Paste Studio “On The Road” rambles on, this time to Wilkesboro, N.C., for the 36th annual MerleFest! The festival was founded in 1988 in memory of Doc Watson’s son Merle, and features “traditional plus” music, described by Doc Watson himself as, “the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play.” Virginia-based folk trio Palmyra graced us on the last day of the festival to share two songs from the 2023 EP Belladonna, plus one unreleased song called “Shape I’m In.”
Full Session
First up is “Happy Pills,” from their 2023 EP Belladonna.
“Happy Pills”
The second song “Shape I’m In” is a new one that deals with vocalist Sasha Landon’s bipolar disorder diagnosis, and subsequent treatment involving multiple medications. “I felt so messy and out of sorts for much of that time,” says Landon. Thankfully Landon is doing better now through treatment, able to translate an existential crisis into music we can share.
“Shape I’m In”
This last song is another from Belladonna, this one written by banjoist and electric guitarist Teddy Chipouras during a songwriting class they all attended at James Madison University.
“Speak My Mind”
Big thanks to Teddy, Mānoa, Sasha, MerleFest, and our friends at Window World for bringing these sessions to life, and please stay tuned for more Paste x MerleFest sessions to come!
Teddy Chipouras – Banjo, electric guitar, vocals
Mānoa Bell – Bass, vocals
Sasha Landon – Acoustic guitar, mandolin, vocals