This image shows a breathtaking view of a snow-capped mountain peak under a partly cloudy sky. The mountain is covered in snow, with patches of green forest at its base. The forest is dense with tall trees, and the foliage appears lush and vibrant. The sky above is a mix of blue and white clouds, suggesting fair weather. The overall scene is serene and picturesque, capturing the natural beauty of a mountainous landscape.

Playlists

Mountain Air: An Indie Folk Playlist Inspired by the Pacific Northwest

Each playlist is its own little journey. They're curated to set a mood and move with a beginning, a middle, and a close. They’re meant to be played in order and felt in flow. Shuffle if you’d like, but know the energy builds, dips, and drifts with purpose. Happy listening.

A Note About the Notes 🎶

This image shows a snowy forest scene with a variety of plants and trees. In the foreground, there are green shrubs with red berries and some yellowing leaves, indicating the onset of autumn. The ground is covered with a layer of snow, and patches of bare earth are visible among the greenery. Tall, slender trees stand in the background, their trunks rising above the snow-covered ground. The sky is partly cloudy, with patches of blue visible. The overall atmosphere is serene and tranquil, capturing the beauty of a forest transitioning from autumn to winter.

Mountain Air is a two-and-a-half-hour indie folk playlist inspired by my years living, exploring, and growing up in the Pacific Northwest. It’s full of layered harmonies and acoustic warmth that mirror the region’s rhythm.

I was born in the Midwest, but the Pacific Northwest has always been my heart’s home. My mom is from Seattle, and not long after I was born, we moved to Vancouver, Canada. I spent my earliest years wandering the forests there, and to this day, the scent of warmed-up pine needles on a cedar forest floor is one I’ll chase for the rest of my life.

This image shows a serene natural landscape featuring a calm lake with gentle ripples on its surface. The lake is surrounded by a dense forest of tall, green coniferous trees, which extend towards a misty mountain range in the background. The sky above is overcast with thick clouds, contributing to the tranquil and somewhat mysterious atmosphere of the scene. The foreground includes some branches and leaves, adding a sense of depth to the image.

Those years were full of family camping trips and hikes with my babysitters through wooded trails that seemed to go on forever. The trees were impossibly tall, and the air smelled like ferns, moss, and those gorgeous pines. Everything felt alive in a way that’s hard to put into words. On weekends, we often spent time at Stanley Park and the Aquarium, where I dreamt of seeing whales in the wild one day.

This image shows a road sign indicating "EAST 2" mounted on a metal pole. The sign is positioned against a backdrop of dense trees with sunlight filtering through the foliage, creating a bright and somewhat hazy effect. The sky above is clear and blue. In the distance, there is a glimpse of a mountain range, adding to the scenic view. The road sign is prominently displayed, ensuring it is easily visible to anyone passing by.

This image shows a ferry boat moving through the water, creating a visible wake behind it. The ferry is white with green accents and has a large open deck area. The scene is captured from a dock, which has a green railing with yellow and black stripes running along its edge. On the dock, there is a lifesaver hanging and a small shelter with benches inside. The water appears calm, and the sky is overcast.

After we moved away, I spent nearly every summer in Seattle or Victoria. My childhood was filled with ferry rides across the Sound, picking blackberries in my grandparents’ driveway, and months on the Olympic Peninsula where my parents, grandfather, and aunts and uncles all taught at a summer music festival. There were tide pools full of crabs, handmade kites blowing in the winds, rabbits darting through the grass (my mom said, if I caught one, I could keep it), deer moving quietly through meadows, and the ever-present anticipation of potential orcas in the water.

This image shows a sign attached to a stone wall, providing information for visitors at the Paradise Ranger Station. The sign includes details such as the elevation of the station, instructions for climbers to permit and register at the kiosk to the left, emergency contact information, and directions to the visitor center and restrooms. The sign is framed in white and mounted on the textured stone wall, with a green-framed window to the left reflecting the outdoor scene, which includes parked cars and a distant view of trees and possibly mountains.

This image shows a serene and picturesque scene of a small, triangular-shaped cabin nestled among tall evergreen trees in a snowy forest. The cabin has a slanted roof and a wooden door, with a ladder leaning against it. The surrounding area is covered with snow, and there are various green coniferous trees and shrubs dotting the landscape. The sky above is partly cloudy, with patches of blue visible. The overall atmosphere is tranquil and inviting, suggesting a remote and peaceful location.

