Growing Pains in the Old Dominion: The Jack Wharff Band Finds Their Voice on ‘Strange’
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
If 2025 was the year The Jack Wharff Band set the bluegrass-rock world on fire, 2026 is the year they prove they have the depth to keep the flame burning. Fresh off the viral success of “Washed” and a placement in the Paramount+ series Landman, the Richmond, Virginia natives are back with Strange, a five-track EP arriving March 13 via Big Machine Records.
The collection is a masterclass in modern Americana, grappling with the disorienting “growing pains” of young adulthood while leaning heavily into the band’s masterful instrumentation and hometown pride.
Track-by-Track: A Journey Through Self-Discovery
1. “Strange”
The title track sets the thematic stage for the entire project. It’s a reflective, mid-tempo anthem that captures the jarring realization that the world—and your place in it—changes faster than you can keep up with. It highlights the band’s ability to take the universal “quarter-life crisis” and turn it into something that feels uniquely Virginian.
2. “Virginia Can I Stay A While (ft. Ketch Secor)”
In a massive nod to their bluegrass roots, the band teams up with Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor. This track is the EP’s spiritual anchor. It’s a foot-stomping, fiddle-heavy plea for stability. Secor’s influence is evident in the breakneck energy and traditional flair, making it an instant standout for fans of authentic Appalachian sounds.
3. “Ole Virginia”
Already a fan favorite, this track “radiates nostalgia” as it explores the magnetic pull of home. It’s a love letter to the Commonwealth, blending acoustic warmth with the band’s signature gritty vocals. It serves as a reminder that no matter how far the road takes them, Richmond is always the destination.
4. “A Month, A Week, A Day (With Solon Holt)”
The emotional centerpiece of the EP, this collaboration with Solon Holt is a “heartfelt, yearning” depiction of life on the road. It’s a countdown of the soul, detailing the agonizing minutes spent away from loved ones.
“We hope that people who might relate to that loneliness find some comfort in the song and are reminded how lucky we are to have people in our lives who are worth missing so much.” — Jack Wharff
5. “Saved”
The EP closes with the “rustic, earthy” sounds of “Saved.” Tackling themes of faith and redemption, the track showcases the band’s versatility. It doesn’t shy away from the complexities of belief, grounding the spiritual lyrics in heavy, grounding instrumentation that feels as old as the Blue Ridge Mountains themselves.
About the Artists: The Richmond Four
Comprised of Jack Wharff (vocals), Garrett Howell (drums), Ryan Atchison (bass), and Evan Novoa (guitar), the group has quickly transcended their TikTok-viral origins. By blending Bluegrass, Country, and Rock, they have earned spots on prestigious “Artist to Watch” lists for 2026, including Holler, Shazam, and Absolute Radio Country. Their chemistry is palpable—a “salt of the earth” energy that feels just as comfortable in a dive bar as it does on a major festival stage.
Global Momentum: The 2026 European Tour
To celebrate the release of Strange, the band is taking their “From The Hills To The Holler” energy across the Atlantic.
The Final Word
Strange is more than just a sophomore slump-avoider; it is a declaration of intent. The Jack Wharff Band has successfully captured the friction between staying true to your roots and the inevitable pull of the horizon. If you’re looking for the future of Americana, you’ll find it here.