Call Me Spinster Set to Perform at Chattanoogas Songbirds on July 15

Call Me Spinster, the local indie‑folk and Americana trio of sisters Rachel Graber Fortin, Amelia Graber Jacobs and Rosalie Graber, will play a 7 p.m. show at Songbirds in downtown Chattanooga on Wednesday, July 15. The venue, located at 206 West Main Street, will charge between $20 and $31 for tickets.

The band formed officially in 2017 in Chattanooga, but the sisters began making music together in childhood. Their father was a folk singer‑songwriter and their mother taught chorus before becoming a high‑school music teacher. A key moment in their early musical development was discovering their grandfather Roger’s accordion in a closet, an instrument that has remained a staple in their recordings.

In 2019, after a benefit performance at Lulu Lake Land Trust, the trio was signed by local label founder George Fontaine. The partnership produced two studio albums, followed by a self‑titled EP. Since then, Call Me Spinster has become one of Chattanooga’s most frequently requested acts, performing at a wide range of local venues.

Their sound blends a variety of influences. Songs such as “Mule” from the 2024 album Potholes feature steel guitar and lyrics that echo traditional Americana themes. In contrast, “Here You Are” from the EP leans toward jangly, doo‑wop‑styled indie‑pop. The track “Feet Are Dirty” incorporates psychedelic synth textures, a style the band describes as reminiscent of Stranger Things.

The sisters have spoken about how their songwriting has evolved. They note that recent material addresses mental health in motherhood and broader social concerns. Collaboration has expanded beyond the trio; Amelia’s husband Dan has co‑written several songs, and the group has worked with local singer‑songwriter Alva Leigh. Leigh’s concise lyricism and preference for major‑seventh chords have influenced the band’s recent arrangements.

Songwriting for Call Me Spinster occurs in brief, everyday moments—often in a car or bathtub—where a melody and lyric emerge together. The sister who first presents a song typically takes lead vocals, while the others contribute bridge or verse ideas. The group builds instrumentation organically, and they have not yet applied a rigorous culling process to their repertoire.

Looking ahead, the sisters expressed a desire to use music as a platform for social justice, education, and advocacy. They view songwriting as a lifeline during the current phase of their lives, balancing family responsibilities with the demands of touring and recording.

The July 15 performance at Songbirds will be the band’s next public appearance following a series of local shows. Ticket information and additional details are available on the venue’s website and on the band’s own site, spinsterband.com.

Call Me Spinster’s upcoming show highlights the continued vitality of Chattanooga’s local music scene and underscores the band’s role as a community fixture. The performance is expected to attract fans who have followed the trio since their early releases and who appreciate their blend of folk, Americana, and indie pop.

For those interested in attending, tickets are available through the Songbirds box office and online. The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, and will feature the full set list from the band’s recent recordings.

The band’s presence at Songbirds reflects a broader trend of regional acts maintaining strong ties to their hometowns while continuing to develop their musical catalog. Call Me Spinster’s blend of traditional and contemporary sounds positions them as a notable example of Chattanooga’s evolving indie‑folk landscape.