The Black Heart Procession took root in San Diego in 1997, when Pall Jenkins (vocals, guitars, synths, etc.) and Tobias Nathaniel (piano, guitar, organ, etc.) put their previous band, Three Mile Pilot, on an open-ended hiatus. In addition to numerous singles, the band has released 8 studio albums for labels like Headhunter, Touch And Go, Konkurrent, and Temporary Residence.

Known for their haunting, melancholic sound, they blend elements of slowcore, experimental rock, and gothic Americana to craft atmospheric, emotionally rich music. Their work often features somber piano melodies, sparse guitar lines, eerie effects, and Jenkins’ distinctive, mournful vocals—and saw. Jenkins's lyrics explore themes of heartbreak, loss, and existential longing, creating a cinematic, almost funereal tone that’s become their signature sound.