PRE-ORDER: Wilder Beauty [CD]

Nearly three decades into their career, North Carolina's Chatham County Line continues to explore new musical territory with Wilder Beauty, their 11th studio album. Reflecting on the passage of time, human connection, and the beauty found in life's imperfect moments, the album captures a band embracing the creative freedom that comes with experience. Founding members Dave Wilson (vocals, guitar), John Teer (mandolin, fiddle), and Greg Readling (bass, pedal steel), alongside drummer Darren Jessee (Ben Folds, Sharon Van Etten, Hotel Lights), bring fresh perspective to the band's evolving sound, moving beyond their acoustic roots while retaining the intuitive chemistry that has long defined their music. Featuring contributions from longtime friends and collaborators Phil Cook on keyboards and Aoife O'Donovan on vocals, Wilder Beauty is both a reflection of the band's shared history and a testament to their continued musical curiosity.

Recorded at Overdub Lane in Durham, North Carolina, where Chatham County Line made their self-titled debut in 2003, Wilder Beauty brings the band's journey full circle. Recording largely live in the studio, including vocals and instrumental solos, the quartet sought to capture the spontaneity and interplay that come from years of making music together.

At its heart, Wilder Beauty reflects a band's deeper appreciation for the friendships, experiences, and fleeting moments that shape their lives and music. “Every time we play a show, I try to clock that moment in my life and realize how special it is to be up there playing music with these guys,” Wilson says. “That's what I try to do when I write songs: I try to capture those moments in life that are mind-bendingly momentous.” With Wilder Beauty, Chatham County Line looks toward the future with the same creative spirit that brought them together nearly 30 years ago.