Inside the Outpost

Singer-songwriter, pianist and philanthropist Pete Muller joined Inside the Outpost ahead of his May appearance at Outpost in the Burbs, where he opened for Livingston Taylor. We discussed the making of his recent album One Last Dance , got an early look at the music behind his upcoming release, and talked about his work with the Live Music Society supporting independent venues across the country....

This week on Inside the Outpost , we celebrate the songs and legacy of the legendary John Prine through a special conversation and live performance recorded around our recent John Prine Tribute concert at Outpost in the Burbs, presented in partnership with Montclair Film. The one-of-a-kind concert featured performances by Laura Cantrell, Ted Leo, Leslie Mendelson, Sam Robbins, and Carolann Solebel...

Joan Osborne is heading to Outpost in the Burbs on May 29th for her Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan show. We caught up with Joan ahead of the performance for a fascinating conversation about Bob Dylan's enduring legacy, his influence on songwriting, and Joan's own musical journey and career. The episode also features a live recording of "Tangled Up in Blue" performed by Joan and her trio...

Singer, songwriter, performer and teacher Livingston Taylor is headed to Outpost in the Burbs for a special performance on May 16th. For more than 50 years, Taylor has crafted his signature blend of storytelling, warmth and wit, emerging from one of music's most renowned families alongside siblings including James Taylor. We caught up with Livingston ahead of his Outpost show for a wide-ranging co...

Singer-songwriters Jeffrey Gaines and Josh Joplin team up for a special double bill at Outpost in the Burbs on March 21. Ahead of the show, we spoke with both artists about their paths as storytellers who've blended influences as diverse as Phil Ochs, Elvis Costello, and Peter Gabriel into distinctive songbooks of their own. Two thoughtful conversations about music, craft, and life — setting the s...

The Del Fuegos brought their signature Boston rock swagger to Outpost in the Burbs this past December, one of only a handful of reunion dates the band is doing. Fronted by brothers Dan and Warren Zanes, the band helped define a roots-inflected alternative sound in the '80s with four beloved albums. Before the show, we sat down with the Zanes brothers to talk about their musical journeys, the band'...

The Milk Carton Kids brought their exquisite songwriting and signature harmonies to Outpost in the Burbs in December 2025. With a career spanning more than 15 years and multiple Grammy and Americana Award honors, the duo performed songs from across their catalog, including previews of an upcoming album, alongside a few beautifully understated holiday selections from Christmas in A Minor Key . We a...

Hiss Golden Messenger's M.C. Taylor came to Outpost in the Burbs in October, delivering a stirring solo set filled with the warmth, empathy, and insight that define his songwriting. After listening back, he chose to release the full recording on Bandcamp as a fundraiser for the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children . We had the privilege of speaking with him before the concert, and...

Acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, who's been captivating audiences for over three decades, joined us in Montclair for an intimate performance to kick off the Outpost's 38th season — and the 7th season of the podcast. In this episode, Ron reflects on the mysterious process of songwriting, what it means to honor both the songs and the audience, and the lessons he's learned along the...

We spoke with David Amlen and Meg Beattie Patrick as a preview for the upcoming DAVE & THE DIVAS show at Outpost in the Burbs. The show Freedom & Faith: Songs of Jenny Amlen and Elton John, will be March 1st in Montclair - an album release event for the group's FREEDOM album. It's a very special project that brings together core members of the Montclair music community, led by David Amlen in tribu...

Half Waif , the indie-electronic-folk project led by Nandi Rose , returns to Montclair for a special homecoming show at Outpost in the Burbs on February 22nd . This marks the band's first full performance at the venue, following a mini-set at a "new bands" festival in 2016. Since then, Half Waif has released a string of acclaimed albums, including the latest, See You at the Maypole (2024). Ahead o...

The On a Winter's Night tour stopped at Outpost in the Burbs in January 2025, featuring Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, and Patty Larkin —longtime friends and veterans of the folk scene for over 40 years. Each artist brings their own songs and stories to this special tour, creating a unique and powerful blend of talent. In this episode, we chat with Lucy Kaplansky and Cliff Eberhardt...

Bruce Cockburn's journey has taken him from music school for jazz composition to top albums and radio hits over the years. Along the way he's remained a thoughtful performer and humanitarian, whose songs reflect a concern for indigenous people, the environment and an overall hopeful approach to life. Bruce came to Outpost in the Burbs in November 2024, and his expressive solo guitar and voice perf...

Robyn Hitchcock stands as one of England's most iconic and inventive songwriters, a trailblazer in the alternative rock movement who continues to captivate with his wit and creativity. In this episode of Inside the Outpost, Robyn delves into his songwriting, his acclaimed memoir, and his exploration of the groundbreaking music and culture of 1967. Prepare for a characteristically wide-ranging conv...

Dubbed 'the hottest Irish acoustic band on the planet' by the Irish Echo, Lúnasa effortlessly weaves traditional melodies with modern energy, creating a sound that moves both hearts and feet. In this episode, we chat with the band's Kevin Crawford ahead of their upcoming  Irish Solstice celebration at Outpost in the Burbs. Kevin gives us a glimpse into Lúnasa's broad appeal to roots music lovers o...

Irish singer-songwriter Pat Byrne has followed his musical journey from the green hills of Ireland to the hill country of Texas, evolving from a wedding singer to a celebrated artist crafting songs all his own. During his visit to the Outpost in October in support of Dar Williams, we had the chance to chat about his incredible path and the stories behind his music. This episode features an exclusi...

** Note Explicit Language in this Episode ** The Outpost hosted a great intimate performance with singer-songwriter Jill Sobule at the end of the Spring 2024 season at the stunning Van Vleck House and Gardens in Montclair. Known for her groundbreaking Top 20 hit, 'I Kissed a Girl'—the first openly queer-themed song to chart on Billboard—Jill shares stories from her career and delves into her lates...

We had the pleasure of sitting down with two legendary roots musicians, Robbie Fulks and Bill Kirchen, ahead of their electrifying joint performance at Outpost in the Burbs in April 2024. Robbie, a celebrated indie-country songwriter, and Bill, the iconic guitarist known for his work with Commander Cody and as a standout solo performer, share captivating stories from their storied careers. This ep...

Montclair's own Nefesh Mountain are one of the most acclaimed new artists in the progresive bluegrass scene over the last few years - with a sound that weaves a beautiful diverse tapestry from a range of American roots music styles, from traditional bluegrass to Americana to beautiful folk. The band's Jewish heritage is just one part of that sound, with "Nefesh" being the Hebrew word for 'soul.' w...

Acclaimed songwriter Mary Gauthier returns to Outpost in the Burbs on March 28th, along with Jaimee Harris. We spoke with Mary about the incredible work she's done through eleven albums, a lifetime of touring and songwriting, and her recent book Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting. Mary's approach leads with the heart - her empathy and compassion for her subjects shine throug...

February 23rd we'll present GROWIN' UP: AN EVENING OF TWO MUSICAL ONE-ACT MEMOIRS featuring New York singer-songwriters Matt Butler and Mike Montali (Fantastic Cat / Hollis Brown). Matt's performance RECKLESS SON tells the incredible story of his performances for the incarcerated; Mike's BALLAD OF A BORO KID is the story of his growing up in Queens. Both perforrmers are master storytellers and we...

With 30+ albums and multiple classic songs under hls belt, singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III will bring his wry, touching songs and performance style to Outpost in the Burbs on 12/15/23. We spoke with Loudon about his wide-ranging career and songwriting view, working with his various family members, and what he sees as the most important part of what he does. Episode includes 'How Old is 75'...