Artist Spotlight: Houndmouth

People 09.21.21

First things first — before we can get into the details about the alternative rock band, Houndmouth, we just had to know where that name came from. The origin story starts in Indiana, at drummer Shane Cody's grandparents' home. Because it was next to a fire station, they could only record at night. But that didn’t exactly solve their problem. At night, instead of fire engines, two neighborhood dogs barked continuously — echoing through the streets. After one bark-filled recording, it was proclaimed, “There’s too much houndmouth on that track” and that captures the essence of the band’s rustic beginnings. 

The band’s members are Matt Myers, Zak Appleby, and Shane Cody, who started playing music together ten years ago. Lead singer and guitarist, Myers, says they grew up listening to Bob Dylan and The Band and everybody would “just sing, just get in where you fit in, kind of reckless and rowdy.” That spirit is embodied in their live shows that have been described as “exuberant” (NPR) and “classic Americana delivered with the raucous spirit and energy” (The Guardian).  Their distinctive country folk/bluesy alternative rock sounds have transformed the stages at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and SXSW to CBS This Morning Saturday, Conan, Letterman, and more. 

Houndmouth is currently at work on their fourth album, Good For You, their debut release for Dualtone Records. For this record, they brought it back to their Indiana headquarters, affectionately named — The Green House. It’s the 19th-century shotgun-style house that used to belong to Cody's grandparents, still decked out in some of the original furnishings and decorations. We’ll have to wait ’til November to see if any barking made it into the tracks…in the meantime, listen to their new singles below and sign up for their exclusive vinyl pressing at MagnoliaRecord.Club.

Like what you hear? Friends of Faherty get 15% off their subscription to Magnolia Record Club, the only record club curated by artists, not algorithms.  Use code FAHERTY15 at checkout, and get hand-picked vinyl delivered to your door every month. Click here to purchase your subscription now!

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