Mountain Man

Mountain Man is an American folk trio consisting of Amelia Meath (later of Sylvan Esso), Molly Sarle, and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig (Daughter of Swords). Formed in Bennington, Vermont in 2009, the group quickly gained critical acclaim for their minimalist approach to traditional Appalachian folk.

Their sound identity is built almost exclusively on three-part vocal polyphony, often performed a cappella or with very sparse acoustic guitar accompaniment. This 'unadorned' aesthetic creates a sound that is both haunting and deeply intimate, often compared to the Carter Family or shape-note singing but filtered through a contemporary indie-folk lens. Their 2010 debut, Made the Harbor, established them as a significant force in the freak-folk and indie-folk scenes. After a lengthy hiatus during which Meath found massive success with the electronic duo Sylvan Esso, the trio reunited for 2018's Magic Ship, which maintained their signature hushed, naturalistic production. They occupy a unique cultural position as a bridge between traditionalist folk circles and the modern indie-rock world, influenced by the raw honesty of field recordings and the harmonic complexity of choral music.