Notes From the Cabin: May 29, 2025
gratitude / kieran's paintings / recommendations
Greetings from the cabin!
We made our northern migration on the early side this year for a combination of reasons—one of which being that we drove to West Virginia to play Mountain Stage on May 18, which got us started on the journey, so why not carry on northward? (That show will begin airing tomorrow, May 30, btw—check your local public radio station schedule to hear us performing alongside Dan Tyminski, I Draw Slow, Darrell Scott, the Jacob Jolliff Band, plus show host Kathy Mattea!)
Back in Tennessee, spring came on with a fierceness. Everything got lush and verdant in a big hurry. Thus our shock to arrive at the cabin during a week that was, by Nashville standards, downright wintry. But after many days of cold and grey, the sun came out and the thermometer began creeping up into more springy territory. Looks like we might be able to put the parkas away now.
Despite the cold and dark, the hummingbirds were waiting for us when we arrived. And the phoebes are so fully in their springtime mode that when we left the basement door open one day they immediately began building a nest inside-!! (I caught them at their project before any eggs were laid, thank goodness.) We’ve already seen a couple eagles (or is it the same eagle a couple of times?). An added bonus: we’re here in time to enjoy the lilacs and the lilies of the valley in bloom. I wish I could attach a scratch-and-sniff to this newsletter so you could enjoy the Adirondack perfume of sun-warmed pine needles mixed with floral breezes. It’s the sort of sensory delight that makes all the biting insects worth it…
A Moment of Gratitude
Our new album has been out for nearly 7 weeks now, and despite our not really making a huge ruckus about the release, we’ve been really touched by the warm response. Many thanks to all of you who have ordered the album from us, streamed it, shared it, wrote to tell us you’re enjoying it, learned songs/tunes from it, and generally “gotten it”. No words suffice. We are aware that our approach to music and recording isn’t for everyone, but apparently it’s for some of you! Your very game support makes it possible for us to carry on with our creative weirdness, and we intend to do just that.
Reminder for our international friends: while we don’t personally ship our CDs overseas, we do have international distribution! Seek out your nearest independent record store and ask them to get ahold of our albums for you. :)
Recent Album Attention:
A feature interview with Alison Richter at The Bluegrass Situation!
We made the “Best Country Music” list for April on Bandcamp!
“The Old Fashioned” on WMOT (hosted by Craig Havighurst & Amy Alvey) featured Volume 4 on their May 24th show!
Kieran’s Paintings
We’ve gotten many questions and comments about the cover art for Volume 4. Here are some responses, in case you’re curious: Yes, it’s one of Kieran’s paintings. No, we have not created prints of it—yet. (If we do make prints, what size would be ideal?) No, Kieran isn’t actively painting these days, but we are surrounded by his artwork (and have closets are full of paintings, too)! Yes, occasionally he sells one.
Your reactions to KK’s art have made me realize I’m seriously underutilizing this massive visual resource, so I’ll have to start peppering more of his paintings into our newsletters.
Summer Show Alert!
July 5 • Caffe Lena
Saratoga Springs, NY
Miscellaneous Media
Any NPR listeners catch our music during an episode of Fresh Air not too long ago? The fiddle tune we recorded for Killers of the Flower Moon was played between segments during the Jason Isbell interview.
Movie recommendation: Crossfire. It’s a detective film that’s ultimately about antisemitism and bigotry. We all know hate is bad, right? But sometimes it’s good to get reminded that it’s everybody’s job to refuse to tolerate intolerance.
Book recommendation: The River of Doubt by Candice Millard. KK just devoured this one about Theodore Roosevelt’s adventurous/harrowing journey down an unmapped tributary of the Amazon in 1913. Sounds great, so I’m about to pick it up. Book club, anyone?
Stay Tuned…
We’ll have plenty more to share as the cabin time rolls on. In the meantime, we welcome your comments and emails—and please pass this newsletter along to any friends you think might be interested in what we’re up to!
Till soon —
xo rg & kk
website • bandcamp • instagram • youtube • bandsintown
tried to order new record - a computer failure, quit after 20 min. of trying... Is there another way to get it? Also truly appreciate yr shares; here in western MA weather still shitty!
I love this record. Though I lreally love this one. If Kieran ever decides to sell paintings. I am in. As a giftee of one of his that I cherish. I would love to return the gift and patronize his so talented self. I am sending my brother to Lena's. Love to you both.