Uzi & Ari was an American indie rock band based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded by Ben Shepard in 2003, the group initially formed after Shepard returned from a mission in Santiago, Chile. The band's name was derived from characters in the movie The Royal Tenenbaums. Uzi & Ari released their debut album, Don't Leave in Such a Hurry, in 2004, which was well-received by indie music websites. Following this, they released It is Freezing Out in 2006, featuring electronic beats and softer sounds. The band's success led to a European tour in spring 2007, supported by Own Records. They continued with the release of Headworms in 2008 and embarked on tours across Europe and Japan. Uzi & Ari disbanded in March 2012, as announced by Ben Shepard on their social media.
