Why You Should Be Listening to Pernice Brothers
431 Morris Avenue
Some bands feel like well-guarded secrets, shared quietly between friends, passed along like mixtapes used to be. For me, Pernice Brothers are one of those bands. They’ve been crafting thoughtful, shimmering indie rock since 1998, quietly building a catalog that deserves far more love than it gets. And unless you’re my cousin—who somehow already knows every hidden gem I try to introduce him to—I’m guessing you might not have heard of them either.
Hailing from the Boston area, Pernice Brothers are led by Joe Pernice, a songwriter with a gift for wrapping melancholy in melody. There’s a kind of warm sadness in their music—wistful, literary, and often devastating in the gentlest way. Think The Shins at their most reflective, Iron & Wine with a poppier sensibility, or The Jayhawks if they traded a little twang for more orchestration and bittersweet elegance.
Their sound sits at the intersection of lush arrangements and heartache, often drawing from ‘60s pop, chamber folk, and soft-rock textures. You can also hear traces of Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, and even a little Elliott Smith in the way Joe Pernice writes about longing, loss, and those little everyday heartbreaks we carry around.
I saw them live a few years back in a room that held maybe 100 people. No theatrics, no pretense—just a band that clearly loves what they do, playing songs that quietly pull you in. It felt like a secret show even though it wasn’t. That intimacy is kind of their trademark. Pernice Brothers don’t shout for your attention; they whisper something true and trust that you’ll listen.
Albums like Overcome by Happiness, Yours, Mine & Ours, and Live a Little are full of those moments—the kind of songs that slowly work their way under your skin and stay there.
So if you’re looking for something new (or, rather, something you missed the first time around), Pernice Brothers are waiting. Just don’t tell my cousin. He probably already knows.
Where to Begin
Somerville
Saddest Quo
The Weakest Shade of Blue
Totally Random Awesome Song of the Week
Pretend You Love Me by Sonny and the Sunsets
A Few Favorites You Might’ve Missed
As I mentioned in a previous post, choosing which artists to spotlight involves making a few risky assumptions—mainly about what you may or may not already know. And we all know what happens when you assume.
There are some bands that I am not going to write about despite my admiration for them because I know they have an audience. But here’s the thing: just in case some of these names haven’t crossed your radar—and if you’ve enjoyed the artists I’ve highlighted so far—I want to offer up a few personal favorites.
So take this as a curated nudge—an invitation, really. If these names are new to you, give them a listen. If they’re already old friends, then welcome to the club.
Either way, they’re absolutely worth your time.
In no particular order:
Waxahatchee / Lord Huron / The Shins / New Pornographers / Neko Case
The Jayhawks / The National / The Decemberists / Death Cab for Cutie / Iron and Wine
Music Quote of the Week
"Music is life itself." — Louis Armstrong
Stay tuned for more music recs. Hope you find something you love.
Dave
For Paul and Jimmy
I'm a little behind in my listening ha ha. I like this group sound, Shins-Ish. But I found myself not loving the lyrics…🤷🏼♀️
I really enjoyed this music, nice breezy rhythm on a bike ride.