Mandolin Orange Biography

A Lightnin' Hopkins line appears on Mandolin Orange's third album, This Side Of Jordan: "If fate is an old woodpecker, then I'm an old bit of wood." “You simply envision death as this woodpecker that falls on your shoulder and begins chipping away at you until there's nothing left,” says Andrew Marlin, the duo's songwriter. Marlin suffered a near-fatal car accident in 2011, just around the release of Mandolin Orange's critically acclaimed Haste Make/Hard Hearted Stranger. Emily Frantz, the other half of the North Carolinian duet, says, "It was terrifying at first, but it eventually drew us together at a moment when we needed a nudge in that direction." This Side Of Jordan tells the narrative of that healing journey via heartfelt tales of love and sorrow. The album's opener, "House of Stone," begins gently with Frantz's violin, then blooms with Marlin's guitar. This beautiful moment serves as a soft introduction to the album, which is steeped in Southern Appalachian folk music. Marlin and Franz have been fusing gospel, folk, and bluegrass since meeting at a neighborhood jam in Chapel Hill in 2009, but never quite like this. This Side Of Jordan was recorded with bassist Jeff Crawford and a backing band in the Fideltorium in Kernersville, North Carolina, and maintains Mandolin Orange's modest style with peaceful sounds. It's an appropriate contrast to Marlin's obvious lyricism. The record weaves together religious faith and folklore, with Biblical references utilized to “convey a distinct point,” according to Frantz. “It's really distressing to watch those tales be used to limit people's happiness,” Marlin continues. “Especially in the south, we hear the Bible interpreted in each and every manner to excuse people's comforts and discomforts.” “Our Father loves you all ways,” Marlin and Frantz sing in unison during the chorus of “Hey Adam,” which was inspired by this emotion. However, this isn't really a poetic album. The duo's knowledge of vintage country, rock, and blues is evident. Because of Nathan Golub's bending pedal steel, "Waltz About Whisky" swings like a honky tonk as Marlin and Frantz implore, "Won't someone dance with me to a waltz about whisky and convert my sorrowful melodies into lullabies?" Josh Oliver's minimalist piano notes frame “Black Widow” until its spooky climax when Marlin's frenetic guitar weaves the tune. And as Ryan Gustafson conjures on electric guitar, "Morphine Girl" plods along to James Wallace's drum. “Until The Last Light Fades,” the album's closing, was composed before Marlin met Frantz. It's the album's most delicate track, including only Marlin's mandolin and Frantz's guitar. Despite the fact that it's always been a favorite of the duo's to play, it didn't feel right on either of their prior albums. When it came to picking the tune to finish the album, Frantz says, "It felt very satisfying to have held out and have it come full circle." And as Frantz sings, "Born to die, born to die, dear, you'll live no longer than your years," it seems vaguely familiar, like an ancient saying. Marlin and Frantz had rambled through the night and emerged more confident than ever on This Side Of Jordan. They've written songs with simple structures, simple chords, and simple harmonies. Mandolin Orange was created to provide hymns like these.

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