Rachel Summer & Traveling Light

 

Since winning the 2023 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival band competition, Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light have been captivating audiences throughout the northeast and beyond. Sumner’s lyric-forward writing and penchant for snaking chord progressions demand something far beyond folk conventions, highlighting the acrobatic range of her brilliant bandmates Kat Wallace (fiddle) and Mike Siegel (upright bass).

Her new album, “Heartless Things,” marks a significant evolution in Sumner’s studio sound, stepping out from the acoustic string band framework of her debut album. This new record blends elements of chamber-folk and indie pop with Sumner’s love of Appalachian balladry and bluesy hooks, resulting in an immersive setting that highlights the top-notch narrative writing we’ve come to expect