Last Monday, March 27th, Rising Appalachia performed at the Pour House, starting the week the right way with their sensual sound.
Sisters Leah and Chloe were joined by their beloved band members, percussionist Biko Casini and bassist/guitarist David Brown, after kicking off the show with flawlessly harmonized acapella. They also had a special guest, Arouna Diarra, who played his own self-made instruments with adept skill.
One of the last times the sisters received a surprise visit they were sitting in a piazza in Italy and were stunned to see their mother walking toward them with her banjo. Leah commented that Charleston may well just top Italy!
Throughout the last decade Rising Appalachia have built a devout fanbase in the folk, roots, world, and jam communities not only with their music, but also with their message and involvement in activism and education. Fans are captivated by the group’s commitment to telling stories about world culture. On the announcement for this tour, Leah Song explained: “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.
A service where musicians are not just part of fast-paced entertainment world, but instead influence the cultural shift as troubadours, activists, storytellers, and catalysts of justice.” While Leah acknowledged that the band proclaimed itself as a “political band” long ago, she explained to the crowd that they feel it is important to focus on love songs in our current political state. “So we’re just gonna hang in the love song department for a while tonight,” Leah said before launching into a dreamy song from their most recent album called “Lean In.” The world needs more artists like these Bob Dylan-esque sisters who will never shy away from pointing out political truths and poetic observations.
The crowd at the Pour House was touched to see Bella, a little girl of seven years old, eyes glowing with wonder as she danced rhythmically and sang along with her mother in the front row. She knew every word. Rising Appalachia and their efforts are an example not only to this young fan, but also to each appreciator of life, art, and the environment.
Here's Bella, the young fan, eagerly awaiting the start of the show.
Proceeds from the Pour House show will go toward the band’s newly released partnership with the Waterkeeper Alliance. Rising Appalachia released a video for their song “Rivermouth” in partnership with the WA - the largest and fastest growing non-profit solely focused on clean water. Waterkeeper Alliance is a global movement uniting more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates around the world.
Charleston was lucky to receive this special visit from Rising Appalachia! It was impossible not to feel inspired after being enthralled by their beautiful love songs.
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