✕
Simple Shapes EPK
SIMPLE SHAPES
Current Release:
Single: Mallard
Releases Jun. 27, 2025
‘Mallard’ - SINGLE
![]()
Label: Rue Defense
Genre: Indie Rock
Sounds Like: Wilco, Of Montreal, Jimmy Eat World, Saves the Day, Title Fight
Location: Portland, OR
Previous Releases:
EP: Soundtrack EP
Released Nov. 4, 2022
Cassingle: Florence/Figure It Out
Released May 6, 2022
Single: Shorty McFly
Released Nov. 5, 2021
Single: NE Sandy (demo)
Released Sept. 8, 2020
![]()
Soundtrack EP
(EP-Released Nov. 4, 2022)
![]()
Tortoise Party
(Single-Released Sept. 30, 2022)
![]()
American Lightning
(featured in the film “American Lightning”)
(Single-Released Aug. 28, 2022)
![]()
Florence/Figure It Out
(Cassingle-Released May 6, 2022)
Shorty McFly
(Single-Released Nov. 5, 2021)
Press Contact: Graham Bell
253.948.7647
whoisruedefense@gmail.com
Booking Agent:
simpleshapesband@gmail.com
Licensing:
bleed101music@gmail.com
![]()
“carries the visceral impact of raw emotions“ - Various Small Flames
BIO:
Self-described as “kinda moody, kinda groovy,” Portland-based indie rock outfit Simple Shapes walk the line between a revival of classic late 90s/early 2000s indie rock and modern pop-rock production.
Simple Shapes was originally formed in 2019 by guitarist and singer Pete Bensen (Bug Seance) and multi-instrumentalist Jeremiah Larsen (Sunbathe, Elly Swope) who met while playing together in a Heatmiser cover band during a show commemorating what would have been Elliott Smith’s 50th birthday. The duo started playing a handful of shows around Portland before the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, wherein they spent their quarantine “smoking weed and making music.” After self-releasing their first single, NE Sandy, they were joined by local mainstay Elly Swope (Sunbathe, Maita) on guitar and synths and Tanner Jason on bass.
During 2022, the band released a physical cassingle with the songs Florence and Figure it Out as the A & B sides. They also started work on Soundtrack EP (Nov. ‘22) with Swope engineering and Jason adding guitar. The band currently consists of Pete Bensen (lead vocals/guitar), Jeremiah Larsen (drums), Cassi Carter (bass), Justine Yee (guitar), JJ Shafe (vocals/synth) and Fabián Guerrero (saxophone).
SINGLE - MALLARD
The first single from Simple Shapes' debut LP, 'Mallard' sees the Portland-based project expanding outward into new sonic territories from their 2022 'Soundtrack EP'. Bringing together myriad influences, they combine tender ruminations with fuzz-drenched blasts of emotion.
SOUNDTRACK EP:
The debut EP from Portland's Simple Shapes, Soundtrack EP sees the band expanding their sound in a variety of directions. Filling out the intricate songwriting of vocalist Pete Bensen, the arrangements hinge on melodic tensions between multiple guitars, bass, synth, saxophone, and the inspired drumming of Jeremiah Larsen.
Second single 'Tortoise Party' received accolades from outlets like Various Small Flames who noted "does little to live up to its chelonian title, the relaxed tones soon kicking into higher gear and finding an infectiously skipping rhythm.". The EP will be released on a limited edition cassette.
Simple Shapes is part of Brooklyn/Houston label Rue Defense.
TORTOISE PARTY SINGLE:
Tortoise Party is the second single from Simple Shapes' sophomore EP which releases November 4, 2022 as a cassette on Rue Defense. Recorded by the band in their Portland studio, it starts off in the mellow zone of bands like Title Fight's later output, but quickly evolves into its own realm of layered guitars and energetic movement. Singer Pete Bensen notes about the non-sequitur title: "Tortoises are cool."
CASSINGLE RELEASE:
Released as a limited edition cassingle, Florence/Figure it Out hinges on two songs that ask for a deeper look into the historical and recent past. Florence takes a look back by centering on imagery of the Renaissance in Florence, Italy while also reflecting on feelings of belonging in regard to the place and people there. It asks for reflection on ideas of place and time as we consider our history. Figure It Out evokes bouts of nostalgia brought on by small actions like dancing alone in one’s room, smoking on the roof, and other daily activities. Given the time to think back on these seemingly innocuous moments, their true importance as meaningful events becomes clear.
The cassingle was recorded in the Simple Shapes' home studio, Kiki Cabana, and produced and mixed by Elly Swope. The band will be releasing this song as an A/B single on cassette with Houston/Brooklyn-based label Rue Defense, with a full press push, and supporting shows.
PAST RELEASES:
Simple Shapes’ first single, Shorty McFly, is a nostalgic tune that picks up the themes and imagery of “ghost-hunter” television shows to examine the feeling of being ghosted in a relationship. Starting slowly with acoustic guitar and vocals, the song ramps up to an all-out jam reminiscent of both the chaotic fear of a haunting and the desperate confusion caused by a sudden emotional event. Shorty McFly was recorded by Bensen and Larsen at the band’s home studio, Kiki Cabana, with additional engineering, production, and mixing by Elly Swope. It was mastered by Amy Dragon at Telegraph Audio.
Since its release, Shorty McFly has garnered critical acclaim and radio play on Portland favorites Freeform, XRAY, and Shady Pines radio, as well as on KZAX in Bellingham, WA.