Southern-raised sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith, shown above, are redefining folk music with their soulful style, banjo and fiddle duets and poetic harmonies.  The duo’s band, Rising Appalachia, shares those harmonies at San Juan Community Theatre on Tuesday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Having been raised in the American South with Appalachian lullabies at night and soul music for breakfast, the Louisiana-based sisters say they have drawn great inspiration from their global community.

Their self-sculpted career has produced six independently-released full length albums, including the just released Wider Circles, inspired by folk standards and traditional hymns, old mountain odes, and activist anthems that pull equally from the swampy sounds of the bayou and the contemporary twang of the Appalachian Mountains.

“The album is a deep reflection of the many influences and experiences we have intimately lived and have built our songs on,” explains Song. “Wider Circles is a subtle and powerful folk anthem.”

Rising Appalachia’s Friday Harbor appearance is made possible by underwriters Larry Soll and Nancy Maron.The Business Partner for the evening is Wildwood Manor.  Tickets are $18 for adults; $10 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH at the door.  The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or buy on-line at www.sjctheatre.org