Justin Osborne has been performing as ‘Susto’ since 2013, when he formed a collective of fellow musicians and artists in coastal Charleston, South Carolina. Now a bona fide emissary of alt rock and treasure to the indie crowd, a lifelong calling coupled with a cosmic push of serendipitous happenstance led to his latest venture: ‘Susto Stringband’ joined by Americana vocalist Clint Roberts, clawhammer banjoist Helena Rose, and upright bassist Joey Brown (now Holler Choir). 

Lightning struck as an immediate connection and artistic chemistry captured a new sound and visualization that unfolds on Susto Stringband’s debut release from New West Records, simply titled “Susto Stringband: Volume 1.” Nine of Osborne’s ballads, refrains and heart wrenching confessions, now drenched in the singular Appalachian sound of Holler Choir’s verdant harmonies and stringed arrangements. Still, steeped in the emotive punch of the traditional string band sound, Susto Stringband presents an Arcadia like vision of pastoralism and and harmony with nature, but with Osborne’s lyrics, there are landmines to dodge and mountains to climb.