Some of my favorite memories are of ferry trips through the San Juan and Gulf Islands, where said orcas did pop up from time to time. I’d read Archie comics and snack on whatever treat my parents said I could procure from the little onboard café. Funny how I can’t recall what my sugar-packed choice was. Everything else seems so clear as I recall it.

This image shows a serene lake with calm, reflective waters mirroring the sky and clouds above. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue visible, and the clouds are fluffy and white. In the background, there is a range of hills or low mountains covered with dense greenery, indicating a forested area. The reflection of the clouds and the sky is clearly visible on the surface of the lake, creating a picturesque and tranquil scene. There are no visible logos or text in the image.

Years later, I moved back to Seattle after grad school and spent most of my adult life there. It’s where I built a home, a creative life, and a deep love for the balance of mountains, water, and trees that defines the region. During that time, a new sound was taking off. Indie folk, with its layered harmonies and quiet beauty, became the heartbeat of the place for me.

This image shows a wooden boardwalk winding through a dense forest. The boardwalk is constructed from wooden planks and is bordered by wooden railings. The forest is lush with various types of trees, including tall conifers and smaller, leafy plants. The ground is covered with moss and ferns, indicating a moist environment. Sunlight filters through the canopy, creating a dappled light effect on the path and the surrounding foliage.

This image shows a serene and picturesque winter landscape dominated by a snow-covered mountain peak under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds. The foreground features a snow-covered slope with patches of grass peeking through the snow. The middle ground includes a series of snow-covered hills and ridges, with evergreen trees dotting the landscape. The mountain peak, likely a well-known landmark given its prominence, is completely blanketed in snow, suggesting a cold and possibly harsh environment. The overall scene conveys a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.

This playlist is full of artists who have soundtracked that story, and my life in turn. Lord Huron, Fleet Foxes, First Aid Kit, Gregory Alan Isakov, Neko Case, and Band of Horses. I’ve been lucky enough to see several of them live. And of course, they’ve all accompanied me on road trips through the Cascades, ferry rides under gray skies, and long walks through favorite neighborhoods and parks. I’ve seen them play at venues like The Moore, The Paramount, The Showbox, The Triple Door, The Neptune, The Crocodile, Marymoor Park, Benaroya Hall, and Chateau Ste. Michelle. Each show, like each song, is tied to a moment, a feeling, or a friendship I’ll always treasure.

This image shows a serene coastal landscape with a large, open field of dry grass in the foreground. In the background, there are several houses situated near the shoreline, with one prominent larger house standing out among them. The houses are positioned on a slight elevation, providing a picturesque view of the ocean stretching out towards the horizon. The sky is clear and blue, and in the distance, a mountain peak can be seen rising above the horizon line where the ocean meets the sky. The overall scene conveys a tranquil and idyllic setting.

So many of my favorite memories live in that region. Beautiful meals celebrating the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Journeys to Vashon and Bainbridge Island with my husband, and sometimes with my sisters, watching the water change color as the ferries glide through the Sound. Creative projects, photo trips to the peninsula, impromptu evening shows at little bars, festivals like Bumbershoot, and countless inspired adventures with friends and colleagues.

This image shows the interior of a ferry or a large boat with a view of the ocean through multiple rectangular windows. The interior features a long corridor with a yellow line marking the center of the walkway. There are ropes and railings visible near the windows. The ceiling has a grid-like structure with lights and ventilation ducts. A sign indicating "FIRE ZONE" is visible above one of the windows, suggesting safety instructions for passengers. The ocean outside is calm with a horizon line visible in the distance.

At just over two and a half hours, Mountain Air is long enough to carry you through any adventure. And really, I had to trim it way down. These albums are so good. Just take a listen to them all for a deeper dive into this feeling. This playlist is perfect for cozy days under a blanket with a good book while the rain falls outside, or maybe, if you’re lucky for a beautiful ferry ride or drive.

This image shows a serene and expansive body of water with gentle ripples across its surface. In the distance, a small boat is visible, suggesting recreational activity or fishing. The horizon is marked by a line of dense forest, with tall trees extending along the shoreline. Further back, there are rolling hills that add to the picturesque landscape. The sky above is clear, contributing to the tranquil atmosphere of the scene.

This playlist is my love letter to the Pacific Northwest, to the mountains, the coastlines, the scent of cedar and seaweed, and the place that will always feel like home.