Geologist (musician)

{{short description|American musician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2016}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = Geologist.png | landscape = yes | caption = Geologist performing live | name = Geologist | birth_name = Brian Ross Weitz<ref>[http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=1699688&search_in=c&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1]{{dead link|date=January 2021}}</ref> | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|3|26|mf=y}} | birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | death_date = | origin = | instrument = Sampler, vocals, percussion, synthesizer, hurdy gurdy | genre =  | occupation = Musician, environmental lobbyist | years_active = | label = | associated_acts = Animal Collective, Automine, Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Deakin | website = }}

'''Brian Ross Weitz''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|eɪ|t|s}} {{respell|WAYTS}},<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://shows.acast.com/kreative-kontrol/episodes/ep-1078-geologist |title=Ep. #1078: Geologist {{!}} Kreative Kontrol |date=2026-03-19 |access-date=2026-03-19 |via=shows.acast.com}}</ref> born March 26, 1979), also known by his stage name '''Geologist''', is an American musician best known as a member of the experimental pop group Animal Collective. He provides electronic sound manipulations and samples for the band.

Weitz grew up in Philadelphia and Baltimore<ref name='newgay'>[http://www.thenewgay.net/2007/09/animal-collectives-brian-weitz-new-gay.html Animal Collective's Brian Weitz: The New Gay Interview], September 27, 2007</ref> and lives in Washington, DC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/animal-collective-interview-brian-weitz-geologist-on-living-in-dc/2012/09/30/8ed35578-0983-11e2-a10c-fa5a255a9258_story.html|title=Animal Collective interview: Brian Weitz (Geologist) on living in D.C.|first=Chris|last=Richards|date=September 30, 2012|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> His nickname comes from a friend mistaking his major in college, as well as the headlamp he wears in order to see his electronic equipment during live shows.<ref>WNYC's "Spinning on Air," July 30, 2004, second hour.</ref>

==Animal Collective== Geologist attended the Park School of Baltimore where he met future Animal Collective bandmates David Portner (aka Avey Tare) and Josh Dibb (aka Deakin). Avey Tare, Geologist and Deakin first started an indie-rock band called "Automine" with two other schoolmates. Deakin introduced his childhood friend Noah Lennox (aka Panda Bear) to Avey Tare and Geologist. Throughout their high school years and winter/summer college breaks, the four of them played music in different variations and often solo, swapping homemade recordings and sharing ideas.

Geologist went on to study at Columbia University, while Avey Tare went to NYU, Panda Bear to Boston University, and Deakin to Brandeis University. Avey Tare recorded tracks with Panda Bear which eventually became ''Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished,'' which was released under "Avey Tare and Panda Bear" in August 2000. After Panda Bear and Deakin both left school and moved to New York in 2000, the group's music became more collaborative, and Avey and Panda began playing clubs around New York. Geologist soon began performing with the group who eventually became "Animal Collective." He first appeared on their 2001 release ''Danse Manatee'', and has contributed to every Animal Collective recording to date, except for their 2004 ''Sung Tongs'' LP and their 2003 ''Campfire Songs'' LP (though he was present during the recording of the latter to operate the MiniDisc recorders). Before that time, Geologist had gone to Arizona for graduate school.<ref name='pbsanimal'>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbsfm.org.au/Documents.asp?ID=5455&Title=Animal+Collective+-+Strawberry+Jam|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722082744/http://www.pbsfm.org.au/Documents.asp?ID=5455&Title=Animal+Collective+-+Strawberry+Jam|url-status=dead|title=Animal Collective at Progressive Broadcasting Service|archivedate=July 22, 2008}}</ref>

When asked about his personal musical influences, he says "I was always inspired by horror soundtracks, things that use unconventional sounds and textures as music. I'm interested in how abstract sounds can have the same impact on the listener as traditional musical sounds.<ref name='newgay'/>"

==Other musical projects==

As well as performing various DJ sets, Geologist has released the track "Jailhouse" on Animal Collective's ''Keep Cassette'', "Stretching Songs for Spring" on a digital split with Avey Tare entitled ''New Psycho Actives Vol. 1'' and created the soundtrack for the Morphologic Studios short film ''Man O War''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://keepcompany.tumblr.com/post/3851036376/keep-ac-cassette-tape|title=Keep + AC Cassette Tape|website=Keep}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/animal-collectives-geologist-creates-original-soundtrack-for-coral-morphologic-6454817|title=Animal Collective's Geologist Creates Original Soundtrack for Coral Morphologic|first=Liz|last=Tracy|date=April 21, 2011|website=Miami New Times}}</ref> In April of 2018 he released the limited edition cassette ''Live in the Land of the Sky'' - his first proper solo release. <ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.discogs.com/release/11924002-Geologist-Live-In-The-Land-Of-The-Sky|title=Live in the Land of the Sky|website=Discogs |date=April 26, 2018 }}</ref>

