Jonquil

by James Christopher Monger
English indie rock collective Jonquil were formed in Oxford by (then) 20-year-old multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Hugo Manuel in an attempt to flesh out what was initially a bedroom recording project. The band, whose myriad influences include everyone from the Microphones to Joan Baez, blends the swirling cacophony of "freak folk" acts like Animal Collective and Skygreen Leopards with the indie pop sensibilities of Modest Mouse and Fleet Foxes. Jonquil released their debut, Sunny Casinos, in 2006, followed by Lions in 2008.