Formed by guitarists/vocalists Justin Rice and Christian Rudder in 2003 at Harvard, Bishop Allen were fleshed out with bassist Christian Owens and drummer Jack Delamitraux. Inspired by the literate college rock and overseas twee pop of the 1990s, the band released its debut LP, Charm School, on the Champagne School label. In 2006, they garnered significant buzz in their new home of Brooklyn by self-releasing an EP per month, and were quickly snatched up by Midwestern indie imprint Dead Oceans. Beginning with 2007's Bishop Allen & the Broken String, they went on to release a number of well-received LPs and side projects, and even appeared in the 2009 film Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. ~ Timothy Monger