Pollens, an American indie rock band, was formed in 2008 at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle by Jeff Aaron Bryant and Hanna Benn. The duo began as a composition project and evolved into a live act with drum machines and rotating vocalists. Around 2010, Pollens had expanded to include Adam Kozie, Kelly Wyse, Whitney Lyman, and Lena Simon. Their sound blended trance, African rhythms, choral composition, and American indie rock. In 2010, they self-released an eponymous EP. In 2012, they signed with Tapete Records and released their debut album Brighten & Break, produced by Charlie Smith and featuring contributions from Morgan Henderson of Fleet Foxes. In 2015, Benn left Pollens to focus on her solo work, and Bryant relocated to New York City and recruited Elizabeth May to join Pollens.