The five members of Remaindermen, the Chicago pop/rock band formerly known as Trio in Stereo, aren’t going to use a Formerly-Known-As-Prince-like symbol to denote the shift in monikers. But according to drummer Chris Kolodziej, it was never meant to be permanent. They made up the name on the spot when their success as a basement party band at Indiana University led to an early recording opportunity. The five-piece group’s success at playing the scenes in both Bloomington and Chicago—where most of the members were originally from and recently relocated back to--inspired the title of Border States, their upcoming first project on Nowhere Records under their new name.

Considering the powerful, distinctive musical vibe and strong following they built as Trio in Stereo, it won’t be difficult for Kolodziej, Mike Nelson (guitar), Marc King (bass), Logan Cradick (keyboards) and singer PJ McMahon to introduce the latest fruits of their cool evolution. The group, which started as an ambient instrumental band playing college parties while they were attending Indiana University, released their debut EP Everyone Here Looks Familiar in 2005. They followed up with their first full-length collection Bury It To Dig It Up in 2008. 

Along the way, they have received airplay and performed at numerous clubs in Chicago (Schubas, Double Door, The Empty Bottle, and Subterranean), Bloomington and Indianapolis, as well as Bloomingtonfest and Midwest Music Summit. Remaindermen have also shared bills with numerous top indie acts, including Aloha, Jeff Parker, Catfish Haven, Do Make Say Think, Mary Timony, Headlights, The M's, The French Kicks, The Changes and Voxtrot. With the addition of keyboardist Logan Cradick, a classically trained pianist, before the recording of Bury It To Dig It Up, the band forged a new sonic direction away from droning atmospherics and towards crisp, clean harmonic possibilities.  On Border States, the band hints towards their roots with instrumental track “White Lodge,” while songs like “Prey on You” demonstrate the full breadth of their new pop sound.