Newgrass trio Harpeth Rising makes Toronto debut July 3

It’s chamberfolk: three classically-trained musicians playing original music, as intricately arranged as a string quartet, lyrically rooted in the singer/songwriter tradition, and wrapped in three-part vocal harmonies reminiscent of both Appalachia and Medieval Europe. Building from the tonal depth of the cello—or is it a bass?—layer in the shimmering sounds of a violin and the strikingly natural addition of banjo to create a sound at once familiar and impossible to categorize.

Unapologetic genre-benders, Harpeth Rising fuses folk, newgrass, rock and classical into something organically unique.

The three musicians each hold classical performance degrees from some of the most venerated schools in the world: Indiana University, Oberlin, Eastman School of Music. Hallmarks of their music include expansive three-part harmonies, consummate musicianship and a deft, yet soulful, lyrical perspective. Touring internationally, their previous performances include the Kerrville Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, London Folk Festival, Blissfest, Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, and The Bluebird.

Harpeth Rising’s latest release, ‘Shifted’, debuted at #1 on the Folk-DJ Charts for August of 2015. The opening track, “I Am Eve (I Am the Reason), also debuted as the #1 song on the same chart. FATEA Magazine has called the album “truly resplendent” and Midwest Record has said that it is “taking back lyric writing as a form… this set is going to blow your mind.” This constant innovation combining old and new genres of music, technical mastery, thought provoking lyrics, and heartfelt sensibility has earned Harpeth Rising the distinction of one of the most engaging and dynamic new groups in folk music today. The album has “…lusciously constructed harmonies, the inventive edge that pulses through every track and the unexpected direction changes that keep you enthralled…” – Folkwords.

The trio will be performing in Canada for the first time at Hugh’s Room on Sunday, July 3rd at 8:30PM. Admission is $22.50 in advance/$25 at the door (includes HST) and doors open at 6PM. Hugh’s Room is located at 2261 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1X6. Tickets are available at the box office at 416-531-6604, or online at http://www.ticketbreak.com/event_details/10846. For more information visit www.hughsroom.com, and www.harpethrising.com.