Traditional/future folk duo Betse & Clarke announce their debut full-length album, “River Still Rise”, a collection of music intended to be enjoyed as a musical adventure, much like the river exploration of the famous duo Lewis & Clark, an inspiration for the band’s name. The album’s title comes from the journal of Meriwether Lewis, as the Corps of Discovery prepared to commence their epic journey. This self-released recording (released July 1, 2016) features the interweaving of fiddle and banjo, with Betse’s honest singing style and several tracks introducing the full string band sound of Brushy Creek with guitar and string bass. (Brushy Creek bandmates are Brett Hodges, guitar and singing; and Alex Mallett, bass and singing.)
Betse Ellis & Clarke Wyatt formed their duo in the fall of 2014, after meeting and realizing a shared love of deep sources of traditional southern mountain music, along with the motivation to create new folk music. In 2015, the duo was an official showcase act at Folk Alliance International Conference, and began their adventures on the road, touring in the Pacific Northwest and parts of the western States, from the Montana Fiddle Camp to the Portland Old Time Music Gathering. Their expedition continues in 2016 with an early fall tour in Ireland, performing at the Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, the Ulster American Folk Park Bluegrass Festival, and fine concert venues.
For each concert setting, the duo takes an audience on a musical field trip, and their performances elicit a range of responses…
Daren Dortin, Music Director of the Ozark Folk Center, writes: “"Authentic…from the heart with plenty of soul. Betse and Clarke are as good as it gets.”
Kelly Wells, Co-Founder of St. Louis Folk & Roots Festival: ”Betse & Clarke drag the classic fiddle/banjo combo kicking and screaming onto the modern stage, combining the subtlety of chamber music with the energy and power of punk rock."