Pedro the Lion

A cornerstone of late-'90s indie rock, David Bazan's long-running project Pedro the Lion bridged slowcore and emo with a deeply introspective strain of melodic guitar rock. A frequently rotating lineup supported Bazan's steadfast leadership, carrying the Seattle-based band from their D.I.Y. lo-fi roots to more widespread success via seminal albums like 1998's It's Hard to Find a Friend and 2002's Control. Bazan's songwriting explored a range of themes, from moody personal reflections and political discourse to his ongoing struggle with his Christian faith. Following 2004's Achilles Heel, Pedro the Lion disbanded for 15 years as its leader embarked on a solo career. The group returned in 2019 with the comeback album Phoenix, which kicked off a fertile late-period run with thematic albums like 2022's Havasu and 2024's Santa Cruz, each one examining a different period of Bazan's early life.