Tycho / Scott Hansen: Complete Career Timeline

Compiled: April 17, 2026 Scope: Birth (1977) through present (April 2026) Methodology: Cross-referenced from Discogs, Wikipedia, Bandcamp, Billboard, setlist.fm, ISO50 blog archives, and published interviews. Dates marked with (approx.) are estimated from contextual evidence and not independently verified to an exact day.

Pre-Tycho (1977–2001)

1977

• February 7, 1977 – Scott Hansen born in Sacramento, California.
• Source: AllFamous.org; Wikipedia

1977–1995 – Childhood in Fair Oaks

• Grew up in Fair Oaks, a small town on the American River approximately 18 miles northeast of Sacramento. The rural landscape of rolling hills, ranches, and the river informed his lifelong aesthetic sensibility.
• “I grew up in Fair Oaks in the foothills, a nice bucolic place, a rural area that informed how I look at both music and art.”
• Source: CapRadio – Tycho on Sacramento Roots; Sacramento News & Review, July 1, 2004
• Spent childhood “obsessively drawing” – pen and ink drawings through high school.
• Source: The Great Discontent interview

~1995 – Enrolls at University of San Francisco

• Began studying computer science at the University of San Francisco. A friend gave him a broken drum machine and audio sequencer, sparking his interest in electronic music production.
• “College was just something I did because I thought I was supposed to. I went until I got a job in web design, and then dropped out.”
• Source: The Great Discontent interview

~1995–1999 – Early Sacramento Music Scene

• Arrived in Sacramento circa 1995 and became involved in the local electronic music scene. Obtained Photoshop in college; began manipulating photographs and eventually learning graphic design principles.
• Source: CapRadio

~1998–1999 (approx.) – Dropped Out, Began Web Design Career

• Left university after landing a web design job. Returned to Sacramento from San Francisco.
• Source: The Great Discontent interview

2001 – The Accident

• (approx.) While standing up in a restaurant, Hansen fainted and fell, shattering his jaw. Required reconstructive surgery with metal hardware; jaw wired shut for an extended period. Received approximately two months off from work.
• This forced convalescence proved transformative: with six weeks housebound, he devoted himself intensively to music production for the first time.
• “It was the first time I got to focus all my energy on writing music.”
• Source: The Great Discontent interview; IMPOSE Magazine

2001–2003 – Command Collective

• Co-founded (or became a core member of) Command Collective, an informal electronic music collective in Sacramento. Members included:
• Dusty Brown
• Evan Schneider (Tha Fruitbat)
• Park Avenue (later Lifeliner)
• Chachi Jones
• DJ Mupetblast (resident DJ)
• The collective held shows at Espresso Metro and wheatpasted posters around Sacramento.
• “We were the only electronic musicians in Sacramento. We might as well play these shows together rather than open up for a bunch of rock bands.”
• Source: Submerge Magazine; CapRadio

The Beginning (2002–2006)

2002

• July 25, 2002 – Released debut EP, The Science of Patterns (self-released, CD format).
• 4 tracks, 21:09 total runtime. Tracks include “Dream as Memory” and “Human Condition.”
• Written during the recovery period following his jaw injury.
• Source: Discogs; Wikipedia – The Science of Patterns

2004

• September 24, 2004 – Released debut full-length album, Sunrise Projector, on Gammaphone Records.
• 13 tracks, 56:17 total runtime.
• Source: Discogs; Wikipedia – Past Is Prologue

~2006 (approx.) – ISO50 Blog Launches

• Launched the ISO50 blog (blog.iso50.com) as a design portfolio and visual art showcase. The earliest archived posts date to approximately October 2006. The blog became a major hub for design inspiration and Hansen’s visual work under the ISO50 moniker.
• Source: ISO50 Blog archives – February 2007; About ISO50

2006

• Early 2006 – Moved from Sacramento to San Francisco to take a corporate job in interface architecture and experience design. Worked at Adobe at some point during this period.
• “I came to Sacramento in ‘95 and then went to school and came back, spending about 8 years from ‘99 to 2006.”

