Rhythm of the Ridge

Unspoken Tradition tells a story of grounding ideals and identity
“The first time I heard the demo,” recalls Unspoken Tradition’s Sav Sankaran, “I realized this
song was as deeply meaningful for me as it was for [songwriter] Milan [Miller].” The group’s
bassist, Sankaran takes the vocal lead on the song he’s talking about: the quintet’s latest single
for Mountain Home Music Company, “Rhythm of the Ridge.” A gently flowing evocation of
Appalachian roots, it’s a performance that contrasts with, yet is also thematically connected to
its more urgent predecessor, “Refugee.”
“Although it wasn’t my original intention when I began writing ‘Rhythm of the Ridge,’” Miller, a
highly-regarded songwriter notes, “the song quickly took on a deeply personal narrative as the
lines started falling into place. I left the mountains of North Carolina for Nashville almost thirty
years ago, yet home is a melody that follows you long after you leave it — a rhythm in your
bones and blood that quietly keeps time. This isn’t a song about longing or looking back; it leans
into a sense of place that steadies you and guides you through new endeavors and
experiences. Fully adept at honoring the traditions of bluegrass while championing material that
feels fresh and forward-thinking, Unspoken Tradition has become one of my favorite bands to
emerge in the genre over the past decade, and I am beyond thrilled that they’re adding ‘Rhythm
of the Ridge’ to their stellar catalog.”
Indeed, with its signature instrumental figure that punctuates the track, tasteful solos and
innovative harmony arrangement, Unspoken Tradition’s take on Miller’s song shows that, even
as they maintain their commitment to themes reflective of their mountain roots, the group is
equally committed to refining their distinctive sound. Still, as Sankaran notes, it’s the message
of “Rhythm of the Ridge” that matters most.
“I grew up in an immigrant family and straddling two worlds; the mountains of Appalachia is
where I found the inspiration to write my American story. It feels timely to tell a story of
grounding ideals and identity in a time where external forces attempt to rend us further away
from each other. Just as the culture of my family’s home is written on their hearts long after they
left it, so too is the ‘Rhythm of the Ridge’ on my own.”
About Unspoken Tradition
Unspoken Tradition is about new, original Bluegrass. Inspired by their own influences and the
roots of traditional and newgrass music, this North Carolina based quintet brings a sound that is
both impassioned and nostalgic, hard-driving and sincere.
Their latest single, “Weeds Don’t Wither” reached No. 1 on the Bluegrass Today chart, and
seven singles from their 2022 album Imaginary Lines charted in the top 20 including “California”
at No. 1, “Irons in the Fire” at No. 2 and “Carolina and Tennessee” at No. 4. Their 2019 release,
Myths We Tell Our Young, debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts and saw five
top-charting radio singles, including a No. 1 on the Bluegrass Today chart with “Dark Side of the
Mountain.”

Unspoken Tradition’s material is mostly original and reflects the ever-changing culture of
Western and Central North Carolina where they call home. The band has earned a fervent
following in the Southeast, selling out shows in Asheville, NC as well as the legendary Station
Inn in Nashville, TN. They have also performed twice on the coveted Watson (main stage) at
MerleFest. With heavy airplay on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction and ever-growing streaming
numbers, Unspoken Tradition is a fast-rising voice of a new generation of roots music artists.