The bluegrass quartet from North Carolina first met in college at Chapel Hill, picking their string instruments and formulating their precious harmonies around campus open-mic nights. They didn’t anticipate their love for music to turn into anything huge, but after the release of their debut album Dark Holler Pop hitting the #8 spot on Billboard’s bluegrass charts, that’s when they realized that maybe they were wrong. And that’s how Mipso went from being a local college gig for members Joseph Terrel, Jacob Sharp, Libby Rodenbough and Wood Robinson, to becoming a relevant force in music.
There’s a very distinct sound when it comes to North Carolina folk/bluegrass/Americana. And Mipso exudes all of those quintessential notes–creating songs that are earthy, romantic, nostalgic. Songs vary in tone, going from a super bluegrass flavor that you can hear in “A Couple Acres Greener” to a more subtle country-folk as heard in “Rocking Chair Blues.” At times their sound is early Wood Brothers meets Mandolin Orange, and it’s on their second album that Andrew Marlin of North Carolina’s Mandolin Orange helped produce.
Their sophomore album is called Old Time Reverie–a sunny release that’s a touch more sophisticated and highlights Libby’s soothing leading vocals on “Down in the Water” and “Everyone Knows.” You can hear the band’s self-discovery on this album–one that’s realized and true and certainly more confident. Their third album is due out in April called Coming Down the Mountain, and from their single that’s already been released you can definitely tell that Mipso’s sound just keeps getting better and better–and they never lose focus of their hometown roots.
Music Hall of Williamsburg
4/19
8 p.m.
$15
axs.com
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