The Winter Blanket draws from alternative and indie rock traditions while maintaining ongoing ties to slowcore and dream pop aesthetics. In 1999 Doug Miller, serving as singer, guitarist, and songwriter, formed the Winter Blanket after spending several years with the Illinois-based group Darling. He reconnected with former Darling member Kim Murray, who contributes vocals and guitar, then added instrumentalist Stephanie Moble to share vocal, piano, and guitar duties. Drummer Paul Blomquist joined shortly afterward, rounding out the lineup. A few months after the band’s formation they enlisted Alan Sparhawk of Low, enabling them to complete their debut album in five days of recording. Issued in 2000 on Plow City Records, Hopeless Lullaby revealed clear affinities with the work of Nick Drake and Red House Painters. Mimi Parker, Alan Sparhawk’s wife and fellow Low member, lent her collaboration, yielding a strong first full-length. The long-awaited second album, Actors and Actresses, followed in 2002 and reinforced the Winter Blanket’s place in the underground alternative scene.
