All Americana/Singer-Songwriter Episodes

We’ve watched Nicole Atkins’ career blossom in front of our eyes. I was a big fan of her debut Neptune City back in 2007, and with each subsequent record, she has impressed and matured, and now is no longer just a musician but a bonafide artist. Her latest release, Italian Ice which comes out May 29th is a pot pourri of lush sonic landscapes and musical influences. All of it though, in some way, harkens back to her days in New Jersey, as a young musician, who sought her own voice in the music business. And so our very detailed conversation began when I suggested to Nicole that while you can take the girl out of Jersey, since now lives in Nashville, you can’t take the Jersey out of the girl, and thus I wondered how much she thinks about those old days on the Jersey Shore. For more on Italian Ice visit nicoleatkins.com. Also, do follow Nicole on social media for details on her live Saturday night performances during this Covid19 mess.

I first heard Mike Mattison’s voice, like so man my of us did, listening to Derek Trucks Band records, but truly, the break through was a song called Sweet Inspiration. But Mike is more than just a singer as his now with the Tedeschi Trucks Band, he is a musician, a songwriter, an incredibly talented artist. He’s made records with a project called Scrapomatic, which is, as you’d expect rooted in blues, but After Glow a solo record,  shows his breadth as a songwriter, and the palette of sounds at his disposal. After Glow, his second solo record offers more than what you’d probably expect. It’s filled with Americana, Country and more, giving us some insight into the singer songwriter and artist Mike actually is.

Andy Frasco’s story has been well documented. His live antics are well known. But behind all of that is a gentle guy who deals with depression, insecurity and much more. On his last album Change of Pace, we were all exposed to his personal struggle and on Keep on Keepin’ On that very authentic human condition is exposed once again. He is an excellent showman, front man and prolific digital media content maker, but he is way more complex than all of that. So though he isn’t currently on tour, he is still putting out his podcast, a weekly live stream and tons of content. When Andy and I hooked up and got to talking I was curious to understand how he finds the time to do everything.

We're big fans of Leslie Mendelson. She is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter who is quite talented and varied in her presence in various scenes both in and out of the jam band community. She's played with Bob Weir at TRI Studios, worked on a project or two with Steve Kimock, and has opened for The Who in NYC at MSG. Her debut release was nominated for a Grammy, and her follow up Love and Murder remains one of our favorite albums since we started this podcast. Now she is set to release "If You Can't Say Anything Nice" which delves a little deeper into the human condition, more specifically hers, and offers up a fairly eclectic view of her as an artist. So, of course, we had to get Leslie on, to talk about the new record, cause we dig it quite a bit. 

Carolina has always been home for Jim Lauderdale. While he makes his residency in Nashville, this prolific singer-songwriter who’s resume speaks for itself still has a vast network of friends and family back all over the Carolinas and more specifically in North Carolina. His latest release, When Carolina Comes Home Again, his 33rd, draws on songs, stories, and indeed musicians who are now part of the scene in Carolina, most notably Ashville, North Carolina. It’s a record chalk full of amazing songs and performances. Our conversation took many twists and turns, as we spoke about the new record, John Oates, Robert Hunter and much more. When Carolina Comes Home Again is due out March 27th on Yep Roc records, and you’ll want to listen to it, over and over again.  Heck, you may even want to move to North Carolina. For more on Jim a Lauderdale visit jimlauderdalemusic.com. 

We've been big fans of Mapache since their debut record a few years back and have been excited to get our hands on "From Liberty Street", a new record due out March 20th. The duo, Sam Blassuci and Clay Finch as you'll soon hear, share a creative brain, and they deliver a beautifully crafted pan California sound, that will have you intrigued and wanting more.  Their sound is unique, as it blends inspiration from growing up in Southern California and spending time in Mexico. They say that it takes a lifetime to put out your first record and Mapache did that not too long ago, so I wondered what sparked From Liberty Street's birth so quickly...

I can't lie, I love the Wood Brothers. There is just something very comfortable and fun about this band. That isn't to say they aren't dangerous, cause they are and perform with high octane and excellent musicianship. For those who don't know, the three piece is made up of brothers Wood; Chris on bass and Oliver on guitar and Jano Rix on drums and percussion. We've been fortunate enough to catch these guys live on one of their early tours and more recently at Borderlands Music Festival and here in Toronto at a packed and sweaty Mod Club. This is a Folk/Americana trio that makes the kind of music you want to hear more of. We caught up with drummer Jano Rix, the non brother in the band, to get his take on being in a band with two brothers, the making of Kingdom in My Mind and as you'll hear, much more. For more, visit thewoodbros.com.  

Silver Moon marks the 10th solo record for Jono Manson, and while you may not know exactly who he is, you should. In fact Jono should be credited with helping re-start the neo-jam band scene in New York. That is to say, his band The Worms, an eclectic dive bar rock band playing out of Nightingale’s in New York paved the way for bands like Blues Traveler, The Spin Doctors and Joan Osborne.  They were all big fans of his work, and continue to lend a hand today. So when we got the absolute privilege to talk with Jono, that’s where our conversation started when I asked if he thought his eclectic sonic pot pourri of sound was indeed responsible for the neo jam band movement of the early 90s and since.

