The High Llamas were formed in 1991 by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sean O’Hagan, a founding member of Irish band Microdisney until their disbandment in 1988. 

The High Llamas debuted in 1992 with the mini-album Apricots, later expanded into their full-length debut Santa Barbara, which gave way to 1994’s Gideon Gaye, and following a signing to the V2 label, 1996’s widescreen opus Hawaii, which took significant cues from the work of Brian Wilson and film music pioneers like Ennio Morricone and John Barry.

Throughout the rest of the  1990s, the Llamas continued to refine their sound, with electronic elements and Brazilian influences coming to the fore on Cold and Bouncy (1998) and Snowbug (1999) respectively. Following a move from V2 to Drag City, the Llamas recorded a set of intimate, home-recorded efforts including Buzzle Bee (2000) and Can Cladders (2007), culminating in 2011’s Talahomi Way, before taking yet another left turn into musical theatre on 2016’s Here Come The Rattling Trees, based on a musical centred around a set of characters in a changing London district.

Following a long hiatus beset by illness, The High Llamas returned in 2024 with Hey Panda, a bold departure from their earlier work that embraced influences from contemporary electronica and hip-hop while retaining their signature melodic charm.

The High Llamas have earned a devoted cult following and critical acclaim, and this site aims to catalogue the band’s work and history.