We had a great time at our release party, and Jason Robinson wrote up his experience attending on coalvalleynews.com!
Here’s the write-up from May 21,2024!
Independent State brought an elegant CD release party to Charleston on Saturday, May 11, celebrating their new album, “The Wild & The Wonderful” at The Cottage at Northgate.
The event, co-hosted by Independent State, featured live performances by the band themselves, along with Amy McIntire and That High Country Revival, creating a night of live music for the enthusiastic Charleston crowd.
Self-described as “Appalachian Soul, Rebel Roots” Independent State’s unique sound is inspired by the natural beauty, rugged spirit, and rich heritage of the Mountain State. The band’s influences, musical experiences, and instrumentation are as diverse as West Virginia itself. The current lineup consists of Adam Cox on lead vocals, guitar and banjo, Elizabeth Segessenman on vocals, flute and keyboard Fox Burroughs on vocals, guitar, dobro, steel guitar and mandolin, Bryan Flowers on vocals and guitar, Tom Kirk on drums and Diana Burton on bass.
This being my first visit to The Cottage at Northgate I was very impressed by the elegant scenery of this event venue. The building is built in an older rustic style with tons of rooms and square footage suited for many different types of events such as meetings, weddings, reunions etc. The decor is very classy with lots of West Virginia motifs. The band had a room full of refreshments and info about various West Virginia causes and also did door prizes. They said this is the first music event that had been put on at The Cottage and even though this space wasn’t designed with live music in mind the sound was very good. Hopefully they will continue with live music after this.
The event wasn’t just about Independent State’s new album, it was also a chance to showcase the regional music scene. Amy McIntire of the band, “Maam” played a solo performance with accompaniment from a few members of Independent state on a couple songs. Independent State hit the stage second and performed the entire CD live to perfection, then THCR brought their own brand of energetic string band music to the stage.
For those who were lucky enough to attend, the Independent State CD release party was a night to remember. The Cottage at Northgate provided a perfect intimate setting for the music, and the energy from the bands and the crowd was contagious.
While it’s a little too late to catch the release party itself, “The Wild & The Wonderful” is available for purchase online, at Folklore Music or at local record stores and is on all streaming platforms. If you’re a fan of Independent State or just looking for some great new music, be sure to check it out!
If you’re a fan of live music and want to support local artists, be sure to keep an eye out for Independent State’s next show in Charleston. They’re sure to put on another unforgettable performance.
Jason E. Robinson is a guest entertainment columnist for HD Media.