Rising Appalachia

Intro

Rising Appalachia sounds like a deep exhale in a high-altitude forest. At its core are the telepathic harmonies of sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith, whose voices intertwine with a precision that only lifelong connection can produce. Their music is a tapestry of the American South, woven with threads of West African percussion, jazz-inflected brass, and the grit of New Orleans street music. It is acoustic and earthy, yet it carries a sophisticated, global pulse that prevents it from ever feeling like a museum piece.

What truly distinguishes them is their 'Slow Music' philosophy, which treats sound as a tool for community building and activism. You will hear the sharp, rhythmic snap of a clawhammer banjo sitting comfortably alongside a djembe or a beatboxer, creating a sound that is both ancient and urgent. Their arrangements are spacious, allowing the natural resonance of wooden instruments and vocal overtones to fill the room, creating an atmosphere that is simultaneously humble and majestic.

Start with 'Leylines' or 'Filthy Dirty South' to hear their evolution from traditional folk roots into a more expansive, rhythmic fusion. These albums capture the essence of their mission: music that honors the soil it grew from while reaching out to embrace the entire world. It is the perfect soundtrack for anyone seeking music that feels like a sanctuary without losing its edge.

Rising Appalachia is an American Appalachian folk music group, led by multi-instrumentalist sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith. Their music is rooted in the landscapes of Atlanta, New Orleans, and the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of Appalachia. The group blends a diverse range of instruments, including banjos, fiddle, cello, upright bass, baritone guitar, djembe, and world percussion, as well as styles, including Americana, world, folk, and soul music. Rising Appalachia is noted for their nonconformity to the mainstream music industry. From the outset the Smith sisters independently managed and financed their music. Their musical career began with a gift of music for their close circle. The unexpectedly positive reception spurred them to establish Rising Appalachia as a group. The collective's identity has evolved through various phases, including a stint as R.I.S.E., during which they released the live album Evolutions in Sound. They worked to unite art with activism and community engagement, which led to the inception of the Rise Collective: a diverse assembly of performers, educators, activists, and artists. This collaborative effort worked in various artistic media, from acro-yoga to fire spinning and sound workshops. Rising Appalachia has played musical festivals across the globe. They have released albums such as the crowd-funded Filthy Dirty South as well as Leylines.

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