Blood, Roots, and “Dirty Folk”: The Unstoppable Rise of Jeremiah McKinley
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
In the modern music landscape, “authenticity” is often a marketing term crafted in a boardroom. But for Jeremiah Christian Smith and Noah McKinley Smith—the North Carolina-bred duo known collectively as Jeremiah McKinley—authenticity isn’t a strategy; it’s a geographical and spiritual fact.
Long before they were capturing the attention of industry veterans at Springboard Memphis, the Smith brothers were just two siblings in Kernersville, NC, dodging pucks and footballs. Today, they are transforming that shared history into a “dirty folk” sound that is as raw as a North Carolina winter and as soulful as the Moravian hymns they grew up singing.
From the Basement to the Airwaves
The story of Jeremiah McKinley’s recorded sound begins in a makeshift studio in their parents’ basement. In the months leading up to the 2020 pandemic, the brothers camped out, surrounded by insulation and memories, to capture a sound they describe as “sublimely raw.”
Their debut single, “Hanging On/Creekside,” set the tone—a lo-fi, gritty introduction that remains their most-streamed track on Spotify. It was followed by their self-titled 2020 EP and the aptly named full-length debut, The Basement Tapes. Critics were quick to notice the “grungy, gritty vocals” and the unpolished, “lo-fie” honesty that separated them from the glossy Americana often found on mainstream playlists.
By 2023, they doubled down with the release of Hot Mess, an album that refined their “dirty folk” aesthetic while keeping the edges dangerously frayed. Whether it’s the heavy blues influence of The Black Keys or the folk-rock sensibilities of Shakey Graves, the recorded music of Jeremiah McKinley feels less like a product and more like an invitation into their private world.
A Fiery Synergy: The Live Experience
If their recordings are the soul of the band, their live performance is the heartbeat. There is an intense, almost eerie synchronicity between the two—a “spiritual connection” that Jeremiah and Noah trace back to their childhood.
During their breakout performance at the Rum Boogie Club for Springboard Memphis, the duo proved that their reserved, humble off-stage personas are merely a mask for the fire they bring to the stage. When they launched into “Juarez, MX,” the atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
The synergy is built on a specific architecture: Jeremiah provides the driving rhythm guitar and the observational, storytelling lyrics, while Noah—the lead guitarist and an ordained minister—adds the melodic leads and introspective depth. Their lead vocals complement each other perfectly, locking into “picture-perfect harmonies” that could only be forged by blood.
“I don’t always know the specific notes,” Jeremiah admits, “but I’ll hum something Noah picks up on, and we’ll start a fire that leads to a song.”
The Producer’s Ear and the Road Ahead
The power of their live set caught the ear of legendary producer Danny Jones (who has worked with icons like Bo Diddley and Stevie Ray Vaughan). That connection led to their upcoming EP, Almost Love.
The title track, “Almost Love,” exemplifies the duo’s growth—weaving together a narrative of observation in a bar with a deep, personal longing for connection. The EP also features a cover of the classic “Get Together,” a suggestion from Jones that fits seamlessly into the brothers’ mission: creating music that says something meaningful.
Faith, Empathy, and the Call of Music
Despite their different paths—Jeremiah a painter and former varsity football standout, Noah an English major and teacher who previously served as a pastor—the music brings them back to their Moravian roots. In a church where “the doctrine is in the music,” the brothers learned that songs have the power to heal and sustain.
For Jeremiah McKinley, the goal isn’t conventional milestones like houses or 9-to-5 stability. It is the pursuit of a true calling. As they prepare to release five new singles leading up to the Almost Love EP in early 2026, the momentum is undeniable. They are the real deal: two brothers from the back roads of North Carolina, making music because they have to, and inviting the rest of us to listen.
Connect with Jeremiah McKinley
Stay updated on the upcoming release of the Almost Love EP and catch their next live performance:
-
Official Website: jeremiahmckinley.com
-
Instagram: @jeremiahmckinleymusic
-
Facebook: Jeremiah McKinley Band
-
Spotify: Listen to Jeremiah McKinley