National Sawdust presents LPR Presents: Rising Appalachia
National Sawdust80 North 6th Street, New York 11249
Rising Appalachia comes to National Sawdust for a full-band performance led by sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith. The Atlanta-raised duo bring the vocal harmonies, songcatching and storytelling at the core of the project, with a sound their official site places at the meeting point of Southern folk traditions, New Orleans swamp culture and Atlanta street spirit. Their music also draws from Appalachian tradition and global roots influences, opening outward from the sisters’ songs into a broader ensemble palette.
Rising Appalachia built its path through busking in New Orleans, song collecting in Ireland, Bulgaria and Colombia, and an approach to touring shaped by grassroots activism and community-centered performance. The group worked with producer Joe Henry on 2019’s Leylines, which featured Ani DiFranco, Trevor Hall and Maurice Turner; their 2026 album Trade My Troubles includes Aoife O’Donovan, Ayla Nereo, Bonnie Paine and Brittany Haas. Country Standard Time called them “not in the musical mainstream,” while Spirituality & Health praised their “powerful blending of folk, blues, global percussion, and social justice.” PopMatters described the harmonies on “I Need a Forest Fire” as “downright mesmerizing.”
National Sawdust offers a unique evening where music and innovation meet in a thoughtfully designed space that once housed a sawdust factory. The main hall, seating up to 185 guests with flexible arrangements, features a cutting-edge Meyer spatial sound system that immerses you in every note. The room’s raw brick walls and crystalline architectural elements create a striking contrast, enhancing the focus on the performance. A full bar is available, inviting you to enjoy a drink while fully engaging with the diverse range of genres presented by both emerging and established artists. Shows are ticketed, and purchasing ahead is recommended to secure your spot in this intimate yet spacious venue. The experience is centered on listening and discovery, making for an evening that feels both special and thoughtfully curated.