Kinnfolk - Star Above the Mountain (2025)

Star Above the Mountain is the third studio album by the Roanoke, Virginia-based duo Kinnfolk, comprised of husband-and-wife team Josh and Julie Kinn. The album features ten tracks, including eight original compositions and two traditional Celtic songs (“Highland Laddie” and “The Parting Glass”). Inspired by the history, geography, and folklore of Roanoke, including the iconic Mill Mountain Star—the world’s largest free-standing illuminated star—the project began in 2022 with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Roanoke. It was debuted live on June 30, 2023, at The Spot on Kirk. Guest musicians include Paul Brockman (fiddle), Brandon Davis (uilleann pipes), Burt Mitchell (Irish flute and harmonica), Mitch Petersen (tin whistle), and Tim Sauls (banjo and bouzouki). Recorded at Fainting Goat Studio in Bedford, Virginia, the album was produced by Willy Gurley, with artwork by Doug Cavanaugh and photography by Liz McNeil. The music blends traditional Celtic melodies with Appalachian charm, highlighting vocal harmonies and Josh’s octave mandolin and Julie’s bodhrán.



Tracklist:
1-1 Kinnfolk - The Water's Rising / Gwendal [5:47]
1-2 Kinnfolk - The Greenway Set: Fall on the Greenway / The Banjo Bird / The Athol Starling [4:50]
1-3 Kinnfolk - Highland Laddie [3:47]
1-4 Kinnfolk - Old Gabriel [4:04]
1-5 Kinnfolk - The Star Above the Mountain Set: Star Above the Mountain / The Roanoke Reel / The Big Lick Reel [5:18]
1-6 Kinnfolk - Ghost of Old Crozet [3:18]
1-7 Kinnfolk - Song for the Valley [1:49]
1-8 Kinnfolk - The Triple Crown Set: Dragon's Tooth / Tinker Cliff / McAfee Knob [5:05]
1-9 Kinnfolk - Roanoke Puirt À Beul: Tha Na Beanntan Mun Cuairt A’ Bhaile-Mòr / Am Faic Thu an Trèana A’ Tighinn [3:08]
1-10 Kinnfolk - The Parting Glass [2:24]