Rising Appalachia is a folk duo founded by sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith in the early 2000s, known for merging Southern soul, Appalachian string-band traditions, and international roots music into a politically engaged sound rooted in environmental activism and cultural preservation. Raised in Atlanta and steeped in the musical traditions of the American South, the sisters built their reputation on a combination of fiddle, banjo, guitar, upright bass, and layered vocal harmonies that draw from gospel, work songs, and mountain ballads.
Their approach stands apart from the mainstream Americana revival through its explicit integration of social justice themes, traditional medicine practices, and partnerships with Indigenous and immigrant communities. Rising Appalachia has consistently positioned itself within the Slow Music Movement, a philosophy that emphasizes sustainable touring, community engagement, and opposition to extractive industry practices. The duo's music incorporates elements of African diaspora rhythms, Celtic balladry, and Eastern European folk forms, reflecting years of travel and collaboration with musicians across continents.
The group has released several studio albums, including Wider Circles (2016), Leylines (2019), and The Lost Mystique of Being in the Know (2022). Their 2016 album Wider Circles was recorded in New Orleans and featured collaborations with musicians from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and other Louisiana roots artists. Leylines included field recordings and vocal samples collected during the sisters' travels through Ireland, Mexico, and the southern United States, and explored themes of migration, ancestry, and land stewardship.
Leah Song and Chloe Smith grew up in a family engaged in social justice work and were exposed early to folk festivals, drum circles, and the civil rights legacy of the South. The sisters began performing together in their teens, busking in European cities and building a following through word-of-mouth and grassroots organizing rather than traditional music-industry channels. Their sound matured through collaborations with producers and musicians in the folk and world music scenes, as well as through their participation in benefit concerts for causes including water rights, Indigenous sovereignty, and climate action.
Rising Appalachia has performed at festivals including Bonnaroo, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Outside Lands, and has toured internationally across Europe, Australia, and North America. The duo has built a dedicated following through annual tours that often span several months and include both theater performances and outdoor gatherings. Their live shows incorporate storytelling, audience participation, and rituals drawn from various spiritual traditions, reflecting the sisters' study of herbalism, Ayurveda, and earth-based healing practices.
In recent years, Rising Appalachia has continued to tour extensively and release music that engages with contemporary social movements. Chloe Smith has spoken publicly about issues including cultural appropriation in folk music, the ethics of fieldwork and sampling, and the responsibilities of white artists working within Black and Indigenous musical traditions. The duo has also collaborated with organizations focused on climate justice and land defense, including benefit performances for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.
For listeners seeking folk music that bridges tradition and activism, Rising Appalachia offers a model of how roots music can serve as both cultural archive and political tool.
