mountain climer

Mountain Climer is the solo project of singer-songwriter Jeremy Climer, an Indiana-born musician whose work bridges heartland roots, punk urgency, and melodic introspection. Raised on Indiana Highway 11, just north of the childhood home of John Mellencamp, Climer grew up surrounded by the sounds of his family’s country and gospel records. At the same time, rock and pop music drifted in from Indianapolis radio stations, creating an early foundation that blended rural storytelling with broader sonic ambition.

Climer picked up the guitar and began writing songs around 1991, channeling both the earnestness of Americana and the energy of the alternative music he was discovering. A turning point came in 1993 when he stumbled upon the Sex Pistols at Karma Records. That moment cracked the door wide open. Punk rock didn’t just influence him—it reshaped his musical worldview, leading him far beyond mainstream radio and into a lifelong exploration of independent, underground, and genre-defying artists. The DIY ethos and emotional directness of punk would remain a guiding force in his songwriting.

Over the years, Climer spent much of his life playing in bands, honing his craft and building a deep network of collaborators. Along the way, he had the opportunity to work with several of his musical heroes, including Paul Roessler of The Screamers, Bill Stevenson of the Descendents and Black Flag, and Paul Mahern of the Zero Boys. These collaborations not only affirmed his place within a lineage of fiercely independent artists but also sharpened his own approach to sound and production.

In 2022, after decades of collaboration, Climer stepped forward with I’m Not Enough & That’s Okay, his first solo record and his first attempt at recording in his home studio. The album marked a creative turning point—intimate, self-produced, and deeply personal. Soon after, he began working with Travis Dolan at Level 32 Studio in Denver, Colorado, expanding his sonic palette while maintaining the emotional core of his songwriting.

In May 2025, Mountain Climer released Before You Turn Out the Lights, recorded by Paul Mahern at Primary Sound Studios in Bloomington, Indiana. The album features contributions from Heidi Gluck, Shannon Hayden, Devon Ashley, and David England, bringing rich textures and dynamic instrumentation to Climer’s songs. The record received widespread critical praise, earning strong reviews from Spin, Americana UK, and The Big Takeover, further establishing Mountain Climer as a compelling voice in contemporary independent music.

Looking ahead, 2026 will see the release of the EP XY as well as the full-length album Indiana, recorded in both Colorado and Indiana with Mahern. Even as these projects prepare to meet the world, Climer is already at work on his next album—continuing a creative journey that began on a stretch of Midwestern highway and expanded into a lifelong pursuit of honest, fearless music.

Spin - The Next Big Names in Music: 2025’s Top Emerging Artists

The Daily Vault - Before You Turn Out the Lights Review

Americana UK - Before You Turn Out the Lights Review

The Republic - Columbus Native Recognized as Emerging Artist in Spin Magazine