{{Short description|New Zealand band}}{{Use British English|date=June 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist | name = The Naked and Famous | image = The_Naked_And_Famous_2016_003.jpg | image_size = 250 | landscape = yes | caption = The Naked and Famous performing in November 2016 | origin = Auckland, New Zealand | genre = {{Flatlist| * Indie electronic * post-punk revival<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web |last=Collar |first=Matt |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-naked-and-famous-mn0001771196/biography |title=The Naked and Famous {{!}} Biography & History |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=25 April 2015}}</ref> * indie rock<ref>{{cite web |last=Brody |first=Caitlin |url=http://www.glamour.com/story/exclusive-the-naked-and-famous |title=EXCLUSIVE: The Naked and Famous' New Song, "A Stillness." Listen In! |work=Glamour |date=27 August 2013 |access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref> * synth-pop<ref name="CoS">{{cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |url=https://consequence.net/2016/07/the-naked-and-famous-announce-new-album-simple-forms-premiere-higher-listen/ |title=The Naked and Famous announce new album, Simple Forms, premiere "Higher" — listen |work=Consequence of Sound |date=7 July 2016 |access-date=8 July 2016}}</ref> * electro-rock<ref>{{cite web |last=Libman |first=K.C. |url=http://www.ocweekly.com/music/the-naked-and-famous-keep-the-pressure-on-themselves-6585165 |title=The Naked And Famous Keep The Pressure on Themselves |work=OC Weekly |date=20 August 2014 |access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref> * noise pop<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/201794107/the-naked-and-famous |title=The Naked and Famous |website=Radio New Zealand |date=5 April 2016 |access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref> * new wave<ref>{{cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |url=https://www.spin.com/2015/11/review-kate-boy-one/ |title=Review: We've Awaited Kate Boy's Debut 'One' Since the Midnight Sun |work=Spin |date=5 November 2015 |access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref> }} | years_active = 2007–present | label = {{Flatlist| * Somewhat Damaged * Fiction * Universal Republic * Island }} | associated_acts = Kids of 88 | website = {{URL|thenakedandfamous.com}} | current_members = * Alisa Xayalith * Thom Powers | past_members = * Ben Knapp * Jordan Clark * Aaron Short * Jesse Wood * David Beadle * Luna Shadows }}
'''The Naked and Famous''' are a New Zealand indie electronic band from Auckland, formed in 2007. The band currently consists of Alisa Xayalith (vocals, keyboards) and Thom Powers (vocals, guitars).<ref name="departure"/>
The band has released four studio albums: ''Passive Me, Aggressive You'' (2010), ''In Rolling Waves'' (2013), ''Simple Forms'' (2016) and ''Recover'' (2020). Since 2012, the band has been based in Los Angeles, California.
==History== Xayalith (born 1986 in Auckland) is the daughter of Laotian refugees and was raised together with a younger brother.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.elle.com/culture/music/interviews/a40000/naked-and-the-famous/|title=The Naked and Famous Frontwoman Alisa Xayalith Isn't an Asshole, Okay?|last=Mejia|first=Paula|date=14 October 2016|work=Elle|access-date=2016-11-12}}</ref> Her father introduced her to his native folk music and, at the age of 13, she taught herself guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/doree/how-the-naked-and-famous-will-make-it-in-america|title=How The Naked And Famous Will Make It in America|last=Shafrir|first=Doree|date=26 September 2013|website=BuzzFeed|access-date=2016-11-12}}</ref> Powers had been playing in local bands from an early age after he had been taught to play guitar by his father.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/entertainment/4213895/The-Naked-and-Famous-truth|title=The Naked and Famous truth|last=Russell|first=Nicola|date=2010-10-10|website=Stuff.co.nz|access-date=2016-11-12}}</ref>
===2007–2008: Early years=== The band formed in 2007 when Powers and Xayalith were working on what became two extended plays—''This Machine'' and ''No Light''—that they recorded with engineer Aaron Short, a fellow student at Auckland's Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand.<ref>{{Citation|last=Last.fm|title=The Naked And Famous – Interview Part 1 (Last.fm Sessions)|date=2014-12-11|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gIIHT1jXIE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/4gIIHT1jXIE |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2016-11-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Allmusic" /> The EPs were subsequently released on local independent label Round Trip Mars. Powers and Xayalith began performing live with Ben Knapp and Jordan Clark on bass and drums respectively, while Aaron Short became a performing member of the group. Knapp and Clark left the group in 2009 and were subsequently replaced with Jesse Wood and David Beadle.
