Case Oats

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Case Oats develops an Americana and alternative country sound driven by narrative songwriting and tightly focused ensemble playing. The band, active on the local scene before coalescing around Casey Walker (vocals), Max Subar (guitar), Jason Ashworth (bass), Scott Daniel (violin) and Spencer Tweedy (drums), first made its mark in the city’s small venues and clubs, playing numerous shows before taking its music to other independent stages across the United States. Case Oats blends classic rock instrumentation, folk-tinged violin and a clear vocal in arrangements where the rhythm section remains discreet in service of the melodies and lyrics. That identity led the group to perform at South by Southwest in Austin, a significant milestone in its trajectory. In March 2025 Case Oats signed with Merge Records, based in North Carolina, which supported the release of their debut studio album Last Missouri Exit, issued in 2025 and preceded by the single "Bitter Root Lake", confirming Case Oats’ anchoring in a contemporary alt-country register with deliberately pared-back contours.