Ariel Pink, born Ariel Marcus Rosenberg, is an American musician known for his lo-fi aesthetic and influence on indie music. His work, inspired by 1960s-1980s pop music, is seen as foundational to hypnagogic pop and chillwave. Pink is recognized for his use of vintage media and sounds, and for blurring the lines between high and low art in independent music.
June 24, 1978: Birth of Ariel Pink
Ariel Marcus Rosenberg, known professionally as Ariel Pink, was born on June 24, 1978.
1996: Ariel Pink Begins Experimenting with Music
Ariel Pink started experimenting with songwriting and avant-garde music using a portable cassette recorder in his father's garage.
1996: Ariel Pink Begins Eight-Year Recording Session
At 18 years old, Ariel Pink began an eight-year period of prolific music recording, during which he created over 200 cassette tapes worth of material.
1997: Ariel Pink Attends California Institute of the Arts
Ariel Pink began studying fine art at the California Institute of the Arts, where he met John Maus, in 1997.
1998: Ariel Pink Discovers Richie Unterberger's "Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll"
Ariel Pink read Richie Unterberger's "Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll: Psychedelic Unknowns, Mad Geniuses, Punk Pioneers, Lo-Fi Mavericks & More", which was published in 1998. He later covered a song from the book's companion CD.
1999: Recording of Underground
Ariel Pink recorded the album "Underground" in 1999. It was later released in 2006 during his period of working with smaller labels.
1999: Ariel Pink Connects with R. Stevie Moore
As a fan of lo-fi musician R. Stevie Moore, Ariel Pink sent Moore a copy of "The Doldrums". This began a collaborative relationship between the two.
1999: Start of Unreleased Material Period
The year 1999 marked the beginning of a period where Ariel Pink created unreleased material that would later be included in Mexican Summer's reissues.
2000: Release of "The Doldrums"
Ariel Pink released his album "The Doldrums" in 2000.
2000: Ariel Pink Records "The Doldrums" and Critiques School
While attending California Institute of the Arts, Ariel Pink recorded his album, "The Doldrums". As a final project, he sold copies of the album as a critique of the school's curriculum.
2001: Release of "Scared Famous" and "Fast Forward"
Ariel Pink released two albums in 2001, "Scared Famous" and "Fast Forward".
2001: Beginning of "Witchhunt Suite for WWIII"
Ariel Pink began working on the track "Witchhunt Suite for WWIII" in 2001. It was later released in 2011.
2002: Release of "House Arrest"
Ariel Pink released his album "House Arrest" in 2002.
2002: Release of "Lover Boy"
Ariel Pink released his album "Lover Boy" in 2002.
2003: Completion of "Worn Copy"
Ariel Pink completed recording his album "Worn Copy" in 2003, marking the end of his prolific eight-year recording period.
2003: Discovery by Animal Collective
Ariel Pink gave a CD-R of his album "Worn Copy" to the band Animal Collective. Impressed by his unique sound, Animal Collective signed Pink to their label, Paw Tracks.
2003: Ariel Pink Begins Recording "Worn Copy"
In 2003, Ariel Pink began recording his album, "Worn Copy".
February 2004: Half-Sister's Accident
In February 2004, Ariel Pink's half-sister, Elana, was in a car accident that left her with permanent brain damage and loss of motor function. This event deeply affected Pink and led to a period of creative stagnation.
October 2004: Release of The Doldrums
"The Doldrums" was released by Paw Tracks in October 2004. This marked the first wide distribution of Pink's music and significantly increased his profile.
2004: Pause in Recording
After the release of "The Doldrums," Ariel Pink stopped recording music for several years, focusing on touring and seeking a new record label.
2004: Ariel Pink's Divorce from Alisa
Around 2004, Ariel Pink divorced his first wife, Alisa, marking the end of their early marriage.
2004: Debut on Animal Collective's Paw Tracks Label
In 2004, Ariel Pink debuted on Animal Collective's Paw Tracks label with the release of his albums "The Doldrums", "House Arrest", and "Worn Copy".
2005: Reissue of Worn Copy
Paw Tracks reissued Ariel Pink's "Worn Copy" in 2005, further expanding his reach and contributing to his growing cult following.
2006: Ariel Rosenberg Quote
"—Ariel Rosenberg, 2006"
2006: Reissue of House Arrest
Ariel Pink's album "House Arrest" was reissued by Paw Tracks in 2006, solidifying his presence in the underground music scene and attracting a dedicated fanbase.
2006: Signing with Lesser-Known Labels
Between 2006 and 2008, Ariel Pink released music through smaller labels, including the albums "Underground" (recorded in 1999 and released in 2006), "Lover Boy," and compilations like "Scared Famous" and "Oddities Sodomies Vol. 1."
2006: Ariel Pink's Relationship with Geneva Jacuzzi Begins
From 2006, Ariel Pink was in a relationship with artist Geneva Jacuzzi, which continued until 2012.
