Mandolin Orange

North Carolina duo Watchhouse (Andrew Marlin & Emily Frantz) have shared new single “Firelight,” the final advance offering from their forthcoming album Rituals (out May 30). A delicate and intimate reflection on the inevitable cycle of both change and consistency, “Firelight” finds Frantz stepping into the spotlight for vocals on this track, framed by bouzouki, harmonium and mandolin (Marlin) and graceful accents of pedal steel (Matt Smith). 

Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than two decades, has announced the 18th voyage of Cayamo: A Journey Through Song, a seven-night musical cruise vacation traveling March 13-20, 2026 from Miami, FL to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic aboard the opulent Norwegian Pearl. First Round Pre-sale Signups are available now through April 22 at 11:59 pm (ET). Pre-sales for Cayamo Alumni will be available April 16-21; New Guest Pre-sales are available April 23.

North Carolina duo Watchhouse (Andrew Marlin & Emily Frantz) have unveiled the title track from their forthcoming album Rituals (out May 30). The single explores the concept of change and the struggle of letting go of habits that no longer serve us. It features dreamy vocal harmonies by Marlin and Frantz with Marlin playing multiple instruments including mandolin, piano, tenor and 12-string guitar.

There may be hundreds of folk festivals taking place around the world in a given year, but there’s certainly only one Folks Festival. For 35 years, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival has brought together the world’s favorite songwriters, from all genres, to celebrate what organizers, Planet Bluegrass, like to call “the summit of the song.” Taking place in picturesque Lyons, Colorado, over the weekend of August 8th, 9th, and 10th, this year's iteration will continue that same rich legacy.

North Carolina duo Watchhouse (Andrew Marlin & Emily Frantz) have announced a new studio album called Rituals, due out May 30, 2025 via Tiptoe Tiger Music / Thirty Tigers.

The 38th Annual Old Settler’s Music Festival announces their exciting partial lineup including Americana folk-duo Watchhouse, The Devil Makes Three, bluegrass all-stars The Travelin’ McCourys, mandolin phenom Sierra Hull, local favorites Heartless Bastards, Tim O’Brien Band, Darrell Scott, Tray Wellington Band, Jack Barksdale, Jeff Plankenhorn, Grace Rowland (of the Deer), Katie Shore, Harvest Thieves, Fennario Flats, Shred Lasso and Valley Flower with more to be announced soon.

Free Dirt Records is proud to announce the self-titled debut album from new roots music supergroup Mighty Poplar. Bringing together Andrew Marlin from Watchhouse, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge from Punch Brothers, Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon), and Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings), Mighty Poplar was formed as a vehicle for these artists to explore their love of improvisation through straight ahead bluegrass.

At its heart, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31, 2023 on Free Dirt Records.

Planet Bluegrass, organizers of Rockygrass, Lyons Folks Fest, and the famed Telluride Bluegrass Festival—which has coincided with the summer solstice for 5 decades—are pleased to announce Mabon, a new concert series programmed in conjunction with longtime Planet Bluegrass fan-favorite, Watchhouse. Mabon will take place September 16-18 in Lyons, Colorado, at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch during the Autumn equinox.

Archived news