Former child actors Blake Sennett (b. 22 September 1976, San Diego, California, USA; guitar/vocals) and Jenny Lewis (b. 8 January 1976, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; vocals, guitar, keyboards), the two main songwriters in US indie pop outfit Rilo Kiley, initially met in the mid-90s in their native Los Angeles. After a few false starts the two began collaborating together and in 1998 formed Rilo Kiley with Pierre de Reeder (bass) and Dave Rock (drums). The band's first recordings were released on their own Rilo Records label, with two different pressings of their self-titled mini-album appearing in 1999 and 2000 respectively. A number of the tracks later surfaced on the self-released The Initial Friend EP. The band then recorded Take Offs And Landings and released it on Rilo in early 2001. The album showcased the quartet's charming blend of indie pop and Americana with Lewis' breathy vocals providing the main focal point.
A distribution deal was finally organised with the Seattle-based Barsuk Records and the album was re-released at the end of the year, shortly before original drummer Dave Rock was replaced by Jason Boesel. Rilo Kiley then signed a new contract with the Saddle Creek label for the release of their follow-up, The Execution Of All Things. The album was a marked improvement on their earlier work, fleshing out the band's sound with brass and strings and tightening up the songwriting, with notable tracks including "Paint's Peeling" and "Spectacular Views". During the same period Lewis performed with Postal Service, helping record their debut Give Up and touring with the unit throughout the USA and Europe. Sennett also recorded with his side project the Elected (featuring Boesel), releasing Me First in February 2004.
Rilo Kiley subsequently finished work on their new album, More Adventurous, which was released on the band's own Brute/Beaute Records label and distributed by Warner Brothers Records. The album attracted a number of highly positive reviews, with respected American rock critic Robert Christgau declaring "It's A Hit" his song of the year. Lewis subsequently completed the recording of her solo debut Rabbit Fur Coat, a collaboration with the Los Angeles duo the Watson Twins, while Sennett completed a second album with the Elected. They reconvened Rilo Kiley at the end of 2006 to record the poppy Under The Blacklight.
