One of the popular plot lines in a number of current TV shows is about someone with a regular life who, it turns out, was trained as an assassin/spy/renegade. Then their memory was wiped so they could live a normal life until some trigger brings back the badass. There’s some parallel to that in musician […]
Clay DuBose – Father Time & Mother Nature
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I’m pretty sure the original intent of that comment was directed to relationships. I’ve observed it to be true about almost anything someone is passionate about, though. Step away from it for a while, and when you come back you rediscover what attracted you in the first place along […]
David G. Smith Song Premiere – Green Fire
There’s a long history of social activism by folk musicians dating back at least 100 years and most probably a lot longer than that. In many cases the participation is in events organized by others. With Iowan David G. Smith, however, he puts the active in activism. He schedules about 20% of his gigs in […]
Moonlight Mile – Northern Lights
Socrates said, “to know thyself is the beginning of wisdom”, and Ben Franklin said, “there are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self.” Between them they underscore the fact that self-awareness is a difficult journey, and not one that everybody chooses to take. Kentucky-based singer/songwriter Jonathan Pennington, who goes by […]
John Gallagher Jr. On Tour Van Rentals and Social Media Content
John Gallagher Jr. Talks about why he doesn’t rent a permanent rehearsal space and the weather report for lower to mid level touring acts these days.
Thomas Csorba on Truck-Camping and Memorializing Moments in Time
Texas singer-songwriter Thomas Csorba talks about what he does to keep busy in the sometimes-boring greenrooms far from home, a fan-favorite EP that can no longer be found, and experience gained working as a talent buyer for a Texas venue owner / promoter.
Monday Morning Video – Gabe Lee
Gabe Lee arrived at New York City’s Cafe Wha? this past weekend with more than songs. What he put together was a one-man Off-Broadway show — stories and music woven together into a look at what it’s like to chase songs — and a songwriting career — in Nashville. The pain was real, the humor […]
Justin Osborne from Susto on Tour Van Preferences and Keeping an Open Mind
Singer-songwriter Justin Osborne, from Susto and Susto Stringband, talks about the greatest source of joy in him musical journey and what happened at his first gig.
Good Taste and Short Songs: Teddy Thompson on Influence, Restraint, and Never Be The Same
Teddy Thompson doesn’t talk about influence so much as drift—what finds its way in early, what stays, and what quietly shapes a life without ever announcing itself. On his new album Never Be The Same, Thompson returns to original material after a stretch of country covers records, this time working with producer David Mansfield. The […]
Langhorne Slim on Big Macs, Playing Hard Softly, and His Touring Dream
Nashville singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim talks about touring in a musical clown car and why there is no mountain top in music.