Irish Appalachia Folk: Chamomile & Whiskey – “Nelson County”

Chamomile & Whiskey

“Nelson County”

Sweet Afton

What do you get when you cross Appalachia with Irish folk music?  You get Chamomile & Whiskey, which is a perfect name for this band.  They are equal parts soothing tea and quick-ass alcohol.

Little did Koda Kerl and Marie Borgman know they would one day tour as a musical duo when they met as children in Nelson County, Va. Years later, when they say down to discuss forming a band, Borgman made chamomile tea and Kerl brought a fifth of Evan Williams. 

The album’s title is derived from a few inspirations — Nelson County’s well-known Afton Mountain acted as the backdrop for many songs on the album and served as Borgman’s previous home. Sweet Aftons were also the cheap, unfiltered cigarettes of choice for banjoist Ryan Lavin in his native Galway, Ireland.

Along with banjo player/supporting vocalist Ryan Lavin, Chamomile and Whiskey released a four-song debut EP titled The Barn Sessions in 2012, and focused heavily on touring. In 2013, they released their first full-length album, Wandering Boots. Over the years, they added Marsh Mahon on bass, drummer Stuart Gunter and lead guitarist Drew Kimball.