DIIV
Biography
In the hazy, reverb-drenched landscape of early 2010s indie rock, few bands captured the zeitgeist quite like DIIV. Born from the restless creative mind of Zachary Cole Smith in Brooklyn circa 2011, this quartet emerged as unlikely torchbearers for a new generation of dreamgazers, crafting music that felt simultaneously nostalgic and urgently contemporary.
Smith, a lanky figure with an encyclopedic knowledge of underground music and a penchant for vintage Jaguars, had previously cut his teeth in the experimental outfit Soft Black before deciding to pursue a more melodically focused vision. The name DIIV – pronounced "dive" – supposedly emerged from a Roman numeral IV, though Smith has remained characteristically cryptic about its true origins, adding to the band's mystique.
The original lineup crystallized around Smith's songwriting with bassist Devin Ruben Perez, drummer Colby Hewitt, and guitarist Andrew Bailey, creating a sonic palette that borrowed liberally from the Velvet Underground's narcotic sprawl, My Bloody Valentine's wall of sound, and Krautrock's hypnotic repetition. Their music existed in that sweet spot between shoegaze's ethereal wash and indie rock's structural clarity, with Smith's whispered vocals floating like smoke over intricately layered guitars.
DIIV's 2012 debut album "Oshin" arrived like a perfectly timed cultural statement. Released through Captured Tracks, the record was a masterclass in atmospheric tension, with tracks like "How Long Have You Known?" and "Human" becoming instant anthems for a generation raised on digital connectivity yet craving analog warmth. The album's success was as much about timing as talent – arriving just as indie rock was rediscovering its more experimental impulses while streaming services were democratizing music discovery.
However, success came with complications. Smith's well-documented struggles with substance abuse became increasingly public, culminating in arrests and rehab stints that threatened to derail the band's momentum. The period between "Oshin" and their sophomore effort became a protracted battle with personal demons, industry pressures, and the weight of expectation.
When "Is the Is Are" finally emerged in 2016, it arrived as a sprawling double album that felt like both confession and catharsis. Clocking in at 17 tracks, the record was simultaneously DIIV's most ambitious and most fragmented work, documenting Smith's journey through addiction and recovery with unflinching honesty. Songs like "Dopamine" and "Bent (Roi's Song)" showcased a band willing to push beyond their comfort zone, incorporating elements of post-punk and experimental rock while maintaining their signature atmospheric approach.
The album cycle wasn't without controversy – bassist Perez was dismissed from the band in 2017 following the emergence of old online posts containing offensive content, leading to soul-searching about accountability within indie music communities. Colin Caulfield stepped in as bassist, helping to stabilize the lineup during a turbulent period.
DIIV's third album, "Deceiver" (2019), marked a creative renaissance. Produced with the help of Sonny Diperri, the record found the band embracing a more direct, aggressive sound while retaining their gift for melody. Tracks like "Skin Game" and "Taker" demonstrated a newfound confidence, with Smith's vocals more prominent in the mix and the rhythm section driving songs with punk-influenced urgency.
Beyond their recorded output, DIIV established themselves as compelling live performers, their concerts becoming immersive experiences where the boundaries between performer and audience seemed to dissolve in waves of sound. Their influence on younger bands became increasingly apparent, with acts like Turnover, Wild Nothing, and Beach Fossils citing them as key inspirations.
The band's cultural impact extends beyond mere musical influence. They became emblematic of a particular moment in independent music when authenticity and vulnerability were prized over polish, when personal struggle could be transformed into communal catharsis through art. Smith's openness about mental health and addiction helped destigmatize these issues within music communities.
Currently, DIIV continues to evolve, with recent releases showing increasing sophistication in their songcraft while maintaining the ethereal qualities that first drew listeners into their orbit. They remain vital figures in contemporary indie rock, proof that the best art often emerges from the tension between beauty and chaos, clarity and confusion. In an era of increasing musical fragmentation, DIIV's ability to create genuinely communal experiences through sound feels increasingly precious – a reminder that sometimes the
