Court Yard Hounds: The Americana and Folk Rock Project
Court Yard Hounds is the acclaimed Americana and folk rock duo formed by sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, famously known as founding members of the Grammy-winning country supergroup The Chicks. Hailing from Texas, the band distinguished itself with a self-titled debut album that entered the Billboard 200 chart at number seven in 2010, showcasing the sisters' songwriting and instrumental prowess in a new musical context.
Early career
The story of Court Yard Hounds is intrinsically linked to the monumental career of The Chicks, where Maguire and Robison achieved global fame. Following a period of hiatus for the main group, the sisters officially launched Court Yard Hounds in 2010, driven by a collection of songs that leaned more toward introspective folk and roots rock than their previous country work. This project provided a creative outlet focused on their own voices and songcraft.
Breakthrough
The duo's breakthrough came swiftly with the May 2010 release of "Court Yard Hounds" on Columbia Records. The album was a commercial success, debuting at number seven on the Billboard 200 and selling over 28,000 copies in its first week. This strong chart position immediately established the Hounds as a serious and successful venture separate from their work with The Chicks.
Key tracks
The Coast — This wistful, mandolin-driven lead single perfectly introduced the duo's harmonious, reflective sound to a national audience.
Ain't No Son — A bold narrative song showcasing the duo's sharp, story-focused lyricism and mature songwriting perspective.
See You In The Spring (feat. Jakob Dylan) — This collaboration highlighted their credibility within the wider roots music community and expanded their sonic palette.
Phoebe — A deeply personal track that underscored the autobiographical nature of much of their material, resonating with longtime fans.
Their sophomore album, "Amelita," arrived in 2013, further refining their blend of folk, rock, and bluegrass instrumentation. While The Chicks eventually resumed touring and recording, Court Yard Hounds remains a vital chapter in the artists' careers, demonstrating their versatility and depth as musicians and songwriters beyond the confines of their primary band's genre.
Fans of the detailed storytelling and acoustic craftsmanship of The Chicks will find a more intimate, folk-rock extension in the Hounds' work. The harmonic sisterly blend also echoes in the music of First Aid Kit, the Swedish duo known for their folk-pop sensibilities. The project's Americana instrumentation and thoughtful lyrics align with the style of Brandi Carlile, another powerful voice in modern roots music. Listeners appreciating organic, vocal-driven rock might also explore Dawes for their similar dedication to lyrical and musical craftsmanship.
The music of Court Yard Hounds maintains a steady presence on radio stations that champion Americana, adult album alternative (AAA), and classic rock formats. Their songs are frequently featured on independent music radio stations and online rock radio streams that value authentic songwriting and expert musicianship, keeping their sound alive for dedicated listeners.
You can hear the distinctive folk rock and Americana sound of Court Yard Hounds on various radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Explore our curated selection of stations to discover their music and other artists within the same rich musical genre.