G.Love's latest record, The Juice is out January 17th. This album marks a reunion of sorts for G. Love having reconnected with debut label mate and blues guitarist Keb Mo, who produced The Juice. The album is also filled with guests including Marcus King, Robert Randolph and Roosevelt Collier. So of course, with so many friends of the show contributing to G's record, we had to reach out. Truth be told, we're also big fans of his work, dating back to that debut record. We even chatted with him recently when he was in town as part of the tour that matched him with Blues Traveler and moe. So this time around our conversation started when I suggested that there are so many moving parts to this coming of age record, and that tackling the socio-political nature of The Juice must have been an important one. For more on G.Love and a reminder of all the tour dates and details on how you can pre-order the Juice, visit philadelphonic.com

For the uninitiated Chadwick or Chad Stokes is a member of neo-reggae folk band Dispatch but last week he released his third solo album with the Pintos, his backing band. Chad has always been a prolific writer, who is socially and political conscious. This album though is not only politically motivated, but many of the songs show a more tender side too. So it’s with that we got in touch with Chad for a really great conversation. You can learn about Chadwick and the Pistols upcoming tour dates and more at chadwickstokes.com.

Yes Darling are a duo made up of Hayley Jane and Ryan Montbleau. Ryan is a veteran of the American and Jam Band scene with his own solo work and guest appearances, while Hayley is well known for her work with The Primates and her solo work in that same scene. Together they make music across many genres, focused on the give and take of relationships, in their case, between men and women. Their whimsical take is fun, and in each song is full of great vocal performances and real genuine emotion. So naturally we wanted to get these two on to talk about the project. You can follow their story on social media or check out yesdarlingmusic.com.

If it’s your first time hearing about Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, it likely won’t be your last. The duo, of Madisen and his mama bear Ruth, are absolutely exceptional musicians, who blend voices and acoustic guitar playing for a truly genuine auditory experience. We’ve been big fans of the folk duo since their first release, and can’t get enough of the music they make. So on the news that there was a new record, we tracked the pair down. Check out madisenwardandthemamabear.com for tour news, videos and links to their albums.

The latest release from Robert Randolph and the Family Band, "Brighter Days" is a wonderfully full record. Not just with songs, but with inspiration, faith, and terrific musicianship. Robert Randolph never fails to deliver incredible performances on pedal steel, and the rest of the fam is equal to the task. We caught up with Robert, who we've chatted with before, in another life, and it was just like old times. He is an incredible musician, but an even better person. The man can play, and will go down as probably one of the top sacred steel players of all time. You'll definitely want to check him out live when you have a chance. For tour dates, and lots of great videos visit robertrandolph.net. 

Last Friday, Trigger Hippy released their sophomore record Full Circle and Then Some. This is a band that has sort been on quasi hiatus at least from the public for quite some time, and that record, five years in the making brings them back into the spotlight. The band, comprised of bassist Nick Govrick and Steve Gorman, now includes Ed Jurdi and Amber Woodhouse. They’ve had several other members in the band over the years including Audley Freed, Jackie Greene and Joan Osborne. Their music blends stuff we love like rock, soul, Americana and more, so we were delighted to hear they had a new record.

Old Crow Medicine Show shouldn’t really need any introduction. After over two decades of making pure Americana Music, their body of work is well known. They’ve won awards for their six studio records and they have been mainstays on tours and festival lineups. This veteran outfit has played all the big rooms and virtually everyone I know knows the song Wagon Wheel. So with the announcement that they were releasing a live record, fittingly one whose tracks were recorded at The Ryman, I knew I had to get someone to talk with us. So we sat down with mandolin player Cory Younts to get the low down on the new record and well, lots more. For more on Old Crow Medicine Show visit crowmedicine.com and seriously listen to Live at The Ryman wherever you get music. 

While he isn’t specifically a typical “jam band” musician, G.Love has found a home within the community. Kind of makes sense when consider this delta blues/hip-hop musician not only saw the Dead as a kid, but has been on the scene for years. He was recently in Toronto on tour with Blues Traveler and moe. and we caught up to talk about well, just about everything. For more on G.Love visit philadelphonic.com. 

Rayland Baxter will be releasing a new EP called Good mmornin’ due out July 26th, which is a series of covers of Mac Miller’s work. If you’re unfamiliar with Miller, he was a hip hop artist who past last September at the age of 26. He was prolific during his short life, but demons, including depression and drug abuse caught up to him. The juxtaposition of Rayland’s spirit and Miller’s work was kind of initially difficult to get my head around, but having heard the EP now several times, I’m not only a fan of what Rayland has created but now I want to explore even more of Mac Miller’s work. I can tell you the sincerity with which Rayland speaks about this project is undeniable on the work itself. Good mmornin’ is a very solid listen, and an absolute stunning tribute to Mac Miller. Though the EP is only out at the end of the month you can catch Rayland on the road where he may be performing some of these or other Mac Miller songs. For all the details or to order the EP visit raylandbaxter.com. 

