Folk singer and Louisiana native Callie Hines creates a feeling of classic Americana with tinges of bluegrass and country in their newly released debut EP, Tell Me Why I’ve Come Home. The six-track project is the first release from the singer-songwriter, who cites their upbringing in a musical family in rural Louisiana as a direct influence for their modern take on a classic folk sound.

Cover art courtesy of the artists

Hines grew up in Buras, Louisiana, in a family with solid Cajun roots. They described their family gatherings fondly, remembering, “Everyone would grab an instrument and play along. It truly fostered my love for music, being that there was no wrong way to make it.” The EP’s rustic sound is built around Callie’s beautifully blended harmonies and acoustic guitar, which they play with conviction as fiddle player Joe Spivey supports with a poignant and skillful performance on the violin. Fellow Louisianian multi-instrumentalist and producer Zakk Garner, along with Rhees Williams, and Arron Schafer-Haiss bolster the rest of the EP’s sonic structure with drums, upright bass, and other string instruments to create a sound reminiscent of classic country and bluegrass but with its own identity.

Callie’s heart-wrenching lyrics touch on themes of loneliness, doubt, loss of self, and renewed hope as they ponder the idea of giving everything they have and falling short, only to return home further from their dream than when they started. Tell Me Why I’ve Come Home is Callie Hines’ first official release and is available now on all platforms.