Atlas Genius is an indie band that has risen to fame this past year. Breaking onto the music scene with “Trojans,” they've been on the road for the past 18 months. This week, Atlas Genius is headed to the Wiltern in Los Angeles. Get to know the band a little before you see them live. 

1. They’re from Australia.

Like other Australian indie bands (i.e. Tame Impala or Temper Trap), Atlas Genius comes from the land of Steve Irwin and kangaroos. Specifically, their home is Adelaide. Because it is rather small, Atlas Genius was granted more time to focus on music with less distraction than a large city brings. Keith, the lead singer, has said: “It was just us sitting in the studio, working day in and day out. You can allow your brain to focus for extended periods of time.”

2. It is (literally) a band of brothers.

The Jeffery brothers grew up around music and decided to then form a band so they could write their own. Lead singer and guitarist Keith is joined by Michael on the drums. The other brother, Steven, is also apart of the band, although he was not able to tour in America due to previous engagements. Their friend Darren Sell is also apart of the band as well, although he is not a Jeffrey.

3. Atlas Genius didn’t expect to be such a huge success. 

The band began back when they were in college in Australia. The brothers had grown up around music like the Beatles and Nirvana and were just making music really just for fun. Then, some influential blogs heard their music and the rest, they say, is history: “We were just enjoying the process of writing and recording and listening back to the songs. We didn't think anyone else would hear the music.” 

 

4. Lead singer Keith is a strict vegetarian. 

The lead singer has not had meat in two years. He says it’s not as hard as he would have thought and that he can pretty much find anywhere to eat on the road (except at McDonalds, of course).  

5. They released “Trojans” before being signed 

Posting the track on the internet hours after recording it, Atlas Genius thought nothing would come of it. The band then went on to sell over 45,000 digital copies. Selling that many singles is great for any band, nevertheless an unsigned indie artist. It was certainly a spectacular feat. Recently in an interview, Keith commented: “We released 'Trojans' independently. It was just a case of us putting the song on the Internet and seeing what it would do. We didn’t market it, we didn’t tell anybody about it. We just put it up on a couple sites like iTunes and Spotify and SoundCloud, that sort of thing.”

SEE MORE: Atlas Genius's Keith Jeffery Discusses 'Trojans' And Tour

6. The band signed to Warner Brothers Records

After signing to a label, sales of “Trojans” multiplied. For a band that began with no marketing and promo help, now had the assistance of one of the best-known labels in “the biz.” Their fame only improved from here.

7. They’ve opened for Imagine Dragons and Silversun Pickups and are now headlining their own tour.

In fact, they’ve done over five tours this past year. Talk about busy. Currently, Atlas Genius is touring with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and will return to the Wiltern tomorrow night.  

Reach Staff Reporter Jillian Morabito here.