Little Neon Limelight

Boasting a sound that's informed by vintage country-rock and the melodic side of indie rock, Indiana's Houndmouth rose to success with the release of their 2013 debut on Rough Trade Records. With their infectious high-energy live shows and gritty Americana appeal, they became a festival staple over the next few years, enduring a 2016 membership shake-up that signaled a sonic shift for their third album, 2018's Golden Age. In 2021 they returned with their fourth album and second as a trio, Good for You.

Houndmouth was formed in 2011 in New Albany, Indiana, a town across the river from Louisville, Kentucky. Founding members included guitarist/vocalist Matt Myers, keyboardist/vocalist Katie Toupin, bassist/vocalist Zak Appleby, and drummer/vocalist Shane Cody. The driven group of musicians quickly built a loyal following based on its fervent live shows, and was soon sharing stages with like-minded bands such as Drive-By Truckers and the Lumineers. In 2012, the group issued a self-titled four-song EP, and in 2013, Rough Trade released the band's full-length debut, From the Hills Below the City, a hearty collection of ragged, country-informed rock & roll. After a lengthy bout of touring, including stops at major festivals like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Newport Folk Festival, Houndmouth returned in March 2015 with Little Neon Limelight, another set of lean country boogie and late-night laments. The following year, Toupin left the band to pursue a solo career, leaving the remaining trio to quickly readjust their live act just before a major tour. Houndmouth carried on with a new set of touring members including keyboardist Caleb Hickman and saxophonists Graeme Gardiner and Drew Miller. A sleeker, more pop-forward sound emerged on 2018's Golden Age, their third album and first without Toupin. Following the release of the album, Houndmouth collected various Golden Age demos as the four-song EP California Voodoo. The next year, a two-song release, California Voodoo, Pt. II, offered up two brand-new studio recorded songs. In 2021, the band began releasing singles in anticipation of their fourth studio album. That album, Good for You, arrived in November of that year, with production from Brad Cook, who had previously worked on albums by Houndmouth peers Waxahatchee and Hiss Golden Messenger. ~ Fred Thomas