Since their formation in 2009, Harpeth Rising has been building a reputation by breaking down musical boundaries. Their virtuosic instrumentals of banjo and violin mixed with cello and foot percussion create an exciting and unique blend of musical genres that include folk, rock, bluegrass, and roots music. Their original lyrics, conveyed through powerful three-part vocals, are both gritty and poignant. The all-female group met while studying classical music at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and were united – and continue to be driven by – their eclectic musical interests. Within one year of their formation and their move to Music City, they were voted ‘Best Local Band in Nashville’ by the Tennessean. Harpeth Rising has been touring both nationally and internationally for four years with performances that include the Kerrville Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, London Folk Festival, Blissfest, Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, Music City Roots, The Bluebird, and ROMP Music Festival. The trio has recently relocated to Louisville, KY to be closer to their southern Indiana roots and join the growing eclectic musical and cultural landscape of the region.
After an impressive discography of four studio albums in four years, Harpeth Rising released their first live album in November of 2014. The album consists entirely of performances at The Dreaming Tree Coffeehouse in Baptistown, NJ and includes both original songs and previously unrecorded covers the trio’s fans had been requesting. A unique feature of their live shows, Harpeth Rising’s covers range from Led Zeppelin to Pete Seeger with unparalleled freshness and originality. The trio’s most recent studio album, ‘Tales From Jackson Bridge,’ reached No. 6 on the Folk DJ Charts and No. 15 on the EuroAmericana Charts. While ‘Tales From Jackson Bridge’ remains true to Harpeth Rising’s folk and classical roots throughout, it expands on their blues, Latin, and rock influences and adds in some new flavors such as Texas Swing and Gypsy Jazz. This constant innovation combining old and new genres of music, technical mastery, and heartfelt sensibility has earned Harpeth Rising the distinction of one of the most engaging and dynamic new groups in folk music today. The album has been named on the Americana Radio Top Five Most Added List, the Roots Music Report’s Top Forty, Alternate Root’s Top Ten Songs of the Week, and Amazon’s Top Twenty Hot New Releases in Roots Rock.
The trio will be performing in Owensboro for LIVE on the Banks on May 30th at 7pm. This free concert series presents a wide range of celebrated local and nationally touring artists at the River Overlook Stage at Smothers Park. More information is available at www.harpethrising.com or www.liveonthebanks.com.
