Lord Huron – The Face of the Indie Folk Movement

Lord Huron of Michigan made headlines in early 2010s for its unique combination of wide open landscapes and travel inspiration, creating the signature sound of an indie folk movement. Since the very start, Lord Huron has been more than just a musical project for its members; rather it has served as a vehicle for self-expression as well.

Mark Barry (percussion, vocals) and Tom Renaud (guitar, vocals) shared an appreciation for music with Schneider while growing up together in Okemos, Michigan. Together their collaborations combined rock, country, folk, and surfer styles into a richly layered stew of sound.

The Band

Lord Huron first made headlines after performing at the 2012 Pygmalion Music Festival and releasing their 2015 album Strange Trails, with its unique blend of indie folk. While staying true to its ethereal sound, Strange Trails provides enough variety and new sounds that it remains engaging throughout.

Schneider began the project by recording three songs for an EP. Once complete, he recruited childhood friends to play them live; thus creating an intimate, hypnotic band which quickly attained a cult following.

The Band were an immensely talented group of musicians that first gained attention as the backing group for Ronnie Hawkins. Over time, lineup changes occurred as members pursued other career options; but their most iconic moment came with 1969’s Music from Big Pink album; its raw Americana sound set new standards for acoustic music at that time and continues to influence artists today.

Ben Schneider

Ben Schneider is the leader and core member of Lord Huron band, taking its name from Lake Huron near where he grew up. Additionally, Schneider is also an academic who has published over 175 professional articles and books related to service quality, organizational climate & culture and manager personality.

Since releasing their debut album Lonesome Dreams in 2012, this group has continued to push musical and metaphorical boundaries. Their latest offering, Long Lost is the follow up full length album for 2018’s Vide Noir release.

This album presents recordings from livestreams hosted by the band at “Alive From Whispering Pines,” with each track featuring an individual host’s voice that adds to an epic journey across time and space. Other members of the band include drummer Mark Barry, bassist Tom Renaud, and guitarist Miguel Briseno who hail from Okemos and Eaton Rapids respectively in Michigan.

Tom Renaud

After the release of Lonesome Dreams, Schneider recruited Lansing-area musicians Mark Barry (drums) and Miguel Briseno (bass). Together they formed Lord Huron.

Lord Huron’s music is immersed in an intricate mythology. Each album provides its own narrative which contributes to an overall tale. Lord Huron’s sound harkens back to times past while their stories offer futuristic twists.

Through their albums, the band has used various mediums to expand upon the themes contained within their songs. They’ve released videos, Choose Your Own Adventure Hotlines, and other forms of media content designed to immerse their fans further into their world.

Lord Huron’s music features rich instrumentation and production. Lead guitarist Tom Renaud is a prolific Guild player; his collection includes vintage sunburst 1967 Starfire V and modern Newark St Collection Starfire III guitars; in live performances he often utilizes an unusual hollowbody 1972 Gretsch Viking as well.

Miguel Briseno

Lord Huron began as a solo project and has now expanded to include Los Angeles-based musicians Mark Barry (percussion, vocals) and Miguel Briseno (bass, percussion). However, its roots can be traced all the way back to Michigan where founder Ben Schneider picked up an acoustic guitar in his father’s workshop before honing his craft during summer nights around Lake Huron’s campfires.

Lord Huron has won praise from both critics and music supervisors alike with their earthy tone, featuring songs from their debut Lonesome Dreams soundtracking movies and television shows. Now with their third album Vide Noir they continue their progression into Western-drenched folk and psychedelia territory.

Briseno can be seen playing a Fender Bass VI featuring two lipstick-style pickups in both middle and neck positions, according to information available through Alamy and his band‘s website and EQD. His pedalboard includes The Warden and Disaster Transport Jr.; during live performances they recreate densely-layered recordings they have produced in studio sessions.