Rising Appalachia

Rising Appalachia

Rising Appalachia is an American Appalachian folk music group, led by multi-instrumentalist sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith. Their music is deeply rooted in the landscapes of Atlanta, New Orleans, and the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of Appalachia. What distinguishes Rising Appalachia is their ability to blend a diverse range of instruments and styles. Their musical palette spans from banjos and fiddles to djembe, balafon, congas, tablas, kalimbas, beatbox, and even didgeridoo. This distinctive combination gives rise to a musical mosaic that seamlessly interweaves elements of world, folk, and soul music. The essence of Rising Appalachia's uniqueness lies in their nonconformity to the mainstream music industry. From the outset, the project was a labor of love for the Smith sisters, who independently managed and financed their music. Their musical journey began with an intimate gesture—a gift of music for their close circle. The unexpectedly positive reception spurred them to establish Rising Appalachia as a musical force. Their artistic trajectory mirrors their sonic explorations: a fusion of Appalachian heritage with the vibrant pulse of urban genres such as hip-hop and jazz, all adorned with a rich tapestry of world music collected during their global travels. 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. Their commitment to uniting art with activism and community engagement led to the inception of the Rise Collective—a diverse assembly of performers, educators, activists, and artists. This collaborative effort encompasses an array of artistic expressions, from acro-yoga to fire spinning and sound workshops. The Smith sisters' dedication to leveraging their art for positive change and cultural development remains at the core of their creative ethos. Rising Appalachia's journey has seen them traverse continents, gracing stages at musical festivals across the globe—from the United States to countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Canada, India, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Ireland and Scotland. Albums like the crowd-funded Filthy Dirty South as well as Leylines reflect the group's evolution both musically and ideologically. These records mark pivotal moments in their artistic maturation. Rising Appalachia's commitment to their craft and their steadfast autonomy continue to define their unique presence in the music scene.

Update this biography »
Complete biography of Rising Appalachia »