AJR
AJR is an American indie pop band founded by brothers Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met (formerly Metzger), collectively a trio of vocalists, multi-instrumentalists, and songwriters.[1] The brothers grew up in New York City, primarily focused on busking and singing covers until releasing their first album, Living Room, on March 3, 2015.[2][3] As of 2024, they have produced and released five studio albums under the independent label AJR Productions to various record labels.[a]
For other uses, see AJR (disambiguation).
AJR
The trio broke out with their song "I'm Ready". The song was their first Platinum in Australia and also served as a lead single to their debut album, Living Room (2015).[9] Their second album, The Click (2017), achieved one million album sales in America, making it AJR's first Platinum album; its singles "Weak" and "Burn the House Down" received triple and double Platinum (RIAA), respectively. Their co-written single on the album, "Sober Up" (featuring Rivers Cuomo), was certified single Platinum and reached number one on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart.[10][11][12] AJR continued to build audience with a world tour, supported by their first Billboard 200 top-ten and third studio album, Neotheater (2019).[13][14] Two years later, AJR won a Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Song for their first Hot 100 top-ten single, "Bang!", which was a double Platinum single from their second Billboard 200 top-ten and fourth studio album, OK Orchestra (2021).[15][16][17] Prior to their fifth album, The Maybe Man (2023), AJR had over eleven million US digital single sales, which accounted for the five aforementioned songs, "100 Bad Days", and "Way Less Sad".[18][12] The Maybe Man spawned the song "Yes I'm a Mess"; it is the album's most successful single, which charted at number sixteen on NZ Hot Singles but not in the United States.
Personal life[edit]
The brothers are Jewish.[79] Their parents are Gary Metzger, an architect, and Laurie Marvald, who began her career as an architect, attending Cornell University, then moving on to entrepreneurship. Laurie created and was one of the original founding partners of AJR Productions, LLC. She held an executive and management role until 2022.
The three members of AJR grew up in Bayside, Queens, until moving to Chelsea, Manhattan, in 2001.[80] There, Jack attended the Professional Children's School in Manhattan.[81] Jack was a child actor, appearing in The Pink Panther 2 as well as an episode of Law and Order: Criminal Intent.[26][82]
Adam received a BA from Columbia University, majoring in business and philosophy,[83] an MA from New York University,[84] and PhD in International Human Rights Law from the University of Birmingham, while Ryan and Jack studied film at Columbia University.[85][86][87]
AJR
Touring/session members
Former touring member
Studio albums
