Fleet Foxes, The Dutchess and the Duke

Seattle's Fleet Foxes are lead by vocalist/guitarist Robin Pecknold, who grew up on records by Bob Dylan, Neil Young, the Zombies, and the Beach Boys. Following the path of baroque pop, Fleet Foxes also include Skyler Skjelset (guitars), Bryn Lumsden (bass), Nicholas Peterson (drums), and Casey Wescott (keyboards). After playing only a handful of shows, the band received label interest and caught the attention of local producer Phil Ek (Built to Spill, the Shins). Ek worked with the band on their Sun Giant EP, which arrived on Sub Pop in spring 2008. The full-length Ragged Wood arrived that summer. --Kenyon Hopkin