Filling out a trio of unique, thoughtful originals released since her cover of the classic bluegrass proto-feminist anthem “True Life Blues,” Mountain Home Music Company’s Gina Furtado returns with “Riding.” Like its predecessors, “Submarine” and “Pigtails and Sugarcane,” the single combines her deeply felt empathy and generous perspective with a memorable melody and a disarmingly unadorned vocal.

Switching from her usual banjo to acoustic guitar but backed by members of the same ensemble as the earlier singles — sisters Lu (bass, harmony vocals) and Malia (fiddle, harmony vocals) Furtado, along with producer Kristin Scott Benson’s husband, award-winning mandolinist Wayne Benson — Gina strikes a contemplative, almost somber note as she sings the opening verses, accompanied only by the guitar:

We’re all riding
Til we make it home
Find a helping hand every now and then
But mostly we must
Go it alone
I’ve been through that shadow
Let’s just say that I know
On the days we’re ridin’
Feeling frightened
We’ll do anything to make ourselves feel strong

“One of my favorite things about songwriting is that it can be so magical in making sense of things,” Furtado observes. “The process of writing about difficult situations often seems to produce the answers I was looking for. That was the case with ‘Riding.’ I was confused, angry, and sad because a stranger mistreated me in a very big way for no reason at all. I sat down with a guitar, and the song all but wrote itself.”

Punctuated with delicately restrained solos from Malia and Wayne, the sparse arrangement waits until nearly the last moment to introduce harmonies on the final chorus:

So for my heart and for your heart
I’m gonna let it go
For my heart and for your heart
Gonna let it go

“Once it was finished,” Furtado recalls, “I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and gratitude. Even understanding. Forgiveness feels good on both ends. As a great poet once put it… ‘It blesses him that gives, and him that takes.’”

Listen to "Riding" HERE.

About The Gina Furtado Project

Formed by innovative artist Gina Furtado, The Gina Furtado Project brings unique musicianship and songwriting that break free from traditional music modalities, making a fresh musical statement infused with emotion, skill, and vibrant energy.

Furtado, known for her work as the banjo player for Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, has a deep history with her instrument. Born and raised in Front Royal, Virginia, Gina began touring up and down the East Coast in her tween years with her siblings, earning numerous ribbons at fiddlers’ conventions, building a strong reputation in the regional bluegrass scene, and being hailed by Bluegrass Today as “absurdly talented.” She later played with various regional acts before making her international touring debut with Chris Jones & The Night Drivers in 2016.

On tour, Gina is joined by Drew Matulich on guitar and her sisters Malia and Lu Furtado, each bringing unique experience and energy to the band.

• Drew Matulich
  Now based in Asheville, NC, Matulich grew up in Georgia and began playing guitar at age 8. While studying music in college, he performed with various bands across Georgia and Florida before immersing himself in Western North Carolina’s bluegrass scene. He has toured and recorded with Billy Strings, appeared on Roland White's album, and shared the stage with artists like David Grisman, Bryan Sutton, Sam Bush, Cody Kilby, and Sierra Hull.

• Malia Furtado
  Malia began her musical journey at age 3 with classical violin lessons, which took a turn when she attended her first Galax Old Fiddlers Convention. Since then, she has performed with various groups, won multiple prizes, graced stages across the East Coast, and taught private lessons in both bluegrass and classical styles. Currently, she is the Director of Education at The Front Porch Music School in Charlottesville, VA, and teaches bluegrass fiddle at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, VA.

• Lu Furtado
  Lu has been immersed in bluegrass and old-time music festivals since birth. She began playing multiple instruments at age 10, earning recognition at the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention for her Clawhammer banjo playing and flatfoot dancing. She has toured and recorded with bands such as Banana Express and The Hi Flyers and has taught banjo at Galax Elementary School. Lu brings "double trouble" to the band with her silky harmony vocals and groovy bass playing.