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THE MOUNTAIN GOATS


BIO:
The Mountain Goats began life in a Norwalk employee-housing studio apartment that had awesome deco tiling on the bathroom floor but little more to recommend the place as a living space. Still, you take what you can get, and it was ridiculously cheap. In this room, equipped with a dual-cassette recorder, John D. started setting some of his poetry to music, using a guitar he'd gotten for a few bucks at a nearby strip mall music store. His idea at the time was that eventually his day job would be "poet." Young men have all kinds of crazy ideas about what they're going to end up doing for a living After a while the songs became more like songs than poems set to music, and John started playing them for his friend Rachel, who as it turned out, played bass. John and Rachel toured the eastern U.S. & Europe once, the midwest twice (if "Chicago, Columbus and Madison" count as "the midwest"), and played San Francisco a few times, and they recorded two albums and a couple of EPs. Then John graduated from college and moved to Chicago, and the Mountain Goats became Mainly Just John, except for a couple of European tours where John's friend Peter Hughes played bass. In 2001, though, 4AD called up and asked if the Mountain Goats wouldn't like to make records with them. John called Peter. They hit the studio. As a duo, the two toured at a pace that can fairly be called "relentless" from 2002 until 2007. They made records: Tallahassee, We Shall All Be Healed, The Sunset Tree, Get Lonely. They took to recruiting drummers from their opening acts to play the last few songs with them. And then they met Jon Wurster, and the three took to the road in support of Get Lonely, from Fairbanks, Alaska to Hobart, Tasmania, and a few points even further south. They enjoyed playing together so much that when it came time to repair to the studio again, all three went in. In 2008, the three recorded Heretic Pride, and in early 2009, The Life of the World to Come. members: John Darnielle, Peter Hughes, and Jon Wurster - 2007-present John Darnielle and Peter Hughes - 1995-2007 John Darnielle and Rachel Ware - 1991-1995 occasional members 1991-1995: Rosanne, Amy, and Sara occasional members 1995-present: Franklin Bruno, Erik Friedlander, John Vanderslice, and a litany of drummers we stole from our opening bands

Latest Articles


Rett Madison Shares New Cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Everywhere' Photo Rett Madison Shares New Cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Everywhere'
by Josh Sharpe - September 20, 2024

Los Angeles-based vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rett Madison shares a brand new cover of the 1987 Fleetwood Mac classic “Everywhere” out now....

Katy Kirby to Release 'Blue Raspberry (Deluxe)' Album Photo Katy Kirby to Release 'Blue Raspberry (Deluxe)' Album
by Josh Sharpe - May 30, 2024

Katy Kirby’s latest album ‘Blue Raspberry’ traces the crescendo and collapse of new love, savoring each gleaming shard of rock candy and broken glass along the way. Originally released in January, Kirby is now announcing a digital deluxe version that will contain two new songs, coming out on July 12...

Margaret Glaspy Releases Single '24/7' from New EP Photo Margaret Glaspy Releases Single '24/7' from New EP
by Josh Sharpe - April 23, 2024

Margaret Glaspy has announced a new EP set for release Friday, April 26th. Entitled The Sun Doesn’t Think (ATO), it will mark the follow up to last year’s critically acclaimed album Echo The Diamond. In creating The Sun Doesn’t Think, Glaspy embraced the momentum she was feeling on tour, and hit the...

Emerging Artist Abby Hamilton Confirms Summer Headline Shows Photo Emerging Artist Abby Hamilton Confirms Summer Headline Shows
by Josh Sharpe - April 18, 2024

Emerging singer, songwriter and musician Abby Hamilton will perform select headline shows this summer including newly confirmed stops at Greensboro’s Flat Iron, Knoxville’s Barley’s Tap Room, Chattanooga’s Cherry Street Tavern, Roanoke’s The Spot on Kirk and Harrisonburg’s Golden Pony. See below for...

Rett Madison Announces 2024 U.S. Headline Tour Dates Photo Rett Madison Announces 2024 U.S. Headline Tour Dates
by Michael Major - February 07, 2024

Los Angeles-based vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rett Madison announces a string of headline tour dates. After hitting the road for a run of dates supporting John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats and Bailen, the headline tour kicks off on March 25 in Kansas City, MO before wrapping up...

Absolutely Kosher Signs Memphis Duo Nonconnah Photo Absolutely Kosher Signs Memphis Duo Nonconnah
by Michael Major - December 11, 2023

Absolutely Kosher has announced its first new signing since its relaunch in October. The Memphis duo Nonconnah is the latest addition to the label's roster. Prolific partners Zachary and Denny Wilkerson Corsa are working on the first two of their new full-length albums for Absolutely Kosher, though ...

