The Foreign Landers are an acoustic folk and bluegrass duo composed of the husband-and-wife team, David Benedict (from South Carolina) and Tabitha Agnew Benedict (from Northern Ireland). They are known for blending the musical styles of their respective homelands, along with moving songwriting and virtuosic instrumental work.
Rooted in bluegrass and Celtic tradition, the band creates their own sound with reflective songwriting and enchanting singing shaped by lives lived across borders. Their work grows out of shared experience, shaped by distance, home, and the steady work of learning how to live faithfully in changing seasons. With the release of their sophomore album Made to Wonder on January 23, 2026, the band offers their most compelling and cohesive statement to date.
Following their debut album Travelers Rest, which chronicled the challenges of immigration and building a shared life in the United States, Made to Wonder turns toward the next chapter. Written during the transition into parenthood, the album reflects on time, impermanence, and the fragile beauty of everyday life.
Wherever they perform, they garner fantastic reviews and we can't wait to welcome their family to the Shetland Folk Festival.
“Hearing The Foreign Landers for the first time immediately landed a huge smile on my face and for a moment allowed escape from all the negative noise in the world. Tabitha and David simply sound like two people who are meant to make music together. The playing, singing, and arrangements are all so wonderful—I’m a fan!” — Sierra Hull
The Foreign Landers possess a sonic directness within their music that’s a refreshing gift to any listener. Tabitha’s and David’s impressive playing and singing blends seamlessly together to create a unified, full sound. — Sarah Jarosz
