Watchhouse, formerly known as Mandolin Orange, is an Americana and folk duo based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, formed in 2009. The group consists of songwriter Andrew Marlin, who handles vocals, mandolin, guitar, and banjo, alongside his wife Emily Frantz, who provides vocals, violin, and guitar. Together, they craft intricate American roots music that has established them as vital voices in the contemporary folk scene. Their carefully constructed arrangements and genuine songwriting have earned them a dedicated following and multiple prestigious festival appearances across North America and Europe.
Since signing with Yep Roc Records in 2013, Watchhouse has released five studio albums under the label, including This Side of Jordan, Such Jubilee, Blindfaller, Tides of a Teardrop, and Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater. Beyond the duo's collaborative work, Marlin has pursued a solo instrumental path, releasing Buried In a Cape in 2018, followed by Witching Hour and Fable & Fire during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group's festival credentials are particularly impressive, with performances at Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Newport Folk Festival, MerleFest, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, among others, as well as a notable appearance on CBS This Morning's Saturday Morning Sessions in December 2019.
In April 2021, the duo officially rebranded from Mandolin Orange to Watchhouse, a decision Marlin described as reflecting the band's evolved artistic vision and true intentions. The name change marked a conscious departure from what Marlin felt was an outdated artistic identity, embracing instead a moniker that better represents their mature approach to songwriting and performance. The move solidified their status as one of contemporary folk music's most thoughtful and evolving acts.
