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 name originated with a solo album released in released in 1990 by O’Hagan.

The High Llamas debuted as a full band in 1992 with Apricots, a mini-album heavily indebted to Alex Chilton-esque power-pop, which was later expanded into their full-length debut Santa Barbara. This gave way to 1994’s Gideon Gaye, and following a signing to the V2 label, 1996’s widescreen opus Hawaii, which took cues from the work of Brian Wilson and film music pioneers like Ennio Morricone. 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 legendary indie outfit Drag City, the Llamas released 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 of the same name centred around a set of characters living in a changing London district beset by gentrification. Following a long hiatus, the Llamas returned in 2024 with the acclaimed Hey Panda, a bold departure from their earlier work that embraced contemporary electronica and hip-hop.

Throughout their 30+ year history, The High Llamas have earned a devoted cult following and critical acclaim. Alpaca Park is an unofficial resource that aims to catalogue the band’s work and history.