If you are initially shocked that this hip-hop producer has the chops to pull off a record called Hippieland, give your head a shake and think again. Adler's father, Lou Adler produced some of the greatest musicians we know of including The Mamas and The Papas and Carole King. In fact, this laid back, chill vibe, this very genuine hippie thing that Adler has re-discovered in his latest record is part of his DNA. Sure he's collaborated and won Grammy's for his day time gig but one spin of Hippieland and you'll get that this is exactly where the dude should be, naked, wearing just boots and a cowboy hat. For more stuff, including some great videos visit ciscoadler.org. 

We've long admired Keb' Mo'. He is a crafty guitar playing bluesman, who is equally adept at both acoustic and electric blues guitar, but his real appeal is in his songwriting and storytelling. Oklahoma marks his 18th album, and it is likely his best yet, which is saying something given that he has won multiple Grammys and most recently released an album with roots-music icon Taj Mahal. So you can imagine, my absolute thrill to get the opportunity to chat with Keb. Our discussion while mostly focused on Oklahoma due out June 14th, did bounce around from politics, to the environment and much more. A lot, I'd say, like the themes of Oklahoma which are deeply personal but certainly shareable moments. For more on Keb you can visit his website at kebmo.com

Keller Williams will release yet another record, "Add" due out May 31st. Keller is just about as prolific a singer-songwriter that there is in our scene these days. As you'll soon hear, Keller is always thinking about expanding his craft, and is constantly thinking about not only how he writes and performs his music, but also how it will be received. We shared a few laughs in this one, and I can tell you first hand, Keller is a super good guy, that is always super accommodating when we reach out. So given that he is such a prolific writer, I wondered how the songs came together for Add, and thats where our conversation started. For more on Keller including tour dates and other neat stuff visit kellerwilliams.net.

Anders Osborne has been a long time favorite of ours, not only because he is an extremely talented writer and musician, but because of his wonderful spirit. This is a guy, who moved to the United States at a young age, and not only adopted New Orleans, Louisiana as his home, but became one with its music community and indeed the larger NOLA environment. So with The New Orleans Jazz Festival upon us, and with the release of Buddha and the Blues, his 14th solo record, it just felt right to check in and talk about his latest release, and indeed a lot more. In fact, with almost 3 years since the release of his last record, Flower Box, we wondered, what took so long for a new record, in fact, thats where our conversation started. For more on Buddha and the Blues and indeed tour dates and much more visit andersosborne.com.

Jackie has been long one of our favorites, because he represents a kind of songwriting and storytelling we appreciate and his talent as a singer and player are significant. Lots has changed in his life since his appearance on our show back in October of 2017, he’s mostly moved back west and is now a father. He's also released a second installment of The Modern Lives EP and Live from Town Hall which was recorded back in October 2018 with a very hot band aptly named The Modern Lives Band. So it only made sense to catch up with Jackie Greene now. For more on Jackie, including tour dates and some cool videos, visit jackiegreene.com.

For the unaware, Frasco is a lifetime music industry type who began as a promoter and talent booker in LA at the age of 16. Through a series of circumstances, Frasco decided to try his own hand at being a performer, and in 2014 released his first record Half a Man. Some 5 years later, this latest record, sees Frasco pour out a cathartic series of well written songs at a time when the serial party boy needed a literal change of pace both personally and indeed professionally.  As you’ll soon hear this podcaster, performer, and pontificator is as real as they come, and Change of Pace will be your favorite record this year. It’s mine already. For more on Andy Frasco & The UN visit andyfrasco.com where you can also check out his podcast.

I first heard about Ida Mae, when I actually heard them open for the Marcus King Band here in Toronto back in November. I was impressed by the duo, who combine an acoustic rock sound with a gentler country blues thing. The couple's chemistry is something to be hold, and before any rumours start, Chris Turpin and Stephanie Jean are in fact married. They have received critical acclaim already from Rolling Stone magazine and other media outlets. Their debut record Chasing Lights isn't out until June, but in the interim, they are on the road opening for Blackberry Smoke. You definitely will want to check them out on the road, and check out their album when it comes out. It's best if you follow Ida Mae or social media or check their website at idamaemusic.com for more information.

Greg Loiacono of The Mother Hips, has a new solo album in the works, and recently released its first single San Felipe a song which he sings with Jamie Drake. It's very removed from anything he'd do with the Mother Hips, and having an additional outlet for creativity is probably what every artist needs. We've posted the video for San Felipe on our facebook page, so check it out. Aside from working on solo material, Greg is also a member of the Green Leaf Rustlers who begin a short tour tonight, and yes, he is already gearing up for plans with Tim Bluhm on a new Mother Hips records. Luckily, we were able to catch up with Greg before he hit the road, and our conversation started when I asked about his new record due out soon on Blue Rose music. For more, visit GregLoiacono.com.

Cris Jacobs has been on our radar since his 2016 record Dust to Gold, because, well, it was awesome. Cris is as eclectic as he talented. That is to say, both are diverse and interesting. It's hard to peg this singer-songwriter down, because although his music is true to an Americana, country tradition, the dude has soul and is equally adept at writing love songs as he is at writing beautiful stories of the human condition. Certainly the latter is of great concern these days, given the socio political climate. He paints his words with an eloquent brush full of meaning, and his musical chops, and those of his band, enhance his works real charm. His new record Color Where You Are is due out April 12, and we were excited to get in touch.

