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A spirit that is not afraid

Genre-bending Harpeth Rising brings new sound to Sundilla

Harpeth Rising consists of (clockwise from left) Rebecca Reed-Lunn, Chris Burgess, Maria Di Meglio and Jordana Greenberg. (Courtesy of Harpeth Rising)
Harpeth Rising consists of (clockwise from left) Rebecca Reed-Lunn, Chris Burgess, Maria Di Meglio and Jordana Greenberg. (Courtesy of Harpeth Rising)

Harpeth Rising believes it has created a new genre of music.

The folk-influenced band consists of four classically trained musicians who recently returned from touring the United Kingdom.

"We love playing there, as the audiences are incredibly enthusiastic," said band member and Western Kentucky University professor Jordana Greenberg. "Our tour this year had almost every show completely sold out."

Since forming in the Nashville, Tenn., area they have toured several times throughout Europe, including a stop at the 2011 Cambridge Folk Festival, one of the biggest folk festivals in England.

The four members have ventured around America's classical scene to famed venues including Carnegie Hall, in addition to recording on four different continents.

The band has been featured on acclaimed Nashville-area shows "Music City Roots" and "Nashville Traditions."

Harpeth Rising will be in Auburn for the Sundilla Acoustic Concert Series on Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

"Their sound is very refined, but carries an improvised quality that makes you feel like you are sitting at the coffee table hearing the telling of a tale for the very first time," said Sean McMorrow, Top Shelf Event's talent booker. "If we are lucky, these kids are creating a new genre for others to emulate and develop for years to come."

The band consists of a banjo (Rebecca Reed-Lunn), fiddle (Greenberg), cello (Maria Di Meglio) and hand drums (Chris Burgess), all accompanied by vocals.

The parts blend together to create a sound with a hint of bluegrass spunk, some classical undertones and a splash of folky Americana.

Influences listed on the band's website biography span genres, as well as centuries, and include Beethoven, Gustav Mahler and Bob Dylan.

Their debut album, "The End of the World," recently earned a place in the Top 10 on the International Folk Charts.

The album is special to the members of the group because it presents songs written by David Greenberg, father of Jordana, the band's violinist.

The band writes most of its own music, but it also performs covers of its favorite songs.

Its U.S. agent, Joann Murdock, booked the Sundilla Concert for them.

"I'd heard of the series before, as many of my favorite artists have played there," Murdock said.

"We are really happy and excited to be making our debut there," Greenberg said.

The Sundilla Acoustic Concert Series hosts artists of traditional folk to blues, country, bluegrass and jazz.

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The event will be held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Tickets will be available for $12 at the door and $10 before and will also be sold at the Gnu's Room.


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