Justin Osborne has been performing as ‘Susto’ since 2013, when he formed a collective offellow musicians and artists in coastal Charleston, South Carolina. Now a bona fide emissary ofalt rock and treasure to the indie crowd, a lifelong calling coupled with a cosmic push ofserendipitous happenstance led to his latest venture: ‘Susto Stringband’ joined by Americanavocalist Clint Roberts, clawhammer banjoist Helena Rose, and upright bassist Joey Brown (nowHoller Choir).Lightning struck as an immediate connection and artistic chemistry captured a new sound andvisualization that unfolds on Susto Stringband’s debut release from New West Records, simplytitled "Susto Stringband: Volume 1." Nine of Osborne’s ballads, refrains and heart wrenchingconfessions,now drenched in the singular Appalachian sound of Holler Choir’s verdantharmonies and stringed arrangements. Still, steeped in the emotive punch of the traditionalstring band sound, Susto Stringband presents an Arcadia like vision of pastoralism and andharmony with nature, but with Osborne’s lyrics, there are landmines to dodge and mountains toclimb.
