Silkworm was an American indie rock band formed in 1987 in Missoula, Montana, by Joel RL Phelps, Andy Cohen, and Tim Midyett. They were later joined by drummer Michael Dahlquist. The band was initially known for a raw, earnest brand of guitar-driven indie rock and frequently earned comparisons to contemporaries like Pavement and the more insular aspects of the Pacific Northwest indie scene from which they emerged. Over time, their sound evolved, showcasing a greater complexity and depth, maturing without losing the edge and emotional honesty that had characterized their earlier work.

Throughout their tenure, Silkworm released a series of critically acclaimed albums, with the latter half of their career marked by works such as "Lifestyle" (2000) and "Italian Platinum" (2002), which saw increasing collaboration with other artists and a certain polishing of their sound while maintaining the unique qualities of their songwriting. Tragically, the band's journey was cut short in 2005 due to the untimely death of drummer Michael Dahlquist in a car accident. Their final album before the band ceased activity, "It'll Be Cool," was released in 2004 and continued to demonstrate the group's knack for combining wry, reflective lyrics with inventive music. Despite never achieving widespread mainstream success, Silkworm cultivated a devout following and left behind a legacy of sincerity and artistic integrity in the indie music scene.