John Darnielle, the creative force behind the indie band The Mountain Goats, is known for his distinctive songwriting and poignant lyrics. While his early musical inclinations leaned towards harder rock sounds, Darnielle’s journey took an unexpected turn when he discovered the expressive potential of the acoustic guitar. This pivotal shift shaped the signature sound of The Mountain Goats and solidified John Darnielle’s place as a unique voice in indie music.
In a nod to his initial perceptions, Darnielle playfully references the iconic scene from Animal House where John Belushi destroys a sensitive singer-songwriter’s guitar. “That’s the guy I didn’t want to be,” John Darnielle chuckled, describing his younger self’s aversion to the perceived gentleness of acoustic music and the image of “[the guitarist] imposing his music on people.” However, this viewpoint evolved as Darnielle delved deeper into the world of music creation.
Alt text: John Darnielle passionately playing acoustic guitar during a Mountain Goats performance, highlighting his energetic stage presence and musical intensity.
The Mountain Goats, founded by John Darnielle, have carved a niche by exploring often-overlooked corners of pop culture with empathy and depth. Their album Beat the Champ (2015) offered a surprisingly tender look at the world of professional wrestling, while Goths (2017) celebrated the dramatic flair of death rock. These diverse themes, filtered through Darnielle’s insightful songwriting, demonstrate his commitment to finding resonance in unexpected places.
Interestingly, the acoustic guitar became central to the Mountain Goats’ sound in the 1990s, despite John Darnielle’s initial resistance. His energetic and percussive acoustic guitar strumming became a hallmark. Goths marked a slight departure, with Darnielle exploring the piano more extensively. However, as he embarked on tours across the US and Europe in 2017, the acoustic guitar remained an integral part of his live performances. Darnielle shared insights into his evolving relationship with the acoustic guitar and how his perspectives have shifted over time.
From Hard Rock to Acoustic Revelation: John Darnielle’s Musical Evolution
Reflecting on his early musical preferences, John Darnielle explained, “I had a predilection for hard-rocking stuff, and acoustic guitars felt soft.” This initial perception stemmed from a youthful inclination towards louder, more amplified sounds. However, Darnielle’s musical horizons broadened as he matured. “As you grow, you realize that those categories are meaningless. Music is a much bigger conversation than hard vs. soft,” he noted, recognizing the limitations of genre boundaries.
This realization came partly through an unexpected encounter with a unique instrument. Darnielle recounted, “I had a good job, and there was a guitar store four blocks away. I saw an old Hawaiian guitar up on the wall. I had $70 to spare, so I bought it.” This spontaneous purchase proved transformative. Spending time alone with the Hawaiian guitar shattered his preconceived notions. “After a week alone in a room with it, all my preconceptions about acoustic guitar fell away. With a Hawaiian guitar and a steel slide, you can make a lot of noise. I realized that an acoustic guitar is whatever you want to make of it.” This discovery unveiled the acoustic guitar’s versatility and its capacity for a wide range of expression, from delicate melodies to powerful rhythms.
Alt text: Album cover of The Mountain Goats’ “Goths”, visually representing the album’s gothic theme and John Darnielle’s diverse musical interests.
John Darnielle’s Guitar Choices: Larrivée, Ovation, and the Quest for the Perfect Sound
When discussing his touring guitars, John Darnielle highlighted his practical considerations alongside artistic preferences. “I play a Larrivée right now. My soundman says it’s the perfect guitar for me, but I’m always curious about trying new stuff.” This openness to experimentation is characteristic of Darnielle’s approach to music. He also expressed enthusiasm for a newer acquisition: “Now I have a new Ovation Legend Plus, which is a gorgeous guitar. I’ve already written a song on it, so that’s a good sign. I can be an artistic player on it, but I can also hammer out rock ’n’ roll tunes. It’s pretty flexible.”
Beyond sound quality, Darnielle also considers the physical demands of his energetic performances. “The Larrivée is amazing, but it weighs a ton. [Onstage] I’m not sitting in a chair. I’m running back and forth, and jumping up and down. The lighter the guitar, the freer I am to be in my body. So I’m excited about the Ovation.” This focus on instrument weight illustrates Darnielle’s holistic approach to performance, where comfort and physical freedom contribute to his artistic expression.
Piano Influence and Guitar Innovation: The Evolution of John Darnielle’s Songwriting
The conversation shifted to the Goths track ‘Andrew Eldritch Is Moving Back to Leeds,’ revealing the interplay between different instruments in John Darnielle’s songwriting process. He recounted acquiring a Guild guitar: “After wanting one for ages, I finally got a Guild, and it became the home guitar—for playing bedtime songs to my older son.” This Guild guitar became the starting point for the song’s genesis during a vacation. “Late one night, I looked in a notebook and saw a title, ‘Andrew Eldritch is Moving Back to Leeds.’ I started playing this Johnny Cash figure in E. I wrote a verse and the chorus, and then I put it away.”
Interestingly, the song’s direction changed when Darnielle revisited it later. “When I came back to it, I was sitting at the keyboard, so that’s how the song went from guitar to piano. It had some moves that I can’t do on guitar. So I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll write the rest of the album on piano.’” This anecdote highlights Darnielle’s fluid approach to songwriting, allowing the instrument at hand to guide the creative process.
This exploration of piano then circled back to influence his guitar playing. “Recently, I’ve been taking my writing experience on piano and applying it to my guitar playing. I wrote a song with a hard modulation on guitar. I’ve been a limited acoustic player, so I’m enjoying learning how to modulate. I’m taking information from one instrument to another.” This cross-instrument learning demonstrates John Darnielle’s continuous artistic growth and his commitment to expanding his musical vocabulary across different instruments.
John Darnielle’s Enduring Acoustic Legacy
John Darnielle’s journey with the acoustic guitar is a testament to his evolving musical perspective. From initial skepticism to embracing its versatile nature, Darnielle has forged a distinctive sound with the instrument. His willingness to experiment, learn from different instruments, and explore diverse musical territories cements John Darnielle’s position as a compelling and innovative artist. For fans of The Mountain Goats and anyone interested in the dynamic possibilities of acoustic music, John Darnielle’s work remains a rich and rewarding exploration.
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