Named after the 1988 John Carpenter sci-fi film, They/Live creates ethereal synth lines, intricate drum patterns, and haunting vocal harmonies to build complex, dystopian scenes. But Whitney Mower believes nostalgia is dangerous. And while her powerful female voice nods to a previous area, thematically she wants to face the complex challenges of today’s post-capitalist world—to find love and meaning, to find authenticity and purity, against all odds. “What if the world was splitting into two, on what idea would you survive?” she asks. 

Right before the pandemic, mower signed to Philadelphia record label Born Losers, then released her debut album Ablation in May 2020. The album received enthusiastic accolades from publications and found many fans, even though it could only be shared over the internet. 

Since then, They/Live has finally entered the physical world, bringing a three-piece band of multi-instrumentalists to the stage. 

they/live’s second full-length, Nature & Structure, will arrive in 2024 via Born Losers Records.