John Darnielle
Folk Singer
Frontman and multi-instrumentalist for the poignant indie folk band Mountain Goats, the ensemble known for songs like "This Year."
He worked as a psychiatric nurse when he had his first exposure to the range of human suffering, and he began writing songs around the same time.
Picking topics like childhood trauma and struggles in life, he uses his songs to convey the message that negativity can make one feel alive.
He was born in Bloomington, Indiana. He married Lalitree Darnielle and together they have two sons, Roman and Moses.
He appeared on an episode of Stephen Colbert's Comedy Central late night show.