Video: Abby Hamilton Perform on 'CBS Saturday Morning' Photo Video: Abby Hamilton Perform on 'CBS Saturday Morning'
by Michael Major - November 20, 2023

Emerging singer, songwriter and musician Abby Hamilton made her television debut on “CBS Saturday Morning” this past weekend, where she was featured as part of their “Saturday Sessions” series, performing three songs from her acclaimed debut album, #1 Zookeeper (of the San Diego Zoo): “Lucky,” “Mayd...

Video: Abby Hamilton Debuts New Music Video for 'Soccer Field' Photo Video: Abby Hamilton Debuts New Music Video for 'Soccer Field'
by Michael Major - November 15, 2023

“Soccer Field” is from Hamilton’s acclaimed debut album, #1 Zookeeper (of the San Diego Zoo), which was released earlier this fall via Blue Gown Records—a new imprint run by WhizzBangBAM’s Ian Thornton (Tyler Childers) in partnership with Virgin Music. In celebration of the new music, Hamilton will ...

The Mountain Goats Release New Album 'JENNY FROM THEBES' Photo The Mountain Goats Release New Album 'JENNY FROM THEBES'
by Blair Ingenthron - October 28, 2023

The Mountain Goats release their highly anticipated new album, 'Jenny From Thebes.' Don't miss out on this exciting musical experience....

Video: the Mountain Goats Release Video for New Single 'Murder at the 18th St. Garage Photo Video: the Mountain Goats Release Video for New Single 'Murder at the 18th St. Garage'
by Michael Major - September 26, 2023

A sequel to their beloved 2002 album All Hail West Texas, Jenny from Thebes is a lush collection of showtunes, pushing John Darnielle as a vocalist and the Mountain Goats as a band, broadening their sonic palette once again by leaning into influences like Godspell, Jim Steinman, and The Cars. Watch ...

Abby Hamilton Releases New Song 'Whatever Helps You Sleep' Photo Abby Hamilton Releases New Song 'Whatever Helps You Sleep'
by Michael Major - September 20, 2023

Produced by Justin Craig and Duane Lundy, #1 Zookeeper (of the San Diego Zoo) is filled with Hamilton’s sharp lyrical perspective and entrancing vocals, further establishing her as one of music’s most intriguing new voices. Across these ten vulnerable tracks, Hamilton recounts personal experiences w...

The Mountain Goats Share New Single 'Fresh Tattoo' & Announce Winter Tour Dates Photo The Mountain Goats Share New Single 'Fresh Tattoo' & Announce Winter Tour Dates
by Michael Major - August 23, 2023

The Mountain Goats share “Fresh Tattoo,” the driving new single from their recently announced new album, Jenny from Thebes. The track features Alicia Bognanno from Bully on guitar, horns by Matt Douglas and Evan Ringel, and backing vocals from Matt Nathanson. A sequel to their beloved 2002 album All...

Abby Hamilton's Debut Album '#1 Zookeeper (Of the San Diego Zoo)' Sets October Releas Photo Abby Hamilton's Debut Album '#1 Zookeeper (Of the San Diego Zoo)' Sets October Release
by Michael Major - August 23, 2023

Emerging singer, songwriter and musician Abby Hamilton will release her debut album, #1 Zookeeper (of the San Diego Zoo), on Blue Gown Records—a new imprint run by WhizzBangBAM’s Ian Thornton (Tyler Childers) in partnership with Virgin Music. Produced by Justin Craig and Duane Lundy, #1 Zookeeper (o...

The Mountain Goats Announce New Album 'Jenny From Thebes' Photo The Mountain Goats Announce New Album 'Jenny From Thebes'
by Michael Major - July 19, 2023

The album is a lush collection of showtunes, pushing John Darnielle as a vocalist and the Mountain Goats as a band, broadening their sonic palette once again by leaning into influences like Godspell, Jim Steinman, and The Cars. Jenny from Thebes is a widescreen musical in scope, a melodrama of richl...

The Hold Steady to Share New Song Tomorrow Photo The Hold Steady to Share New Song Tomorrow
by Michael Major - March 09, 2023

The Hold Steady will share their latest song, “Understudies,” tomorrow, Friday, March 10, at all DSPs and streaming services. The release of “Understudies” will mark the third track heralding The Hold Steady’s ninth studio album, The Price of Progress, arriving on their own Positive Jams label via T...

