Idaho

Formed in Los Angeles in 1992, Idaho stands as a pillar of the slowcore and 'sadcore' movements, though they often operated with more harmonic complexity than their contemporaries. Centered on the vision of Jeff Martin, the band's sonic signature is inextricably linked to Martin's use of custom four-string guitars, which allow for unique chord voicings and a distinctive, ringing sustain.

Martin's classical piano background adds a layer of formal elegance to the band's melancholic output, distinguishing them from the more folk-leaning or punk-derived acts in the genre. Throughout the 1990s, Idaho evolved from the stark, skeletal arrangements of 'Year After Year' to the more expansive, high-fidelity production of 'Three Sheets to the Wind.' Despite shifting lineups and a low media profile, the project has maintained a remarkably consistent aesthetic of intimate, nocturnal exploration. Critically, they are often grouped with Red House Painters and Codeine, yet they possess a specific 'California noir' atmosphere that feels uniquely tied to the lonely stretches of the American West.