When I heard Tim Bluhm was releasing a “country” solo record, his seventh if you count his Ball Point Birds stuff, we were eager to get him on. It’s true, Sorta Surviving, has a country feel, which made us even more curious about the project. While the album isn’t out until March 29th, we were eager to unpack the record with Tim, since we’ve been playing it quite a bit in the studio. You should definitely refer to timbluhm.com for tour dates, news about the record’s release, and more.

When we were first were notified that Hayes Carll was releasing a new record, we needed to get in touch with him. He’s absolutely one of our favorite songwriters because he paints such vivid pictures and blends excellent words-smithing with a very dry sense of humor. That isn’t to say though that he doesn’t have a lot to say about the human condition, socio-political issues or love, what is true though, is that he does it in a very genuine and authentic way without ramming his perspective down your ears. “What It Is” is out February 15th, and when you do get a chance to hear the record, pay particular attention to his carefully crafted phrasing, tremendous use of language and indeed the vivid way he paints a picture. You can learn more about Hayes’ other recordings and his upcoming tour at HayesCarll.com.

The Michigan Rattlers are a four piece, originally as the band name would suggest, from Michigan. They are currently on tour opening for the Lil’ Smokies, and that’s a pretty big break for them, this early on. Rather than telling you about their sound and story, we caught up with Graham Young the band’s primary song writer, vocalist and guitar player. You really need to hear all of their debut Evergreen to get the full scope of Graham’s songwriting ability. For more visit michiganrattlers.com.

While you may not have heard of Ben Sparaco and The New Effect yet, no doubt in the coming year you will. Ben, a Florida native, has played in a Grateful Dead cover band and has performed with Butch Trucks amongst other jam band notables. The New Effect came together in 2017 as a trio with Berklee College grads Anthony Quirk and Adam Discipio in Nashville. The trio has spent a lot of time on the road and plan to get at it in an even bigger way in 2019. I recently sat down with Sparaco to learn more about the New Effect, their music and their plans. You can learn more about Ben Sparaco and the New Effect at bensparaco.com.

Donna the Buffalo, are in fact a band beyond description, blending all a host of genres, into a hodge podge of styles from folk, to country to zydeco to everything in between. The band has had a rotating cast of characters, but the principle songwriters and vocalists, Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear have been at the helm of the herd since day one. Since the release of the White Tape in 1989, they have managed to host festivals, put out records, and tour extensively. Thats impressive for any band, let alone one that relies so heavily on touring for revenue. We caught up with Tara and Jeb on the road with the release of their latest record, Dance in the Street now a few weeks in the rearview mirror. Our conversation started when I asked if they ever get tired of the work that is an active touring band.

Joe Firstman has been a guy who has toiled in near obscurity but has had a fairly high profile career in the music business for almost two decades now. I suspect that’s about to change. He was, for almost a decade the band leader for Carson Daly’s late night show where he enlisted the likes of Kamasi Washington and Thundercat, and also put together other bands with people like Carl Broemal of My Morning Jacket and Slim Gambill of Lady Antebellum before we knew who they were. He’s opened for Sheryl Crow, Jewel and Willie Nelson. All of this is to say, that this native North Carolinian has been developing his chops, both as a songwriter and a bass player, all this time, and he’s about to bust out large with The Cordovas. They’re a little bit country, a little bit southern rock, and a lot Bakersfield sound.

The Skiffle Players are some what of a hodge podge of terrific California players including singer-songwriter, Cass McCombs, Neal Casal of Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Circles Aaround the Sun, Dan Horne also of Circles Around the Sun and Grateful Shred, Aaron Sperske of Beachwood Sparks along with the incomparable and outstanding Farmer Dave of Beachwood Sparks. Together they play a sort of Skiffle music that blends jazz, blues, folk and American folk all together. Its an extraordinary sound, and SKIFF their second full length album is a tremendous delight. Fortunately, we were able to catch up with Farmer Dave, the skiffle music historian of the group, and the glue that holds the enterprise together. We dig these guys a lot, and SKIFF is a hoot. For more on the Skiffle Players visit skiffleplayers.com or check them out on Facebook.

You may remember Elliott Peck’s name from Midnight North the band she fronts with Grahame Lesh. This project however is more personal and the songs are mostly her own. The record features an all-star cast of a backing band, a who’s who of the San Francisco music scene. We’ve always been big fans of Elliott’s sound, but hearing her sultry twangy stylings as the sonic focal point is a tremendous treat. Elliott’s sound combines a lot of the things we enjoy about music. Solid songwriting, excellent performances, and genuine personality. There is no doubt she wears her influences on her sleeve, but what’s exciting is that she makes each song her own. We’re sure that Elliott has a long career ahead of her both with Midnight North and as a solo artist. While she is our first time three time guest, we know doubt will hear lots more from her. You can too, by visiting elliottpeck.com and listening to her music, catching her live or following her on social media where she is fairly active.

Keller is one of those guys we’ve been dying to have on the show, because he is so unique in his musical approach, while performing so many different types of music. He is an artist in the truest sense of the word, and we’re always impressed when we see him play, or hear what he has to offer the community. We were particularly intrigued by his latest effort, an album, without words, and for an artist that has a lot to say, well, its quite the feat. While some of the work on Sans is a rework of some of older material, the album, is very fresh and exciting. With a packed tour ahead and lots of great music on board, you’ll want to check out kellerwillams.net.

