Geese: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Geese formed as Brooklyn teenagers in a basement studio, arriving with the taut post-punk of Projector before swerving into the gonzo cowboy sprawl of 3D Country and the frayed gospel-soul of Getting Killed. Their map runs from downtown New York lineage through Beefheartian art-rock and crooner extremists like Scott Walker, alongside the London bands they were immediately grouped with. Cameron Winter's baroque solo turn makes the vocal-tradition threads explicit.

The Kynda mix for Geese

• Key Influence · Is This It by The Strokes (2001). The unavoidable ancestor for a band of Brooklyn teenagers making wiry guitar rock in the late 2010s: Geese's debut Projector was routinely heard as a generational answer to the downtown template The Strokes minted, and the group have acknowledged the comparison as both burden and inheritance. The interlocking two-guitar lines, deadpan phrasing and lo-fi room sound of Projector sit directly in this record's lineage before the band deliberately fled it.
• Influencia Obscura · Tilt by Scott Walker (1995). Walker's late period — the crooner who abandoned pop for gothic, arrhythmic art song with vast unaccompanied vocal declamations — is the clearest precedent for Cameron Winter's most extreme singing: the sudden operatic swoops, the theatrical dread, the willingness to strand a voice over almost nothing. Winter's solo record Heavy Metal makes the debt audible, trading rock propulsion for the sort of unsettling chamber balladry Tilt pioneered.
• Local Roots · Turn On the Bright Lights by Interpol (2002). The other pole of the New York guitar revival Geese were born into: cavernous reverb, interlocking bass-and-guitar counterpoint, and a baritone singer intoning over it. Projector's chillier, more architectural moments sit closer to this record than to garage rock, and the band grew up in a Brooklyn where these albums were the local canon passed between teenagers rather than distant history.
• Beyond the Medium · Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (1985). 3D Country is a record of scorched frontier mythology — cowboys, prophets, cosmic violence played half-straight and half-absurd — and McCarthy's hallucinatory Western is the governing literary weather for that mode. Geese's lyrics treat the American West as a stage for apocalyptic comedy rather than nostalgia, the same inversion McCarthy performed on the genre, with grandeur and grotesquerie arriving in the same sentence.
• Peer · Ants From Up There by Black Country, New Road (2022). The transatlantic sibling record: a young band abandoning post-punk angularity for horns, strings, klezmer-ish swells and a singer pushing into cracked, near-unbearable emotional register. Geese and BC,NR emerged in the same critical moment and were constantly bracketed together as the leading edge of a new maximalist guitar music, and both bands' second albums document the same flight from their debuts' constraints.
• From the Canon · 3D Country by Geese (2023). The pivot that defines them: a Brooklyn post-punk band jettisons its own template for cowboy psychedelia, gospel choirs, cracked falsetto and grooves that swagger and stumble. Cameron Winter's voice becomes the band's central instrument here, elastic and cartoonish and genuinely unnerving, and the title track's lurching riff announced Geese as inventors rather than revivalists. The record explains every move that follows.
• Key Collaborator · LOUIE by Kenny Beats (2022). Kenny Beats, a producer best known for rap, became an unlikely central collaborator in Geese's studio life, bringing hip-hop-schooled ideas about groove, space and sonic risk to a rock band. LOUIE is his own most personal record — sample-based, warm, emotionally direct — and it reveals the sensibility behind the textural adventurousness and rhythmic looseness of Geese's post-Projector work.
• Legacy · Scream from New York, NY by Been Stellar (2024). The most direct beneficiaries of the door Geese opened: another young New York guitar band, signed to Dirty Hit, making noisy, atmospheric songs about the city's grind. Been Stellar emerged into a scene where Geese had already proved a Brooklyn teenage band could break internationally on guitar music, and the two are routinely discussed together as the current New York rock cohort.