• Source: The Great Discontent interview; CapRadio

• October 25, 2006 – Past Is Prologue released on Merck Records.

• This was a re-release and expansion of the 2004 album Sunrise Projector, with additional tracks (13 tracks, 63:22 total runtime).
• The title references a line from Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
• Source: Discogs; Wikipedia – Past Is Prologue

Ghostly Era Begins (2007–2010)

2007

• January 2007 – Merck Records ceases operations after 51 CD and 50 vinyl releases. Hansen began seeking a new label home.

• Source: Wikipedia – Merck Records; Last.fm biography

• January 23, 2007 – Past Is Prologue EP sampler released on Merck Records (5 tracks, 26:45).

• Source: Wikipedia – Past Is Prologue

• 2007 – The Science of Patterns reissued digitally.

• A fifth bonus track, “In the End,” was added.

• Source: Discogs

• November 12, 2007 – Released digital single “The Daydream / The Disconnect” on Ghostly International – marking his first release on the label.

• Described as “the first of three singles preceding a forthcoming full-length.”
• Source: Discogs; Ghostly International

2008

• May 27, 2008 (digital) / June 24, 2008 (official) – Released single “Adrift / From Home” on Ghostly International.
• Two tracks: “Adrift” (6:00) and “From Home” (6:31). Described as “the second of three singles” ahead of a full-length.
• Source: ISO50 Blog announcement; Discogs

2009

• (approx.) Hansen decided to focus on music as his primary pursuit (previously balanced with design career).

• Source: The Great Discontent interview

• December 8, 2009 – Released Coastal Brake EP on Ghostly International (vinyl 12”).

• 4 tracks: Coastal Brake (original) plus remixes by Lusine, Manual, and Hatchback (Cosmic Caviar Dub).
• Source: Discogs; Beatport

2010

• June 1, 2010 – Past Is Prologue reissued on Ghostly International (expanded to 16 tracks, 72:45).

• Source: Wikipedia – Past Is Prologue

• (approx.) 2010 – Hansen established a full live band lineup for Tycho, recruiting:

• Zac Brown – guitar, bass
• Rory O’Connor – drums, percussion
• Joe Davancens – bass, keyboards, synthesizers, programming (touring member)
• Source: Wikipedia – Tycho (musician); Equipboard

Dive Era (2011–2013)

2011

• October 4, 2011 (approx.) – “A Walk” released as a promotional single ahead of Dive.

• Source: Bandcamp

• November 8, 2011 – Released second studio album, Dive, on Ghostly International.

• 10 tracks, 50:37 runtime. Recorded 2006–2011 (~5 years in production).
• First Tycho album to use microphone-recorded acoustic instruments and outboard gear. Switched from Cakewalk Sonar to REAPER during production.
• Chart positions: US Top Dance/Electronic Albums: #22; US Heatseekers Albums: #39.
• Personnel: Scott Hansen (bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, artwork, mastering, mixing), Zac Brown (guitars, bass), Dusty Brown (production consultant), Matt McCord (production consultant, bass), Jianda Johnson (vocals), Count (mastering, mixing).
• First album in the “Dive/Awake/Epoch trilogy.”

• Source: Wikipedia – Dive; Discogs; Bandcamp

• 2011 onward – Touring begins in earnest with a live band, marking the transition from solo laptop project to full live performance act.

• Source: Wikipedia – Tycho (musician)

2012

• Extensive touring in support of Dive. Setlist.fm documents approximately 51 performances in 2012.
• Source: setlist.fm – Tycho Tour Statistics

2013

• February–October 2013 – Recording sessions for Awake album. First album recorded as a three-piece band (Hansen, Zac Brown, Rory O’Connor). The Lake Tahoe area and its surroundings informed the sessions.

