Brian Weitz, widely known as Geologist of Animal Collective, has signed to Drag City for his first-ever proper solo album, Can I Get a Pack of Camel Lights?, arriving January 30th, 2026. The album explores what might have happened if, back in the 80s, Ethan James had recorded a hurdy gurdy album for the legendary punk label SST.
Leading the announcement is the single “Tonic,” accompanied by a new video directed by Molten Synapse. The track is an undeniable hybrid of “post-post-punk energies,” driving forward with overdriven hurdy gurdy leads that snake over throbbing analog synths. The sound is anchored by a thumping bass line from Weitz’s bandmate Dave Portner (Avey Tare) and the steady drumming of Alianna Kalaba (FACS, Cat Power).
The song owes its name and inspiration to a transformative Keiji Haino hurdy-gurdy performance Weitz witnessed at the iconic NYC venue Tonic in 1998. While Weitz felt he could never match Haino’s drone mastery, he instead channelled the ethos of SST’s Greg Ginn, who famously played guitar solos over drum machines.
“I was never very good at guitar myself,” Weitz explains, reflecting on trying to emulate his teenage favourites. He found that applying that punk-rock mindset to a different instrument finally clicked. “I still can’t play or write like my favorites, but the hurdy gurdy got me closer than guitar ever did.” “Tonic” is the potent first result of that experiment.
Pre-Order “Can I Get a Pack of Camel Lights?“: https://geologist.lnk.to/camellights
Geologist US Performances 2025
20th Nov – Washington, DC @ Rhizome (w/ The Caribbean)
22nd Nov – Baltimore, MD @ The Red Room (w/ Mike Alfieri, Obi Feldi, Iron Joy)
11th Dec – Washington, DC @ Songbyrd (w/ Ducks LTD, Phoebe Rings)
12th Dec – New York, NY @ Giorno Poetry Systems (w/ Eric Copeland)
13th Dec – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery (w/ Bitchin Bajas)