===2009–2011: ''Passive Me, Aggressive You''=== [[File:The_Naked_and_Famous_2011.jpg|thumb|right|The Naked and Famous at the South by Southwest festival in 2011]] After recording "All of This", the group then set about recording the single "Young Blood" and their debut album, recording mostly at home and at Auckland studio The Lab. "Young Blood" debuted on the New Zealand chart at number one on 14 June 2010—the first New Zealand artist in three years to do so.<ref name="TV3">{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Naked-and-Famous-album-set-for-August-release/tabid/418/articleID/161285/Default.aspx|title=Naked and Famous album set for August release|work=3 News|first=Tim|last=Lambourne|date=16 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908071033/http://www.3news.co.nz/Naked-and-Famous-album-set-for-August-release/tabid/418/articleID/161285/Default.aspx|archive-date=8 September 2012|access-date=23 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Naked and Famous released their debut studio album, ''Passive Me, Aggressive You'', on 6 September 2010 on their own label,<ref name=OpenCorporates>{{cite web|title=SOMEWHAT DAMAGED LIMITED|url=http://opencorporates.com/companies/nz/3105526|work=Open Corporates|access-date=22 August 2013}}</ref> Somewhat Damaged.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/music/tidbits/1985-the-naked-and-famous-punching-in-a-dream-music-video |title=The Naked and Famous – 'Punching in a Dream' music video! |work=Coup de Main |first=Shahlin |last=Graves |date=17 August 2010 |access-date=22 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302023440/http://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/music/tidbits/1985-the-naked-and-famous-punching-in-a-dream-music-video |archive-date=2 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album was produced by Thom Powers and Aaron Short, and mixed by Billy Bush.
On 6 December 2010, the BBC announced that The Naked and Famous had been nominated for BBC's Sound of 2011 poll.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/soundof/2011/artists/nakedandfamous/ |title=Sound of 2011 – The Naked & Famous |publisher=BBC |access-date=2013-07-12}}</ref>
In 2011, the band garnered six nominations at the New Zealand Music Awards for Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Best Group, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Best Alternative Album and the People's Choice Award. They were also nominated for the NZ On Air Best Music Video and won the MAINZ Best Engineer Award and its Best Producer Award.<ref name="nz awards11">{{cite web|title=THE VNZMA 2011 FINALISTS|url=http://www.four.co.nz/TV/Home/VodafoneNZMusicAwards/Finalists.aspx|publisher=FOUR|access-date=17 September 2011|year=2011}}</ref>
===2012–2013: ''In Rolling Waves''=== The band settled in Los Angeles in mid-2012 after completing touring for ''Passive Me, Aggressive You.''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.elle.com/culture/music/news/a18736/the-naked-and-famous-interview/|title=Everything You Need to Know About The Naked and Famous' Sophomore Album 'In Rolling Waves'|last=Zemler|first=Emily|date=17 September 2013|work=Elle|access-date=2016-11-11}}</ref> They had performed over 200 shows in 24 countries between 2010 and 2012. Sharing a home over the back of Laurel Canyon, they began work on writing and demoing their second album. They intended to record an album that could be played live, not relying on backing tracks—something the group had always eschewed.
On 28 February 2013, the band announced ''One Temporary Escape'', a concert film recorded at The Warfield in San Francisco in 2012. It was released for free download on 18 March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title='One Temporary Escape' Now Available|url=http://thenakedandfamous.com/blog/one-temporary-escape-now-available|access-date=18 May 2013|date=18 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703062841/http://thenakedandfamous.com/blog/one-temporary-escape-now-available|archive-date=3 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Entering Los Angeles' Sunset Sound studio in March 2013 with engineer Billy Bush (who had mixed the previous album), they began the process of recording ''In Rolling Waves.'' The album sessions were completed in a month and then in June 2013, The Naked and Famous headed for London where Alan Moulder spent a month mixing the album at his Willesden studio, Assault and Battery. The album was mastered at Sterling Sound in New York by Joe LaPorta, who had also mastered ''Passive Me, Aggressive You'', and was produced by Thom Powers with Aaron Short. Justin Meldal-Johnsen co-produced two tracks with Powers.
