammock gave their first live performance at a private event at Chuck Dodson’s Gallery@404B in Hot Springs, Arkansas on August 3, 2007. The performance was to honour Jónsi & Alex, the artistic collaboration between Jón Þór (Jónsi) Birgisson (lead singer and guitarist of Sigur Rós) and Alex Somers (graphic designer and member of the band Parachutes), on the night of their United States premier, which was also their first-ever exhibition outside of Iceland. This performance eventually became the inspiration for Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow (featuring artwork by Jónsi & Alex), which was recorded live in its entirety, save for a few overdubs. In 2008, Hammock performed at the Wordless Music Series in New York City with Stars of the Lid.