Back Catalog Listening Party

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...

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...