Lindsay Lou and her band the Flatbellys have been mainstays of the current neo-bluegrass revival. Her recognizable sound is both memorable and refreshing. As a woman on the newgrass scene, there are no doubt hurdles she has to overcome to be part of the gang. We recently caught up with Lindsay to talk about her tour, the band’s more contemporary sound, and indeed being a woman in a male dominated environment. Our conversation started when I asked Lindsay how the audience is taking to a more eclectic sound, that keeps much of the Bluegrass tradition, but ads new flavours and textures to her sonic tapestry.

I think you’ll agree that Sister Sparrow’s voice is absolutely incredible, and this songstress’s past efforts with her band mates the Dirty Birds have all been awesome soulful efforts. This record though, GOLD, marks a change, having written all of the songs with a team of writers including producer Carter Matschullat and not the band. The album, recorded in Brooklyn at Matschullat’s studio DOOM, is a bit of a departure with a strong pop and hip-hop influence. We sat down with Arleigh AKA Sister Sparrow to get the low down on the record and her plans moving forward. We really dig the new sound, and still find time to listen to some of her older material which you definitely check out wherever you listen to music. For more on Sister Sparrow, you can visit her website at sistersparrow.com.

Amy Helm’s sophomore release, This Too Shall LIght is a gorgeous record, that taps into Amy’s wonderful spirit, her undeniable voice and a selection of songs that are both personal and important. Though this is only her second solo record, she has an extensive recording background having recorded with her father Levon Helm, and so many other incredibly talented musicians. For her sophomore release she pegged Joe Henry as the producer, which ultimately meant she would have to travel away from the studio and barn her family built in Woodstock, New York to LA to record with Henry. The harmonies, the lyrics, and indeed the stories behind the songs are all so brilliant and intertwined. Amy is carrying on the massive musical tradition laid by her father and his bandmates in a very earnest way, and for that we are grateful. You can catch Amy on the road, or at “The Barn” in Woodstock, New York, for details visit Amyhelm.com

Though not a household name to many, decker. has been toiling as a singer songwriter for just under a decade in Sedona, Arizona. It’s from that vibrant landscape that his words and playing are fused into a sort of alt.country/country/rock hybrid on acid. Those aren’t my words, as you soon will hear, those are his. His latest effort Born to Wake Up combines the aesthetic for which he is known with a much more personal approach to the themes of his music this go around. For more on decker. visit deckermusic.com.

In 1972, Ray Charles released "A Message for the People", a record, that combined his soul and R&B style with some distinctly country nuance. The album, now out of print is filled with really important, socially conscious songs delivered in a way only Ray could. Almost 50 years later, the stories of these songs still resonate, so much so, that the Band of Heathens decided to cover the album in its entirety, of course putting their own more modern, classic rock and country spin on it. We recently sad down with Ed Jurdi, to talk about A Message for the People - Revisited and its relevance today. Both A Message for the People and A Message for the People Revisited are two incredible albums you should check out. The former, the original from Ray Charles may be harder to find, but the Revisited record is available on all your favorite streaming services and of course to purchase at bandofheathens.com. Band of Heathens continues to be one of my favorite bands out their on the road, and they are definitely worth checking out.

We first heard about Liz Cooper and The Stampede from our pal Steve. He sent us a link to an AudioTree Live session, and we liked it and so too did over 220,000 people. We’ve been jonesing to get her on the show ever since, and luckily with the release of her record “Window Flowers” we indeed got a chance to chat. Given her life on the road, the talented people she hangs with, and the songs she writes and performs, I suspect we will be hearing a lot more from Liz. She has an absolutely unmistakeable sound, and her guitar playing along with the talent of the stampede will take her even further. For tour dates, album info and more visit lizcooperandthestampede.com.

After talking to Grahame and Elliott of Midnight North about that record, I decided to check out where they were playing after Peach Festival. Turned out that they would be only 4 hours away in Canandaigua, New York, so technical producer Adam Karch and I hopped in a car and drove out to one of my favorite venues in North America. We indeed booked an opportunity to talk with members of Midnight North, and to our great amazement members of Twiddle. So picture it, me, Adam, and a roundtable that included Grahame, Ellliott of Midnight North, and Mihali, Gubb and Ryan of Twiddle. A few others interjected, but you get the basic idea. Our conversation started when I asked Mihali about hooking up with Midnight North a few years ago. For more midnight north info and dates visit midnightnorth.com, and for more Twiddle info visit twiddlemusic.com

Just over a year ago, we chatted with Grahame Lesh about the release of Midnight North’s record “Under the Lights”. Since that time, Midnight North has been reasonably busy, playing tour dates, festivals, and making various media appearances. With news that Midnight North was releasing a live record, “Selections from the Great American Hall”, we reached out to not only get Grahame on the show, but also Elliott Peck who shares lead vocal, songwriting and harmonies with Grahame. For more on “Midnight North Selections from the Great American Music Hall” visit midnightnorth.bandcamp.com.

