Thao with the Get Down Stay Down formed in San Francisco, with Thao Nguyen on vocals and guitar, Adam Thompson on guitar, Sean Hutchinson on bass, and John Congleton on drums. They released their first album, 'We Brave Bee Stings and All,' in 2008, followed by records like 'Know Better Learn Faster' in 2010 and 'We the Common' in 2013. Their songs, such as 'Bag of Hammers' and 'Beat (Health, Life, And Fire),' often feature Nguyen's direct lyrics over a mix of folk and rock sounds.
Nguyen, who identifies as queer and non-binary, writes personal lyrics that touch on identity and vulnerability. The band's live shows are known for their energy. They've put out more albums including 'A Man Alive' in 2016, 'Temple' in 2019, and 'The Hang' in 2021. Their work has drawn attention for its honest approach, though a cover of a Ryan Adams song once sparked some fan criticism.
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