Weaving together the cutting truths of folk lyrics and the pulse rhythms of Americana, The Unconditional Lovers put to sound the resilient heartbeat of life — the highs of love, the lows of desperation and the miles stretching between.

Led by songwriter Katie Powderly, The Unconditional Lovers document a journey of reconciliation with hurt and the redemptive transcendence of forgiveness. The group is currently booking shows for the 2020 festival season and recording a full-length album.

Powderly has performed on NPR and PBS and in festivals, barrooms and opera houses across the country, from New York to Colorado and from Tennessee to Texas. She has shared the stage alongside Tony Rice, Del McCoury Band, Lake Street Dive, Langhorne Slim, The Black Lillies, The Steel Wheels and others.

The Unconditional Lovers formed in 2013 after Powderly moved to Frederick, Maryland, a small town tucked in the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains. With a sound compared to Gillian Welch (Isthmus, Madison, WI) and Gram Parsons (City Paper, Rochester, NY), Powderly formed the band in 2013 with Kevin Etzler (drums), Colin Shultzaberger (keys), and, after a few initial changes, solidified their lineup with Neil Durr (guitar) and Evan Durr (bass).

The group combines years of experience and formal training in a variety of genres, including jazz, classical, hip-hop and rock to bring a new flavor to the Americana scene.

The Unconditional Lovers’ album, Black Midwestern Skies, will be out in 2020. Powderly released Slips of the Tongue (Red-Winged Blackbird Records, 2012) independently on her own label but is looking for further support from a larger label for her next release.

- Wyatt Massey