For the Sake of the Song

Jeffrey Lewis is a singer, songwriter, and artist from NYC who has been putting out some of the best anti-folk music there is for over 20 years, including on his newest album “The EVEN MORE Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis” on Don Giovanni Records. In addition to his musical chops, he’s also an accomplished illustrator and has written and drawn over a dozen comics in the series called “Fuff”. For the pl...

Lilly Hiatt is singer and songwriter in Nashville, currently on New West Records, and she’s been one of the mainstays in the Americana scene for the past decade. She’s toured with the likes of John Prine, Drive-By Truckers, and Margo Price. She’s just released her sixth album, Forever , and in response Pitchfork said “Hiatt sounds relaxed and assured, even when she’s making righteous noise.” To fi...

Isaac Chosich is a singer, songwriter, and drummer and the lead genuis behind the band Smoke Association. He’s previously played in the bands Yard Eagle, The Fighting Side, The Devil’s Triangle, and Slop Arm. He’s the self-described third wheel at Extra Plus Productions and also makes sick show flyers for a lot of bands around town. If you want to see one of the most unique bands in St. Louis, mak...

Isaac Johnston is a drummer and percussionist (for hire!), and is also a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, who plays with a host of bands including We Are Root Mod, Wilson Ridge, Hotel Ten Eyes, and Pocket Taco. He’s heading out on tour with Hunter Peebles & The Moonlighters in March so be sure to follow him and the bands on Instagram so you can find out where you can see and hear Isaac next!...

Justin Osborne is the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the band SUSTO, who hail from Charleston, South Carolina. They’ve been around for over a decade, toured all over the world, and released five studio albums and two live albums. They’re currently on New West Records and Justin has a new album titled “Susto Stringband: Volume 1” coming out on March 28 th that is a collaboration with Ho...

Greg Belter is a longtime photographer in the St. Louis area, where he’s been photographing musicians on film, and developing and processing most of that film at home, for about the last six years. He’s photographed bands and artists including Yard Eagle, Mattie Schell, JigJam, Natchez Whistle, Native Sons, Nate Lowery, Hunter Peebles, The Screeching Halts, and Nick Gusman, and he’s done some conc...

Truman Kennedy is a singer, songwriter, and mandolin player who plays in the band, Truman Kennedy and the Unstoppable Bucks. They just released an album titled, “Werewolf Mask” that you can listen to on all streaming platforms or you can pick up on vinyl on Bandcamp or at some local record stores in St. Louis and Little Rock. You can catch Truman playing around town at places like the Hi-Hat and Y...

Luisa Sims is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist, who has been playing in St. Louis for many years, playing both solo and with her band, Luisa Sims and the Sorry Party. You can catch her at Yaquis on the first and third Mondays of the month as well as at places like The Drawing Board and The Focal Point. Make sure to follow her on Instagram at @luisasims.music so you can keep up to date...

Joe Bassa is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who plays in the bands Jailbox and Surtsey and Surtsey has a great new music video out for their song "Knot To Force" that features a lot of bands and venues from in and around St. Louis. You can watch the video and find out where you can see Surtsey next on their Instagram page @mybandsurtsey! Playlist Track Listing: “When the Shit Hits the Fan” by...

Robin Harvey is a relatively new singer and songwriter in St. Louis who leads the band, Space Quaker. You can catch her playing with Space Quaker as well as occasional solo gigs at places like the Sinkhole, The Nest, Venice Cafe, and Chill Dawg Cove. Playlist Track Listing: “Birdland” by Patti Smith “In California” by Joanna Newsom “I Was An Eagle” by Laura Marling “Black Crow” by Joni Mitchell “R...

Joanna Serenko is a singer and songwriter who has been playing her originals for over seven years and, in addition to her own stuff, she also plays with Tyler Dale and Company, Playadors, and The Red Jackets. You may have heard of Joanna before from her successful run in 2018 on NBC’s The Voice, where she made it to the semi-finals and finished ninth place overall. She and her boyfriend, the afore...

Matt F. Basler is a longtime musician, singer, songwriter, guitar player, and he currently leads the band, Matt F. Basler, (no relation), and plays in Middle Class Fashion. He's also a fellow podcast host, hosting "The Matt F. Basler Podcast" (no relation), and after you listen to this episode, go on over and check out his podcast! You can find him, his music, his podcast, and more over on his web...

Nick Avel rings in 2025 with this special New Year's Eve playlist! Nick’s been producing St. Louis radio and helping to promote area bands for over a decade. If he sounds familiar, it’s because you can currently hear him on two frequencies on your FM dial. Nick has also been DJ’ing for 20+ years and is a self-taught guitarist.  Make sure to follow Nick on Instagram at @nickavel and check out his s...

Laka Claus, a.k.a. Laka Soul, is an incredible singer and performer who has been performing since 2016 and you can catch her playing at the Broadway Oyster Bar, Ballpark Village, and elsewhere and whether she's performing a cooled out acoustic show or full-costume, high-energy show with her full band, you won't be disappointed! Follow her on Instagram at @LakaSoul and check her out online at www....

Sean Kimble is a singer, songwriter, guitar player, and bass player who is currently recording under the name Desi Darling (@DesiDarlingMusic) but has been in the St. Louis music scene for over 10 years, primarily as the bass player in Brother Lee and the Leather Jackals. In addition to Desi Darling, he is also playing bass in Vallie Golde, a project led by Allie Vogler. You can find out more abou...

Jessie Karabell is the bass player and a founding member of the band, Still Animals, on Slovenly Recordings. The band is working on their second album and you can keep up to date on the album and upcoming shows at their Instagram @still_animals and hear all their authentic rock and roll on Spotify. Playlist Track Listing: “Whips and Furs” by The Vibrators “There But for the Grace of God Go I” by T...

Dylan Andersen is a singer, songwriter, bass player, and pianist who plays primarily in The Public and also Where's The Rum? and you can catch him playing all around St. Louis. He also has a solo project called NormalDylan that you can check out on The Public's YouTube channel. Playlist Track Listing: “Touching the Untouchables” by Men at Work “Eurydice” by Killian Scott “Escape (The Pina Colada S...

po mia is a singer and songwriter in St. Louis who plays primarily with the band, (also named) po mia, and occasionally with Frog Splash. Po is also a music therapist, skater, and gives guitar lessons. You can catch Po playing at Venice Cafe, The Heavy Anchor, and loads of other places around town. Be sure to check them out on Spotify and Instagram @po._.mia @frogsplashstl and @skatingsongbird and...

Noah Gregory is a songwriter and guitar player who leads the band Blond Guru and also plays in Yard Eagle. He also manages a music instrument store and occasionally does some recording of bands. Blond Guru’s new album, The Purpose is to Entertain, drops November 15 th and their album release show is happening at Off Broadway on November 30 th with support from Matt Basler and Surtsey. Make sure to...

Welcome to For the Sake of the Song! A podcast where musicians and music scene folks make a playlists of 15 songs then tell us about their picks. It's a way to find new music and learn a bit more about your favorite artists and their favorite artists. I'm your host, Beth Prusaczyk, and I hope to release an episode every two weeks here on Spotify. The episode will be released as a playlist where th...