RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 1/15/26 — PBS North Carolina will launch season two of its Emmy Award-nominated music series Shaped by Sound on Thursday, February 5, 10:30 PM.
This season, Shaped by Sound will spotlight 13 artists from North Carolina’s thriving music scene, including Grammy Award-winning singer Anthony Hamilton, Southern grunge rock band Wednesday, singer-songwriter/composer Ben Folds and NC Music Hall of Famer Jim Lauderdale. The series airs on PBS NC and streams online and on the free PBS app and YouTube.
Shaped by Sound kicks off its second season on February 5 with a performance and interview with the rock band Wednesday. Formed in Asheville and led by frontwoman and songwriter Karly Hartzman, Wednesday recently released its sixth album, Bleeds, lauded by NPR, Pitchfork and Rolling Stone as one of the best of 2025.
Additional artists this season include the Connells, Cyanca, Faith & Harmony, Skylar Gudasz, Hiss Golden Messenger, Charly Lowry, River Whyless, Al Strong and Tan and Sober Gentlemen.
“For season one of Shaped by Sound, we pitched a big idea: bring the exceptional breadth and depth of North Carolina’s music scene to life through performance, storytelling and set design,” said series host and producer James Mieczkowski. “Season two allows us to further develop this concept and really let the musicians shine, from a gospel choir to an Americana legend to a Celtic ‘punk-grass’ band. Many performances this season feature new or yet-to-be released music, and I can’t wait for people to see and hear what we’ve captured. Each episode is utterly unique and unmistakably North Carolina.”
In addition to 13 half-hour episodes, Shaped by Sound also includes a companion video podcast where the artists share the stories behind their songs. The podcast is available online and on the PBS app and YouTube. Viewers can also hear a curated playlist of songs by all the musicians featured this season on Spotify.
Shaped by Sound is made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Arts Council within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
“We are excited that the new season of Shaped by Sound will continue showcasing North Carolina’s amazing music and musicians,” said Pamela B. Cashwell, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). “DNCR and our North Carolina Music Office are proud to partner with this program that celebrates our state’s unique sound and vibrant music industry.”
Broadcast Schedule
Shaped by Sound will be pre-empted by our spring pledge drive on March 5 and 12. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest scheduling information.
Episode 1: Wednesday
Premieres Thursday, February 5, 10:30 PM
From true-crime fascinations to Appalachian poetry, the band Wednesday reflects on the chaos, beauty and emotional honesty behind their latest album, Bleeds, and their evolving creative voice. Frontwoman Karly Hartzman and pedal steel guitarist Xandy Chelmis also unpack the band’s raw, literary Southern sounds, where confession meets curiosity and every image carries a story.
Episode 2: The Connells
Premieres Thursday, February 12, 10:30 PM
The Connells break down how two brothers and a group of friends from Raleigh built one of North Carolina’s most enduring bands. From local gigs to their surprise overseas hit “’74–’75,” they share stories, studio memories and why music, songcraft and community matter.
Episode 3: Anthony Hamilton
Premieres Thursday, February 19, 10:30 PM
Grammy-winning singer Anthony Hamilton takes us from his Charlotte beginnings to the heights of his multiplatinum career. Through an intimate conversation and a powerful performance, he reveals the faith, hustle and heart behind his biggest songs and the legacy he’s building for the next generation.
Episode 4: Charly Lowry
Premieres Thursday, February 26, 10:30 PM
Charly Lowry carries in her soul the voice of Robeson County’s swamps, where identity, ancestry and resilience braid together like roots in dark water. Through stories of her Lumbee and Tuscarora lineage, hardship and healing, she reveals a sound shaped by land, spirit and the quiet power of survival.
Episode 5: Tan and Sober Gentlemen
Premieres Thursday, March 19, 10:30 PM
Tan and Sober Gentlemen serve up their high-energy fusion of Irish roots music and NC folk rebellion. Through a lively performance and conversation, they trace how Irish immigration, Appalachian culture and working-class history inform their music and relay the importance of “keeping one foot in the dirt.”
Episode 6: Ben Folds
Premieres Thursday, March 26, 10:30 PM
Singer-songwriter and composerBen Folds shares how growing up in North Carolina shaped his music and why creativity is all about paying attention. He talks about band life, orchestras, songwriting and what he’s still learning after decades in the industry.
Episode 7: Faith & Harmony
Premieres Thursday, April 2, 10:30 PM
Faith & Harmony, descendants of the iconic Glorifying Vines Sisters, carry forward a tremendous eastern North Carolina gospel legacy. Their harmonies, stories and deep family ties deliver unmatched energy rooted in tradition and devotion.
Episode 8: Cyanca
Premieres Thursday, April 9, 10:30 PM
Charlotte R&B musician Cyanca brings powerful honesty to every note. She shares how her upbringing, personal healing and evolving identity shaped her signature sound, full of soul, reflection and emotional clarity.
Episode 9: Jim Lauderdale
Premieres Thursday, April 16, 10:30 PM
Americana legend Jim Lauderdale breaks down what shaped his music, from his small-town North Carolina roots to writing for country icons. He explores hope, collaboration and the joy of still learning after decades in the spotlight.
Episode 10: Skylar Gudasz
Premieres Thursday, April 23, 10:30 PM
Singer-songwriter Skylar Gudasz’s musical story unfolds like a dreamscape: ocean horizons, shifting light and songs pulled from the ether. Her music offers a visual and emotional journey through beauty, mystery and self-discovery.
Episode 11: River Whyless
Premieres Thursday, April 30, 10:30 PM
Asheville band River Whyless, which blends folk, experimentation and rich storytelling, explores their decade-long journey through harmony, creativity and evolution. Their music bridges tradition and innovation, weaving a sound that is deeply rooted yet endlessly inventive.
Episode 12: Hiss Golden Messenger
Premieres Thursday, May 7, 10:30 PM
Hiss Golden Messenger’s M.C. Taylor shares the inspirations behind his powerful blend of Americana, soul and roots music. Through an intimate performance and conversation, he explores how personal transformation, place and spiritual searching shaped his signature sound.
Episode 13: Al Strong
Premieres Thursday, May 14, 10:30 PM
Durham-based jazz musician Al Strong reflects on the influence of home, community and artistic guidance on his creative development. Through a magnetic performance and intimate conversation, he examines the cultural and personal forces that shaped his sound and his calling as an educator and artist.