Animal Collective's Geologist Shares New Single "Government Job"

2026, we’ve hardly known you! We’re ready to start things on the right foot, though. So: let us introduce the new year with an earworm flowing from the mind/pen of Animal Collective’s Geologist! Today, off his upcoming solo album, Can I Get a Pack of Camel Lights?, Brian Weitz unveils “Government Job” with a music video by Michael R. Bernstein (Religious Knives, Double Leopards).

“Government Job” multiplies a scratchy inch of percussion via drumkit, vibraphone and acoustic guitar into a heartbeat. As Brian drip-feeds the growth of a chirping ecosystem, his son Merrick Weitz joins the mix on acoustic guitar, every strum spurring majesty among his father’s feathering organic beats. Michael R. Bernstein’s music video lights up each sound in perfect beat, breathing kaleidoscopic motion into Geologist’s biodome.

As Brian describes the inspiration behind "Government Job":

"20 years ago, I left a government job to do Animal Collective full time. That might sound like a no-brainer trade, but there are days I don’t know about that. I liked the job and think there is honor in many government jobs - especially living in DC now as I watch so many crucial ones being eliminated with little reason beyond cruelty and greed. I got to be part of many beautiful things in music, but if I still had the job I’d ideally be part of a solid foundation that lets others experience beautiful things for themselves. So for the song “Government Job” I stripped away all the hurdy gurdy parts from my live set and gave the electronic foundation to Adam, Emma, and Merrick to express themselves on top (except Merrick thinks the guitar sounds trashy but I insisted he play it on a half broken guitar my wife picked up at a thrift store to casually leave around the house in case the kids wanted to teach themselves.)

— Brian Weitz

Throughout the rest of his debut solo LP, Brian rides the high country on a hurdy gurdy of many colors. Traditional sounds and ritual moods flicker in and out of Geologist’s electronic shroud to create an electrifying experience: pulsing through his memory threads towards a deep introspective state for himself and the listener. That’s the beauty of Can I Get a Pack of Camel Lights? – behold, on January 30th! Brian will celebrate the album's release with a run of dates alongside Bitchin Bajas in February.

Geologist

North American Performances 2026

• Feb. 21st - Portland, OR, US @ Polaris Hall *
• Feb.22nd - Sunset Tavern Seattle, WA, US @ Sunset Tavern *
• Feb. 23rd - Vancouver, BC, Canada @ The Fox Cabaret *
• Feb. 24th - Olympia, WA, US @ Wild Child *
• Feb. 25th - Arcata, CA, US @ The Miniplex
• Feb. 26th - Bolinas, CA, US @ Gospel Flat Farm Stand
• Feb. 27th - San Francisco, CA, US @ The Chapel *
• Feb. 28th - Los Angeles, CA, US @ Lodge Room *
• March 2nd - Yucca Valley, CA, US @ Yucca Valley Material Labs †
• March 4th - Tucson, AZ, US @ Wave Archive †

* w/ Bitchin Bajas

w/ Cool Maritime

† w/ DPSD