North Carolina folk-rock duo Couldn’t Be Happiers have unveiled Couple(t)s Side A, the first half of their ambitious sophomore album. With roots in storytelling and a knack for blending diverse musical influences, the release solidifies the duo’s reputation as a compelling voice in modern folk music. Following standout performances at the Southeastern Regional Folk Alliance Conference, Confluence Music Industry Conference, and an appearance on NPR’s The Martha Bassett Show, the couple’s latest project is poised to reach audiences far beyond their home state.
At its heart, Couple(t)s is both a tribute to tradition and an exercise in innovation. The EP spans genres while maintaining a cohesive emotional core, with its tracks organized in thematic pairs. Love songs like the tender “Come Back Tomorrow” and “When I Die” open the EP, while protest songs “Plastic Bag Odyssey” and “Tear It Down” carry messages of resilience and defiance. Folk storytelling takes the spotlight with “Devil’s Tramping Ground” and “Pretty Polly,” inspired by Southern folklore.
The title Couple(t)s reflects the dynamic partnership between band members and married couple Jodi Hildebran Lee (drums, vocals, harmonica) and Jordan Crosby Lee (guitar, vocals). It’s a nod to their creative synergy and their admiration for the poetic couplet: “The couplet is simple and powerful–much like folk music,” Jodi explains. “It’s also a metaphor for our relationship. Jordan and I are completely different people, but we work together in concert toward the same goal—creating unique yet relatable folk music.”
Musically, Couple(t)s Side A expands the duo’s sonic palette, incorporating sousaphone, melodica, accordion, and even a musical saw. Tracks like “Come Back Tomorrow” groove with a New Orleans second-line rhythm, while the haunting “Lydia’s Bridge” ventures into industrial textures. Yet, despite the layered arrangements produced with Doug Davis of Flytrap Music Production, each song remains rooted in the duo’s live energy, ensuring the recordings are authentic to their stage performances.
The EP’s creation was a labor of love, often squeezed into stolen moments between work, gigs, and life. Jordan’s insistence on precision and Jodi’s drive to keep the project moving forward served as the foundation for its completion: “The entire process was chaos,” Jordan admits. “Jodi kept us moving, while I focused on getting each song right.”
Couple(t)s Side A delivers a blend of thoughtful lyricism, emotional depth, and instrumental creativity, serving as a compelling introduction to the full Couple(t)s album. With its intricate pairing of love, protest, and folklore themes, this release is an ode to the transformative power of music and partnership.
Whether you’re drawn to its poetic structure, its diverse instrumentation, or its heartfelt storytelling, Couple(t)s Side A is an unforgettable entry in the folk-rock genre—one that showcases Couldn’t Be Happiers as both grounded and innovative artists. Keep an eye out for Couple(t)s Side B in the near future, where the story will continue to unfold with equal precision and passion.