On 23 July 2013, the band revealed their new single "Hearts Like Ours" along with the release date for their second studio album ''In Rolling Waves'', on 16 September 2013 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036y3ql|title=The Naked And Famous Hottest Record|publisher=BBC|date=2013-07-23|access-date=2013-07-24}}</ref>
=== 2014–present: ''Simple Forms'', '' Recover '' and Xayalith solo career === The Naked and Famous performed at Coachella in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/10154274/15-minutes-with-The-Naked-and-Famous|title=15 minutes ... with The Naked and Famous|last=Robinson|first=Michelle|date=2014-06-15|website=Stuff.co.nz|access-date=2016-11-12}}</ref> On 20 November 2014, the band announced that they had begun working on a third album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/tnafofficial |title=The Naked And Famous – "What an honor to win Best Group at the NZVMA's last night. Sorry we couldn't be there New Zealand – very busy working on album #3" |date=20 November 2014 |work=Facebook|access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> The band began tracking for the album in September 2015. In March 2016, they performed at the Wanderland Music and Arts Festival in Manila.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/557627/lifestyle/artandculture/the-naked-and-famous-alisa-xayalith-on-travel-fans-and-a-new-album|title=Wanderland 2016: The Naked and Famous' Alisa Xayalith on travel, fans, and a new album|last=Maria|first=Bong Sta.|date=3 March 2016|publisher=GMA Network|access-date=2016-11-11}}</ref>
On 3 July 2016, the band announced their new single "Higher" would be released on 7 July. Upon the single's release, the band revealed that their third studio album, ''Simple Forms'', was set to be released on 14 October 2016 via their label Somewhat Damaged in conjunction with Kobalt Label Services.<ref name="CoS"/> On 24 August 2016, they released another single titled "Laid Low".<ref name="CoS"/> The album was recorded at Powers' Echo Park studio and released as per the announcement.<ref name="CoS"/>
In February 2017, it was announced that the band would perform as opening acts, alongside Wavves, in Blink-182's 2017 spring tour which would visit mostly the southern United States.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hartmann|first1=Graham|title=Blink-182 Reveal 2017 U.S. Tour Dates with The Naked and Famous + Waaves|url=http://loudwire.com/blink-182-2017-u-s-tour-dates-the-naked-and-famous-waaves/|access-date=7 February 2017|work=Loudwire|date=6 February 2017}}</ref>
Arron Short founded a new project called Space Above and released the album ''Still'' with them on February 17 2017. The project was described as "Darker" and without the pop structures of Naked and Famous.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-16 |title=The Naked and Famous offshoot Space Above shares debut album Still: Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2017/02/the-naked-and-famous-offshoot-space-above-shares-debut-album-still-stream/ |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=Consequence |language=en}}</ref>
The band released an acoustic compilation album titled ''A Still Heart'' on 9 March 2018,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/01/the-naked-and-famous-announce-march-release-date-f.html|title=The Naked and Famous Announce March Release Date for A Still Heart|website=Pastemagazine.com|date=18 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/01/the-naked-and-famous-announce-new-album-release.html|title=The Naked and Famous Announce New Album A Still Heart|website=Pastemagazine.com|date=8 January 2018|access-date=3 March 2018|archive-date=4 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304055016/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/01/the-naked-and-famous-announce-new-album-release.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/a-still-heart/1442769862|title=A Still Heart by The Naked and Famous on Apple Music|date=2 March 2018|publisher=iTunes Store}}</ref> at which time they indicated that they were working on their fourth studio album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/tnafofficial/photos/a.10152113987152808.1073741827.81741167807/10156092384697808/?type=3&theater |title=The bittersweet continues. Our stripped... – The Naked And Famous |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref> That same month, it was announced that Jesse Wood and founding member Aaron Short had departed the band.