Culture Cabinet

Palmyra consists of the Virginia-based trio Sasha Landon, Teddy Chipouras, and Mānoa Bell. The group met in a songwriting class in college, as each attended James Madison University. “We played in each other’s bands in college, but we didn’t really get to know each other well until we took a songwriter class together,” Landon explains. 

Following college, and the 2020 lockdown, the trio moved in together, forming a band on the foundation of democracy and equal agency. In fact, not one of them has a bad word to say about collaborating as a group. 

“It’s really fun,” says Chipouras. “We’re all writers and singers and songwriters, so we each get to play different roles in each other’s songs. Like, if Mānoa brings a song to the group, I’m able to play a different role than if I bring a song to the group. So, it’s fun that we all get to put on different hats when arranging and recording. It’s very much a group effort.” 

It was this sense of cohesiveness as a group that pushed the band to create Restless, their debut album, out today. And while the band was able to keep their sense of unity in its creation, working in a studio for the first time provided its own unique processes. 

“The studio is a whole different process, especially with this record,” Chipouras explains. “It was the first time we had done it in a professional way in terms of process. We had a producer and an engineer, two buddies of ours, and it was a very different process than what we’re used to arranging, because it was a lot of hurry up and wait. But, it was a very cool process that we were grateful to have. We got an extensive amount of time in the studio to really flesh it out and make it feel like something we’re proud to call our album.” 

And proud the group is. It’s evident just by the group’s demeanor that they are excited to put out this album, and are proud of the work they have done as a group. And, well they should be, as Restless is a jumpstart of a debut of what will surely be a significant discography for Palmyra. The album feels like it was made to be played in the car with the windows down; it transcends genre and limitations. With each member bringing their own styles and flare comes a mosh pit of tonal blends that range from folk-sounding tunes to post-rock anthems, and yet, everything works cohesively. 

At the forefront is also Palmyra’s songwriting prowess. While Restless displays its fair share of upbeat ballads, like “Arizona,” one of the album’s singles and standout tracks, it is also not afraid to shy away from harder topics. But, in classic Palmyra fashion, everything is still in sync. 

“The first song on the record, ‘Restless,’ opens with just our voices, just the three of us singing,” says Bell. “I think that was the song that, when we first put it together, felt like the beginning of the record. It has always felt that way. If I’m looking into the future, I can imagine every time I hear that song, I’ll think of this first record, and think about this period of our lives. Sometimes songs just have that kind of magic to them. And that one, we arranged super fast, it was never a song that was difficult. I love it for its ease.” 

“It’s a record about growing up and adjusting to life on the road and just trying to be a person, whatever that means,” chimes in Landon. “And that’s what the last tune on the record, ‘Carolina Wren’ is. I think the record is the three of us searching for something in ourselves and in each other and in the people we meet on the road, and ‘Carolina Wren’ is just a sweet little love tune that caps it all off and says, ‘I want to sit here and be still for a while.’” 

Though, while the band may be adjusting to being on the road, having already toured all over the country, including a recent South by Southwest appearance, they will get all the more practice on their first headlining tour for Restless. 

“This is our first proper headlining tour,” says Landon. “We’ve played a lot of intimate house concerts. We’ve done tour openings for friends, and this is our first time to be like, ‘Hey look, we’re doing it ourselves.’ It feels like a nice notch in the belt for us and something we’ve been working towards for a long time.” 

“We’ve also never toured a release before,” adds Chipouras. “We’ve never gone on the road after releasing an album, so it’s gonna be really cool. There’s more of an expectation from the audience that we’re gonna play songs on the album, which we’ve never had before. We’re used to just playing 12 unreleased songs in a set, but it’ll be cool to have most of the songs we’re playing already released.” 

“It’s also cool to share the experiences with each other,” says Bell. “I think one thing we’re really excited about is that this is the first tour that’s around the release of these new songs, and hopefully they’re going to reach people and introduce them to the band. They’re going to show up to the shows and really love this one song, and it’ll be special to them, and that’s what got them in the door. We’ve never had that experience before. We’ve had it in degrees, but to go on tour and it’s just like, ‘Wow, this is all because of a record.’ That’s what we’re looking forward to, for sure.” 

But as for what the band hopes listeners, particularly those who may be first introduced to Palmyra through this record, take away, their answer is simple. 

“I hope [listeners] take away that it’s okay to not feel so hot,” says Bell. “A lot of these songs go around that feeling of like, ‘Yeah, I don’t feel good.’ And, that’s fine. It’s cool to say that. But, I also hope they just have fun. It hope it’s a record that people want to listen to in a good time kind of way, not just because they’re upset, but because they want to listen to some upbeat music. I hope we’re a fun band.” 

And, having listened to Palmyra and their debut album, I can confirm: they are. 

You can stream Restless below and get tickets to Palmyra on tour here.