The Moondoggies

Handsome, haunting vocal harmonies have been a staple of the last few year’s indie breakouts, fortifying everything from the art-rock of Dirty Projectors, the rustic folk of Fleet Foxes, and panoply-pop of Local Natives. Seattle’s The Moondoggies share both a hometown and a taste for Crosby, Stills And Nash-style backing vocals with Fleet Foxes, but add a mud-caked electricity to their gothic take on Americana traditions. With its dusky atmosphere, distantly whirring organs, and the occasional tangle of Crazy Horse guitar, the band’s 2010 LP, Tidelands, is the soundtrack to an overcast day at the beach, when the water’s too cold but the company is warm and friendly—and bizarrely gifted at harmonizing. 

Updated 01/12/2011