From the Dirt: An Americana Band Blending Genres

July 5, 2025

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with “From the Dirt”!

From the Dirt is a genre-blending Americana band rooted in the rolling hills of central Maryland. The group features songwriter and frontman Dan Kenny on guitar and vocals, alongside Jeff Karn on mandolin and harmony vocals, Eddie Dickerson on fiddle, and Megan Leigh adding haunting, harmony-rich vocal layers. Together, they craft a sound that is both timeless and emotionally charged, drawing on a rich tapestry of influences that include bluegrass, Celtic folk, Appalachian roots, and vintage rock & roll.

At the heart of From the Dirt’s music is storytelling—lyrically rich, emotionally raw, and often tinged with a poetic edge. Dan Kenny’s songwriting leans heavily into imagery and wordplay, with songs that explore the complexities of human experience: the ache of addiction, the sting of heartbreak, the depth of family ties, and the quiet moments of beauty and longing that emerge from struggle. Their songs don’t just tell stories—they invite listeners to live inside them.

The band’s upcoming album, Colored Edge of Memory, is set to release on all streaming platforms on May 2, 2025. Produced and recorded by the legendary Jerry Brown—known for his work with Doc Watson, Lucinda Williams, Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), and Steep Canyon Rangers—at the renowned Rubber Room Studio in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the album is a lush and layered collection of songs that balances technical musicianship with raw emotional power.

The recording also features a stellar lineup of guest musicians, including Joseph Terrell of Mipso on guitars, Joe MacPhail on drums and keyboards, Rick LeFleur on banjo, and acclaimed bassist Robbie Link (Townes Van Zandt) on upright bass, adding depth and texture to the band’s signature sound.

From the Dirt’s debut album, Bright Against the Blue, made waves in the indie Americana scene with its deeply personal songwriting and compelling performances. That album also includes special appearances from members of Mandolin Orange and Mipso, further establishing the band’s ties to the broader North Carolina and Appalachian folk communities. It features the award-winning track “Let’s Go Home,” a heartbreaking narrative exploring the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic through the lens of familial love and loss.

With a growing reputation for evocative lyrics, rich vocal harmonies, and genre-crossing arrangements, From the Dirt continues to carve out a space where vulnerability, grit, and hope coexist in song. Whether performing in intimate listening rooms or on festival stages, they bring an authentic and resonant voice to the modern Americana landscape.