“Golden Shoals bridge the sometimes distant worlds of traditional bluegrass and old time music together. With one foot steeped in tradition and the other focused on fresh songwriting, Golden Shoals are helping to further the narrative of American Roots music and introducing the traditions of our past to a whole new generation of listeners.” - Kris Truelsen, WBCM Radio Bristol Golden Shoals is a fiddle and guitar duo with a "rousing old-time-style music that’s fueled by acerbic modern-day wit” (-No Depression Magazine). They are no strangers to traditional music, having placed in contests including Clifftop (3rd place 2023, 4th place 2022), Mount Airy, The Grand Masters Fiddlers Championship and Galax. Often switching instruments between fiddle, two guitars, and banjo, their original songs have been compared to Gillian Welch, with the added edge of instrumental prowess informed by energetic old time and bluegrass recordings. Initially brought together by a mutual love of American folk music,  Golden Shoals' sound has expanded to include country, Americana, Indie and Experimental influences, allowing them to move more freely beyond genre boundaries with their songwriting while still emanating a deep understanding of Old-Time and Bluegrass music. Ever inspired by the enduring spirit of traditional Appalachian mountain music, their songwriting comes across as simple, honest, and fresh to the ears. The listener can expect the polished technique of conservatory training, in tandem with the grit, drive, and soul of musicians like Roscoe Holcomb or Ola Belle Reed. 

Established in the Shenandoah Valley, Palmyra’s set explores the fusion of traditional folk string instruments, three part harmonies, and earnest songwriting. The trio captures the collective spirit of three Virginia natives, Teddy Chipouras, Mānoa Bell, and Sasha Landon, often described as a distant cousin of the progressive folk band, Punch Brothers, mixed with elements of Oliver Wood or the Avett Brothers. Palmyra’s songs are intimate and contemplative, with arrangements that allow them to create the illusion of a full, larger-than-three ensemble. The trio's sound is a nod to Appalachia and Midwestern Americana, apparent through their stirring craftsmanship and dedication to a folk-driven, innovative experience throughout each unique live performance.   Palmyra has supported Watchhouse, Mipso, and Illiterate Light on the road and had the honor to play the historic Newport Folk Festival in both 2022 and 2023, Americanafest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, and Floydfest where they were named the “On The Rise” competition winner in ’22.

Now residing in Brooklyn, Berklee College of Music graduate Nan Macmillan was first raised by the sea in Massachusetts, then spent her high school years in the hills of Southern California, before studying poetry in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The indie-folk-pop artist writes about the underlying threads connecting these chapters of her life — the search for self-understanding, deep joy and pain of loving another, peace found in the natural world, anxiety at the threat to its existence.  On her debut full-length album, From Both Eyes, Macmillan explores the dark and hopeful corners of her heart and mind with lyrical precision and intricate sonic landscapes. The songs pack a punch, wandering with care between folk, alternative rock, and synth pop tendencies. Co-produced by Hiss Golden Messenger's Alex Bingham, the album was recorded at a lakehouse in southwest Virginia with Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver) on drums, her long-time friend Tyler Hutcherson on keys, Kim McMasters on electric guitar, and Saman Khoujinian (The Dead Tongues) engineering. She’s received praise from NPR Music, Americana Highways, and Ear to the Ground, and AAA radio play from WNRN. Her music offers a gentle and fierce combination of sadness and hope, reverie and reality, feeling resistant to time’s passing and finding the rhythm of it all anyway