Mandolin Orange

The road has been good to Mandolin Orange (Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz) since the 2013 release of ‘This Side of Jordan.’ Folk Alley (via NPR) called the album “effortless and beautiful,” naming it one of the year’s best folk/Americana releases, while Magnet dubbed it “magnificent,” and American Songwriter said it was “honest music, shot through with coed harmonies, sweeping fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar and the sort of unfakeable intimacy that bonds simpatico musicians like Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.” The record earned them performances everywhere from the iconic Newport Folk Festival to Pickathon, as well as tours with Willie Watson, Gregory Alan Isakov, The Wood Brothers, and more.

Marlin and Frantz did not play the mandolin when they visited Beehive Studios in Saranac Lake, New York, to record an interview and a few video performances. Instead, the pair who met at a bluegrass jam turned to acoustic and electric guitar ” demonstrating how their sound is evolving from its old-time and mountain music roots. ‘Such Jubilee,’ their latest CD, is “home” themed thanks, in part, to the road weariness they found while touring. Mandolin Orange’s songs come from an emotional place and use the cover of Emily and Andrew’s rich harmonies to move stealthily and grab listeners’ attention.