Folks, today I am thrilled to introduce you to the wonderful humans of band Palmyra, joining me in conversation. Established in the Shenandoah Valley, Palmyra’s set explores the fusion of traditional folk string instruments, three part harmonies and foot percussion.
The trio captures the collective spirit of three Virginia natives, Teddy (he/him), Manoa (he/him), and Sasha (they/them), often described as a distant cousin of the progressive folk band, Punch Brothers, mixed with elements of Oliver Wood or the Avett Brothers. Palmyra’s songs are intimate and contemplative, with arrangements that allow them to create the illusion of a full, larger-than-three ensemble. The trio's sound is a nod to Appalachia and Midwestern Americana, apparent through their stirring craftsmanship and dedication to a folk-driven, innovative experience throughout each live performance.
In 2022, Palmyra made their Newport Folk Festival debut, were named the FloydFest 2022 On The Rise Winner, and performed over 150 tour dates on acclaimed stages up and down the east coast, including a support tour with national headlining act, Illiterate Light. Currently, they are gearing up for a new round of shows in the new year and settling into their new home base of Richmond, Virginia.
It's just us in our minivan, playing anywhere and everywhere, trying to say yes to every opportunity.
— Manoa Bell
I loved this conversation. Teddy, Manoa, and Sasha demonstrate a level of care and respect for the music and each other that feels rare, and important. This conversation also touches on many things close to my own heart: concepts of home, what it means to call a place home, finding your own unique sound, and sharing who you are with the world, a feat that can be both the most freeing and terrifying thing in the world. There is something in the music of Palmyra that speaks to all of these things, and does so in a way that is rooted in tradition while also creating an entirely new sound.
As most great musicians do, they create music that I, as the listener, didn’t know I needed until I heard it. Touching on queerness, rurality, and mental health, while also playing with classic folk instruments, melodies, and rhythms, there truly is something special at work here. Just take a look at the video above for Medicine, the band’s newest song, dropping this Friday, December 2nd.
I can’t wait to continue to follow their journey, and I hope you enjoy this conversation.
I think it's a really beautiful thing that music can be that. For me, as a young queer person, I can go to a jam that maybe necessarily isn't a super safe environment as far as the people around me’s beliefs. But I know that I can go to that jam, and this is a language that I speak through music, and it's really respected in the room that all of us are using that same language to talk to each other, even though we're not talking about politics or identity.
— Sasha Landon
EP 11: Palmyra