Sierra Hull swung by the Relix Studio last fall for a performance highlighting her influences as well as herself. The session, available in part on YouTube, features covers from the Grateful Dead and Del McCoury along with an original collaboration with Cory Wong.
The three videos shared to Relix‘s YouTube channel highlight Hull’s diverse influences. Taking on the timeless Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter ballad “Black Muddy River”, the 31-year-old mandolinist endears herself to the more improvisationally-inclined fans she has amassed as part of the rising tide of modern jamgrass.
In another clip, Hull looks to modern bluegrass luminary Del McCoury with his “I Feel The Blues Movin’ In”. In the hands of Hull and her backing band—which experiments with the bluegrass format by adding drums and subtracting banjo—the song takes on more of a contemporary country feel than traditional mountain music. Finally, Sierra gives audiences a taste of her own voice with “Over The Mountain”, her sprawling instrumental collaboration with Cory Wong found on the Vulfpeck guitarist’s guest-filled 2022 album, Power Station.
Watch Sierra Hull cover the Grateful Dead and Del McCoury at the Relix Studio. She is currently out on tour, appearing next at Suwannee Spring Reunion on Thursday in Live Oak, FL. Hull also has a number of special dates on the books including shows with The Infamous Stringdusters and Béla Fleck‘s My Bluegrass Heart. For tickets and a full list of tour dates visit her website.
Sierra Hull – “Black Muddy River” (Grateful Dead) – 9/22/22
Sierra Hull – “I Feel The Blues Movin’ In” (Del McCoury Band) – 9/22/22
Sierra Hull – “Over The Mountain” – 9/22/22