The unique folk-style quartet known as Mipso originated in North Carolina and stayed true to their roots since they started performing in 2011. In the new year, they are poised to deliver on their sonic vision to the masses.
Ask any of their devoted fans, and what stands out is the sense that this band is comprised of friends who enjoy each other’s company and just love to play music. Watching them live, you get that; reason # 101 their fans love them as much as they do.
MIPSO
THE PINHOOK
Durham, North Carolina
January 13, 2023
Since everyone loves an origin story, the band formed in 2010 as “Mipso Trio” (three college friends) and then Libby Rodenbough joined full time later. They dropped the “Trio” from their name and the rest is history. After their official debut in 2013, they regularly played the infamous Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC which has seen the likes of Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, John Mayer, and Pearl Jam. Over the years they have developed a devout following that mirrors the legends that have played the venue.
This band can be steamy, sultry, soul piercing and electrifying. All these qualities rolled into one. They put out a collective sound that has opened eyes and ears of fans and industry professionals from coast-to-coast and they look to be ready to launch. Mipso consists of Jacob Sharp (mandolin), Libby Rodenbough (fiddle), Wood Robinson (bass), and Joseph Terrell (guitar).
(Side note: There is an interesting, yet wholesome family story on how Jacob Sharp came to acquire his first mandolin).
They released their first album, “Dark Holler Pop,” in 2013 (the same year they graduated college!) and the album was a hit. Since then, they have released a total of five albums with the other four being “Old Time Reverie,” “Coming Down the Mountain,” “Edges Run,” and most recently, 2020’s “Mipso.”
While they are more folk sounding these days, they started off with an undeniable bluegrass sound. Around 2015, they enhanced and refined their delivery by adding in an electric organ and banjo; a very cool Black Keys move. In 2017, the album “Coming Down the Mountain” displayed the addition of drums and a slide guitar and topped the bluegrass charts. David Lindley would be impressed to say the least.
Their most notable song is their 2018 single “People Change,” which has had over 99 million streams on Spotify. “Edges Run” is another popular hit that gets played at almost all their shows. “Louise” and “Coming Down the Mountain” are also doing very well on the streaming platforms.
They’ve been able to do quite a few interesting things since they launched the band. For instance, they performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the KFC float.
Joseph Terrell won a songwriting contest at Merlefest in North Carolina. When they traveled and performed in Japan in 2013, it was filmed for a documentary.
A couple of the band members have even put out a solo album or two. The band narrowly survived a horrific car crash and lost a lot of their gear not too long after the album “Edges Run” was released. But this near brush with death made the band even stronger and encouraged them to remain intact.
Mipso is doing a show in Durham, NC this Friday (the 13th!) at the Pinhook and it sold out within days of its announcement. As we await further show dates from the quartet, we can say they are slated to appear April 20th at Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida as part of a large lineup of artists such as The Avett Brothers, Elle King, The Black Crowes, Fitz and the Tantrums and many more.