What influenced Geese

• the Strokes. Band members named the Strokes as an influence. (also via Is This It) “The members cited the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes and Radiohead as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• The Rolling Stones. Band members named the Rolling Stones as an influence. (also via Exile on Main St.) “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• Parquet Courts. Rolling Stone critic Jon Dolan compares Geese's sound to Parquet Courts. (also via Light Up Gold) “NYC guitar zone-out Zen masters like Television , the Feelies , and Parquet Courts ; the early-'00s neo- new wave and dance-punk of the Strokes , the Rapture , and LCD Soundsystem ; scads of art-spaz stuff from DNA to Deerhoof to Black M…” (Wikipedia)
• The Velvet Underground by The Velvet Underground. Band members named the Velvet Underground as an influence. “The members cited the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes and Radiohead as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Television. Band members named Television as an influence. “The members cited the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes and Radiohead as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Radiohead (1985). Band members named Radiohead as an influence. “The members cited the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes and Radiohead as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Band members named Yeah Yeah Yeahs as an influence. “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• Women. Band members named Women as an influence. “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• Deerhunter. Band members named Deerhunter as an influence. “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• Animal Collective. Band members named Animal Collective as an influence. “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• Ween. Band members named Ween as an influence. “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• Led Zeppelin. Band members named Led Zeppelin as an influence. “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• Harry Nilsson. Band members named Harry Nilsson as an influence. “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• The Beatles. Band members named the Beatles as an influence. “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• Funkadelic. Band members named Funkadelic as an influence. “The members have said they are influenced by the Velvet Underground, Television, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Women, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Ween, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles and Funkad…” (Wikipedia)
• the Feelies. Rolling Stone critic Jon Dolan compares Geese's sound to the Feelies. “NYC guitar zone-out Zen masters like Television , the Feelies , and Parquet Courts ; the early-'00s neo- new wave and dance-punk of the Strokes , the Rapture , and LCD Soundsystem ; scads of art-spaz stuff from DNA to Deerhoof to Black M…” (Wikipedia)
• the Rapture. Rolling Stone critic Jon Dolan compares Geese's sound to the Rapture. “NYC guitar zone-out Zen masters like Television , the Feelies , and Parquet Courts ; the early-'00s neo- new wave and dance-punk of the Strokes , the Rapture , and LCD Soundsystem ; scads of art-spaz stuff from DNA to Deerhoof to Black M…” (Wikipedia)
• LCD Soundsystem (2001). Rolling Stone critic Jon Dolan compares Geese's sound to LCD Soundsystem. “NYC guitar zone-out Zen masters like Television , the Feelies , and Parquet Courts ; the early-'00s neo- new wave and dance-punk of the Strokes , the Rapture , and LCD Soundsystem ; scads of art-spaz stuff from DNA to Deerhoof to Black M…” (Wikipedia)
• DNA. Rolling Stone critic Jon Dolan compares Geese's sound to DNA. “NYC guitar zone-out Zen masters like Television , the Feelies , and Parquet Courts ; the early-'00s neo- new wave and dance-punk of the Strokes , the Rapture , and LCD Soundsystem ; scads of art-spaz stuff from DNA to Deerhoof to Black M…” (Wikipedia)
• Deerhoof. Rolling Stone critic Jon Dolan compares Geese's sound to Deerhoof. “NYC guitar zone-out Zen masters like Television , the Feelies , and Parquet Courts ; the early-'00s neo- new wave and dance-punk of the Strokes , the Rapture , and LCD Soundsystem ; scads of art-spaz stuff from DNA to Deerhoof to Black M…” (Wikipedia)
• Yes. Rolling Stone critic Jon Dolan compares Geese's sound to Yes. “NYC guitar zone-out Zen masters like Television , the Feelies , and Parquet Courts ; the early-'00s neo- new wave and dance-punk of the Strokes , the Rapture , and LCD Soundsystem ; scads of art-spaz stuff from DNA to Deerhoof to Black M…” (Wikipedia)
• Is This It by The Strokes (2001). Is This It (The Strokes) — titan for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Exile on Main St. by The Rolling Stones (1972). Exile on Main St. (The Rolling Stones) — titan for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Tilt by Scott Walker (1995). Tilt (Scott Walker) — ghost for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Starsailor by Tim Buckley (1970). Starsailor (Tim Buckley) — ghost for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. Blood Meridian (Cormac McCarthy) — culture for Geese (openlibrary.org)
• Once Upon a Time in the West by Sergio Leone. Once Upon a Time in the West (Sergio Leone) — culture for Geese (themoviedb.org)
• Videodrome by David Cronenberg (1983). Videodrome (David Cronenberg) — culture for Geese (themoviedb.org)
• Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart. Trout Mask Replica (Captain Beefheart) — titan for Geese

Peers and kindred spirits

• Kenny Beats. Geese was reported to be recording with producer Kenny Beats. (also via LOUIE) “it was revealed that the band were recording a potential fifth studio album with producer Kenny Beats during the month of August 2025” (Wikipedia)
• Black Midi. Geese's sound compared to Windmill scene group Black Midi. (also via Hellfire) “The band's sound has been compared to a wide array of other New York bands, as well as contemporary British Windmill scene groups such as Black Midi and Squid.” (Wikipedia)
• Mind Mischief by Tame Impala. The first song the band played together as a group was Tame Impala's 'Mind Mischief'. “The first song the band played together after forming was Tame Impala 's " Mind Mischief ".” (Wikipedia)
• Dan Carey. Dan Carey mixed the band's album Projector. “It was recorded by the band in Bassin's basement from late 2019 to early 2020, and mixed by Dan Carey.” (Wikipedia)
• James Ford. James Ford produced the album 3D Country. “The band released their third studio album, 3D Country on June 23, 2023. It was produced by James Ford.” (Wikipedia)
• Squid. Geese's sound compared to Windmill scene group Squid. “The band's sound has been compared to a wide array of other New York bands, as well as contemporary British Windmill scene groups such as Black Midi and Squid.” (Wikipedia)
• Greta Van Fleet. Geese opened for Greta Van Fleet on the Starcatcher Tour. “Greta Van Fleet – Starcatcher Tour (2024)” (Wikipedia)
• King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. Geese opened for King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard on their 2024 World Tour. “King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – World Tour 2024 (first US leg) (2024)” (Wikipedia)
• Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend. Geese opened for Vampire Weekend on the Only God Was Above Us Tour Part 2. “Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us Tour Part 2 (2025)” (Wikipedia)
• Turn On the Bright Lights by Interpol (2002). Turn On the Bright Lights (Interpol) — geography for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Light Up Gold by Parquet Courts (2012). Light Up Gold (Parquet Courts) — geography for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Return to Cookie Mountain by TV on the Radio (2006). Return to Cookie Mountain (TV on the Radio) — geography for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Ants From Up There by Black Country, New Road (2022). Ants From Up There (Black Country, New Road) — peer for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Hellfire by black midi (2022). Hellfire (black midi) — peer for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Skinty Fia by Fontaines D.C. (2022). Skinty Fia (Fontaines D.C.) — peer for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• LOUIE by Kenny Beats (2022). LOUIE (Kenny Beats) — collaborator for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Vince Staples by Vince Staples (2021). Vince Staples (Vince Staples) — collaborator for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• TYRON by slowthai (2021). TYRON (slowthai) — collaborator for Geese (musicbrainz.org)

Who Geese influenced

• Scream from New York, NY by Been Stellar (2024). Scream from New York, NY (Been Stellar) — legacy for Geese (musicbrainz.org)
• Household Name by Momma (2022). Household Name (Momma) — legacy for Geese (musicbrainz.org)