Three Seriously Underrated Bands

By Alisa Pierce
Music Journalist

Blind Pilot

Blind Pilot is an American Indie Folk band that originated from Portland, Oregon. The band has a richness of sound that varies in emotion and is comparable to folkier influences such as Noah Gundersen and Ingrid Michaelson. Their debut album 3 Rounds And A Sound showcased the band’s talent in explaining the world through music while focusing on love, life, and everything in between. Their third album And Then Like Lions was released in August of this year and focuses on connecting to the past, a theme that Blind Pilot portrays well. If you’re looking for a band that varies from melancholy folk to enthusiastic indie, check Blind Pilot out.

The Mountain Goats

The Mountain Goats are an American Indie Folk band that originated in Claremont, California. The Mountain Goats are a bit heavier than the first band on this list, Blind Pilot, and are very similar to Andrew Jackson Jihad. The Mountain Goats are one of my all time favorite bands who boasts an impressive count of fifteen studio albums which all range in theme and sound. Throughout the 1990’s The Mountain Goats was known for producing low-fidelity home recordings and releasing records on cassette or “vinyl 7” arrangements, but since 2002 the band have become more polished by recording albums in a studio with a full band.

Nevertheless, The Mountain Goats have managed to maintain their organically emotional lyrics and sounds. The band’s most recent album, Beat the Champ, was released as a concept album based on professional wrestling, but frontman John Darnielle has stated that several of the album’s songs are “really more about death and difficult-to-navigate interior spaces than wrestling”. Despite the odd concept and differing motifs, the album is a great listen that offers songs that are lyrical masterpieces, such as “Heel Turn 2” and “Werewolf Gimmick”.

Breathe Owl Breathe

Breathe Owl Breathe is a great Spirit Rock band hailing from East Jordan, Michigan. The band is comprised of three core members, Micah Middaugh, Andréa Moreno-Beals and Trevor Hobbs. This trio successfully combines the musical elements of guitar, percussion, vocals, and the cello. The band has released five albums that have been described as whimsical and mystical while simultaneously sounding as if their music was created in a cozy cabin atmosphere. Their songs invoke a feeling of warmth and innocence. This description could not be more correct, and to truly feel that sense of warmth one should listen to their song “Dragon” from their album Magic Central.