There's a trick to playing in a string band: Knowing when to come in is an obvious skill, but there's a real talent needed to know when NOT to play. Mandolin Orange have been one of my favorite duos in folk music for that reason. They have a style initially that may seem simple, but the complexity of what they do with the spaces between the notes is special, and it sets them apart from others.

Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz have been playing together since they met at a bluegrass jam session less than a decade ago. Since 2011, the North Carolina duo have released four albums and are starting to get noticed. They did their first European tour last fall and also played the Newport Folk Festival.

We caught up with Mandolin Orange as they were making a drive through the Midwest, and we invited them to play a few songs in our studio.

Songs Performed

"Daylight"
"Little Worlds"
"That Wrecking Ball"
All songs from Mandolin Orange's album, Such Jubilee, out now on Yep Roc Records.

Personnel

Andrew Marlin: guitar, mandolin, vocals
Emily Frantz: fiddle, guitar, vocals
Josh Oliver: additional guitar on "That Wrecking Ball"

Hosted and produced by Mike Pengra
Engineered by Michael DeMark

Gallery

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