"A little reverb helps out in the morning," says Mount Moriah lead guitarist and singer-songwriter Heather McEntire. It's an early day for the North Carolina-based group to perform in The Current studios after their 7th St. Entry show in downtown Minneapolis last night, but getting in The Current's studio served as a kick of caffeine.

The southern rockers believe living in an area with such a diverse music scene helps them establish their unique sound. Guitarist Jenks Miller describes the "triangle" (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) as a community with different bands headed in different directions that results in a mutually beneficial relationship. Each band's sound is built by the other's influences.

The band's background in southern rock has some Midwest influence, too. Drummer Joe Westerlund is from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has played with a musician who is no stranger to The Current. Justin Vernon and Westerlund performed together before Bon Iver released his first record For Emma, Forever Ago, but parted ways when Westerlund formed Megafaun and migrated to the east coast.

With good songs come good stories, and Heather McEntire shared the tale behind "Eureka Springs," the second song that Mount Moriah performed for us in-studio. The title takes after an Arkansas town where McEntire attended a wedding for a pair of high school sweethearts that took their vows forty years after their romance first budded. That's the endearing characteristic of Mount Moriah's music--they bring stories to life with lyrics and instrumentals that blend together and represent the narrative so harmoniously.

Songs performed: "Bright Light," "Eureka Springs," and "White Sands."

Related

• Mount Moriah - Bright Light
• Mount Moriah performs in The Current studios