The Independent State: Appalachian Soul, Rebel Roots.
The Independent State originated as a duo. Adam Cox and Beth Segessenman became acquainted through their day jobs teaching art and music for KCS. Soon they began to musically collaborate, when Beth added flute to 4 tracks on Adam’s CD, named “Free and Independent State.” The music reflects his love of nature and the heritage of the mountain state. In the spring of 2014, they joined forces under the name, “Independent State” sometimes as a duo, other times with a full band. Their soulful music weaves environmental themes into the Adam’s songs, exemplified bythe lyrics from the song Third World Coalfield: “Come on you hillbillies, fight for your land, before the mountains no longer stand!”
Now our ensemble performs regularly for a variety of shows. We keep a foot in the traditional sounds and instruments of Appalachia. It’s the music in our soul. Yet we love exploring new music, and use a diverse array of traditional instruments such as flute, dobro, banjo, steel guitar, mandolin to explore the rebellious spirit of the Mountain State.
In addition to the tracks from our new album and other songs we’ve written that celebrate the Mountain State, we also cover a large variety of other musical acts.
Beatles
Canned Heat
Creedence Clearwater Revial
Johnny Cash
June Carter
David Allen Coe
Sheryl Crow
John Denver
Hazel Dickens
Bob Dylan
Sarah Jarosz
Norah Jones
Loretta Lynn
Bob Marley
Stevie Nicks
Dolly Parton
Johnny Paycheck
Tom Petty
Charlie Poole
Rolling Stones
Hank Williams, Jr.
Hank Williams, Sr.