• Source: Wikipedia – Awake; Bandcamp

• April 22, 2013 – Released Fragments / Ascension split EP with Thievery Corporation on Ghostly International / ESL Music.

• 4 tracks: Thievery Corporation – “Fragments,” Thievery Corporation – “Fragments (Tycho Remix),” Tycho – “Ascension,” Tycho – “Ascension (Rob Garza Remix).”

• Source: Discogs; Ghostly International

• October 14, 2013 – Released “Awake” as a single – the first single from the forthcoming album.

• This track would later achieve RIAA Gold certification and peak at US Dance Digital Songs: #21.
• Source: EARMILK; Wikipedia – Tycho discography

Awake Era (2014–2015)

2014

• January 2014 (approx.) – “Montana” released as the second promotional single from Awake.

• Source: The National Student, January 24, 2014; Ghostly International

• March 18, 2014 – Released third studio album, Awake, on Ghostly International.

• 8 tracks: Awake, Montana, L, Dye, See, Apogee, Spectre, Plains.
• Recorded February–October 2013. First album recorded as a band with Zac Brown and Rory O’Connor.
• Chart positions: US Billboard 200: #23 (highest-charting album at the time); US Dance/Electronic Albums: #2; US Independent Albums: #3; UK Albums: #159; UK Indie Albums: #24.
• Year-end chart (2014): US Dance/Electronic Albums: #18.
• Sold over 70,000 copies by September 2016. Combined sales of Dive and Awake reached 200,000 copies worldwide.
• Personnel: Scott Hansen (producer, bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, artwork), Zac Brown (bass, guitar), Rory O’Connor (live drums), Christopher Willits (mastering, production consultant).
• Second album in the “Dive/Awake/Epoch trilogy.”

• Source: Wikipedia – Awake; Discogs; Bandcamp

• May 22, 2014 – KCRW live session broadcast featuring Tycho performing Awake material.

• Source: NPR – Tycho “Awake” Live

• August 29, 2014 – Burning Man sunrise DJ set: “Black Sunrise” performed aboard the Dancestronauts space ship. (The earliest documented Burning Man sunrise set released publicly on SoundCloud.)

• Source: SoundCloud; 1001Tracklists

• December 8, 2014 – Appeared on Song Exploder podcast (Episode 24), breaking down the title track “Awake” in front of a live audience in San Francisco.

• Source: Song Exploder – Tycho

2015

• Extensive touring continued throughout 2015 in support of Awake.

• 2015 (approx.) – Burning Man sunrise DJ set: “Elsewhere” performed at The Dusty Rhino.

• Source: Live Music Blog

Epoch Era (2016–2018)

2016

• January 15, 2016 – Released Awake Remixes (digital) on Ghostly International.
• 9 tracks featuring remixes by Com Truise, RJD2, Bibio, Few Nolder, Christopher Willits, Dusty Brown, Nitemoves, and others.
• Chart positions: US Dance/Electronic Albums: #3; US Independent Albums: #42.
• Physical release (vinyl) followed in May 2016.

• Source: Bandcamp; Beatport; Wikipedia – Tycho discography

• (approx.) 2016 – Billy Kim joined as a touring member (bass, keyboards, synthesizers, visuals), replacing Joe Davancens.

• Source: Wikipedia – Tycho (musician); The New LoFi

• July 2, 2016 – Released single “Division” on Ghostly International – first new Tycho material since Awake.

• Accompanied by a mini-documentary.

• Source: ISO50 Blog; Discogs; Dancing Astronaut

• 2016 (approx.) – Burning Man sunrise DJ set: “Descent.”

• Source: ISO50 Blog

• September 16, 2016 – Released single “Epoch” (title track, second pre-album single).

• Source: Rate Your Music; Bandcamp

• September 30, 2016 – Released fourth studio album, Epoch, on Ghostly International (surprise release – digital only initially).