The Hold Steady Share New Song 'Sixers' From New Album Photo The Hold Steady Share New Song 'Sixers' From New Album
by Michael Major - February 13, 2023

The Hold Steady have shared their latest single, “Sixers,” available now on all DSPs and streaming services. A variety of formats will be available, including digital, CD, black vinyl, translucent green vinyl, metallic gold (Independent Retail exclusive), metallic silver (Vinyl Me, Please exclusive)...

The Hold Steady Announce New 'The Price of Progress' Album Photo The Hold Steady Announce New 'The Price of Progress' Album
by Michael Major - January 04, 2023

It will be available digitally as well as on CD, standard black vinyl, translucent green-colored vinyl (band store), metallic gold (indie retail), metallic silver (Vinyl Me, Please), and white (Rough Trade). Pre-orders are available now. The Price of Progress is heralded by the premiere of the first...

Quinn Christopherson Releases Debut Album 'Write Your Name In Pink' Photo Quinn Christopherson Releases Debut Album 'Write Your Name In Pink'
by Michael Major - September 16, 2022

To know Quinn Christopherson is to know the deepest corners of your own mind and heart. Cut from the same cloth as artists like Joni Mitchell or The Mountain Goats, Quinn writes with an unparalleled precision— his exacting details giving the songs a depth and believability that’s relatable, though y...

Quinn Christopherson Shares New Single 'Uptown' Ahead of Debut Album Photo Quinn Christopherson Shares New Single 'Uptown' Ahead of Debut Album
by Michael Major - September 14, 2022

Alaska’s Quinn Christopherson is sharing the poignant and honest single “Uptown.” Cut from the same cloth as artists like Joni Mitchell or The Mountain Goats, Quinn writes with an unparalleled precision— his exacting details giving the songs a depth and believability that’s relatable, though your ow...

Quinn Christopherson Shares New Single 'Celine' Photo Quinn Christopherson Shares New Single 'Celine'
by Michael Major - August 08, 2022

The new track follows the release of “Thanks” and Quinn joining The Wild Hearts Tour supporting indie greats Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen and Julien Baker on a national run of shows. All dates are listed below including the previously announced dates with Courtney Barnett and Lucy Dacus as part of ...

The Mountain Goats Share New Single 'Mark On You' Photo The Mountain Goats Share New Single 'Mark On You'
by Michael Major - August 02, 2022

The Mountain Goats share “Mark on You,” a vengeance fantasy and the final single from their anticipated upcoming new album Bleed Out, out on Merge Records. Bleed Out, produced by Bully’s Alicia Bognanno, is a cinematic experience inspired by action movies from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Plus, check out u...

Abby Hamilton Releases 'Afraid of the Dark (Live)' Photo Abby Hamilton Releases 'Afraid of the Dark (Live)'
by Michael Major - July 15, 2022

Filmed and recorded by Jon Tsang at Atlanta’s Goat Farms Art Center, the performance features Abby along with her band: Ryan Allen (keys), Carson Childers (bass) Zac Hamilton (guitar) and Zach Martin (drums). The song is from Abby’s new live EP, Afraid of the Dark Live Sessions. Watch the new perfor...

The Mountain Goats Share New Single 'Wage Wars Get Rich Die Handsome' Photo The Mountain Goats Share New Single 'Wage Wars Get Rich Die Handsome'
by Michael Major - July 11, 2022

The Mountain Goats share “Wage Wars Get Rich Die Handsome,” the anthemic new single from their highly anticipated upcoming album Bleed Out. The Mountain Goats are currently on the road on a duo tour. Dates also include a full-band US fall tour that kicks off in August, and Europe and the UK shows in...

Quinn Christopherson Shares New Single 'Thanks' & Announces Tour Dates Photo Quinn Christopherson Shares New Single 'Thanks' & Announces Tour Dates
by Michael Major - June 29, 2022

Quinn Christopherson has announced he’ll be joining The Wild Hearts Tour kicking off next month, opening for Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, and Julien Baker for the national run of shows. All dates are listed below including the previously announced dates with Courtney Barnett and Lucy Dacus as par...

The Mountain Goats Announce New Album 'Bleed Out' Photo The Mountain Goats Announce New Album 'Bleed Out'
by Michael Major - June 02, 2022

The album, a cinematic experience inspired by action movies from the 60s, 70s and 80s, was produced by Bully’s Alicia Bognanno. Bleed Out is available for pre-order now on “High-Velocity Spatter” red marble, double Peak Vinyl, CD, or cassette in the Merge store or the Mountain Goats' band store. Plu...











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