“There's the dual challenge of wanting to speak from an authentic place, and then being able to be honest about it. Even in the most mannered art, I think that's what people value, is a voice that comes from a real place.”

American musician and novelist, born 1967

John Darnielle is an American musician and novelist, best known as the founder and driving force behind the indie folk band the Mountain Goats. He started the band in 1991 and has served as its writer, composer, guitarist, pianist, and vocalist. He is known for a prolific body of work and for lyrics that have a distinctly literary feel. Alongside his music, he has written three novels, Wolf in White Van, Universal Harvester, and Devil House.