Overview
The imposter in the mirror—wanting to be reckless and young while simultaneously mature and maternal. Matador, Gas Money, Did I Really Know Him?, and Collateral Damage speak to this sentiment directly, particularly the latter, which has Sarah grappling with her desire for motherhood and freedom on the road—two goals in direct opposition to each other. That friction is palpable, especially for anyone who also longs for two paths in life that constantly conflict.
“We’ve never been a bluegrass band, but being from NC, we cannot ignore the regional influences all around us. We sampled organic tones and manipulated them into synth pads.”
Sarah McCombie, of the North Carolina duo Chatham Rabbits, is ready for change: “I’m ready for our fans to get to know the people we are now. We’ve grown up together, and getting to reveal this album feels like our collective coming of age.”
This declaration comes from a woman who has spent the past six years building a robust catalog and passionate fanbase within the Americana community alongside her husband and bandmate, Austin McCombie. A woman who knows there is more to the band’s story than vows, banjos, and vintage dresses.
The duo has released three albums—All I Want from You (2019), The Yoke is Easy, The Burden is Full (2020), and If You See Me Riding By (2022)—that nod to the old-time roots of their college string band days. But with their new release, Be Real with Me (February 14, 2025), they have demonstrably grown up.
“These past two years have totally changed us,” describes Austin. “We’re not as bright-eyed and naive as we were when we committed to Chatham Rabbits full-time.” This honesty is the backbone of their fourth studio album. The title is the ask—or rather, the plea—Be Real with Me.
As unified as ever, the McCombies have faced challenges within their marriage, an overhaul of faith and belief systems, a global pandemic, three moves, the loss of beloved family pets, and the heartbreak that comes with getting really real and brutally honest with each other. Austin’s once fair, freckled arms are now adorned with tattoos by artists he’s met on the road, inspired by natural elements that bring him joy. Sarah’s closet is still brimming with vintage pieces, but lately, she’s reaching for a slip dress instead.
With their forthcoming release, Sarah is excited for fans to hear the band’s forward momentum. The music speaks for itself.
As Sarah explains, “We got married so young. We are simply not the same people we once were because playing music for a living has consumed and transformed us. This lifestyle has presented us with exhausting tour schedules, vulnerable songs that force us to talk about our marriage, difficult business decisions, and the ever-complicated dilemma of mixing art and money and friends and employees. Ultimately, though, it has been a net positive experience.”
Written post-pandemic by Sarah and Austin and recorded over two years at the Studio at Small Pond Farm in Pittsboro, NC, Be Real With Me was co-produced by Austin McCombie and longtime collaborator Saman Khoujinian (The Dead Tongues, Lou Hazel). This record is the band’s Return of Saturn—an astrological phenomenon that occurs around age 29, when one reevaluates life and, through trial and error, determines what’s worth committing to moving forward.
“This record is about doing your best and still failing, facing percussive elements on this record. It feels like a natural progression because the foundational components of our music are still there—we’ve just added to it,” says Austin. On this album, you’ll still hear the banjo (Sarah McCombie), but now it’s accompanied by a drum machine (Saman Khoujinian), synth (Saman Khoujinian), and pedal steel (Ryan Stigmon). But it’s the lyrics that show the most maturity.
You can hear the growth not just in the topics, but in the way they’re conveyed. In One Little Orange, a startlingly tender song about Sarah’s relationship with her late grandfather, she sings: “I just have to trust whatever I’ve been told.” These lyrics hit close to home, with their precise word choices, full-circle storytelling, and universal themes of the human condition expressed through the songwriter’s personal experience.
“It makes me fired up to sing about my life and my discoveries. It’s so cathartic,” Sarah shares, reflecting on the future. “There’s a place for Abigail and Bugle Boy,” she says, referencing two of the duo’s earlier songs, “but the songs on Be Real with Me are representative of who we are today.”`
The Cody Sisters Band is at the heart of contemporary acoustic folk and bluegrass in Colorado, the United States, and the UK. Their propulsive instrumental solos and warm harmonies captivate listeners. Along with bass player Will Pavilonis, sisters Megan (guitar, mandolin, vocals) and Maddie (guitar, banjo, vocals) have forged a distinctive sound that has no equivalent in the acoustic world today.
In May 2023, The Cody Sisters released their self-titled EP, marking a new beginning for the band. It is their first release since moving beyond their former image as a "young girls in a family band," showcasing a maturity and musical depth that reveals a new dimension of their artistry. Exploring new sounds and styles while staying true to their bluegrass roots, they have crafted music that invites connection, emotion, and shared experiences through original lyrics and captivating instrumental arrangements.
With their latest release, Archipelago, The Cody Sisters continue to refine and expand their signature sound—one that is original, exhilarating, and deeply heartwarming. Rooted in traditional American acoustic music, they continue to stun audiences both in the U.S. and abroad.
Map
Upcoming Events at Turntable