2007: Release of Scared Famous
Ariel Pink's compilation album, "Scared Famous," was released in 2007 during a period of working with smaller, independent labels.
2007: Early Versions of "Witchhunt Suite for WWIII" Sold
During his 2007 tour, Ariel Pink sold CD-Rs of an early version of his single "Witchhunt Suite for WWIII."
2008: Establishment of Consistent Touring Band
Ariel Pink formed a more stable touring band with Kenny Gilmore, Jimi Hey (later replaced by Aaron Sperske), and Cole M. Greif-Neill.
2008: End of Lesser-Known Label Period
By 2008, Ariel Pink had finished his period of releasing music through smaller labels after his departure from Paw Tracks.
2008: R. Stevie Moore's Feedback
R. Stevie Moore, in 2008, acknowledged Ariel Pink's musical talent and ideas but suggested that Pink's sound didn't always need to emulate a specific style.
August 2009: Hypnagogic Pop and Ariel Pink
In August 2009, David Keenan coined the term "hypnagogic pop" in The Wire to describe a new trend of music that explored nostalgia and memory, citing Ariel Pink as an example.
June 2010: Release of Before Today
"Before Today," released in June 2010, marked a shift in Ariel Pink's sound. It received critical acclaim, reaching number 163 on the Billboard 200 and was praised for its more polished production.
2010: Release of "Before Today"
Ariel Pink released his album "Before Today", his first recorded in a professional studio, in 2010.
2010: Influence on Chillwave and Lo-Fi
Ariel Pink's influence on genres like chillwave and lo-fi became particularly recognized around 2010, following the success of his album "Before Today".
2010: Ariel Pink's Views on Jewish Pride
In a 2010 interview with Heeb Magazine, Ariel Pink criticized people who boast about their Jewish pride, calling it 'stupid' and emphasizing that everyone shares the same DNA strand.
2011: Release of "Witchhunt Suite for WWIII" and Coachella Incident
Ariel Pink released the single "Witchhunt Suite for WWIII" and sparked controversy with his behavior at Coachella, where he sabotaged his performance due to a disagreement with the band's setup.
2011: Recognizing His Influence
By 2011, Ariel Pink confidently asserted his awareness of his musical impact, stating his ability to recognize his influence on other artists.
August 2012: Release of Mature Themes
"Mature Themes," released in August 2012, was a departure from Pink's previous work with its satirical tone. The album peaked at number 136 on the Billboard 200.
2012: Ariel Pink on Interviews, Fame, and Wikipedia
In 2012, Ariel Pink discussed his tactics in interviews and his resentment towards fame, expressing frustration at being misquoted for clickbait. He also shared an anecdote about attempting to correct his Wikipedia page, but ultimately conceding to the moderators.
2012: Interview Regarding Elana's Accident
In a 2012 interview, Ariel Pink discussed the profound impact his half-sister's car accident in 2004 had on his music career, stating that he found it difficult to make music afterward.
2012: End of Relationship with Geneva Jacuzzi
In 2012, Ariel Pink's relationship with Geneva Jacuzzi ended, concluding their six-year partnership.
2012: Ariel Rosenberg Quote
"—Ariel Rosenberg, 2012"
2012: Reflections on Nostalgia
In 2012, Ariel Pink commented on his unintentional evocation of nostalgia in his music, acknowledging its prevalence in contemporary music.
2012: Lawsuit and Dissolution of Haunted Graffiti
Drummer Aaron Sperske sued Ariel Pink and the band, leading to the dissolution of Haunted Graffiti. Pink later stated he dissolved the band to protect the other members.
2012: Ariel Pink's Inheritance Prospects
As of 2012, Ariel Pink stood to inherit wealth from his father, Mario Rosenberg, who was a multi-millionaire.
2012: Release of "Mature Themes"
Ariel Pink released his album "Mature Themes" in 2012.
2013: Settlement with Aaron Sperske
Ariel Pink reached a court settlement with former drummer Aaron Sperske in 2013, resolving the lawsuit filed the previous year.
October 2014: Ariel Pink's Comments about Madonna
In October 2014, Ariel Pink claimed that Interscope Records contacted him to work with Madonna because they needed something edgy. His comments led to a minor controversy, with musician Grimes criticizing him for 'delusional misogyny,' which Pink denied, stating he was only repeating what an Interscope agent told him. John Maus analyzed Pink's remarks, concluding that Pink was not misogynistic but had other eccentric traits.
November 2014: Release of Pom Pom
"Pom Pom" was released in November 2014 and marked Ariel Pink's first solo album without the "Haunted Graffiti" moniker. The album reached number 150 on the Billboard 200.
2014: Artistic Philosophy Statement
In 2014, Ariel Pink described his artistic philosophy as existing in a nostalgic realm of "the forgotten '90s and '80s". He aimed to explore the unexplored and unappreciated sounds of that era.
2014: Mario Rosenberg's Conviction
In 2014, Ariel Pink's father, Mario Rosenberg, was convicted in a $154 million insurance-fraud scheme, the largest medical-fraud prosecution in US history. He pleaded no contest due to financial constraints.
