Eleanor Underhill grew up surrounded by music – the daughter of a balladeer who performed old English folk songs in Colonial Williamsburg. She tried her hand at a variety of instruments including piano, trombone, guitar, and ukulele before settling on the banjo, the instrument that has defined her sound. At age 14, Underhill composed her first song, and has since amassed a vast catalogue of music that has supported the creation of six albums with various musical projects. Her unique open-back banjo style, salty-blues vocals, and prolific writing ability remain a common thread.
On her new album, Land of the Living, Asheville, Eleanor Underhill stretches her creative wings wide. Threads of Americana, pop, R&B, and indie rock are embellished with psychedelic touches and orchestral flourishes in a work that achieves modern relevance and timeless feel. Defying easy categorization, the songs are bound together by Eleanor’s emotive vocals, earnest songwriting, and adventurous production style.
Enjoy this one-hour Living Well as Eleanor shares about life as a musician during the pandemic, the inspirations behind the songs on the new album and we play a few songs from Land of the Living.
Living Well with Eleanor Underhill on AshevilleFM, August 17, 2020
