1. Career

2. Band members

3. Music videos

4. Discography
    Studio albums  EPs  Singles 

5. Podcast appearances

6. Live performance videos

7. References

• Alternative rock
• {{nowrap|indie rock}}
• emo
• {{nowrap|pop punk}}

• Hayden Eller
• Jake Barrow
• Luke Hogfoss

The Co Founder is an American Emo band based out of the Pacific Northwest, located in the upper Northwest corner of the United States.

Career

Formed in 2015, the band's current lineup consists of Hayden Eller (vocals, guitar), Luke Hogfoss (Guitar, vocals) and Jake Barrow (drums, percussion).^[1] Described by New Noise Magazine as "combin[ing] the anthemic arrangements of Manchester Orchestra, with lo-fi washed soundscapes reminiscent of The Radio Dept".^[2] the band's "infectious personality, coupled with relentless hooks and grueling tour schedule, has earned them one of the most loyal followings in DIY music."^[3] "Gaining a reputation for their relentless touring scheduling, the group has drawn comparisons to dynamic-pop acts such as Manchester Orchestra, Restorations, and Pinegrove.”^[4]

The band's debut album (Wye) was premiered on September 8, 2016 by Do206. Eller has been quoted describing the recording process behind 'Wye', stating "I just wanted to focus on writing really simple pop songs for this album, so when I was writing the initial demos I tried to strip as much away as I could. I wanted to see what the result would be if we stuck to an ideal that each song needed to be similar to that Nirvana approach of ‘nursery rhymes on steroids. I have a soft spot for really big, anthemic, music, so (to me) Wye is an interesting juxtaposition between this stripped down three piece playing really simple songs that have pretty big choruses.”.^[5] In the same interview, Hogfoss added "It was almost like watching a puzzle grow as we added in a piece here and a bassline there - Jake and I were able to bring in additions to sort of 'self-actualize' the already great music that Hayden had written.” ^[5]

A follow-up vinyl 7", entitled "phd", was premiered on February 8, 2017 by New Noise Magazine^[2] - containing two new tracks ("Obsessed", "Balance"),^[6] New Noise praised the release as "a marked step forward, both in terms of songwriting and production quality."^[2] "phd" (an acronym for "perfectly hidden depression"^[7]) has been hailed by Impose Magazine as "a share-worthy production, almost certain to attract both the melodic pop-seekers of everyday life and the obscurity-lovers who naturally find their way to incredible music like this first. 5/5."

In a November 2017 interview with Electric Daze Magazine Van Wyck was quoted saying that the songs on gymnasium are "more dynamic, less folk and a lot more emphasis on bass and rhythm."^[8] Eller has gone on to explain that "the majority of it ["gymnasium"] last May, with Luke, over two or three weeks and have been steadily chipping away at the production process since then."^[8]

"Full Stop", the debut single off "gymnasium" was released via The Grey Estates.^[9] The Grey Estates praised the release as "endearing borderline alt-country moments are overpowered by the grandiose sounds of reverb fueled power chords that fill the room. Over it all sit simplistic, poetic-esq lyrics that are just melodramatic enough to fit the mood". [https://seattlemusicinsider.com/2018/01/18/single-review-the-co-founder-full-stop/ Seattle Music Insider] lauded the tracks dynamic volume shifts and emotional performances, stating "as the track crescendos one final time, each instrument remains controlled; this, as it seems, is one of the strongest tools in The Co Founder’s toolbox, in that they have an impeccable ability to remain together and tight, no matter how loud or soft they wish to be." ^[10] A music video for [https://open.spotify.com/track/1KVxN8kux1IWYtLwgwHzT3?si=qzjDaSPKShqhkKoVm0WfTQ Full Stop] was released shortly after the single's initial premiere - hosted by Atwood Magazine, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms8aTAQuzFo the video] depicts an 8bit dinosaur attempting to maneuver the difficulties of "DIY Tour Runner", a fictitious arcade game created by the band in an effort to illustrate the lyrical content of Full Stop.^[11] In March 2018 the band made their first appearance at Austin, TX's South by Southwest Music Festival, performing at [https://www.facebook.com/events/192355981351741/ South by Hikes Fest] on March 14.^[12]

In early April 2018 the band announced plans for their first Full US tour, to be followed by their first string of international tour dates - a 10-day tour of Japan.