I’ve been following Rayland Baxter’s career ever since his debut Feathers and FishHooks, an album I wore out, if you could do such a thing to a CD or digital files. What I appreciate most about Rayland is his attention to detail in his writing regarding the human condition. His thoughts, are your thoughts, and while he is serious about his personal craft, he isn’t disjointed from the reality we all live in. I sat down with Rayland to unpack this new record, one I think you should listen to. “Wide Awake” is definitely one of my favorite records of the year thus far. The outstanding song writing is matched by the absolute magical production value and playing by the entire cast. For more on Rayland visit raylandbaxter.com.

Ben Caplan recently released “Old Stock” a collection of songs that he wrote with fellow collaborators for a musical called “Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story”. As you heard, this baritone voiced artist is a songwriter, performer and wild entertainer. His infectious stage presence and ability to get everyone standing is always something to behold. We caught up with Ben, on the road, to talk about “Old Stock” and literally everything and anything he is up to. For tour dates and much more about Ben Caplan visit bencaplan.ca.

Ethan Miller the principle behind Howlin Rain is one of those dudes, who doesn’t just make great music, he makes a lot of it. Not only that, but aside from writing and composing the band’s music he also oversees virtually all facets of getting his music to you via his own imprint Silver Current Records. He is a fascinating individual, who is involved in several bands, and writes poetry in his down time. Our discussion leaves a lot to unpack and for good reason. Ethan Miller is both thoughtful and provocative and those sentiments come across in all his work. With a jam packed June and July in the offing, you may want to check out howlinrain.com for dates in your area and a lot more stuff on the band.

If you aren't familiar with the California Honeydrops they are a 7 piece ensemble that started as a busking duo. It's been 11 years since multi-instrumentalist Lech Wierzynski and percussionist Ben Malament were two dudes in the Oakland subway system. Since then they have grown into that big band, put out 5 studio records, and 1 live one, opened for the likes of Bonnie Rait, BB King, Buddy Guy, and Dr.John. They blend several influences from Bay area R&B, funk, soul, to delta blues to so much more. This sonic pot pourri offers a great soundtrack to your day, and what must be an absolutely body shaking live performance.

Allen Stone 8 years into a career has already put out two records, and has sights on putting out a third this year. This Soul singer has a lot to say, and recently appeared on American Idol as a guest coach. We caught up with him on his tour bus, as he continues his 3 month tour with Andrew McMahon, Zach Clark and Bob Oxblood aptly named Pen and Piano tour. Insightful, bright, and an incredible talent. Thats the holy grail probably when it comes to being a musician in 2018. With pending nuptials and more touring and recording in his future, Stone is a busy dude with a lot on the go. Look out for his new release soon, and catch him on the road this spring and summer. For more info on Allen Stone visit, allenstone.com.

I first heard about Anderson East from a friend in New Jersey, who I trust implicitly with music recommendations and such. He's the guy that turned us on to Marcus King, so as you can imagine, when he says I need to check something out, I usually obey and listen. We actually posted pictures on our instagram channel back in January of Anderson's gig at the Bowery Ballroom. Truth is, I cannot say enough about this young dude's tremendous talent as a singer-songwriter, but to say he is exclusively that, also doesn't tell the whole tale. Anderson's vocal stylings will make you think of R&B and Soul singers of days gone by, but his lyrics, will conjour up images of love lost, good times and plenty more.

For those unfamiliar with Kevin Kendrick, he is a New York based singer songwriter, who got his start with Fat Mama back in the early 2000s. In fact, virtually all of the members of Fat Mama are now in Kevin’s project Big Yes and a small no. His latest record Mise En Abyme due out April 20th, is a musical ode to Kevin’s trials and tribulations. It is, artistically an opportunity to turn the personal page and begin a new. It is filled with thoughtful lyrics and a sonic landscape I found appealing, fresh and eclectic.

I’ve been listening to The Mother Hips out of the Bay area for almost as long as I can remember. Their studio albums particularly Pacific Dust where “One Way Out” comes from is amongst my favorites of all time. While they been at this music thing for about twenty five years, the last five or so years, since the release of the album Chronicle Man have been filled with personal challenges, and thus we haven’t heard much from the band. As you’ll soon hear from Tim, working on a new record was a cathartic way to deal with the curveballs he and his band mates faced. I’ve only heard bits and pieces of Chorus thus far, I can tell you I am eagerly awaiting its release, and you should be too! For more on the Mother Hips you can visit the.motherhips.com.

Jim Cuddy has been toiling in the music business for 35 years, for the most part as a key member of Canandian alt-country, country, folk-rock outfit Blue Rodeo. He has written and co-written some of the past few decades most loved and iconic songs, and brings a tenderness in both his words and performance that envelopes you and makes you feel right at home. He has been recognized by both peers and Canadians with several accolades and awards for his work. I’d suggest his true reward is continuing to work at an art he is so good at. He recently released his 4th solo record Costellations, his most eclectic effort yet, that continues his legacy of writing genuine and authentic songs that paint beautiful portraits of the human condition. I had the chance to catch up with Jim as he prepared to tour the record across Canada, and he was as warm and honest with me as he is in his work.

