Photo: Giant Eye Photography
Welcome to Misner & Smith
(my-zner and smith) Northern California-based duo Misner & Smith treasure the unpredictability of their band. Technically precise songwriting mirrored with an improvisatory spirit and soaring harmonies have made the band—consisting of Sam Misner and Megan Smith—one of the most acclaimed acts in the Americana world. Blending elements of that genre with bluegrass, traditional folk ballads, and more pop-leaning ideas, Misner & Smith makes music gloriously nonconforming. The duo first met at a Shakespeare festival as professional actors in California in 2002 but began working as a musical duo two years later when Sam and Megan discovered a mutual love of roots music, Woody Guthrie, and in particular, harmony singing. Before the release of their career-defining sixth LP All is Song, the duo had released five critically acclaimed records, including Halfway Home (2004), Poor Player (2008), Live at the Freight & Salvage (2010), Seven Hour Storm (2013), and headwaters (2017). It was that 2017 release that found the group stripping their sound back down to where it began, two voices and two instruments. headwaters was recorded live in the studio and features the duo doing what they do best. On their new album, All is Song, they build upon that momentum and turn in their finest work to date, a record of inspired declarations to the power of music, song, and, most importantly, collaboration.
All is Song was officially released April 12, 2024 and is available everywhere now!
Glide Magazine premiered Anthem, our first single off of our new record All is Song, - “...a light-hearted anthem with colorful melodies that swirl around the room in a hazy psychedelic light show reminiscent of Nickel Creek. Poetic lyrics jump off the track and paint vivid images for a lead single that encompasses the many emotions of evolving as a person.” - Glide Magazine
Americana Highways premiered Silence of the Sun, our second single off of our new record All is Song, “Misner & Smith search deeply in their songwriting, and their music is beautiful complex poetry.” - Americana Highways
This is our handmade stop-motion animated video. It features the lyrics and puts a spotlight on the poetry and story of the song.
Chorus.fm premiered Sadie’s Song, our third single off of our new record All is Song, - “...they’re truly onto something great on songs like this. On this vibrant track that comes from their new LP, All Is Song, this duo capture the spirit of classic songwriters like Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell in the best ways possible.” - Chorus.fm
Directed by Deb Tullmann, this is the title track off of Misner & Smith's 2013 release Seven Hour Storm.
Tamalpais written and performed by Misner & Smith. Video and audio recording by Pint of Soul. (recorded live)
Sam Misner & Megan Smith are joined by Josh Yenne (electric guitar) onstage at The Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, CA for this rendition of The Band's famous ballad, It Makes No Difference. Filmed by Pint Of Soul, mixed by Dan Foldes. (recorded live)
The Upside written and performed by Misner & Smith, with special Guest Josh Yenne (electric guitar). Video and audio recording by Pint of Soul. (recorded live)
Thank you, we’re grateful to everyone who continues to show us that they believe in what we do, either by listening to and sharing our music, donating, or showing up at our live shows. You can also support us by buying our music on our Store Page or Bandcamp. Or you can donate directly through our PayPal or Venmo. If you would like to support our music by donating directly, you can click one of the buttons below.