Watchhouse

Watchhouse is a North Carolina-based folk duo featuring Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, who are married and perform together with remarkable vocal chemistry.

The pair started their musical journey in 2009 playing in backyards and on front porches around Chapel Hill and Carrboro, initially performing under the name Mandolin Orange. After more than a decade building a devoted following, they officially rebranded to Watchhouse in April 2021, with Marlin explaining that the new name better reflects their "true intentions" as artists.

Their music has evolved from intimate acoustic folk and bluegrass roots to a more textured, exploratory sound. Their self-titled Watchhouse album (2021) earned widespread critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone praising its "pristine acoustic picking collides with hazy, dream-like psychedelia." The duo has since performed at legendary venues like Red Rocks and the Ryman Auditorium, and their music has garnered hundreds of millions of streams.

Their latest album, Rituals, released May 30, 2025, marks their first collection of all new original songs since the 2021 self-titled release. The album features 11 tracks and showcases the band's signature intimate harmonies alongside beautifully crafted instrumentation, exploring themes of life's patterns, modern existence, and communal joy.

Experience the earnest yet masterfully crafted songwriting that has made Watchhouse one of folk music's most celebrated contemporary acts.