CHARLESTON, S.C. — A striking collaboration has yielded “Susto Stringband: Volume 1,” a debut release on New West Records in which Justin Osborne of Susto’s poignant songwriting meets the rarified Appalachian sound of Asheville’s Holler Choir. The nine tracks feature Osborne’s original ballads and heartfelt refrains, now textured by the dulcet harmonies, intricate string arrangements and commanding vocals characteristic of Holler Choir.
Loosely translated from Spanish, “susto” — “an intense fear understood as a condition of the soul” — is the nom de plume of Justin Osborne and his rotating collective of music-making troubadours the songwriter established in 2013. Since then, he and whomever he’s performing or recording with as Susto (the band) has achieved adoration from the indie set and a place at the table as a bona fide emissary of alt-rock.
Part country-rooted psychedelia with just the right smattering of punk sneer, the driving force behind Susto is Osborne’s poetic deliberations inspired by life’s victories and misfortunes only a true artist can translate. His narratives explore themes of despair and self-loathing yet offer a glimmer of hope amidst the wreckage of broken hearts, casualties of a life marked by wild experiences and the uncertainties of the road. Yet within his songwriting, redemption rewards the mea culpa, and self-flagellation breeds salvation.
In 2022, major life changes brought Osborne to Asheville. Call it a cosmic push of serendipitous happenstance, but there, at an open mic night, the newcomer found a warm welcome from local Americana vocalist Clint Roberts, clawhammer banjoist Helena Rose and upright bassist Joey Brown (now of Holler Choir). Osborne has had a penchant for old-time music as far back as he can remember. An immediate connection and artistic chemistry sparked a new sound and vision.
Susto Stringband, featuring powerhouse vocalist Roberts, whose introspective lyrics echo Osborne’s poetic style, has gained popularity with their more acoustic, stripped-down, roots-oriented live performances. Osborne noted that the project has attracted existing Susto fans and new listeners drawn to traditional American music.
“I wanted to share the deeper influence with my fan base,” he explained. “It’s been great to see Susto making its way into that world.”
Crystalizing the new sound and vision on the road has brought Roberts — the stoic lead voice of Holler Choir — into new territory, developing skills including more nuanced guitar work and harmony singing.
“I see it as an opportunity to grow as a musician,” Roberts said. “But also to stay sharp on a whole cast of skills that otherwise wouldn’t necessarily present themselves immediately necessary within the context of Holler Choir.”
John Fields of Greenfields Productions, manager of Holler Choir and co-manager of Susto Stringband, was instrumental in launching the collaboration.
“What’s been really cool to see are the fans cross-pollinate.” Fields said. “You can feel the vibe of the old Susto fans tuning into the old-time sound of Holler Choir.”
According to Osborne, the band truly jelled during an intense run at the famed South by Southwest festival in Austin, where they played nine shows in four days. The experience served as a musical boot camp, helping the group quickly develop a cohesive sound and stage presence.
“By the time release weekend came around, we sort of knew what our set looked like,” Osborne said.
The band has since graduated from opening slots to headlining performances, growing confidence in their musical approach. The project represents more than just a side venture. While initially conceived as an offshoot of Susto, the Stringband has established its own distinct identity.
New singles “Never Losing Me” and “Double Crown” have performed impressively on streaming platforms, surprisingly even the team at New West. All three singles have entered Spotify’s top 10 for the band, indicating strong audience reception. The band continues to balance straightforward performances with instrumental exploration, trading solos between guitar, banjo, fiddle and other instruments while focusing on vocal harmonies and storytelling.
As Susto Stringband pushes on, Osborne remains enthusiastic about the project’s potential.
“We’ve already succeeded in what we set out to do,” he said. “At this point, we’re just riding the wave we created.”
Visit Susto.com for upcoming Susto Stringband performances this spring and summer.
