Giveaway: New Album from Rising Appalachia, Wider Circles

Wider Circles

Dynamic folk music for modern times

The latest release from Rising Appalachia breathes new life into folk music traditions of the American South. While traveling the Americas, Europe, and parts of India, sisters Leah and Chloe Smith have studied age-old musical traditions and integrated them with their own Appalachian folk music heritage.

After two years of songwriting, composing, and then recording at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, N.C., the Kickstarter funded album has been warmly received by long-time fans and newcomers alike. It was dubbed "Earth Day's Soundtrack" by The Huffington Post.

Nine years and six albums into an independent career, Rising Appalachia has developed a reputation for spirited music, galvanizing lyrics, and captivating live performances. It continues to abide by values of sustainability and social responsibility, traveling by rail for the first part of the Wider Circles Tour, and inviting up to two non-profits and other community groups to each show to educate audiences on local issues.

Since the tour won't be coming this far South (the closest shows are in North Carolina), here's a chance to win a copy of the new album.

Album Review: Rising Appalachia - Filthy Dirty South

At Gratifly Music Festival, I had the chance to see Rising Appalachia perform live for the first time. I'd heard many great things about the band from friends, but had never looked it up on my own. Needless to say, I fell in love and was ecstatic when asked to review the most recent album.

This blog was originally published on nodepression.com.

Rising Appalachia brings traditional folk music into the 21st century. Filthy Dirty South, recorded live at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, N.C., is a great example of what can happen when the boundaries of genre and style are ignored, and raw creativity is allowed to take control.

The What and Why of EarthCry

2013 has been a year of many firsts. Most recently, I was initiated into the Rootwire Music Festival family. Though Papadosio has been a long-standing favorite of mine, I had yet to make it out to Logan, Ohio, for the four-day event. I must say, Rootwire 2K13 was such a phenomenal experience, a much needed adventure.

On Saturday night, EarthCry took the Tent Stage, and I experienced my first live performance (unless you count dreaming along to a set at Gratifly Music Festival). I can't really say I walked in with a healthy skepticism; like I said, I've been a Papadosio fan for a long time, and I was expecting an equivalent level of showmanship from frontman and guitarist Anthony Thogmartin.

However, I was still pleasantly surprised by what I heard. EarthCry weaves pulsating, syncopated rhythms with grandiose sounding counter-melodies — the rhythm pushing the song forward, driving it into you, while the long, drawn-out notes add a density and weightiness to the tracks, almost reminiscent of trance.

The influences of many genres can be heard; the same versatility that exists within the five-piece of Papadosio is evident. EarthCry’s debut album, released at Rootwire, called "Hear the Earth, Heal Yourself ∞ Heal the Earth, Hear Yourself," makes use of the Solfeggio frequencies, through the incorporation of tuning forks. Solfeggio frequencies are thought to have healing and transformational potentials, including the ability to influence the development of higher consciousness.

After Papadosio’s acoustic set on Sunday night, I spoke with Anthony to discover what the catalyst for this side project was, what his expectations are, and how it has so far been received. You can listen to the audio below.

Album Review: The Human Experience feat. Rising Appalachia - Soul Visions

Many of you have probably already heard of this outstanding collaboration between The Human Experience and Rising Appalachia. It has struck a chord in the hearts of many, and I am so grateful to have had to opportunity to review it. If you haven't listened yet, please do. The full album is now available for "name your price" download at bandcamp.com.

This blog was originally published on nodepression.com.

Art by Ryan Johnson

The Human Experience, an artist I’ve come to know much about recently, has released a new album, featuring sisters Leah and Chloe Smith of Rising Appalachia. The album is called Soul Visions, and, upon listening, truly resonates as the vision of three creative souls collaborating to produce something highly elevated.

David Block, the mind behind The Human Experience, is a classically trained, multi-instrumentalist who has applied his deep understanding of music to his work as an electronic producer. He is not limited by genres, however; his music combines various world sounds (he has been continuously traveling the world for several years) to create something incredibly unique and moving.

Block first met the duo of Rising Appalachia in India in 2008. Since then, they have reconnected to record this eclectic masterpiece. The sisters lend their roots influence to the album in very recognizable ways — two of the tracks are traditional Appalachian songs. The serene quality of their voices, reminding me almost of nautical sirens, brings a strong feminine balance to Block’s electronic masculinity — a seamless symphony of yin and yang.

Shout-out of the Week: Two Fresh

Watch This! That is the name of Two Fresh's new "instrumental rap" EP, released Monday for free on twofreshbeats.com. The twin brother DJ duo — often accompanied by Colby Buckler on drums for live performances — is one of my favorites, and I had the pleasure of interviewing Sherwyn Nicholls (one half of the team) at Electric Forest last year.

In 9th grade, he bought his first computer and started making music. He tried college for a bit, but decided that being a musician was what he really wanted. And his passion has shown. The brothers were signed with 1320 Records and Elm & Oak Records before they were 21.

Two Fresh's sound continues to evolve, but stays true to the hip-hop inspired jams I first heard jumping off the stage at its shows. If you're looking for something to make you dance, or if you like hip-hop, be sure to give these guys a listen. You can find more tracks on SoundCloud. And don't stop there, because you never get the full experience unless you go live.

Shout-out of the Week: The Mantras

This week, I'd like to shout-out The Mantras, whose newest album, Jambands Ruined My Life, was just released for free on bandcamp.com. The album was recorded almost a year ago, but was only released on Tuesday.

Jambands Ruined My Life

The band has been going through some struggles the past two years, and this album hails as a triumph — giving respect to the past, while looking ahead into the future. And the future looks bright for these guys, as they transform from a regional hit into an international sensation (I mean, they already have their own festival.).

The album features Jake Cinninger of Umphrey's McGee as a guest producer and guitarist. The Mantras will be sharing the stage with Umphrey's tomorrow night at The National. If you can't make it to show, take the download — it's free — or hit them up on one of their many other tour dates.

Update: The show tomorrow night at The National is now sold out. Sorry, guys.