Foundry Town Survivors – ‘Mississippi Rising’

Foundry Town Survivors perfectly capture the first person account of the fear, shock and finally, resignation, felt by someone who is an innocent first-person witness to a flood. Based in Michigan and comprising Mark Tomorsky and Tommy Johnsmiller, Foundry Town Survivors are excellent storytellers in their new single, ‘Mississippi Rising’.

The track is a disaster story, but at the same time, it’s one that’s filled with wonder, making the song both gripping and believable. The rushing water is as fascinating as it is disastrous.

Fans of Foundry Town Survivors will be familiar with the narrative detail to be found in their songs, and ‘Mississippi Rising’ is no exception; the duo have an acute eye for detail and a gift for telling short stories that musically illustrate a story. In so many ways however this one is more timely, more urgent, than any they’ve done before, and it’s told with such a complexity of emotion and colour. Acoustic guitar rapidly strummed; an expressive slide guitar; harmonies that blend with an incredible richness; and an overall ambience that feels like it’s come directly from the banks of the Mississippi.

Directed by Paul Crowder, the video for ‘Mississippi Rising’ fully captures the horror, turmoil, and beauty of the already intense track. Crowder and the Foundry Town Survivors have found incredible footage of historic Mississippi flooding, along with neck-high water in the streets of towns nearly swallowed up by the flood, and it’s been reinforced by reproductions of the front pages of old local newspapers. It’s a chilling reminder that nature is in charge – we are merely custodians.

Watch the music video for ‘Mississippi Rising’ below, and visit Foundry Town Survivors’ official website for more about the group and their music.

Foundry Town Survivors - Mississippi Rising (Official Music Video)

About the author

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.

Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com