Williamsburg, Ky. – “Come as you are. You will be loved.” This phrase has become the rallying cry of the University of the Cumberlands students and alumni that have come together to form The Sowing Season. A collection of weary travelers that have made Appalachia their home and rejoiced in the music that has derived from their experiences, these four individuals are truly embracing a brand of music not commonly matched with the ideals of a young college campus.
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The Sowing Season is a growing phenomenon around the UC campus and beyond as many are growing to love the unique sounds of their traditional Indie/Folk tracks. A folk sound seems far removed from the modern-day college campus but the four members fight to keep the music alive with mandolins, straw-hats, and performances that scream “1920’s.”
The band consists of Cumberland alumni Brett Ratliff and Justin Adams and current students Hannah Roehrborn and Jared Coleman. Their official formation as a group was in the spring of 2010.
“We all had a common interest in music. Meeting here at UC was really convenient for us to join together and make good music” said Roehrborn of the group forming together. “We all met though common experiences across campus. The music sort of fell into place in time.”
That last statement is almost hard to believe when thinking about how many students are all “rocking-out” to indie/folk songs on their iPods as they walk to their next class. Yet, the miracle of these artists joining together is a turn away from the constant replay of rap and hip-hop songs.
“Like doves in a sycamore tree”
The mass appeal of The Sowing Season’s music can be a number of things, but one quality that can’t be ignored is the creativity of the lyrics for each song. “The driving force, you could say, for folk music is the wording. Our lyrics are really trying to paint a picture of the serentiy that we see in our lives and daily here in Williamsburg” said band member Brett Ratliff. “When we work together to write a song, or just try to come up with a specific melody, we take a step back and observe how the lyrics portray themselves. It’s like seeing words become a painting on a canvas.”
The words for the band’s music do not disappoint in painting that picture. Listen any number of their songs and you can just feel a euphoric presence in the way the melody and lyrics meld to take you to the time and place of the song’s events.
The band’s most played song on their band page on Facebook is “Homecoming” with a special link that shows the lyrics word-for-word with the song. This song probably has the best example of the peaceful harmony of lyrics and melody that the band works to achieve in every track.
“She came in a caravan today, her questions veiled like her eyes and just as green,
like doves in a sycamore or terebinth tree.
Her voice is rain on his head and in his ears, falling water on his lips
and in his eyes.”
like doves in a sycamore or terebinth tree.
Her voice is rain on his head and in his ears, falling water on his lips
and in his eyes.”
The lines to The Sowing Season’s other songs are just as meaningful and deep. Each song is reminiscent of poetry we all have read in an English class or two. Their music is art and they want to share it with those who will accept it. “Come as you are. You will be loved.”
Appalachian Success Story
The Sowing Season has seen great success. “We came together to enjoy making music. I mean, sure, we planned on trying to play some shows, but its getting a little beyond that now” said Roehrborn of the band’s growing success.
It’s also true. The band has played numerous performances in and out of state. They’ve had live radio performances. They even have their music readily available for purchase on iTunes. “It’s so great to get to do something like this and all you’re doing is having the most fun you can” said Roehrborn again with a noticeable smile on her face.
As time goes by in Williamsburg, Ky. we can only wait and see what is ahead for the band. They are the maker’s of their own destiny and are working hard to get their music out there for others. The Sowing Season even has a Summer 2011 Tour planned and hoping to reach places like Nashville, Indianapolis, and even Chicago along the way.
With flannel shirts adorned and mandolins in hand, The Sowing Season has a bright future that only gets brighter with every new note played.
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