Surrender Hill, the Americana duo from Georgia (Robin Dean Salmon and Afton Seekins Salmon), is back with another amazing album, “Wild Country.” Known for tight harmonies, potent lyrics, and gorgeous, Americana-driven instrumentation, their songs ebb and flow – sometimes roots-rocking, sometimes soft and gentle. The album pays tribute to their longtime personal and professional relationship – the two are married – and even includes songs written right after their son, Wren, was born. It’s a beautiful collection from start to finish. We sat down with Robin and Afton recently to chat about the album and their music.
Hi, Surrender Hill! You have a terrific new album out in August called “Wild Country.” How did these songs come together and what broad strokes can you tell us about the collection?
Robin Dean Salmon: In thinking about this, I think Afton’s songs “Beyond The Break” and “Not Alone” were the first to come along. The positive energy in both was so uplifting and wonderful that it set a tone right away. Around the same time, I was working on “Straight into The Light,” and it was clear we were onto this thread of exploring, once again, LOL, our relationship and our place in the world.
Afton Seekins Salmon: We also found a couple of old songs we had forgotten about that really spoke heavily to the theme of the album. Two of my personal favorites – “Witness” and “Love Won’t Come Running.”
One of the songs on your new album, “River of Angels,” is really great and stood out to me. What can you tell us about that song? What inspired you to record this song?
Robin: A week after the flood in Kerrville and Ingram, Texas last year, we had some shows in the area. Before we left to perform out there, we did a fundraiser in our neck of the woods and delivered the money to some charities. Afterwards, while in Kerrville, we walked over the Guadalupe, and there was a hand-painted sign:”River of Angels.” It broke our hearts. I spent my teenage years on a ranch not far from Camp Mystic. My folks were in the same line of work.
Afton: The Hill Country is like a second home to us. We love everything about it and spend at least a month there every year perfoming at some of our favorite venues.
What was it like recording this album? What was the vibe overall, and how did this song, in particular, come together?
Robin: We had a really easygoing feel for most of the recording of the album. Different musicians would come and stay with us for a couple of days and we would record and cook and tell stories. It’s a wonderful way to work. Matthew Von Doran actually stayed for about three months!! That was fun.
Afton: It was awesome, but I will say that Robin drove me a bit crazy with the recording of “River of Angels.” I think he recorded about 20 different versions of it.
Robin: It’s true. My first version was with Matt Crouse laying down drums at our studio. Later down the line when I went back to work on guitar parts and other overdubs, I just wasn’t feeling it. I then recorded another guitar and vocal version and sent it to Matt at his home in Nashville. We discussed an entirely different approach, and he recorded the drums in his studio at home. Once I had that foundation lined up, I went crazy trying to get what was in my head onto “tape.” What started working for me was the sound of eight electric guitars all fading in and out on different notes. They created this sort of ethereal, textural pad. Between those guitars and the B3 organ, things fell into place. At the end, there is this chant thing happening. I’m not sure where that came from, but it brought this feel of Africa into it for me. It felt appropriate to me, as I’m from South Africa and the Hill Country became our home in America for many years. More than that, it just seemed to carry the right emotion.
What was the most difficult part of putting the album together? What was the easiest?
Robin: The most difficult part for me was the mixing. It is so critical to me. Most of the time, I can’t tell you what is wrong, but I just know when it’s right. There are so many elements involved. Afton and Matthew were a great help with this. They both have great ears. Afton always knows when the vocal is right.
Afton: Hardest part was mixing, for sure. It’s all about perspective, and by the time mixing comes around it is sometimes lost. Easiest part was time spent with guys like Dennis Parker, Eric Fritsch, Matt, and Matthew recording with us. What an honor.
Robin: Yeah, the easist part of the process was working with our friends. I love having that kind of talent at my disposal.
Do you think the fact that you’ve known each other for so long helps in the creative process?
Afton: Absolutely. When we write together it’s effortless. Nothing is expected. I know when he’s onto something with a song. It’s also much easier for us to fall into a harmony.
Robin: Yeah, it is great to have someone who knows the different inflections and tones of my voice so well. Afton can always tell when I’ve captured what I was intending to.
What do you hope this album conveys to those who listen to it?
Robin: I think there are a lot of songs that will resonate with individuals, and I enjoy knowing we are part of a shared experience.
Afton: There is a lot of love and positive energy on the album and I hope that gets absorbed. I hope we can lift someone’s day.
The album title… how did you choose it? What does it mean to you?
Robin: After playing a show in Texas in summer of 2025, we were full of energy and wrote the song “Wild Country.” It’s a song about us and how we were out there in the world looking for each other. Even though we are 17 years apart in age, we were crisscrossing each other’s path and finally found each other in Sedona, Arizona. The Wild Country. It was all a big beautiful accident. Or was it?
Afton: The song sort of sums up what the album is about. It always feels big and beautiful when we play it.
Where do you tend to get your biggest inspiration from these days?
Afton: Traveling has always been good for my writing. A change of scenery always brings a new perspective, a different reflection.
Robin: Yeah, I love being on the road. There is a freedom that awakens a whole lot of ideas and melodies.
Do you have any plans to tour or play any live shows? Where can fans catch you live in the coming months?
Robin: Absolutely, we have been out on a wonderful tour/adventure since the second week of May. Look us up on our website, and we hope to see you out there. Be sure and say howdy.