2014: Ariel Pink Drops "Haunted Graffiti" Moniker
Until 2014, Ariel Pink's records were usually credited to "Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti". He stopped using the moniker in 2014.
January 2015: Death of Kim Fowley
Kim Fowley, a collaborator on "Pom Pom," passed away from cancer in January 2015.
2015: Ariel Pink Comments on Bullying and Privileges
In 2015, Ariel Pink expressed gratitude for the bullying he suffered as a child, as it made him tougher. He also remarked that adults complaining about victimization should recognize the privileges they have in the United States.
2016: Ariel Pink's Political Neutrality
During the 2016 election, Ariel Pink indicated that he would support whoever won, emphasizing the importance of national unity.
January 2017: Myths 002 EP Release
In January 2017, Ariel Pink and Weyes Blood released their collaborative EP, "Myths 002", on the Mexican Summer label.
September 2017: Dedicated to Bobby Jameson Release
Ariel Pink released his first solo LP on Mexican Summer, "Dedicated to Bobby Jameson", in September 2017. The album, a contrast to his previous work, was recorded at his home with a small group of people and received generally favorable reviews.
2017: Art Experiment Description
Ariel Pink, in 2017, described his work as a "weird art experiment" focused on exploring a specific sound and style reminiscent of The Cure.
2017: Ariel Pink's Political Views
In a 2017 interview, Ariel Pink stated that he supported America regardless of who was in charge. He expressed a similar sentiment when discussing the 2016 election, indicating he would have supported Hillary Clinton if she had won.
2017: Release of "Dedicated to Bobby Jameson"
Ariel Pink released his album "Dedicated to Bobby Jameson", his last recorded for Mexican Summer, in 2017.
November 2018: Final Show Announcement
During a performance at Mexican Summer's tenth anniversary celebration in November 2018, Ariel Pink announced his intention for it to be his final show with his band.
2018: End of Unreleased Material Period
The year 2018 marked the end of a period where Ariel Pink created unreleased material that would later be included in Mexican Summer's reissues.
October 2019: First "Ariel Archives" Installment
The first installment of the "Ariel Archives" campaign, featuring reissues and unreleased material, was released in October 2019, starting with "Odditties Sodomies Vol. 2", "Underground", and "Lover Boy".
2019: Haunted Graffiti Reissues Announced
Mexican Summer announced in 2019 that they would be reissuing remastered and expanded editions of Ariel Pink's original "Haunted Graffiti" albums, along with compilations of unreleased work from 1999 to 2018.
April 2020: Ariel Pink on Party Lines
In April 2020, Ariel Pink declared that he did not believe in party lines and aligned with whoever was in charge at the time.
December 2020: Possible Retirement from Music
In December 2020, Ariel Pink hinted at the possibility of retiring from music due to contemporary sociopolitical issues.
December 2020: Ariel Pink's Election Tampering Claims
In December 2020, Ariel Pink claimed on the podcast Wrong Opinion that the Democratic Party tampered with the recent presidential election in collaboration with China. He expressed strong support for Donald Trump during the discussion.
January 2021: Final "Ariel Archives" Installment
January 2021 saw the release of the final installment of the "Ariel Archives" campaign, including reissues, compilations, and a bonus compilation of unreleased material.
August 2021: "The Key of Joy is Disobedience" Announcement
Ariel Pink announced a new album, "The Key of Joy is Disobedience", under the name "Ariel Pink's Dark Side", in August 2021.
2021: Ariel Pink Dropped from Mexican Summer, Forms New Band
After facing controversy for his presence at the January 6 Capitol attack, Ariel Pink was dropped from Mexican Summer. He formed a new band, Ariel Pink's Dark Side, later that year.
2021: Ariel Pink on Tucker Carlson Tonight
During a 2021 appearance on Tucker Carlson Tonight, Ariel Pink expressed support for president-elect Joe Biden, acknowledging that Trump had lost the election fairly.
February 4, 2022: "Horse-Head Mother" Release
"Horse-Head Mother", the first single from the album "The Key of Joy is Disobedience", was released digitally on February 4, 2022.
2022: Release of "The Key of Joy Is Disobedience"
Ariel Pink's Dark Side, Pink's new band, released their album "The Key of Joy Is Disobedience" in 2022.
August 2023: "I Wanna Be A Girl" and "Songs from Spider City" Release
August 2023 saw the digital release of the single "I Wanna Be A Girl" from the album "Never Made A Demo, Ever" across all platforms. Additionally, "Songs from Spider City", featuring content from the album sessions, was released via Substack.
2023: Release of "Never Made A Demo, Ever"
Ariel Pink's Dark Side released their album "Never Made A Demo, Ever" in 2023.
2023: Inflation Adjustment
The $1 million lawsuit filed against Ariel Pink in 2012 is equivalent to approximately $1.31 million in 2023.