The Last Bison

Taking a cue from the expansive, indie folk spell casting of bands like Fleet Foxes, Mumford and Sons, Lost in the Trees, and the Decemberists, Chesapeake, Virginia-based collective the Last Bison blends rootsy, atmospheric Americana with classically infused chamber pop. Formed in 2010 around the talents of siblings Benjamin and Annah Hardesty, their associate pastor father Dan Hardesty, brothers Andrew and Jay Benfante, Amos Housworth, and Teresa Totheroh, the Last Bison were originally brought together under the moniker Bison, but changed the name to avoid confusion with another group. The band's debut album, Quill, which featured the single "Switzerland," was released in 2011 and resulted in a record deal with Universal Republic. An EP, Inheritance, arrived in 2012, followed in 2013 by their major-label debut.