The Cave Singers

Amid the ascent of introspective, acoustic-leaning indie bands during the early 2000s, Derek Fudesco chose an unsurprising route by assembling a rustic, guitar-driven folk trio. Previously the bassist and a founding member of Pretty Girls Make Graves, he switched to acoustic guitar and launched the Cave Singers once that band dissolved in January 2007, enlisting vocalist Pete Quirk, formerly of Hint Hint, alongside drummer Marty Lund, who had played in Cobra High. Although not listed as an official member, former Pretty Girls Make Graves singer Andrea Zollo contributed vocals and washboard to the debut album. Influenced by Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie while echoing the textures of Lightning Dust, the Snake the Cross the Crown, and Samamidon, the trio completed Invitation Songs within months of the breakup, aided by Black Mountain producer Colin Stewart. Matador soon signed the group, and after postponements the album appeared in late September. The same folk-rooted approach shaped 2008’s Welcome Joy, yet the band turned to producer Randall Dunn—known for work with Sunn 0))) and Boris—for the more varied 2011 release No Witch. Former Blood Brothers bassist Morgan Henderson, then also performing with Fleet Foxes, subsequently joined, expanding the lineup. The enlarged ensemble recorded its fourth album, the summery Naomi, throughout 2012 before issuing it on Jagjaguwar in early 2013. In 2015 the Cave Singers initiated work on a fifth album, electing to manage the project independently and fund the sessions via crowdfunding. The campaign ultimately secured 116 percent of its target, allowing Banshee to reach listeners in February 2016.