Artist: Jake Blount Hometown: Washington, D.C.; now Providence, Rhode Island Song: "Once There Was No Sun" Album: The New Faith Release Date: September 23, 2022 Label: Smithsonian Folkways In Their Words: “I learned ‘Once There Was No Sun’ from a Bessie Jones recording. The track opens with a reading from Genesis, describing the world in…

Artist: Pharis & Jason Romero Hometown: Horsefly, BC Song: "Cannot Change It All" Album: Tell 'Em You Were Gold Release Date: June 17, 2022 Label: Smithsonian Folkways In Their Words: "'Cannot Change It All' started with Clara the banjo. Clara has a 12” rim and a small flangeless resonator, all made from Claro walnut salvaged…

Artist: The HillBenders Hometown: Springfield, Missouri Song: "Nothing but a Banjo On" Release Date: July 15, 2022 Label: HillBent In Their Words: "'Nothing but a Banjo On' started out as just a funny idea a good friend of mine, Anne Youngblood, came up with. Letting it all hang out while pickin’ the banjo. We would…

Walking through life, people learn, grow, and develop their own identities, and eventually find others who become figures in their chosen family. In a lot of ways, a band is a kind of chosen family. However, what if one's chosen musical family is also their family of origin? Folk music in particular, being tied to…

Artist: Fern Maddie Hometown: Worcester, Vermont Song: "Green Grass Growing" Album: Ghost Story Release Date: June 1, 2022 In Their Words: "'Green Grass Growing' is a spooky, minor banjo tune I wrote in the dark time of the year in 2021. I recorded it live with the help of my friend Ari Erlbaum, who plays…