• 11 tracks, 42:54 runtime: Glider, Horizon, Slack, Receiver, Epoch, Division, Source, Local, Rings, Continuum, Field.
• Select tracks featured live drums by Anthony Gallo (Virtue And Vice Studio) and Peter Franco (Panoramic Studios). Count handled mastering and mixing.
• Chart positions: US Top Dance/Electronic Albums: #1; US Billboard 200: #78; New Zealand Heatseeker Albums: #10; Belgian Albums (Flanders): #170.
• Final album in the “Dive/Awake/Epoch trilogy.”

• Source: Wikipedia – Epoch; Bandcamp

• December 6, 2016 – Grammy nomination announced: Epoch nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards (held February 12, 2017).

• Fellow nominees: Flume (Skin), Jean-Michel Jarre (Electronica 1: The Time Machine), Underworld (Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future), Louie Vega (Starring…XXVIII).

• Source: CapRadio; Submerge Magazine; Grammy.com

• December 2016 – Rory O’Connor profiled in The Westfield News as having Westfield, MA roots.

• Source: The Westfield News, December 12, 2016

2017

• January 20, 2017 – Epoch physical release (CD/vinyl) via Ghostly International.

• Source: Circuit Sweet

• February 12, 2017 – 59th Grammy Awards ceremony. Flume wins Best Dance/Electronic Album for Skin. Tycho does not win.

• Source: Vice; Billboard

• 2017 – UK and European tour dates announced and performed.

• Source: Circuit Sweet

• 2017 – Burning Man sunrise DJ set: “Ingress.”

• Source: ISO50 Blog; Kottke.org

2018

• August 30, 2018 – Burning Man sunrise DJ set: “Waypoint” at Dusty Rhino.
• Source: 1001Tracklists; Kottke.org

Weather Era (2019–2020)

2019

• 2019 – Signed to Mom + Pop Music (North America) and Ninja Tune (rest of world), departing Ghostly International.

• Source: Wikipedia – Tycho (musician); Ninja Tune – Tycho

• May 14, 2019 – Released single “Pink & Blue” (feat. Saint Sinner) – the first-ever vocal-led track from Tycho. Simultaneously announced Weather album.

• Saint Sinner is the musical alias of Hannah Cottrell.

• Source: KEXP; Circuit Sweet

• (approx.) June 2019 – Released single “Easy” (second single from Weather).

• Source: Wikipedia – Weather

• July 12, 2019 – Released fifth studio album, Weather, on Mom + Pop Music / Ninja Tune.

• 8 tracks. First Tycho album to feature a vocalist (Saint Sinner/Hannah Cottrell appears on 5 of 8 tracks).
• Chart positions: US Billboard 200: #132; US Top Dance/Electronic Albums: #3; UK Independent Albums: #17.

• Source: Wikipedia – Weather; Ninja Tune; Bandcamp

• 2019 – Burning Man sunrise DJ set.

• Source: Kottke.org

• November 20, 2019 (approx.) – Grammy nomination announced: Weather nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards (held January 26, 2020).

• Fellow nominees: Apparat, The Chemical Brothers (No Geography), Flume, RUFUS DU SOL.

• Source: Billboard; Grammy.com

• December 12, 2019 – Released Stress EP on Mom + Pop Music / Ninja Tune.

• 3 tracks: “No Stress (feat. Saint Sinner),” “No Stress (Instrumental),” and “Stress.”

• Source: Bandcamp; Broadway World

• December 18, 2019 – Mini-documentary on the making of Weather released.

• Source: Broadway World

2020

• January 26, 2020 – 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony. The Chemical Brothers win Best Dance/Electronic Album for No Geography. Tycho does not win.

• Source: Grammy.com

• February 28, 2020 – Released Simulcast on Mom + Pop Music / Ninja Tune.

• 8 tracks. Instrumental companion album to Weather – bespoke instrumental reworkings of Weather tracks with Saint Sinner’s vocals removed and synths/guitar made more prominent.
• “A Simulcast is the transmission of a program across different mediums and in different languages.”
• Chart position: US Top Dance/Electronic Albums: #6.

