Back Catalog Listening Party

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with singer Sarah Larsson , who revisits Izvora , the 2016 release by The Nightingale Trio . She talks about her journey into singing Balkan music, shares hilarious stories behind the songs, and teaches us how to toast in Yiddish and Ukrainian. So lift up your glasses and join us for this joyful hour of music and conversation! Featured So...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with singer/songwriter Danny Schmidt , who joins us from his home in Nashville, enjoys a tequila, and revisits his 2007 album Little Grey Sheep . He looks back on recording this odd collection of songs written for friends, lovers, and fellow Texans. A beautiful conversation about music and community to kick off our new year. Featured Song...

In this week’s special episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo share their annual Best of Back Catalog clip show, revisiting some of their favorite moments from the past year of conversations. You’ll hear highlights from interviews with Lizzie No, Altan, Patty Larkin, Bruce Cockburn, Erin McKeown, Carrie Rodriguez, Gurf Morlix, Chris Silver & Craig Evans, Sister Sadie, Nicholas David, and Stev...

This week, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother banjo pop-in to wish you a happy holiday season and give a sneak peak of next week's special "Best of 2025" episode. We hope you are enjoying plenty of family, friends and good music this week, cheers!! ☃️🎶🍻 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with veteran country guitarist Dan Gaarder , formerly of the band Trailer Trash , who revisits the band’s 2002 Christmas album All Lit Up . He joins us with a tin of Danish butter cookies, talks about the inspiration behind these festive holiday originals, and shares some hilarious stories about the band recording in a garage in the heat...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Canadian folk legend Connie Kaldor , who joins us from Montreal to have a cup of tea and revisit her 2023 album of resilience Keep Going . She talks about her roots in the Saskatchewan prairies, recording with her musical family, and an interesting habit she picked up in her 45 years of touring. Featured Songs Keep Going Solo Clarine...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with 7-time Native American Music Award winner Keith Secola , who joins us from Sparta Sound Studio in northern Minnesota to revisit the 25th anniversary version of his 1992 album Circle. He talks about recording with members of The Doors and Barenaked Ladies and how his song “NDN Kars” has become a Native American anthem and a favorite a...

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Tina Schlieske 's album Slow Burn (2005) and its new vinyl release, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo share this special conversation with Tina, who joined them from her home in California. She talks about this first solo album after coming off the road with Stevie Ray Vaughan's band, the incredible cast of musicians who played on the record and how the songs captu...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with folk singer/songwriter Connor Garvey who joins us from a green room in Bangor, ME to revisit his 2011 album Where Ocean Meets Land . He talks about his love of production, how songs can live separate lives on stage and a special co-writer he enlisted to update one of the songs. Plus glockenspiel and some serious guitar shredding! Fea...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Eric Mohring of award-winning Cajun band New Riverside Ramblers . We revisit their 2018 album Lache pas la Patate, talk about the connections between country and Cajun music and the surprisingly robust Cajun music scene in Minnesota. Plus some dance tips! Featured Songs: 1.Lache pas la patate 2.Blues de Soulard 3.La Valse de Ka...

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with award-winning singer, flutist and whistle player Norah Rendell , who enjoys a Guinness and revisits her 2015 album Spinning Yarns, which focuses on Celtic songs with a Canadian connection. She talks about making this first solo album after having kids and leaving her international touring band The Outside Track and what it was like t...

