Fust, The Price Of Eggs And Helvetia’s Fasnacht, Inside Appalachia

Aaron Dowdy of alternative country band Fust took an outside path to becoming a songwriter.

Also, egg prices are up. Some folks are talking about raising backyard chickens.

And, Helvetia, West Virginia’s old world Fasnacht festival continues to grow, in part because of an online video game. Organizers are OK with it.

You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• Fust’s Aaron Dowdy And Their New Album, Big Ugly
• The Price Of Eggs And Backyard Chicken Coops
• Violet Tendencies
• Appalshop Rebuilds After Flooding
• Helvetia’s Fasnacht Festival

Fust’s Aaron Dowdy And Their New Album, Big Ugly

The last few years have seen a new wave of indie rock music emerging from the Mountain South. It’s distinguished by a Southern rock sound, and lyrics drawn from observations about living in the region.

We’re talking about acts like Wednesday and MJ Lenderman — and Fust, a group that’s based in Durham, North Carolina with deep Appalachian roots. Fust has a new album. It’s called Big Ugly.

Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams recently spoke with Fust singer and songwriter Aaron Dowdy.

The Price Of Eggs And Backyard Chicken Coops

The eye-popping cost of eggs has some people thinking about raising their own chickens.

Zack Harold brings us the story of one woman who has spent the last decade trying to make that easier in West Virginia.

Violet Tendencies

Every April, violets bloom across Appalachia. They add flashes of purple, white and yellow to the deepening green of the hills.

But violets do a lot more than add natural flair. These flowers have long been a key ingredient in herbal remedies. People use them to fight cancer and the common cold.

And — they make a pretty tasty snack. Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch brings us this story.

Appalshop Rebuilds After Flooding

Media and arts organization Appalshop is renowned for documenting and preserving Appalachian culture. But the historic flooding that Eastern Kentucky experienced in 2022 threatened that mission.

Flood waters breached Appalshop’s building in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and drowned the lower floors. Its extensive film and audio archive was damaged by mud and water.

Last month, more severe flooding hit the area. Roger May is Appalshop’s director of artistic programs. WVPB’s Jack Walker spoke with May about how flooding affects the region’s arts community.

Helvetia’s Fasnacht Festival

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Fust, Noam Pikelny, John Inghram, The Local Honeys and Paul Loomis.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and X @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.