"Quarter Mile", the third and final single from "gymnasium" was released July 12th via New Noise Magazine - speaking to the lyrical content, Eller is quoted as saying "Lyrically, ‘Quarter Mile’ centers around my struggles with depression/suicidal ideation. Mental health has been an ongoing battle for me since I was 15-16, and the song is meant to speak to that back and forth – feeling okay one day, and stuck in a hole on the next." ^[13]

The band completed their first full US tour in October 2018, consisting of 35 shows in 40 days, spanning over 27 states. ^[14]

In December 2018 the band announced their full Japan tour schedule, consisting of 10 shows across the Tokyo metropolitan area, along with their intent to record a 4 song EP in Ellijay (GA) in March 2019. ^[15]

Band members

• Hayden Eller – vocals, guitar (2015–present)
• Jake Barrow – drums, percussion, vocals (2016–present)
• Luke Hogfoss – guitar, bass guitar, vocals (September 2016-August 2017 // August 2018-present)

• Nikko Van Wyck – bass guitar (2017– 2019)

Music videos

• Released December 14th, 2018
• Concept/Directed - The Co Founder
• Production/Editing - Hayden Eller
• From "gymnasium" (August 2, 2018)

• Premiered via [https://www.phluff.net/premieres/2018/6/14/we-already-know-youll-want-to-hear-new-single-from-the-co-founder-already-know Pfluff] on June 14, 2018^[16]
• Concept/Directed/Edited by Hayden Eller
• Featuring animation from Pokémon Red Version "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Red_and_Blue Pokemon Red Version]"
• From "gymnasium" (August 2, 2018)

• Premiered via Atwood Magazine on February 1, 2018^[17]
• Concept by Hayden Eller
• Directed/Edited by Hayden Eller
• Production by Hayden Eller and Jake Barrow
• Featuring 8bit Dinosaur from Google Chrome's "[https://chromedino.com/ Dino Run]"
• From "gymnasium" (August 2, 2018)

• Premiered via Do206 on April 15, 2016^[18]
• Directed by Directed by Tyler Michael James
• Director of Photography: [https://www.ianhussey.com/ Ian Hussey]
• Second Unit Director of Photography: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevyn-delgado-3b4a8bab Kevyn Delgado]
• Featuring Olivia Lowe and [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5402317/ Phillip McElroy]
• From "Whiskey & 45's"
• Credits taken from original Vimeo posting^[19]

Discography

Studio albums

• gymnasium (August 6th, 2018)

• Wye (September 8, 2016)

• Hayden Eller — Production
• Tye Hastings (Tye Hastings Audio) — Engineering, Mixing
• Chris Hanzsek (Hanzsek Audio) — Mastering
• Erik Wallace (Shibusa Sound) — Additional Mixing Assistance
• Paige Heinen (@gazerlies) — Artwork (Front Cover)
• Hayden Eller — Layout, design

EPs

• Old Programs/New Beliefs (July 2015)
• Whiskey & 45's (November 2015)

Singles

• "phd" (February 9, 2017)

• Hayden Eller, Luke Hogfoss, Jake Barrow (The Co Founder) — Production
• Erik Wallace (Shibusa Sound) — Engineering/Mixing
• Chris Hanzsek (Hanzsek Audio) — Mastering
• Mimi Jaffe (@dr.jaffe) — Artwork

Podcast appearances

• December 30, 2016 ^[22] (Full interview with Eller, Hogfoss, and Barrow)
• November 10, 2017 ^[23] (Full interview with Eller, Van Wyck, and Barrow)

Live performance videos

• Location: Oakland, CA (Released July 22nd, 2018)
• Videographer - Ira Cooper Torey
• Audio - Colin Frost
• All tracks taken from "[https://open.spotify.com/album/2aUS4lcXQ9gJBJPwKgq74X?si=Gw7nm8_JT7-1e52v_hdvWA gymnasium]" // All tracks written by The Co Founder^[24]
• Credits taken from original YouTube posting^[25]

• Location: Western Washington University (Bellingham, WA) (Released September 10, 2016)
• Videographer - Jared Rusk
• Audio - Tye Hastings
• All tracks taken from "[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpZtSfnbGgpY1FX-BeXt-i8O_aLcmQawc Wye]" // All tracks written by The Co Founder^[26]
• Credits taken from original YouTube posting^[27]

• Premiered on December 5, 2016 via New Noise Magazine ^[4]
• Location: San Francisco, California (Golden Gate Bridge Overlook)
• Audio - Luke Hogfoss
• Videography - Lindsey Shern
• Audio/Video Editing - Hayden Eller
• Performances by - Hayden Eller (Guitar/Vocals) and Jake Barrow (Ukulele/Vocals)
• All tracks taken from "[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpZtSfnbGgpY1FX-BeXt-i8O_aLcmQawc Wye]" // All tracks written by The Co Founder ^[24]
• Credits taken from original YouTube posting^[28]

References

• Salmeron, Javier
• Salme Setälä
• Salme, Thomas
• Salmi Air Base
• Salmiak (inorganic compound)
• Salm ibn Ziyad
• Sal Mignano
• Salming
• Salmininae
• Salmiya City, Kuwait
• Salmiya, Kuwait
• S.A.L.M.O. Documentary
• Salmon Act 1986
• Salmon aeolis
• Salmon, Alexander
• Salmon and Ball
• Salmon and Coast Salish People
• Salmon aquaparamyxovirus
• Salmon argument
• Salmon August Complex Fire
• Salmonberry Trail
• Salmon-branded bushbrown
• Salmon, Brian
• Salmon Brook Historical Society
• Salmon Brook (Merrimack River)