Blab Music
Cigarettes @ Sunset: From Banner Elk Bars to 225,000 Spotify Listeners
Cigarettes @ Sunset, a five‑member band from Boone, North Carolina, has grown from a winter‑season practice group in a snowboard shop to a national act with more than 225,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
The group formed in the winter of 2022 when lead vocalist Garrett Dellinger and guitarist Ryland Bagbey began writing songs in the cold, unheated seats of the EDGE of the WORLD Snowboard Shop in Banner Elk. They were joined by bassist Ethan Moore and drummer Wells Whitman, and the sound began to take shape when classically trained violinist Sarah Vann was asked to add a fiddle to a cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris.” Vann’s “layer and loop” approach added an orchestral texture that became a hallmark of the band.
The name Cigarettes @ Sunset came from a casual moment. Dellinger was smoking at sunset on a mountain when he thought the phrase would make a good band name. The band’s style has been described as “Possum Rock,” a term coined after a drunk patron asked if they played that style. Dellinger shrugged and the label accepted the name.
In March 2024, the band released its debut EP, Possum Rock, through Lost Highway Records, a label owned by Universal Music Group. The EP blends indie rock, gritty blues, and traditional mountain fiddle runs. It is not a polished Top 40 country product; instead it is a “riff‑heavy and fiercely independent collision” of genres. The track “Pavement” has surpassed four million streams on Spotify and captures themes of love, addiction, and small‑town restlessness.
The band’s popularity has translated into a touring schedule that includes nearly 100 shows a year and a multi‑city national tour. They have played venues from local bars in western North Carolina to larger arenas across the United States. According to the band’s official social media, the touring schedule has kept them in contact with fans in Texas, London, and beyond.
Cigarettes @ Sunset’s rise coincides with a broader cultural shift toward Appalachian music. For decades, coastal media dismissed the region as an isolated pocket of the past. Today, listeners are seeking “real” music that reflects the beauty and brutality of the mountains. The band’s music, which incorporates the “bluesy, mountain‑rock beat” of Boone’s local culture, resonates with audiences who value authenticity.
The band’s resilience was tested when Hurricane Helene struck Boone in late September 2024. The storm caused widespread flooding and damage to homes and businesses. According to local news reports, the community rallied to rebuild, and the band’s experience during the recovery reinforced their commitment to music that endures.
Cigarettes @ Sunset’s story illustrates how a group of friends from the Blue Ridge Mountains can create a distinctive sound that blends traditional Appalachian elements with contemporary indie rock. Their success shows that regional roots can translate into national relevance when paired with a strong streaming presence and a dedicated touring schedule.
The band’s current situation is that they continue to tour, promote their EP, and engage with fans on social media. No new releases or major label announcements have been made public as of the time of this article. The band remains active on Spotify, where their monthly listener count continues to grow.
In summary, Cigarettes @ Sunset has moved from a small practice space in Banner Elk to a national touring act with a substantial streaming audience. Their blend of Appalachian grit, fiddle-driven melodies, and indie rock has positioned them as a key voice in the contemporary resurgence of mountain music.
The group formed in the winter of 2022 when lead vocalist Garrett Dellinger and guitarist Ryland Bagbey began writing songs in the cold, unheated seats of the EDGE of the WORLD Snowboard Shop in Banner Elk. They were joined by bassist Ethan Moore and drummer Wells Whitman, and the sound began to take shape when classically trained violinist Sarah Vann was asked to add a fiddle to a cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris.” Vann’s “layer and loop” approach added an orchestral texture that became a hallmark of the band.
The name Cigarettes @ Sunset came from a casual moment. Dellinger was smoking at sunset on a mountain when he thought the phrase would make a good band name. The band’s style has been described as “Possum Rock,” a term coined after a drunk patron asked if they played that style. Dellinger shrugged and the label accepted the name.
In March 2024, the band released its debut EP, Possum Rock, through Lost Highway Records, a label owned by Universal Music Group. The EP blends indie rock, gritty blues, and traditional mountain fiddle runs. It is not a polished Top 40 country product; instead it is a “riff‑heavy and fiercely independent collision” of genres. The track “Pavement” has surpassed four million streams on Spotify and captures themes of love, addiction, and small‑town restlessness.
The band’s popularity has translated into a touring schedule that includes nearly 100 shows a year and a multi‑city national tour. They have played venues from local bars in western North Carolina to larger arenas across the United States. According to the band’s official social media, the touring schedule has kept them in contact with fans in Texas, London, and beyond.
Cigarettes @ Sunset’s rise coincides with a broader cultural shift toward Appalachian music. For decades, coastal media dismissed the region as an isolated pocket of the past. Today, listeners are seeking “real” music that reflects the beauty and brutality of the mountains. The band’s music, which incorporates the “bluesy, mountain‑rock beat” of Boone’s local culture, resonates with audiences who value authenticity.
The band’s resilience was tested when Hurricane Helene struck Boone in late September 2024. The storm caused widespread flooding and damage to homes and businesses. According to local news reports, the community rallied to rebuild, and the band’s experience during the recovery reinforced their commitment to music that endures.
Cigarettes @ Sunset’s story illustrates how a group of friends from the Blue Ridge Mountains can create a distinctive sound that blends traditional Appalachian elements with contemporary indie rock. Their success shows that regional roots can translate into national relevance when paired with a strong streaming presence and a dedicated touring schedule.
The band’s current situation is that they continue to tour, promote their EP, and engage with fans on social media. No new releases or major label announcements have been made public as of the time of this article. The band remains active on Spotify, where their monthly listener count continues to grow.
In summary, Cigarettes @ Sunset has moved from a small practice space in Banner Elk to a national touring act with a substantial streaming audience. Their blend of Appalachian grit, fiddle-driven melodies, and indie rock has positioned them as a key voice in the contemporary resurgence of mountain music.
