Lonesome wind: Upstream Rebellion to play Folkmoot Center
Upstream Rebellion recently played at Merlefest.
Donated photo
At the recent MerleFest, the nation’s premier Americana/bluegrass festival in Wilkesboro, an emerging act from our region, Upstream Rebellion, not only made its debut at the gathering as part of the band competition, the members also walked away immensely inspired.
“The feeling of playing there was fulfilling,” said guitarist Adam Winebarger. “The band competition was really just an excuse for us to come to the place where those who have inspired us spent plenty of time playing music.”
And although the group didn’t win the competition, what does remain is this fresh, hungry act eager to make its mark on the storied acoustic scene here in Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia.
“There are countless distractions to get caught up in nowadays, but perhaps the healthiest one to lose yourself in is music,” said guitarist Andrew Bivens.
The band looks at its job onstage as one where the listener and audience at-large get to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, only to immerse themselves in the soothing sounds of live music.
“We as a band want to serve as a beneficial distraction to all our listeners,” Bivens said. “I hope that every time one of our songs come on, it brightens someone’s day.”
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Upstream Rebellion is comprised entirely of musicians from WNC. Alongside Winebarger (Trap Hill) and Bivens (Rutherfordton), the ensemble includes banjoist Max Rogers (Waynesville), dobroist Cooper Franklin (Canton), mandolinist Walker Ballance (Waynesville) and bass fiddler Jared Wills (Murphy).
“I think our biggest goal as a band is to show people that bluegrass can be more than what it seems on the surface,” Bivens said.
Formed while students at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, Upstream Rebellion came together by happenstance. Although Rogers, Ballance and Franklin knew one another from growing up in Haywood County, they crossed paths with the others through impromptu jam sessions in the dorms.
“After many noise complaints and common room jams later, we stumbled into more pickers on campus,” Ballanace said. “We knew something special was being formed when Adam, Andrew and Jared started joining the jams.”
To note, Rogers was initially not a fan of bluegrass as a kid. But that sentiment quickly shifted when his grandfather handed him a banjo at age 15. The elder told the teenager to try to learn the instrument.
“I was pretty stubborn, so I set out to prove I couldn’t play it,” Rogers said. “But, within a few days, something clicked. It felt natural, like the banjo had been waiting for me. That’s when everything changed. I fell in love with the instrument first, then the music.”
The banjo became a way for Rogers to creatively express himself. Between the rhythm, melody and “this raw character in the tone,” the music spoke to the aspiring musician.
“I’ve learned a lot from players like Jim Mills, Ron Block, Ron Stewart and J.D. Crowe,” Rogers said. “They showed me how deep the banjo can go. Not just technically, but emotionally, too. They’ve set the standard for me, and their playing still shapes the way I approach every note.”
The name of the group comes partly from a can of chewing tobacco. Although already kicking around the idea of having the word “rebellion” somewhere in the moniker, the final piece of the puzzle came when Ballance was reading the label on a can of Kodiak.
“The phrase [on the can] said, ‘Discovery Lies Upstream,’” Balance said.
So, just what is it about the “high, lonesome sound” that continues to captive these young musicians in search of their musical identity?
“The thing that makes bluegrass so special is its authenticity,” Bivens said. “From its lyrics, harmonies and roots to the physical challenge of playing it — it’s all real and people enjoy that down to earth sound.”
As of late, the band has been growing leaps and bounds, from casual jamming to consistent performances around the area. They’ve also added a contemporary element by doing bluegrass renditions of modern songs, including Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” and “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon.
“Upstream Rebellion ultimately plans to continue to grow as a band,” Winebarger said. “Most importantly, we each plan to grow as musicians considering the passion and backgrounds that each one of us comes from.”
Just last month, Upstream Rebellion raised more than a few eyebrows when the sextet opened for Woody Platt & The Bluegrass Gentlemen during “An Evening Under the Arch” in downtown Waynesville. Platt is the Grammy-winning former front man for the Steep Canyon Rangers, with his solo outfit now featuring Buddy Melton, formerly of acclaimed bluegrass band Balsam Range.
“Making more bluegrass lovers is something that drives us, and I think we’re accomplishing that,” Bivens said. “[And] while also, hopefully, paying our respects to the people who started the genre and defined its core.”
Beyond its increasing presence on social media via Instagram and TikTok, Upstream Rebellion will continue to hit the road this summer, with several dates already on the calendar, including a special appearance on June 19 at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.
“At the end of the day, whether it’s live onstage or through someone’s phone screen, it’s about making honest music that connects,” Rogers said. “That connection is what keeps us moving forward.”
Want to go?
Rising regional Americana/bluegrass act Upstream Rebellion will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.
Hailing from the depths of Western North Carolina, Upstream Rebellion is rooted in the intricate musical traditions of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountain ranges. The ensemble showcases a captivating blend of bluegrass standards and original numbers.
General admission is $25 per person, with a $15 and $5 “pay what you can” options available. Donations are welcome. Doors open at 6 p.m. The 6 Pigs BBQ food truck will also be onsite.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit folkmoot.org. To learn more about Upstream Rebellion, you can search the band’s name on Facebook and “Upstream.Rebellion” on Instagram.
What’s new at Folkmoot
A cultural arts beacon of Haywood County and greater Western North Carolina, the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville hosts an array of events, classes and workshops
Upcoming concerts include Upstream Rebellion (June 19), Peter Mawanga Trio (Sept. 18), Free Planet Radio (Oct. 16), Rudy’s Bluegrass Revue (Nov. 13) and Eireann’s Call (Dec. 11).
As well, there will be a book reading featuring Eddie Huffman, author of “Doc Watson: A Life in Music” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 17. The Smoky Mountain Yoga & Wellness Festival will be Saturday, June 21 (smokymountainyogafest.com).
In terms of musicians, “World Drum Classes” will be held every Friday at 2:30 p.m. (adults) and 4 p.m. (family friendly, all ages), with the “Waynesville Acoustic Guitar Group” meeting from 2-4 p.m. every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
For a full schedule of events and activities, visit folkmoot.org.
