Picking a favorite band is always an exercise in the temporal, even when it doesn’t feel that way at the time. Taste is tied to seasons of life, and as those seasons change, so does the music that moves us. In high school, I was obsessed with Oasis. In my young adult years, it was Arcade Fire. I still enjoy both, but their music no longer pulls me into obsession the way it once did. I’ve grown. They’ve evolved. Things aren’t quite the same. That’s not a criticism. It’s just how it works.

For the past ten years or so, my favorite band has been Susto.

They aren’t especially well known, but their music has been a steady, grounding presence for me. Their sound is a blend of indie folk, Americana, and traditional rock, etc, but I’ve always felt that trying to categorize a band misses the point.

Susto’s emotion comes from bandleader Justin Osborne and his upbringing in the Deep South, where the Southern Methodist church was ever-present. Church wasn’t just something done on Sundays. It was the defining culture he was raised in (sounds familiar). Justin’s grandfather was a preacher, and that lineage shows up in themes of faith, doubt, guilt, grace, and the long shadow religion can leave behind.

The first time I heard Susto, I was sitting in the Mokaska coffee shop, back when it was on Francis Street. The song was “Gay in the South”. Justin isn’t gay (that I’m aware of), but the song is an act of empathy and hope for people growing up in places where being yourself can feel dangerous. It stopped me cold. Brave and gentle at the same time.

A lot of Susto’s songs feel like journal entries. Love, heartbreak, addiction, recovery, and faith. Listening feels like being let in on something private. A confessional without melodrama. Like someone whispering you a truth after midnight.

If you’re going to start somewhere, I’d recommend “Homeboy”. It’s emotionally open and captures their honesty and warmth in a way that feels human. It has a slightly heavier sound than much of their catalog, but it’s still a strong representation of who they are. Included are a couple of songs that I think are good representations of the band.