<ref name="departure">{{cite magazine |last=Maher |first=Natalie |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/the-naked-and-famous-departure-members-video-8238628/ |title=The Naked and Famous Reveal Departure of Two Members, Drop Nostalgia-Filled Video For Stripped Version of 'Young Blood' |magazine=Billboard|date=8 March 2018 |access-date=8 March 2018}}</ref> Following their departure, Luna Shadows joined the band on piano.<ref name="nme.com">{{cite web|last=Bowman|first=Lisa|url=https://www.nme.com/music-interviews/the-naked-and-famous-chat-procrastination-sexism-and-10-years-in-the-industry-interview-still-heart-2327785|title=The Naked and Famous chat procrastination, sexism and 10 years in the industry|work=NME|date=30 May 2018|access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref> The group released ''A Still Heart (Live)'' on 8 June 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/tnafofficial/videos/10156327877472808/|title=The Naked And Famous|website=Facebook.com|access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref>
Sometime before March 2020, the group parted ways with Beadle and Shadows.<ref name="auto"/>
In April 2020, the band announced that ''Recover'', their fourth studio album, would be released on 24 July 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/thenakedandfamous/photos/a.10150244124102808/10158131172267808/?type=3&theater |title=The Naked And Famous |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref>
In October 2025, the band performed together for the first time in over five years, at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/the-naked-and-famous--11209693 |title=Oct 04, 2025: The Naked and Famous at Marina Bay Street Circuit Singapore, SG.01, Singapore |access-date=2025-10-08}}</ref>
==Name== The Naked and Famous took their name from English musician Tricky's song "Tricky Kid", which expressed ambivalence about the notion of celebrity. In the song, Tricky quotes the line "everybody wants to be naked and famous", from The Presidents of the United States of America's song "Naked and Famous".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/apr/10/naked-famous-big-audio-dynamite-review|title=The Naked and Famous; Big Audio Dynamite – review|date=10 April 2011|newspaper=The Observer|location=London|author=Kitty Empire|access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref>
==Band members== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Current''' * Alisa Xayalith – vocals, keyboards {{small|(2008–present)}}<ref name="Allmusic"/> * Thom Powers – vocals, guitars {{small|(2008–present)}}<ref name="Allmusic"/><ref name="OpenCorporates"/>
{{col-2}} '''Former''' * Aaron Short – keyboards {{small|(2008–2018)}}<ref name="departure"/> * Ben Knapp – bass {{small|(2008–2009)}} * Jordan Clark – drums {{small|(2008–2009)}} * David Beadle – bass {{small|(2009–2020)}}<ref name="OpenCorporates"/><ref name="auto"/> * Jesse Wood – drums {{small|(2009–2018)}}<ref name="departure"/> * Luna Shadows - keyboards {{small|(2018–2020)}}<ref name="nme.com"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6673027/the-naked-and-famous-duo-move-into-the-recovery-phase/|title=The Naked and Famous duo move into the recovery phase|first=Josh|last=Leeson|date=11 March 2020|website=Newcastle Herald}}</ref> {{col-end}}
'''Timeline''' {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:22 PlotArea = left:80 bottom:75 top:05 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2008 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:01/01/2008 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:01/01/2008
Colors = id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:lines value:black legend:Studio_album
LineData = at:06/09/2010 color:lines layer:back at:13/09/2013 color:lines layer:back at:14/10/2016 color:lines layer:back at:24/07/2020 color:lines layer:back
BarData = bar:Xayalith text:"Alisa Xayalith" bar:Powers text:"Thom Powers" bar:Short text:"Aaron Short" bar:Shadows text:"Luna Shadows" bar:Knapp text:"Ben Knapp" bar:Beadle text:"David Beadle" bar:Clark text:"Jordan Clark" bar:Wood text:"Jesse Wood".
