John Darnielle

John Darnielle (born March 16, 1967) is an American musician, novelist, and actor. He is best known as the primary member of the American band the Mountain Goats, for which he serves as the writer, composer, guitarist, pianist, and vocalist. Darnielle has written three novels including Wolf in White Van (2014), Universal Harvester (2017), and Devil House (2022). Born in Bloomington, Indiana, he grew up in San Luis Obispo and Claremont, California. Darnielle's 2005 album The Sunset Tree is dedicated to his abusive stepfather and reflects the dysfunction of his upbringing. He developed a passion for professional wrestling during his childhood, which later inspired the Mountain Goats' album Beat the Champ.