RIPTON — For the past six years, Harpeth Rising has challenged the boundaries of folk music and created a sound that is both excitingly unique and surprisingly familiar. Their virtuosic instrumentals of banjo and violin mixed with cello and foot percussion create an exciting and unique blend of musical genres that include folk, rock, bluegrass, classical, and roots music.
The trio will perform at the Ripton Community Coffee House on Saturday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Their original lyrics, conveyed through powerful three-part vocals, are both gritty and poignant. Members of the all-female group met and were united by their eclectic musical interests while studying at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Harpeth Rising’s past performances include the Cambridge Folk Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, Blissfest, Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, The Bluebird, and ROMP Music Festival. The trio has recently relocated from Nashville to Louisville, Ky., to be closer to their southern Indiana roots and join the growing eclectic musical and cultural landscape of the region.
 Harpeth Rising’s latest album, “Shifted,” debuted at No. 1 on the Folk DJ Charts for August of 2015. The album’s opening track, “I Am Eve (I Am the Reason),” also debuted as the No. 1 song on the same chart. FATEA Magazine has called the album “truly resplendent” and Midwest Record has said the album is “taking back lyric writing as an form … this set is going to blow your mind.” The album melds folk, classical music, and rock with such ease that it creates a genre of its own. This constant effort to combine old and new genres of music, technical mastery, thought provoking lyrics, and heartfelt sensibility has earned Harpeth Rising the distinction of one of the more engaging and dynamic new groups in folk music today.
The Community House is located at 1305 Route 125 in center of the village of Ripton. Admission to the April 2 concert is $10-$15 at the door and more information is available at [email protected].
Signups for the open-mic that will be directly preceding the featured performance by Harpeth Rising can be made at 388-9782.