The Mountain Goats and The Hold Steady

The Mountain Goats are the musical project of California-born singer-songwriter and novelist John Darnielle. Originating in 1991, the prolific indie group evolved from early lo-fi, cassette-only releases into a stable full-band lineup featuring Peter Hughes, Matt Douglas, and Jon Wurster.

Formed in New York in 2000 by ex-Lifter Puller members Craig Finn and Tad Kubler, the indie punk rock band the Hold Steady fused Replacements-style bar band vigor with Springsteen-esque musical backdrops. Known for literate, impassioned storytelling, they released their debut album, Almost Killed Me, in 2004, followed by acclaimed records including Boys and Girls in America and The Price of Progress.