by Heather Phares Minneapolis, MN, indie rock classicists Tapes 'n Tapes formed in the winter of 2003, when guitarist/vocalist Josh Grier (aka "Tapes 1"), bassist Matt Kretzmann ("'n") and guitarist Steve Nelson ("Tapes 2") began crafting a sound that harked back to the Pixies and Pavement and also recalled more contemporary bands like the Shins. Nelson left the band, with drummer Karl Schweitz becoming the band's second "Tapes"; this lineup recorded the Tapes 'n Tapes EP in early 2004, recording in a cabin in Wisconsin. After the EP's release, Tapes 'n Tapes played a string of gigs with I Am the World Trade Center, the Streets, Metric, and the Futureheads. Kretzmann moved to Seattle in summer 2004, and bassist Shawn Neary became Tapes 'n Tapes second "'n." The band went through more lineup changes: Schweitz moved to Madison, WI, early the following year, and Jeremy Hanson joined as Tapes 'n Tapes' new drummer. This version of the band recorded its debut album, The Loon, in summer 2005 with producer/engineer Erik Appelwick. Ibid Records released The Loon that fall; around that time, Kretzmann rejoined the Tapes 'n Tapes fold. Positive reviews of The Loon and the band's consistent gigging -- which included a winter 2006 East Coast tour and an appearance at that year's South by Southwest -- led to Tapes 'n Tapes signing with XL Records. Neary left the band late that spring, and Appelwick stepped in to become the band's extra "'n." XL re-released The Loon in summer 2006. In 2007, Tapes 'n Tapes recorded with producer Dave Fridmann at his Buffalo, NY studio; the band's second album Walk it Off arrived the following spring.