The Desert Kind is the brainchild of Portland-based songwriter Chris Bigley. Beginning as a mostly unplugged Americana outfit, Bigley shifted gears in 2015, stripping the live presentation to a duo–himself and bassist J Elwood Johncox, and emboldening their material with pulsing kick drums and crackling electric guitars. Anchored by Bigley’s writing, the band marches onward, creating a rollicking, poetry-fueled roots-minimalism ala Shovels and Rope, Possessed by Paul James and Shakey Graves.

Their new EP due in May 2017 ”Bad Wolf” is a recording that swoons with lush harmonies, rolling piano and swaggering bass lines — it finds The Desert Kind holding tight to their song-craft while continuing to walk their own line.