Meels Signs to Lost Highway Records and Announces New EP Across The Raccoon Strait

Rising singer-songwriter Meels is entering an exciting new chapter. Following the warm reception of her debut EP, Tales from a Bird’s Bedroom, the Mill Valley, California–bred artist has officially signed with Nashville’s Lost Highway Records. Her follow-up EP, Across The Raccoon Strait, is set for release on January 30, 2026, and today she’s offering another glimpse into the project with her new single, “Vultures.”

Built around Meels’ signature blend of wit, tenderness, and observational songwriting, “Vultures” feels like a quiet moment of reflection pulled straight from the open road. With imagery rooted in highways, fence posts, and fleeting thoughts, the song captures her ability to turn small, everyday moments into something deeply human and memorable.

Speaking on joining Lost Highway, Meels shared how meaningful the partnership is for her as both a fan and a songwriter. She described the label’s legacy as deeply personal and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to release music through the same home that once supported many of her musical heroes.

Lost Highway executives Robert Knotts and Jake Gear echoed that sentiment, praising Meels’ vivid storytelling and singular perspective. They highlighted how Across The Raccoon Strait invites listeners into a fully realized world that feels lived-in, familiar, and unmistakably her own—one they’re eager to help expand and share with a wider audience.

The upcoming EP features seven tracks, all written by Meels and produced alongside Peter Groenwald (Hush Kids) and Mark Campbell, continuing the creative partnership that shaped her debut. The project includes two previously released singles from fall 2025: “The Wizard,” a whimsical yet deeply personal song that reframes Meels’ lifelong experience with OCD through playful metaphor, and “Willow Song,” a gentle reminder to slow down and find stillness amid life’s constant motion.

Meels has also been expanding her visual world. A live performance of “The Wizard” at Glacier National Park Conservancy launched her new “Meels National Park Services” video series, while the official video for “Willow Song” leans into her sense of humor and nostalgia. The clip opens with an animated intro inspired by 1970s variety shows before transitioning to a puppet-hosted performance set reminiscent of classic television—an homage to the music and imagery she grew up with in Northern California.

On the road, Meels continues to build momentum. She recently announced a trio of headline shows in Nashville, Brooklyn, and her hometown of Mill Valley, with additional dates supporting Margo Price in late February and early March. This spring, she’ll also join the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their All The Good Times: The Farewell Tour. Over the past year, she’s shared stages with artists like Old Crow Medicine Show, Molly Tuttle, and Kaitlin Butts, steadily carving out her place in the folk and Americana landscape.

Born Amelia Einhorn, Meels began playing piano at age five and quickly found songwriting to be a refuge. Over time, guitar and banjo became her primary instruments, shaping the sound she now describes as “Critter Country”—a blend of folk, country, and bluegrass rooted in nostalgia, honesty, and a sense of home. After studying Recorded Music at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, she set out to refine that voice, balancing tradition with her own idiosyncratic storytelling.

Her debut Tales from a Bird’s Bedroom introduced her as a compelling new voice in indie folk, earning praise for its rich production, evocative lyrics, and emotional clarity. With Across The Raccoon Strait, Meels looks poised to take that foundation even further, inviting listeners deeper into her world—one quiet, thoughtful song at a time.