Roots Rednecks and Radicals

Amanda Shires has been pretty quiet over the last year or so after her divorce with Jason Isbell. She has a new album coming out soon and this is the first track off that new record. It is mindful, and sad, and beautiful. It explores real human emotions about love and loss, and new directions. Today we take a look at the track and what makes it a wonderful poetic expression of a person going throu...

I have been a fan of Margo Price for years now. Her first album "Midwest Farmer's Daughter" was an incredible country album. On top of being a noteworthy songwriter, she lends her voice to causes she supports without flinching. Over the years she's toured with and become friends with legendary artists like Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson and she is making music in the spirit of those two art...

Over the last couple of years Worm Shot has been consistently gathering a fan base in Northern Nevada. They are a part of a growing scene largely based out of Reno that includes a variety of styles, and influences. I've gotten to see them live a couple of times now and I've just been really impressed with their sense of self. They are developing a sound that is really all their own, and the respon...

Laufey is a relatively new artist who is making really cool music. She has two new tracks out and this one really caught my attention. It has lots of different elements that I love, and I wanted to do a breakdown of what is so cool about this song. They lyrics, melodies and harmonies are all stellar, and they song is such a brain-worm. I hope you dig it! 

Turnstile is a Baltimore based hardcore punk band that has been around for over a decade. Their new album takes an experimental look at new styles for the band, incorporating synths, flutes, drum sample, and an entirely new direction. I really love this album and I wanted to share my breakdown of what the band is up to on this episode. I hope you dig it! 

This is the last of my series "The Girlies Are Taking Over!" and I wanted to share some new artists with you I haven't talked about on the show. There are so many great female artists out there in the world of Indie/Alternative music. This episode we take a look at Mitski, St. Vincent, The Marias, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, and Laufey. I hope you dig it! 

Morgan Geer who goes by the name Drunken Prayer has a new album out on Dial Back Sound. The album sounds fantastic and explores some fascinating themes. Matt Patton who plays bass for Drive By Truckers and Laura Jane Grace is releasing the album on his label Dial Back Sound and he joined us for the conversation as well! I hope you dig it! 

Mike Beck is a singer/songwriter and cowboy poet who has been making music for decades. He was a working cowboy for years in Nevada, and now spends his time sharing his stories and songs around the world. He recently played a show in my hometown, and he graciously sat down for an interview with me at KNVC. We had a great time chatting as he told me about life on the range, and working with incredi...

Hey all! This is the latest episode in my series on how the Girlies are taking over different genres. We started with Americana, the Pop, and now Punk! I've been super impressed with how many women led punk bands have been killing it. This week we take a look at Bikini Kill, Amyl and the Sniffers, The Linda Lindas, BABYMETAL, Hanabie, Destroy Boys, Scowl, Mannequin Pussy, and a local favorite of m...

Hey all! Today is Cinco de Mayo and I wanted to republish this episode I did a number of years back. Hope you dig it!    This is the first installment in a new series I'll be doing on the show. I've been intrigued with the history of Mexican music for a number of years now. I decided to take a deep dive into the fascinating history of the music, the instruments, and the people who make this incred...

Melody Walker has been making a name for herself in Nashville over the last few years as a go-to songwriter. She first came on to my radar with her work with Molly Tuttle on her album "Crooked Tree." And just recently she was honored with a Grammy for co-writing the song "American Dreaming" with Sierra Ferrell. That song was one of my favorites last year. I wanted to chat with her about the craft,...

Over the last decade or so there has been a hollowing out of money for musicians in the music industry. Streaming services like Spotify have siphoned off record sales, and touring is no longer viable for many musicians. What are they left to do? Ford Goodman thinks he has one solution that may be helpful. He started an organization that brings artists to areas that they often wouldn't come to, and...

The last few years have been pretty wild when it comes to the influence of women in music. In the world of Pop, Taylor Swift led the way with her Eras Tour. But there were so many others out there making incredible music and changing the face of pop. Sabrina Carpetner has developed her own sense of who she is. And Chappell Roan is bringing Drag to the masses with her makeup and stage performances....

Kendrick Lamar put on one of the greatest halftime performances I've ever seen. And as we wrap up Black History Month, I take a look at the symbolism and meaning in this incredible show! 

TopHouse is a folk/roots music band from the great state of Montana! Well, they live in Nashville now but their roots in the beautiful state are very evident on this new record. The band blends folk, bluegrass, Americana, and Western motifs into their sound and create style all their own. Their new EP is a follow up to a release from last year finishing up a look into the idea of Theory vs Practic...

It's Black History Month and I wanted to bring you some of the best shows I've done about contributions to roots music from Black musicians. I did this interview last year with Gangstagrass, an incredible band that blends elements of roots music with hip hop. We had a great conversation, these guys were a blast to talk to. So brilliant. Here you go, I hope you dig it! 

It's Black History Month and this month we'll be taking a look at contributions to roots music by Black musicians. I spoke with Dom Flemons a few years ago at the Father's Day Bluegrass Festival. He sat down with me and chatted about roots music, the banjo, Mexican music and all sorts of fun things. Dom has an incredible catalog of music that includes his album Black Cowboys that takes a look at t...

The history and culture of the West is alive and well. There has been a resurgence over the last few decades of artists throughout the West celebrating Cowboy Culture. It is much more diverse and fascinating than many people think. Poetry, music, storytelling, saddle making, it's incredible what there is to see. The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a place where artists of the West gather each...

I had an idea last week that I'd really like to use this podcast to connect with people on a human level. So I made a video and put it on my social media. I told all the people who interacted with that would get mentioned in a special "shoutout" episode of my podcast. So here it is! Thanks to everyone who listens, and follows along with me on this journey. I genuinely appreciate it. I plan on doin...

What goes into the making of a folk hero? There has been a lot of discussion about the killing of a United Healthcare CEO and Luigi Mangione. There is a history of making figures like this into folk heroes through music. Jesse James is a great example. Woody Guthrie and other sang about him. And now the same thing is happening with Luigi. Today we take a look at this phenomenon and what goes into...

Last week we took a look at modern Americana/Roots artists who are changing the game. The list was too long to fit them into one episode! So this week we're taking a look at another group of insanely talented women. This week all the artists were featured in a group called Our Native Daughters which is made up of black women banjo players. Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Allison Russell, and Leyl...

I've been noticing a trend over the last few years, women in music are absolutely killing it! I wanted to do a breakdown of the women I see making incredible music and changing the game in their own ways. This is the first part of two episodes I'll be doing on the world of Americana and Folk music. Today we take a look at Sierra Ferrell, Amanda Shires, Molly Tuttle, and Margo Price. I hope you dig...

The new biopic of Bob Dylan is out and people are once again talking about him. However I wonder, does he get more credit than he really deserves? With so many other incredible folk artists, why is he the only one we talk about? Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Ramblin' Jack, there are so many. So why does he get all the credit? And why is he venerated like a saint? Join me as I take a look at this questio...

There has been so much good music this year. Beyonce, Waxahatchee, Sierra Ferrell. So many great artists put out records. So join me for a breakdown of the best music of this last year. Happy New Year y'all! 

Emmitt Otter's Jugband Christmas is a certified banger of a Christmas movie. I've been watching this since I was a kid, it's one of my favorite movies to watch in the Christmas season. Enjoy my breakdown of this holiday favorite that has all the feels.