Leah Song
Leah Song is an Atlanta-born singer, banjoist, and activist who co-founded Rising Appalachia with sister Chloe Smith in 2005 — a Slow Music Movement champion whose Southern Appalachian, soul, and international roots blend has built a global touring catalog.
- Born Leah Smith in Atlanta, Georgia; performs under the stage name Leah Song.
- Co-founder and co-lead vocalist of Rising Appalachia with her younger sister, Chloe Smith.
- Father Andrew Hunter Smith is a folk-sculptor and painter; mother Jan Smith is a jazz pianist and folk musician who played fiddle with the Rosin Sisters.
- Sisters self-released their debut album "Leah and Chloe" (2006) from a basement studio in Atlanta as a family gift; its reception led them to formalize the band.
- Plays banjo, guitar, and other folk instruments alongside vocals; rooted in Southern Appalachian, soul, and international roots traditions.
- Spent roughly a year in southern Mexico around age 19 engaged with the Zapatista movement, and ~5 years traveling/living abroad.
- Coined and champions the "Slow Music Movement," favoring trains and small-footprint touring.
- Active in environmental, food-justice, human-rights, and prison-reform activism.