Run River North

Hailing from California's San Fernando Valley, the six-piece indie pop outfit Run River North first assembled in 2011 while still operating under the moniker Monsters Calling Home. Its lush, folk-tinged aesthetic revolves around the core vocal pairing of Alex Hwang on vocals and guitar with Sally Kang on vocals and keys, supported by Daniel Chae handling guitar and violin, bassist Joseph Chun, drummer John Chong, and violinist Jennifer Rim. A distinctive clip for the song "Fight to Keep," captured entirely inside the cramped back seats of their Honda vehicles, attracted the carmaker's marketing division, which placed the track in a national spot and paved the way for an impromptu appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that widened their exposure. Shortly after selling out Hollywood's historic Troubadour, the group inked a deal with Nettwerk Music Group and officially adopted the name Run River North.

Phil Ek, whose résumé includes Fleet Foxes, the Shins, and Band of Horses, helmed sessions for the self-titled debut that arrived in February 2014. Following an intensive stretch of touring and promotion, the members began revising both their writing process and their sonic palette. Embracing a more collective approach yielded a brighter electric texture and subtly darker mood on the next project, produced by Lars Stalfors of Cold War Kids and HEALTH fame. Tracking took place in Los Angeles, and the resulting sophomore album, Drinking from a Salt Pond, surfaced in February 2016.