Geologist collaborated with Doug Shaw (credited as "D.S.") on the album ''A Shaw Deal'', released in January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://glidemagazine.com/309453/geologist-d-s-pull-out-mystifying-sounds-with-a-shaw-deal-album-review/|title=Geologist & D.S Pull Out Mystifying Sounds With 'A Shaw Deal' (ALBUM REVIEW)|website=Glide Magazine|date=January 30, 2025 |last1=Dillon |first1=Ryan }}</ref> The singles "Loose Gravel" and "Route 9 Falls" were released on January 13, 2025 ahead of the album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2292771/geologist-d-s-loose-gravel/music/|title=Geologist & D.S. – "Loose Gravel"|website=Stereogum|date=January 13, 2025 }}</ref>

In 2025, Weitz formed the instrumental psychedelic rock trio Motherfuckers JMB & Co. with former Gwar drummer Jim Thomson and Marc Minsker. The group released its debut album, ''Music Excitement Action Beauty'', in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |title=Animal Collective’s Geologist, Gwar’s Hans Orifice, & Marc Minsker Share Debut Album As Motherfuckers JMB & Co |url=https://stereogum.com/2311671/animal-collectives-geologist-gwars-hans-orifice-marc-minsker-share-debut-album-as-motherfuckers-jmb-co/music |website=Stereogum |date=June 13, 2025 |access-date=May 5, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Geologist – “Government Job” |url=https://stereogum.com/2484279/geologist-government-job/music |website=Stereogum |date=January 6, 2026 |access-date=May 5, 2026}}</ref>

He also hosts a monthly radio show on NTS Radio called ''The O'Brien System''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nts.live/shows/geologist | title=Geologist Presents: The O'Brien System }}</ref>

==Personal life== In addition to his musical career, Weitz also worked on ocean conservation and environmental policy. He has a BA from Columbia University in Environmental Science, and an MPA in Environmental Policy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.<ref name=twosea>{{Cite web|url=http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/Images/Uploads/PDFs/themeareas/Education/Scholars/Spr04-Knauss04.pdf|title=Two If By Sea Grant Animal Collective's Avey Tare Reveals All About New EP, Film, Tour Hiatus}}</ref>

Weitz was married on Halloween in 2009.<ref>[http://pitchfork.com/news/36753-animal-collectives-avey-tare-reveals-all-about-new-ep-film-tour-hiatus/ Animal Collective's Avey Tare Reveals All About New EP, Film, Tour Hiatus]. October 9, 2009.</ref> He and his wife had a son in August 2010.<ref>[http://www.self-titledmag.com/home/2010/10/19/the-self-titled-interview-avey-tare-of-animal-collective/ The Self Titled Interview: Avey Tare of Animal Collective] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716034854/http://www.self-titledmag.com/home/2010/10/19/the-self-titled-interview-avey-tare-of-animal-collective/ |date=July 16, 2011 }} October 19, 2010.</ref>

==Musical equipment== * MiniDisc – sample playback<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview: Geologist and Avey Tare of Animal Collective|url=http://www.identitytheory.com/animal-collective-interview-geologist-avey-tare/|website=Identity Theory|date=August 29, 2005 }}</ref> * Kaoss Pad – effects<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://equipboard.com/pros/geologist|title=Geologist | Equipboard®|website=equipboard.com}}</ref> * Roland SP-555 – sampler<ref name="auto"/> * Roland SP-404 – sampler<ref name="auto"/> * Moog Taurus 3 Pedals{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} * Moog Sub 37<ref name="auto"/> * Moog Little Phatty{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

==Discography== * ''Live in the Land of the Sky'' (2018) * ''A Shaw Deal'' (2025) <small>(with D.S.)</small> * ''Music Excitement Action Beauty'' (2025) <small>(with Motherfuckers JMB & Co.)</small> * ''Can I Get a Pack of Camel Lights?'' (2026)

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geologist}} Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:American electronic musicians Category:Animal Collective members Category:Columbia University alumni

Geologist (musician)

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