“You Can Go” Out Now!

There’s something uniquely intriguing about the banjo, whether it’s punchy and almost whimsical or subdued and blissful. The new song from Austin’s Rita Bliss is staunchly in the latter, reflective and mantra-like, and a bit melancholic without being despondent. Take this one to heart next time you find yourself being haunted by ghosts from your past out in the wild.” 

-  Taylor Wallace-Riegel, KUTX DJ/Song of the Day curator

“It's just great American music. ”

- John Apice, Americana Highways

Rita Bliss is an Austin-based folk musician who captures moments, memories, and conversations in song. A Rust Belt native, her melodies are rooted in the old-time banjo sounds of Appalachia and sung with a vaguely upstate-New York accent. From the open landscapes of Texas to the bitter winters of the Northeast, Rita has collected truth, fiction, and many musical influences along the way. Queer love stories, painful goodbyes, and rowdy gatherings unfold in her songs with sincerity and adopted Southern charm.

Her debut album, “Peaches and Apple Pies”, was met with glowing reviews from Americana Highways, and Bluegrass Today. She has performed in some of Austin’s most beloved venues, and listening rooms across the US and the UK. Rita is currently recording new music, due out in October, 2026. 

Date Event Location
Rita Bliss Winehouse, Dripping Springs, TX Winehouse, Dripping Springs, TX
Rita Bliss Winehouse, Dripping Springs, TX Winehouse, Dripping Springs, TX
Rita Bliss Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches, Austin, TX Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches, Austin, TX
 —  — Rita Bliss Texas Women Songwriters Festival, Lockhart, TX Texas Women Songwriters Festival, Lockhart, TX
Rita Bliss & Lost Patterns Quack's Soundspace, Austin, TX Quack's Soundspace, Austin, TX
Rita Bliss Opening Bell Coffee, Dallas, TX Opening Bell Coffee, Dallas, TX
Rita Bliss & The Sweet Maries Uncommon Ground, Chicago, IL Uncommon Ground, Chicago, IL
Rita Bliss Ghost Light, Hamtramck, MI Ghost Light, Hamtramck, MI
Rita Bliss Treelawn Social Club, Cleveland, OH Treelawn Social Club, Cleveland, OH
Rita Bliss First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, Ithaca, NY First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, Ithaca, NY
Rita Bliss Pink Rock Culture Co-Op, Syracuse, NY Pink Rock Culture Co-Op, Syracuse, NY
Rita Bliss Moon and River Cafe, Schenectady, NY Moon and River Cafe, Schenectady, NY
Rita Bliss Four Hour Day, Baltimore, MD Four Hour Day, Baltimore, MD