PlotData= width:11 bar:Xayalith from:01/01/2008 till:end color:vocals bar:Xayalith from:01/01/2008 till:end color:keys width:3 bar:Powers from:01/01/2008 till:end color:guitar bar:Powers from:01/01/2008 till:end color:vocals width:3 bar:Short from:01/01/2008 till:08/03/2018 color:keys bar:Shadows from:30/05/2018 till:24/07/2020 color:keys bar:Beadle from:01/08/2009 till:08/03/2020 color:bass bar:Wood from:01/08/2009 till:08/03/2018 color:drums bar:Knapp from:01/01/2008 till:31/07/2009 color:bass bar:Clark from:01/01/2008 till:31/07/2009 color:drums }}
==Discography== {{Main article|The Naked and Famous discography}} <!-- Studio albums ONLY; EPs and other albums belong in the discography article --> * ''Passive Me, Aggressive You'' (2010) * ''In Rolling Waves'' (2013) * ''Simple Forms'' (2016) * ''Recover'' (2020)<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TNAF|author=The Naked and Famous|number=1217846693779005440|title="BURY US" IS OUT NOW. Beyond excited to share this with you all.... and our new album "Recover", will be COMING OUT IN MAY. Stay tuned!🍇🍉🍈🔪 http://tnaf.lnk.to/buryus|date=16 January 2020|access-date=17 January 2020}}</ref>
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Organisation ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Nominated work ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Award ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Result |- |rowspan="2"|2010 |APRA Silver Scroll |"Young Blood" | |{{won}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10671929 |title=The Naked and Famous win APRA Silver Scroll |first=Hugh |last=Sundae |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=8 September 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010}}</ref> |- |rowspan="9"|New Zealand Music Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2010/09/16/critics%e2%80%99-choice-prize-winner-found/ |title=Winner Found |publisher=New Zealand Music Awards |year=2010 |access-date=26 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012154716/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2010/09/16/critics%E2%80%99-choice-prize-winner-found/ |archive-date=12 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2011 Winners |publisher=New Zealand Music Awards |date=4 November 2011 }}</ref> |''Passive Me, Aggressive You'' | Critics' Choice Prize |{{nom}} |- |rowspan="10"|2011 |''Passive Me, Aggressive You'' | MAINZ Best Producers |{{won}} |- |''Passive Me, Aggressive You'' | MAINZ Best Engineers |{{won}} |- |''Passive Me, Aggressive You'' |Album of the Year |{{won}} |- |''Passive Me, Aggressive You'' |Best Alternative Album |{{won}} |- |"Young Blood" |Single of the Year |{{won}} |- |The Naked and Famous |Best Group |{{won}} |- |The Naked and Famous |Breakthrough Artist |{{won}} |- |The Naked and Famous |People's Choice Award |{{nom}} |- |Taite Music Prize |''Passive Me, Aggressive You'' | |{{nom}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Taite Music Prize 2011|url=http://www.indies.co.nz/taite-music-prize/127-taite-music-prize-2011.html|publisher=IMNZ|access-date=25 October 2012|archive-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513170407/http://www.indies.co.nz/taite-music-prize/127-taite-music-prize-2011.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |NME | The Naked & Famous |Phillip Hall Radar Award |{{won}}<ref>{{cite web|title=NME Phillip Hall Radar Award 2011|url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-naked-and-famous/55123|publisher=Independent Music New Zealand|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref> |- |rowspan="4"|2014 |rowspan="4"|New Zealand Music Awards | - | - | - |- | - | - | - |- | - | - | - |- | The Naked & Famous | Best Group |{{won}}<ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand Music Award Winners 2014|url=http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/8879/New-Zealand-Music-Awards-2014-Finalists--Technical-Award-Winners-Announced.utr|website=Undertheradar.co.nz|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|The Naked and Famous}} * {{Official website|http://thenakedandfamous.com/}}
{{The Naked and Famous |state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Naked And Famous, The}} Category:2007 establishments in New Zealand Category:Aotearoa Music Award winners Category:APRA Award winners Category:Fiction Records artists Category:Female-fronted musical groups Category:Indietronica music groups Category:Island Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 2007 Category:Musical groups from Auckland Category:New Zealand electronic rock musical groups Category:New Zealand electronic music groups Category:New Zealand indie rock groups Category:New Zealand musical quartets Category:New Zealand new wave musical groups Category:New Zealand noise pop musical groups Category:New Zealand post-punk revival music groups Category:New Zealand synth-pop groups