Colin Meloy is an American singer, songwriter, and author best known as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the indie folk-rock band The Decemberists. He studied creative writing at the University of Montana before moving to Portland, Oregon, where he formed the band in 2000. The Decemberists gained acclaim for their literary lyrics and eclectic musical style, with albums like Picaresque (2005), The Crane Wife (2006), and The Hazards of Love (2009). Meloy has also written several children’s books, including the Wildwood Chronicles series with his wife.