Fruition has gone through tremendous change since it’s early days as an acoustic based string outfit in 2008, to a full fledged rock band. Maybe that’s why they enlisted noted producer Tucker Martine to help their sonic shifting moods for their fifth release. We caught up with Kellen Asebroek while on tour, to talk about the band’s metamorphosis and what the future holds.

The Wood Brothers 6th full length album One Drop of Truth, is already an early contender for one of my favorite records of 2018. Seriously, its that good. Which really shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone, considering how talented the Wood Brothers are. One Drop of Truth is due out February 2nd, and you really should listen to it at least once. I’ve worn the digital copy out, if there is even such a thing, playing it a ton in the car. For those that don’t already know the Woods brothers are a trio of made up of Oliver and Chris Wood and Jano Rix. I recently caught up with Oliver Wood, the lesser known of the Wood brothers in some circles, because many know his brother’s work in jazz trio Medeski, Martin and Wood. I’ve chatted with Oliver before, so it was great to hear his signature voice on the line. Our conversation started when I asked Oliver about the eclectic nature of this new record even though River Takes the Town is so much of their signature sound……   For more on the Wood Brothers including tour information visit thewoodbros.com. 

G.Love is actually Garrett Dutton, a Philadelphia native who toiled in clubs and bars playing his brand of hip hop blues before getting to Boston where he met the “special sauce” in 93. That connection propelled G. to his first record deal and 25 years later, the rest as they say is history. Since he is celebrating his 25th year, we sat down with the guy that’s played with all kinds of great people, but more to the point has made great music in his own right.G.Love and Special Sauce’s longevity in its various forms is absolutely a testament to their live performances, the community they have built around those shows and their fairly prolific recording history. Our conversation started when I asked Garret how the 25th anniversary was going….   You can check the tour schedule at philadelphonic.com or listen to their music wherever you stream tunes.

The Sheepdogs’ sound is a familiar one, and this is a band that wears their influence on their sleeves, and don’t care. I’ve been following the career of The Sheepdogs for quite some time and we’ve shared many laughs along the way. Thats why I was excited to get bassist Ryan Gullen on phone to talk about their 6th studio album, and everything going on with them. Definitely blue collar types that love the music they write and play, and that genuine approach comes through in everything they do. If you’ve never heard of The Sheepdogs, you can check them out on all the music streaming services or at their website thesheepdogs.com. You’ll want to check out their touring schedule and be sure to see them when they hit your town.

When I sit down each week to compile The Sound Podcast’s Weekly Mix-Tape playlist, the goal is always to find artists and songs that fit the general philosophy of music that we love. Meaningful, inspirational tunes, that are genuine in their creation, and authentic in their sound. Obviously the playlist is compiled from songs and artists that we already know and love, but sometimes, I come across a new artist that is new to me, that may in fact may not be new to anyone else. Such apparently was the case when we added Sugar Queen by The Band of Heathens last week. I didn’t realize at the time, that the band had quite a large following and through there 13 years of writing and performing music they had honed their craft into quite a career. So I was elated to sit down with Ed Jurdi to talk about his band, The Band of Heathens, to learn more about them, their inspiration, and a whole lot more. For more visit bandofheathens.com, and do check them out when they visit your town, or on your favorite music streaming platform.  Show Notes: First Song:  1:04 - Sugar Queen (Live) Interview Begins: 06:04 Extro Song:  29:27 - Refugee (Live - Tom Petty cover)

I enjoy talking to solo performers, the singer-songwriter type, because there isn’t anything more genuine, than a performer and their guitar. When you peel the layers of any song, ultimately it’s that individuals ability to connect with their audience through their words, and the way they play their instrument that makes a lasting impact. I’m often in awe of the process, as much as the performance. So it was a treat to connect with Grayson Capps a man who you will soon hear doesn’t take his craft too seriously, but is serious about what he does.  I suspect we’ll be hearing a lot more of Grayson Capps but he might be the type of artist you have to seek out. I believe thats time well spent, cause his music is just so great. For more on Grayson visit graysoncapps.com. Show Notes:  First Song:  00:37 - Scarlett Roses Interview Begins: 05:00 Extro Song:  20:50 - Taos

You may not know the name, and if you do, you already know that this mysterious singer songwriter cloaks himself in an alias to stay as secretive as possible. Ironic, when you consider his songs are written and sung with such a genuine and authentic tone and mood. He is a modern day poet of the american landscape, and when we sat down to talk, I asked about just that, the potential political nature of his music, and the the reality with which he paints it.    Visit the whitebuffalo.com for more.    Show Notes:   First Song:  Avalon - 00:14 (from Darkest Darks, Lightest Lights)    Interview Begins: 02:59   Extro Song:  Nightstalker Blues - 20:08 (from Darkest Darks, Lightest Lights)  You can listen to this episode below, or by connecting and subscribing to one of the podcast platforms here or search your favorite podcast platform for “The Sound Podcast”; Itunes: http://bit.ly/sndpodi TuneIn: http://bit.ly/sndti Stitcher: http://bit.ly/sndsti GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/sndplay Check out The Sound Podcast on Youtube, and subscribe today.  Get The Sound Podcast for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/the-sound-podcast/id1255563328?mt=8 Get The Sound Podcast for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nobexinc.wls_2975722995.rc&hl=en

