Tag: Unspoken Tradition

LISTEN: Unspoken Tradition, “Soldiers of Dust”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Unspoken Tradition
Hometown: Cherryville, North Carolina
Song: “Soldiers of Dust”
Album: Imaginary Lines
Release Date: June 10, 2022
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Soldiers of Dust’ was written to represent multiple viewpoints of the world in the wake of the social unrest spurred on by the hardships of the pandemic. Every line in the song was intended to be a stand-alone idea to be interpreted in more than one way. There are references to working-class struggles, fear of change, gentrification, and the tyranny that can come with the deliberate removal of nuance. It was inspired by my own learning experience of how to relate to people who have different worldviews than me and the reward that comes from having empathy towards those views. ‘We live in these cities of rust, like soldiers of dust’ is a metaphor for what could happen if we are not willing to meet people where they are and we end up in a losing battle and in a society not worth having.” — Ty Gilpin, Unspoken Tradition

Crossroads Label Group · 04 Soldiers Of Dust

Photo Credit: Sandlin Gaither

WATCH: Unspoken Tradition, “Irons in the Fire”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Unspoken Tradition
Hometown: Cherryville, North Carolina
Song: “Irons in the Fire”
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “When Unspoken Tradition first started playing in an organized way, we came up with the slogan, ‘Working Class Bluegrass.’ We’ve all held full-time jobs the whole time we’ve been together and I think we’re all proud to be workers, providers, and family men. I also think it means we can all relate well to the message of ‘Irons in the Fire.’ To me, this song is about trying to find solace in the grind; being able to separate the headaches that come with hard work from the purpose and product it provides. This song reminds me of all the hard-working men and women in my family who came before me, who directly or indirectly affected my quality of life. Every time we perform this song, I can see their faces. Songwriters Aaron Bibelhauser and Steve Guenthner really outdid themselves with this song and I’m thankful we had an opportunity to record it. We shot the video in a blacksmith shop on the campus of Warren Wilson College. It was hot and the whole place looked, smelled, and felt like hard work, if work ever had those characteristics. It was the perfect spot to capture the theme of ‘Irons in the Fire’ and the energy there made us all dig into the recording process even more.” — Audie McGinnis, Unspoken Tradition (vocalist and guitarist)

Photo credit: Sandlin Gaither

WATCH: Unspoken Tradition, “Cold Mountain Town”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Unspoken Tradition
Hometown: Western North Carolina
Song: “Cold Mountain Town”
Album: Myths We Tell Our Young
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “For the album Myths We Tell Our Young, we explore themes of mountain culture and how it is evolving. There is no better example than Asheville, North Carolina. I’ve lived and played music in this city for over 25 years and watched it change and grow while still holding strong to its rich Appalachian music culture. This song is dedicated to artists that continue to struggle and survive in this ‘Cold Mountain Town.'” — Ty Gilpin, Unspoken Tradition songwriter, mandolin player, and vocalist

Photo credit: Sandlin Gaither

WATCH: Unspoken Tradition, ‘Land’

Posted on by Amy Reitnouer

Artist: Unspoken Tradition
Hometown: Cherryville, North Carolina
Song: “Land”
Release Date: May 11, 2018
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Land’ follows a tradition in roots music of singing songs about the love of our sense of place. It’s an update to traditional themes about the nostalgia of home. It also issues a warning that we have to be good stewards and that there are things that can never be manufactured.” — Audie McGinnis

Photo Credit: Sandlin Gaither