• Source: Bandcamp; Ninja Tune; Magnetic Magazine

• March 2020 onward – COVID-19 pandemic halts all touring. Hansen’s planned live schedule was disrupted.

• Source: contextual (pandemic timeline); Circuit Sweet

• December 18, 2020 – Released Weather Remixes on Mom + Pop Music / Ninja Tune.

• Features remixes by Com Truise, Harvey Sutherland, Nitemoves, Satin Jackets, and others.
• Source: Bandcamp; Ninja Tune

Transition (2021–2023)

2021

• July 13, 2021 – Released standalone single “Only Love” featuring Benjamin Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie / The Postal Service) on Mom + Pop Music.
• Source: Rolling Stone; SPIN; Bandcamp

2022

• September 30, 2022 – Released Back to Mine: Tycho – a mixed compilation album in the long-running Back to Mine DJ mix series.
• Source: Bandcamp; RA; Back to Mine official

2023

• February 2023 (approx.) – The Science of Patterns EP celebrates its 20th anniversary with a digital re-release/streaming release.

• Source: We Rave You

• February 8, 2023 – Awake album certified RIAA Gold.

• Source: Vertebrae Productions

• July 10, 2023 – Released standalone single “Time to Run” – first new Tycho music in approximately two years. Accompanied by a music video.

• Described as inspired by cross-country running.

• Source: Bandcamp; JamBands; Brooklyn Vegan

• September 20, 2023 – Launched The Official Tycho Reverb Shop, listing over 100 pieces of studio gear for sale (valued at approximately $160,000). Notable items included:

• Oberheim FVS-1 (Four Voice) synthesizer (used on Dive, Awake, Epoch)
• Korg Trident synthesizer
• Eventide H3000 effects unit
• Neve 54 Series mixer
• SSL G-Comp
• “I’ve been collecting synthesizers and gear for about 25 years… I always try to keep things cycling in and out.”
• Source: MusicRadar; Reverb; MusicTech

Infinite Health Era (2024–Present)

2024

• March 22, 2024 – Released Awake (10th Anniversary Edition) on Ghostly International.
• Exclusive blue and beige colored vinyl pressing.

• Source: Bandcamp; Ghostly International

• June 25, 2024 – Announced Infinite Health album and shared lead single “Phantom” along with a music video. Simultaneously announced North American headlining tour – the first in five years.

• Hansen described “Phantom” as his favorite track on the album.

• Source: Broadway World; mxdwn Music

• August 30, 2024 – Released sixth studio album, Infinite Health, on Mom + Pop Music (US) / Ninja Tune (worldwide).

• 9 tracks. Co-produced by Chris Taylor (of Grizzly Bear) and Zac Brown. Rory O’Connor on live drums. Guest vocals by Cautious Clay on the title track.
• A return to instrumental-focused production after the vocal-led Weather.
• “Infinite Health is about hope for the future and a requiem for the past… a mantra for spiritual, emotional, and physical healing.”
• Chart positions: US Top Dance/Electronic Albums: #12; UK Album Downloads: #27; UK Independent Albums: #36.
• Personnel: Scott Hansen (production, recording, design), Zac Brown (guitar, co-production), Chris Taylor (co-production, mixing), Rory O’Connor (live drums), Cautious Clay (vocals), Joe LaPorta (mastering), Harry Cox (mixing, tracks 1 & 8), Fran Rodriguez (cover image).

• Source: Wikipedia – Infinite Health; Bandcamp; Grammy.com

• September 13 – November 16, 2024 – Infinite Health North American Tour (first headlining North American tour in ~5 years).

