Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson release collaborative album What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow

Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson have released the collaborative album What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow through Nonesuch Records.

They also dropped a music video for the track ‘Rain Crow’ filmed by Alexei Mejouev. An upcoming tour is scheduled across North America starting April 25, with stops at Giddens’ Biscuits & Banjos Festival and the Hollywood Bowl.

The 18-track album derives inspiration from the Black string band tradition of North Carolina, where both artists were raised. They have experience playing together in the Carolina Chocolate Drops alongside Dom Flemons. The group will reunite at Giddens festival in Durham, North Carolina.

The album was produced by Giddens and Joseph "joebass" DeJarnette, featuring Giddens on banjo and Robinson on fiddle. The two recorded outside at their mentors' North Carolina homes– Etta Baker and Joe Thompson.

"‘Come to our porch, sit down, have some tea, and we're just going to play some tunes,’" said Giddens. "We wanted to record that feeling."

Giddens’ Biscuits & Banjos Festival kicks off on April 25, featuring artists like Taj Mahal, Adia Victoria, Leyla McCalla, Infinity Song, Don Vappie & Jazz Creole and Toshi Reagon. The nonprofit event will celebrate Black music and art, including live music, workshops, square dances, panel discussions, free banjo lessons and a celebrity biscuit bake-off.

Watch the music video for ‘Rain Crow’ below: