Chris Bathgate (born April 21, 1982, in Pecatonica, IL) is an American indie folk singer-songwriter and musician. He is prominent in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti folk music scene in Michigan. In 2007, Bathgate signed to Quite Scientific Records, on which he released "A Cork Tale Wake" in 2007 and "Salt Year" in 2011. Bathgate has been compared to folk singer-songwriters Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and Damien Jurado. ...show more

Chris Bathgate (born April 21, 1982, in Pecatonica, IL) is an American indie folk singer-songwriter and musician. He is prominent in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti folk music scene in Michigan. In 2007, Bathgate signed to Quite Scientific Records, on which he released "A Cork Tale Wake" in 2007 and "Salt Year" in 2011. Bathgate has been compared to folk singer-songwriters Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and Damien Jurado.

Bathgate started out in 1999, spending several years in a heavy metal band before turning to folk. While in Ann Arbor, Bathgate then formed the folk trio Ambitious Brothers with Michael Beauchamp and Karl Sturk, releasing a few records before breaking up in 2005. In 2001, Bathgate launched his solo career, while continuing to experiment with different groups for several years. He self-released multiple EPs and albums including Twilight Unlimited in 2002, Create and Consume in 2003, and Silence Is For Suckers in 2005.

He would often sell his records to local Ann Arbor music store Encore Records. In 2007 Bathgate signed to Quite Scientific Records. April 2011 saw the release of his second nationally-distributed full length album, "Salt Year". Website: www.chrisbathgate.org. ...show less