Spires That in the Sunset Rise

Formed in 2004 in Decatur, Illinois, and later becoming a fixture of the Chicago experimental scene, Spires That in the Sunset Rise is a cornerstone of the 'New Weird America' or freak folk movement. Founded by Kathleen Baird and Taralie Peterson, the group began as a quartet characterized by a 'primal experimentalism.'

Their sound identity is defined by a refusal to adhere to Western folk structures, instead utilizing a wide array of global instruments and non-linear songwriting. Their career arc shows a transition from the chaotic, multi-instrumental sprawl of their early four-piece lineup to a more focused, rhythmically complex duo exploration in later years. Critically, they are often grouped with acts like Comus or Current 93 for their 'dark folk' aesthetic, but they maintain a unique position due to their integration of free jazz elements and avant-garde vocal techniques. They are highly regarded in collector circles for their early self-released and small-label vinyl runs, representing a bridge between traditional roots music and the uncompromising world of modern experimentalism.