Virginia-based duo Illiterate Light's unique brand of indie rock combines elements of My Morning Jacket, Wilco and the Black Keys to great effect. Founded by singer/guitarist Jeff Gorman and drummer Jake Cochran, Illiterate Light create guitar-laden indie rock mixed with elements of folk and blues, with some synths thrown in for good measure.

Both avid environmentalists, Gorman and Cochran became known for their live shows that were powered by bicycles. While out on tour, they would put a bike on a generator stand and ask fans or crew members to pedal as the band performed to generate electricity for their shows, which made their shows unique, fun and sustainable.

While working on their sophomore full-length album, Sunburned (January 2023), the band built an elaborate home studio to record and experiment with new instruments and sounds. Their live performances are energetic, raucous and inspiring, so don't miss your chance to grab tickets to a show near you when they tour next.

Illiterate Light Live in Concert

Illiterate Light formed when Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran met as sophomores at James Madison University in Virginia. They discovered they both had a passion for music, environmentalism and social justice, and joined a group of musicians who would embark on a summer bike tour called the Petrol-Free Jubilee.

They also did an agricultural internship together during their senior year in college. They farmed during the day and played music at night, passions they continued even after graduation.

Their self-titled debut album was released in 2019 on Atlantic Records and garnered rave reviews from the likes of the Washington Post, Spin and NPR and led to tours supporting The Head And The Heart, Shakey Graves and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.

Taking their name from lyrics in a Wilco song, Illiterate Light said they channeled their grief and sadness from the death of Gorman's father into something healing and positive when writing their 2023 album, Sunburned.