Devendra Banhart, Gyan Riley, and Noah Georgeson have formed a new band called Hug and will release a self-titled debut album. The project marks a collaborative venture between the psychedelic folk pioneer Banhart, Riley (a multi-instrumentalist and composer), and Georgeson (a longtime collaborator with Banhart across multiple projects).
The album leads with the single "Cow With Half Moon Parasol," which signals the band's aesthetic direction. Hug plans to tour in the fall in support of the release.
This formation reflects Banhart's continued appetite for musical experimentation beyond his solo career. The Caracas-born artist has long worked across genre boundaries and collaborated with musicians across folk, experimental, and electronic worlds. Riley and Georgeson bring complementary expertise to the project. Georgeson has worked extensively as a session musician and producer, while Riley's background spans classical training and contemporary composition.
The band's name and debut single title suggest a whimsical, surrealist sensibility consistent with Banhart's aesthetic interests. The pairing of these three musicians points toward instrumental richness and layered arrangements rather than straightforward songwriting.
Details on the full album remain limited, though Pitchfork's coverage indicates the band intends a fall touring schedule to promote the release. For Banhart, who released his last solo album in 2018, Hug represents a return to active recording and performing. The project fits within a broader pattern of established indie and folk artists forming side projects and collaborative units to pursue different creative directions.