Cigarettes @ Sunset Introduce Their Wild New Sound with Possum Rock

North Carolina band Cigarettes @ Sunset are officially stepping into a new chapter. The Boone-bred group has made their debut on Lost Highway Records with a brand-new six-song EP titled Possum Rock — a gritty, soulful project that blends Americana, indie rock, and Appalachian folk into something entirely their own.

Possum Rock

Raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the band coined the term “Possum Rock” to describe their signature sound. It’s rowdy, riff-heavy, and rooted in the spirit of Appalachian storytelling — a style that feels just as rugged and unpredictable as the landscape they come from.

The group’s lineup features Garrett Dellinger (rhythm guitar, lead vocals), Wells Whitman (bass, backing vocals), Ethan Moore (drums), Sarah Vann (violin, vocals), and Ryland Bagbey (lead guitar). Together, they’ve been building a reputation for intense live shows packed with raw energy and heartfelt songwriting, recently hitting the road with acts like Dexter and The Moonrocks and The Wombats.

A New Chapter After A Good Year for Hunting

Possum Rock follows the band’s 2025 EP A Good Year for Hunting, expanding on the group’s blend of roots music and indie grit. The project features previously released standouts like “Theresa,” a chaotic reflection on a relationship falling apart, and “Old Bleached Hair,” which looks back on a turbulent past with equal parts weariness and tenderness.

But the EP wastes no time making a statement. It opens with the brand-new track “My Fix,” an explosive introduction driven by Dellinger’s gravel-toned vocals and vivid lyricism. The song frames love like a dangerous addiction, with lines like:

“Blowing smoke in my face just for that secondhand hit / The more I love you, the sicker I get.”

The track’s intensity comes alive through the interplay between Bagbey’s blistering guitar riffs and Vann’s haunting violin melodies, setting the tone for the rest of the project. At the other end of the EP, the closing song “Leave You (If It’s the Right Thing To Do)” delivers an emotional finale — a powerful duet between Dellinger and Vann that lands like a gut punch.

A Band Shaped by Their Hometown

Formed in 2021, Cigarettes @ Sunset have always drawn inspiration from their Appalachian roots. But in 2024, their hometown of Boone was deeply affected by Hurricane Helene, an event that changed the band’s perspective and strengthened their commitment to making music that resonates and lasts. That spirit shows up most clearly in their live performances, where the band thrives on turning raw emotion into a shared experience with the crowd.

Catch Them on the Road

Cigarettes @ Sunset will continue their current run of U.S. tour dates on March 18 at Proud Larry’s in Oxford, Mississippi. This spring they’ll also support Dexter and The Moonrocks and Ole 60, before appearing at major festivals including:

• Summerfest — Milwaukee, WI (June 20)

• Master Musicians Festival — Somerset, KY (July 18)

Fans can find more tour information at cigarettesatsunset.com/tour.

Possum Rock Tracklist

1. My Fix

2. Pavement

3. Theresa

4. Old Bleached Hair

5. Rewind

6. Leave You (If It’s the Right Thing To Do)

With Possum Rock, Cigarettes @ Sunset aren’t just releasing another EP — they’re introducing a sound and identity that feels unmistakably their own. Raw, restless, and rooted in the mountains, the band’s “Possum Rock” era is just getting started.