For the next 30 days, I’ll be taking the #AprilAcrossAmerica challenge, picking one song a day as I make my way across the country and across genres at the same time.

Day 13: Raleigh, NC

Seems so rock ‘n roll to write a song about a girl. “Layla”, “Roseanne”, “Amanda”, “Roxanne”, “Michelle”, “Maggie May”, “Sweet Jane”, the list goes on and on and on. Most of these songs obviously focus on the girl and the persona. Which is what makes The Avett Brothers ongoing “Pretty Girl…” series so unique. These are nameless girls. The songs are largely focused on the stories and the place that the girls come from. As I head south on the journey, it seemed as good a time as ever to pay a visit with The Avett Brothers.

“Pretty Girl From Raleigh”. Who is she anyway? Just a local girl? College student? Budding tech guru? Does it even matter? The song isn’t about her. It’s about the memories that were forged between her and the lucky, selfish man. One thing’s certain. The Avett Brothers love pretty girls. And they’ve been able to pass along these anecdotes rather well with their crossover appeal – from bluegrass to folk to indie rock audiences.

“Who sold you this anger? I suspect it was your friends. Or was it a stranger Convincing you that this was the end.”