• Major stops included: Ogden, UT (Sept 13, launch); Boise, ID; Eugene, OR; Portland, OR (Sept 17); Vancouver, BC (Sept 18); Seattle, WA (Sept 19); Denver, CO (Sept 25); South Lake Tahoe, NV (Sept 27); San Francisco, CA (Sept 28); Del Mar, CA (Oct 29); Charlottesville, VA (Nov 9); Philadelphia, PA (Nov 10); Boston, MA (Nov 11); Brooklyn, NY (Nov 12); Toronto, ON (Nov 14); Chicago, IL (Nov 15); Minneapolis, MN (Nov 16, final).
• Tickets went on sale June 28, 2024.

• Source: JamBase; EDM.com

• December 12, 2024 – Released Where You Are EP on Mom + Pop Music / Ninja Tune.

• 6 tracks, including an alternate take of “Infinite Health” featuring Cautious Clay.
• Source: Bandcamp; We Rave You; Apple Music

2025

• January 30–31, 2025 – Two shows in Japan: BIGCAT in Osaka (Jan 30) and Spotify O-EAST in Shibuya, Tokyo (Jan 31).

• Source: Soundsphere Magazine

• March 6–28, 2025 – UK and European spring tour – first European dates in approximately 5 years.

• March 6: KOKO, London; March 10: Vulkan Arena, Oslo; March 11: Nalen, Stockholm; March 13: Pumpehuset, Copenhagen; March 14: Huxleys Neue Welt, Berlin; March 16: Palladium, Warsaw; March 17: ROXY, Prague; March 18: Durer Kert, Budapest; March 20: Magazzini Generali, Milan; March 22: Trabendo, Paris; March 23: Wintercircus, Gent; March 24: Melkweg, Amsterdam; March 26: Sala Apolo, Barcelona; March 27: Sala But, Madrid; March 28: LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo, Lisbon.

• Source: Circuit Sweet; live4ever.uk

• 2025 – Published interview in MusicTech discussing fatherhood (two children: a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old as of early 2025), move from San Francisco to Oakland, and a return to software-based/”bedroom electronic production” style for Infinite Health.

• Source: MusicTech

2026

• April 17, 2026 – Epoch (10th Anniversary Edition) vinyl reissue released on Ghostly International (catalog: GI 279LPC3). Blue and black marble vinyl.

• Source: Bandcamp; Tobira Records; Turntable Lab

• 2026 (upcoming dates announced):

• Elsewhere, Brooklyn, NY
• Culture, Washington, DC
• Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver, BC (May 8)
• Substation, Seattle, WA (May 9)
• The Mishawaka, Bellvue, CO (June 20)
• High Vibe Fest, Fawnskin, CA (June 21)
• Source: Bandsintown; Ticketmaster; Live Nation

Personal Milestones (Cross-Referenced)

Discography Summary (Chronological)

Studio Albums

EPs

Singles

Remix Albums / Compilations

Grammy Nominations

RIAA Certifications

Band Members (Historical)

Current Members

• Scott Hansen – synthesizers, guitar, bass, visuals, programming (2002–present)
• Zac Brown – bass, guitar (studio & touring, ~2010–present)
• Rory O’Connor – drums, percussion (studio & touring, ~2010–present)

Current Touring Members

• Billy Kim – bass, keyboards, synthesizers, visuals (~2016–present)
• Hannah Cottrell / Saint Sinner – vocals (2019–present, Weather era onward)

Former Touring Members

• Joe Davancens – bass, keyboards, synthesizers, programming (~2010–~2016)

Notable Collaborators

• Dusty Brown – production consultant (Dive), remix artist
• Count – mastering, mixing (Dive, Epoch)
• Christopher Willits – mastering, production consultant (Awake)
• Chris Taylor (Grizzly Bear) – co-production, mixing (Infinite Health)
• Cautious Clay – vocals (Infinite Health, Where You Are)
• Benjamin Gibbard – vocals (“Only Love” single)

Label History

This timeline is a living document. Dates marked (approx.) were inferred from interviews, archive timestamps, or contextual evidence and may be refined as additional primary sources become available.