Early life and education Lenderman was born in
Asheville, North Carolina, and grew up in a family of musicians. He started playing guitar around seven or eight years old. His great-grandfather was saxophonist
Charlie Ventura. He was raised
Catholic and was an
altar boy. Lenderman met Karly Hartzman, lead singer for the group Wednesday, and he joined the band for an EP called ''How Do You Let Love Into the Heart That Isn't Split Wide Open'' (2018). At that time, he was working in an ice cream shop to support himself financially. Lenderman toured with Wednesday in early February 2020, until the
COVID-19 pandemic ended the tour. His third album,
Boat Songs, was released in 2022 on Dear Life Records. It was listed as one of the best albums of 2022 by
Pitchfork,
The A.V. Club,
Rolling Stone, and
The Ringer. In 2023, he released the singles "Rudolph" and "Knockin. Lenderman's next album,
Manning Fireworks, was released in September 2024. Lenderman departed as a touring member of Wednesday in 2025. He stated that he still planned to record with the group, and remained a full contributing member of the band on its sixth studio album,
Bleeds, released in September 2025. On October 31, 2025, Lenderman was revealed as a member of the surprise
indie rock band
Snocaps, which released its self-titled debut album,
Snocaps, that same day. Fronted by
Katie and
Allison Crutchfield, the album features Lenderman on guitar, bass and drums throughout. The band played six shows in December 2025. Also in 2025, Lenderman (along with Katie Crutchfield and several others) contributed background vocals to soul singer
Mavis Staples's covers record
Sad and Beautiful World, named for the
Sparklehorse song of the same name. == Critical reception ==