Following their debut release “On the Road,” progressive bluegrass collective Sourwood returns with “Wrong Carolina,” a rhythmically complex and narratively playful second single that blurs the lines between heartbreak and highway maps. The track explores the chaos of mistaken direction – both geographically and emotionally – fueled by one of the band’s most memorable musical arrangements to date.
“It started with this story [that bandmate Liam Lewis] told me,” says frontman Lucas Last, recalling a tour mix-up where Liam‘s band mistakenly arrived at a South Carolina venue – only to find out they were booked at a bar of the same name in North Carolina. “He was also going through a rough patch with someone named Caroline, so I just mashed those together: wrong place, wrong time, wrong person.”
The song’s namesake, “Wrong Carolina,” plays with the ambiguity of place and person, letting the title line hit with layered meaning. “We wanted the lyric to feel deliberately unclear – ‘I was in the wrong, Carolina’ vs. ‘I was literally in the wrong Carolina,'” Lucas explains. “It’s simple, but the ambiguity is where the real emotional weight is.”
What can you share with readers about your new project?
This project has been a long time coming. It started back in 2019 and has gone through a lot of changes over the years. Finally getting to hear all the pieces fall into place after listening to snippets of chopped up voice memos is a very rewarding feeling.
How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the past?
Our second release Wrong Carolina, was one of the first songs that really excited everyone involved in the project: There are cool vocal parts, interesting grooves—we were unreservedly expressing our musical influences throughout the arrangement. Coming from a routine of constant pick-up gigs and playing residencies as sidemen, it felt good to pour a lot of authentic playing into one super charged track.
What about this single makes you most proud?
When it comes to creating music right now, among many of my musical peers, the biggest idea we want to convey is that our music will be a safe space for people who are marginalized and do not get to feel safe in a majority of venues, festivals, and bars. I play a lot of bluegrass and Irish music which happen to be extremely White spaces that benefit regularly from easily accessible music—I just want to broaden that space.
Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
Living in Los Angeles, I have gotten to perform with comedians like Paul F. Tompkins (Bojack Horseman, Varietopia) and musicians such as Gabe Witcher (Punch Brothers). I would love to work with more comedians on the Dropout platform—they have cultivated one of the coolest and most creative spaces I have ever seen. And for musicians, Paul Brady is such an influence on contemporary Irish music, he is in his late 70’s now and it would be incredible to work with him. He has one of the most incredible voices and an iconic guitar playing style.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
The last song I listened to for fun…I had to look in my playlist history because it is typically 50 or so songs I have to learn for gigs throughout the month. “The Diary Of Jane” by Breaking Benjamin was there. I think my partner and I were reminiscing about classic KROQ from the early 2000s. When I’m listening for fun I love Modest Mouse, Animal Collective, Kittel and Co—Records that were from before I played music full time as a job.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why?
My name is Liam Lewis and I can be found on Instagram @highandsnark and on my band Instagram @stepwise_band or website stepwiseband.com.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
Please continue to stay updated with @sourwoodbluegrass! We have more music coming out and we would love as many people to hear it as possible. Thank you!
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
Please continue to stay updated with @sourwoodbluegrass! We have more music coming out and we would love as many people to hear it as possible. Thank you!
I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?
Please continue to stay updated with @sourwoodbluegrass! We have more music coming out and we would love as many people to hear it as possible.
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