Back Catalog Listening Party

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with International Bluegrass Ambassadors Henhouse Prowlers . We revisit their 2013 album Breaking Ground , talk about working with top-tier pickers and share how televangelists and Belgian ale helped inspire some of the songs. Recorded Oct 15, 2021 Featured Songs: Soul Saver Ravenswood Getaway Drunk Again Ain’t Too Proud To Beg Den...

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Jordan Wax of the New Mexican roots band Lone Piñon . We revisit their 2019 album  Nuevas Acequias, Río Viejo , exploring the traditional music of Northern New Mexico, the stories behind the music, and a unique wedding song that would go on for up to 45 minutes. Featured Songs: La Entrega de las Canciones Mascando Chíclete / Ups...

Hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo share a special conversation taped at Folk Alliance International's Folk+ Conference with Halifax-born, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Steve Poltz. We revisit his 2012 album  Noineen Noiny Noin , talk about recording the album with Australian punk rockers and how he got his start in Southern California, playing in Catholic Folk Mass and touring the worl...

In this encore episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo chat with TX-raised, Cape Cod-based Americana songwriter Monica Rizzio about her 2019 album Sunshine Is Free and talk about returning to Nashville to record and writing EDM songs for reality television. Recorded on May 24, 2024. Featured Songs: Nothin’ Sunshine is Free The Shire The Real McCoy Show Notes: 🔗  https://backcataloglist...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with singer/songwriter Deb Talan. We travel back to before she was in The Weepies and revisit her 2003 album A Bird Flies Out . We talk about her time living in Boston, doing vocal gymnastics and how her creativity comes out differently in songs and paintings. Featured Songs: Unraveling Big Strong Girl Sincerely Ashes On Your Eyes S...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with singer, songwriter and saxophonist LAAMAR and revisit his 2013 album Oh July , recorded with his earlier Brooklyn-based band Jus Post Bellum. We talk about his journey from jazz to indie-folk, crafting songs rooted in historical fiction and the embarrassing amount of wool clothing and fedoras that went into making the...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with St. Louis singer/songwriter Beth Bombara about her 2017 album Map & No Direction and her whirlwind week recording in Portland, playing in the hotel bar and finishing up songs in between sessions. Featured Songs: I Tried (Too Late) Map & No Direction When I Woke Sweet Time What We’re Giving Show Notes: htt...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with revered singer, songwriter and producer Gurf Morlix. We revisit his 2011 album  Blaze Foley's 113th Wet Dream , talk about his many years playing with the late great Blaze Foley and get some wild first-hand stories about this infamous TX talent, whose songs were covered by Townes van Zandt, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelso...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with International Autoharp Champion Karen Mueller about her 1993 album Clarity , featuring an all-star cast of folk, bluegrass, and Irish players. She recounts some wild studio stories about splicing analog tape and shares photos of her old band wearing cow camouflage. Featured Songs: New Joe Clark Aran Boat Song Blarney...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Australian-born, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Imogen Clark about her 2020 EP The Making of Me , working with members of Tom Petty’s and Elvis Costello’s bands, channeling eagle energy and embodying the power of pantsuits. Featured Songs: The Making of Me Inside Out Found Me Push Me Down Show Notes: https://backcatalogliste...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with indie/folk songwriter Molly Dean about her 2016 album The Natural Minor . We look at crazy pictures of the recording’s sound waves and talk about the early influence of punk rock band L7 and why it takes her 10 years to make an album. Featured Songs: Fire Burned Bright Lock & Key State of Confusion The Natural Minor Show No...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Canadian songwriting legend and activist Bruce Cockburn about his 1986 album World of Wonders. He reflects back on the weirdness of playing in East Berlin during the Cold War, incorporating new wave sounds into his music, and how touring with a band felt a lot like camping. Featured Songs: People See Through You Call It Democra...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with musician, writer and producer Erin McKeown about their 2013 album Manifestra , getting hooked on music at nature camp and finding inspiration in dreams, rhythms and even pooping dogs. Featured Songs: 1.Manifestra 2.The Jailer 3.Histories 4.In God We Trust Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/244 Join the Party on P...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with folk/rock artist Jonathan Rundman about his 2004 album  Public Library , explore his eclectic musical library, and share stories about recording with his all-time favorite band. Featured Songs: Falling Down Second Language 747s Every Town's The Same Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/243 Join the Party on Pa...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with singer/songwriter Pieta Brown about her 2014 album Paradise Outlaw and the mystical power of liner notes, guitars, banjos and birds. Featured Songs: Ricochet Flowers of Love Do You Know Little Swainson Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/242 Join the Party on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/backcataloglisteningpa...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with “Latingrass” duo Larry & Joe about their debut album Nuevo South Train , working with jazz producer Charlie Hunter and channeling some of that new date energy. Featured Songs: Gabanjo Nuevo South Train Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms Larry’s Cachapa Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/241 Join the Party on Patreo...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Moira Smiley about her 2021 album   In Our Voices  that she recorded with vocal group VOCO. We also talk about making songs for the collective lift, learning revenge banjo and her ongoing exploration of what the human voice can do. Featured Songs: Sing About It Days Of War Refug...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with singer/songwriter/producer Barbra Lica about her 2022 album   Imposter Syndrome , her love of spreadsheets and some very unique photo shoots. Featured Songs: Girls Like Me In 40 Years The Ghost of Me What Do You Say Sour Women Show Notes:   https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/239 Join the Party on Patreon:   ht...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with indie/folk songwriter Spencer LaJoye about their 2024 album  Shadow Puppets , the influence of Phil Collins, and how we keep ourselves from getting too crusty in the middle of a Midwest winter. Featured Songs: Shadow Puppets The Art of Feeling Lonely The Joker Someday You'll Wake Up Okay Show Notes: https://backcataloglist...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with traditional Irish band Altan about their 1993 album  Island Angel , the painting that inspired the title track and get the craic on everything from their varied approaches to recording to what they pack on tour. Featured Songs: Humours Of Andytown / Kylebrack Rambler / The Gladstone Dulaman The Jug Of Punch Glory Reel / Th...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Juno Award-winning songwriter Rose Cousins about her 2009 album  The Send Off , her love of film scores, and her unique connection to the piano. Featured Songs: I Were the Bird White Daisies The Send Off All the Time It Takes to Wait Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/236 Join the Party on Patreon: https://w...

In this week’s episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with singer, songwriter, luthier, and multi-instrumentalist McKain Lakey about their 2021 album Somewhere , exploring weird time signatures and combining horns with old-time sounds. Featured Songs: 1.Making Peace with John Hartford 2.Microscope 3.Cicadas in the Trees 4.Decibel Jezebel Show Notes: 🔗 https://backcataloglisteningparty...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with roots/bluegrass band Stillhouse Junkies about their 2022 album  Small Towns , their beginnings at a Durango distillery, and writing songs inspired by western landscapes. Featured Songs Over The Pass Evergreen River Of The Lost Souls Colorado Bound Show Notes 🔗  https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/234 Join the Party...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with indie singer/songwriter/fiddler Jillian Rae about her 2013 debut album  Heartbeat , geek out about effects pedals and production, and talk about learning history from Johnny Horton songs. Featured Songs: Heartbeat Helpless Love Me Anyway Chains Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/233 Join the Party on Patreon...

In this week's episode, hosts Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Americana trio Turn Turn Turn about their 2023 album  New Rays From an Old Sun , their 60s and 70s musical influences, and their unique approach to dressing for gigs. Featured Songs: 1.Stranger in a Strange Land 2.Powder 3.Hymn of the Hater 4.7 Kids Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/232 🎉 Join the Party on...