Fruit Bats

Fruit Bats is an American indie folk band established in 1997 in Chicago, Illinois, primarily a vehicle for singer-songwriter Eric D. Johnson. With a sound that weaves together melodic elements of folk, country, and soft rock, Fruit Bats has created a musical tapestry that has resonated with fans over the course of several albums and evolving line-ups. The core of Fruit Bats' music lies in Johnson's warm vocals and storytelling that reflect a diverse range of influences, from classic Americana to 1970s pop.

Throughout its existence, Fruit Bats has been known for their reflective and often joyous tunes, contributing to the broader indie music scene with a consistent lineup of engaging albums characterized by thoughtful lyrics and catchy melodies. Notable releases such as "Gold Past Life" and "The Pet Parade" highlight the band's ability to blend introspection with a sense of the celebratory. Although they initially disbanded in 2013, Fruit Bats re-emerged stronger than ever in 2015 to the delight of their fans. Since then, Johnson has continued to push the project creatively, marrying past folk traditions with contemporary sensibilities. Their anthology, "Sometimes a Cloud Is Just a Cloud: Slow Growers, Sleeper Hits and Lost Songs (2001–2021)," offers a deep dive into an enriching, twenty-year odyssey of hidden gems and fan favorites that chart the evolution of Fruit Bats' distinctive sound.

Genres

Pop

Indie Pop

Rock

Modern Rock

Roots Rock

Folk Rock

Alternative

Indie Rock

New Americana

Deep New Americana

Holiday

Blues

Stomp And Holler

Folk

Indie Folk

Freak Folk

Related Artists

Sufjan Stevens

Iron & Wine

The Shins

Fleet Foxes

Bon Iver

The Decemberists

My Morning Jacket

Death Cab for Cutie

The Tallest Man On Earth

Modest Mouse

The Head And The Heart

Band of Horses

Latest Follows

Latest Release

The Landfill

Fruit Bats

Single - Released March 24, 2026