Charleston folk duo headlines the Panida Theater

By Reader Staff

As part of a national tour stopping only briefly in the Northwest, acclaimed Charleston, S.C.-based folk duo Shovels and Rope will perform for one night only Friday, Oct. 9 on the historic Panida Theater stage (300 N. First Ave., in downtown  Sandpoint). 

The two singers and multi-instrumentalists will draw from their collective 10 albums for a musical journey that spans genres and moods beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Musical and romantic partners Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent began their musical careers as separate solo acts traveling across South Carolina, eventually falling into the same bands before deciding to embark on their own project. The husband-and-wife duo continues to revisit and revitalize their solo work while on tour, though the majority of their performances are dedicated to the seven studio albums, three collaborative albums and multiple EPs that they’ve developed together.

The group’s shared sound draws from the South’s musical history, blending folk, rock and country — even adding an occasional dash of punk. Their powerful sound emphasizes the duo’s harmonies, which pair Hearst’s classic country-rock voice with Trent’s rawer, more traditionally folk sound. Together, their voices elevate evocative lyrics that almost always tell a story — whether it’s one of love or loss. 

Listening to fan-favorite hits like “Birmingham” and “I Know,” it’s easy to see why Shovels and Rope were featured on The Late Show with David Letterman, and why Americana greats like Brandi Carlile and Shakey Graves have chosen to collaborate with them.

Find the duo’s music on most streaming platforms, and learn more about their newest release, Something Is Working Above My Head, at shovelsandrope.com. Tickets to Friday’s performance are available at panida.org or at the door for $28 to $48, depending on selected seating.