The Mountain Goats

All Hail West Texas (2002)

by The Mountain Goats

Genre- lo-fi, folk pop, indie rock

Location- currently: Durham, North Carolina but formed in Claremont, California

Other Works- too many to list, see allmusic

John Darnielle

More Info- The Mountain Goats formed in Claremont, CA by singer/songwriter John Darnielle.  He is pretty much The Mountain Goats, though he collaborates with other artists at times.  He is a spectacular lyricist.  While in California he went to Pitzer College where he graduated in 1995, he also worked as a psychiatric nurse.  The band's music is featured in the TV show Weeds.  In 2009, The band was on The Colbert Report.

Links- official site

allmusic

wikipedia

Pitchfork

Amazon

The Skygreen Leopards

Gorgeous Johnny (2009)

by The Skygreen Leopards

Donovan Quinn & Glenn Donaldson

Genre- folk-pop, alternative, indie pop, indie rock

Location- San Fransisco, California

Other Works- I Dreamt She Rode on a Pink Gazelle & Other Dreams, 2001

The Story of the Green Lamb & the Jerusalem Priestess of Leaves, 2002

One Thousand Bird Ceremony, 2004

Child God in the Garden of Idols, 2005

Life & Love in Sparrow's Meadow, 2005

Disciples of California, 2006

More Info- The band formed in 2001 in San Fransisco.  The members are Donovan Quinn and Glenn Donaldson who is the founder of the Bay Area experimental folk label, Jewelled Antler.

Links- Allmusic
Amazon