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Nashville folk duo Haunted Like Human . Over beers and gin and ginger ale, we revisit their 2021 album  Tall Tales & Fables  and talk about their fortuitous meeting in a coffee shop, magical fox encounters and conjuring witchy swamp women. Plus a guest appearance by their dog Juniper! Featured Songs: Ohio Run Devil Run...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with folk duo The Falderals , who pour some Scotch and revisit their 2011 album Radio . They talk about how they met in Armenia, the craziness of recording and touring with three kids, and the oversized influence of two albums from the 1960s. Featured Songs: Oh My My (Sound Advice) Warm Things Radio A String and a Kite Show Notes: 🔗 http...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with guitarist, singer, librarian and Celtic radio host Brian Miller . We revisit his 2013 album The Falling of the Pine that he recorded with Randy Gosa, explore the connections between Irish music and folk tunes from the Great Lake region, learn about the “pole of inaccessibility” and hear wild stories Brian unearthed from Midwest loggi...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with reclusive singer-songwriter Buggy Jive, who enjoys a seltzer and an espresso and revisits his 2018 album The Buggy Jive Mixtape. He talks about making music from his basement, meeting his manager through a Joni Mitchell fan group and his big beef with Lenny Kravitz. Featured Songs: 1.The White Album (For Joan Didion) 2.Black Spaces (...

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Louisiana fiddler/singer/songwriter  Gina Forsyth . We revisit her 2012 album  Promised Land , talk about her family's unique immigration story and dive into her varied influences, including Cajun, Celtic, rock and old-time music. Featured Songs: Promised Land 4th of July Sparrows Lord Have Mercy What I Did O...

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with blues/roots/soul singer Nicholas David . We revisit his 2016 album  With These Hands , talk about fasting before recording sessions and his varied musical influences from family polka parties to Disney films and monster movies. Plus he shares stories about recording in a Hollywood mansion where Frank Sinatra hung out. Featured S...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with award-winning folk artist and writer Amy Speace . We revisit her 2009 album The Killer in Me , talk about how her theater background helped in her album photo shoot and explore her varied influences from 90s alt-rock to Shakespearean tragedies. Featured Songs: The Killer In Me Something More Than Rain Dog Days Haven’t Learned A Thing...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with folk singer/songwriter Kelley Smith. We revisit her 2022 debut album Moon Child , talk about her late arrival to songwriting after having four kids, connecting with her Canadian producer via Instagram and the unique story that inspired the album art. Featured Songs: Marriage Dust Tea and Whiskey I’ll Let Go Show Notes: https://backca...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Texas singer/songwriter/fiddler Carrie Rodriguez about her 2016 album Lola , inspired by her great aunt Eva Garza who was an international star during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema in the 1940s and 50s. She talks about writing in Spanglish, recording while 7 months pregnant and working with the ever playful Bill Frisell and...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with acclaimed singer, songwriter, and painter Grant-Lee Phillips about his 2020 album Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff . He talks about the inspiration of author Carson McCullers, creating a cataclysmic stomp and why his songs are uniquely suited for fall. Featured Songs: Drawing the Head Lowest Low Gather Up Straight to the Ground Sh...

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo chat with folk duo The Low Liners. We revisit their 2022 album  Better in Time  and talk about their long history of making music together -- from family music gatherings to co-writing across 7 time zones to recording their first professional album with The Band of Heathens' Gordy Quist. Featured Songs: This Morning April Lucky Ones...

In this encore episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Davina Sowers of Billboard-charting blues/roots band Davina & The Vagabonds . We revisit their 2014 album Sunshine , have a lively conversation about recording and what she does to pump herself up for her live shows. Plus what her band has in common with Spinal Tap . Encore Episode, Recorded August 21, 2020. Featured Songs: Throw...

In this week’s episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with jazz singer and songwriter Jennifer Grimm about her 2008 release After Noon , recording saxophone with a southern drawl and the surprising influence of rappers like Ludacris. Featured Songs: Now That You’re Here Minneapolis & St. Paul Blow It Trip Around The Sun Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/256 Join the Party...

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with fiddler Deanie Richardson of all-star bluegrass band Sister Sadie . We revisit their 2024 Grammy-nominated album  No Fear , talk about the controversial decision to use drums, how a disastrous Pad Thai dinner inspired the title track, and relive an epic night of karaoke. Featured Songs: Willow If We Ain’t Drinking Then We’re Fig...