“Music is the tool with which we wield political prowess,” says Leah Song of rootsy folk band Rising Appalachia, who released a new video for their song “Rivermouth” in partnership with Waterkeeper Alliance – the largest and fastest growing non-profit solely focused on clean water, and Eco Watch, a large Environmental Action media network. “Music has become our script for vision- not just for aural pleasure, not just for hobby, but now as a means to connect and create in ways that we aren’t taught by mainstream culture. We are building community and tackling social injustice through melody, making the stage reach out with wide arms to gather this great family,” she adds. “It has taken on its own personality, carrying us all along the journey.”
Leah and her sister Chloe, joined by their beloved band – percussionist Biko Casini and bassist/guitarist David Brown – comprise Rising Appalachia, a melting pot of folk simplicity, poignant songwriting, and ethereal blood harmonies common between musical siblings. No strangers to the importance of social justice and action to effect awareness, the band founded the Slow Music Movement in 2015 to help maintain an independent musical spirit in the face of our fast-paced world, as well as to promote sustainable touring practices. “It’s our effort to take the glitz and glam out of the music industry and bring performance back to its roots — that of public service,” Leah explains. “A service where musicians are not just part of fast-paced entertainment world, but instead influence the cultural shift as troubadours, activists, story tellers, and catalysts of justice.”
The visually stunning video for “Rivermouth” is a loving, watery tribute in every way–the sisters share top billing with the river itself, amidst fluid cinematography, graceful dance, the sonic bend of swamp-infused guitar strings, and those velvety smooth, spine-tingling harmonies that ebb and flow along with the instrumentation.
The band will make a stop in the Music City to perform at The Cannery Ballroom on April 6th as a part of their Spring Resiliency Tour; “We want our Spring Resiliency Tour to provide a soundscape for this exact moment in history… To make space for gathering in community,” says Leah. “To encourage speaking up, singing out, and keeping our focus on local solutions. We want to rally around the need right now for our communities to roll up their sleeves and get to work locally, together and on the ground… Because we are a resilient people in challenging times! And now more than ever we need to be making music.”
For tour dates and Nashville show information, visit: http://www.risingappalachia.com/tour/
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