Formed in 1993 around vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Chris Leo, The Van Pelt established a singular place within American independent music through the landmark albums Stealing From Our Favorite Thieves and Sultans Of Sentiment. Remain Obscure follows their 2023 comeback album Artisans & Merchants and finds the group pushing their restless instincts even further. The album arrives September 18th, 2026 via Ernest Jenning Record Co.
On lead single, Kris Is Riding Horses In Ojai, the band says: "'Kris is Riding Horses in Ojai' is a call to arms for all the sleeper cells of dreamers who've been dispersed and compromised by life, but who's inner flames can't be doused."
Piano, synthesizers, chants and toy instruments enter the picture, while guitarist and songwriter Chris Leo moves more frequently from speech into singing and the band’s drummer assumes a larger songwriting role.
They’ve been around for over thirty years now, yet The Van Pelt keep finding new ways to express themselves, always evolving and experimenting, while still holding tight to the DIY ethos that made them one of indie music’s most quietly beloved treasures.
ZR