Once in a while, we get thrown music our way, we play it, and sometimes are absolutely stunned about the great music that is being made everywhere. Once you hear Mapache, I think you’ll agree that their debut Spiritual Pajamas is that kind of band. The whole record is a throwback to that acoustic, harmonizing California sound made so popular in 60s by bands like Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Grateful Dead, Flying Burrito Brothers amongst others. Now if I tell you, the two guys in the band, Clay and Sam are barely in their twenties, you may wonder how they got to where they were. Who knows what the future holds for the dudes from Mapache, but I can tell you, I am psyched to see their story unfold, and listen to more great music.   For now head on over to mapachesounds.bandcamp.com to check out their music. You can listen to this episode below, or by connecting and subscribing to one of the podcast platforms here or search your favorite podcast platform for “The Sound Podcast”; Itunes: http://bit.ly/sndpodi TuneIn: http://bit.ly/sndti Stitcher: http://bit.ly/sndsti GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/sndplay Check out The Sound Podcast on Youtube, and subscribe today.  Get The Sound Podcast for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/the-sound-podcast/id1255563328?mt=8 Get The Sound Podcast for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nobexinc.wls_2975722995.rc&hl=en Show Notes:    00:41 - Mountain Song (From Spiritual Pajamas) 05:18 - Interview  41:36 - Chico River (From Spiritual Pajamas)

The Barr Brothers, are a pair of brothers originally from Rhode Island, who now make Montreal home. While they have been at this new construct for about 6 years, you may remember their former group, The Slip. I first met the Barr Brothers almost 6 years to the day, and have watched, rather listened to the growth in the music ever since.    You can learn more about to The Barr Brothers here!   You can listen to this episode below, or by connecting and subscribing to one of the podcast platforms here or search your favorite podcast platform for “The Sound Podcast”; Itunes: http://bit.ly/sndpodi TuneIn: http://bit.ly/sndti Stitcher: http://bit.ly/sndsti GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/sndplay Check out The Sound Podcast on Youtube, and subscribe today.  Get The Sound Podcast App: http://bit.ly/TSPAPPS Show Notes:  00:53 - Queens of the Breakers  - Taken from Queens of the Breakers 05:47 - Interview  31:32 - Defibrillation - Taken from Queens of the Breakers

Jackie Greene is one of those artists who you hear and think, “hey this guys sounds great, who is it”? And then when you find out who it is you say to yourself, “oh yeah, that guy, he’s awesome”. There is no question that Jackie has a knack for writing songs with a story. His talent as a storyteller is only surpassed by his ability to play and sing those genuine songs he creates. If you know his work, you know I’m right, if you’ve never heard him, have a listen to our conversation, and some of his music.

The Jamband community is so diverse in it’s talent that when you see someone you know about or even have never heard of, step up and play with other musicians you enjoy so much, you get super psyched. That’s certainly the case when we caught Anders Osborne playing with Sandy Kosek and Randy Rothman of the Jerry Garcia Almost Acoustic Band accompanied by Travis Book and Chris Pandolfi of the Infamous Stringdusters at Jerry Garcia’s 75th birthday celebrations at Red Rocks a few weeks ago. We’ve been following Anders for quite some time so it was a thrill to catch up with him and hear about that performance and what he’s up to now, including his plans to open for Bonnie Raitt and an upcoming tour with Jackie Greene. We started though with that Red Rocks performance…. You can listen to this episode below, or by connecting and subscribing to one of the podcast platforms here or search your favorite podcast platform for “The Sound Podcast”; Itunes: http://bit.ly/sndpodi TuneIn: http://bit.ly/sndti Stitcher: http://bit.ly/sndsti GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/sndplay Get The Sound Podcast App: http://bit.ly/TSPAPPS

Sometimes you have to go a long way from home and try things way out of your comfort zone, to ultimately reach your goals…. that’s the case for Ross James a Bay Area guitar and pedal steel player who grew up listening to punk rock and country in his home state of Michigan. He left shortly after high school to live with his sister specifically for the warmer weather. As fate would have it, he wound up working with a Bay Area legend in Phil Lesh and his family. Now Ross is set to release a solo record one I think is quite good. We caught up with Ross to get the low down on the bushy bearded guy with dark glasses we often see around Phil Lesh. You can listen to this episode below, or by connecting and subscribing to one of the podcast platforms here or search your favorite podcast platform for “The Sound Podcast”; Itunes: http://bit.ly/sndpodi TuneIn: http://bit.ly/sndti Stitcher: http://bit.ly/sndsti GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/sndplay Get The Sound Podcast App: http://bit.ly/TSPAPPS

If you don’t know Hayley Jane yet, you will, I promise. And after you listen to this conversation we had a few weeks back, I guarantee you will be scouring the internet for videos and other music. She is, an artist, who doesn’t fit into any pre-conceived boxes. What separates her though from other young singers in the business, besides her immense talent and range, is her background in musical theatre which provides an electric on stage presence. We caught up with Hayley at her home in Burlington Vermont….. after a whirlwind at Moedown…..    You can listen to this episode below, or by connecting and subscribing to one of the podcast platforms here or search your favorite podcast platform for “The Sound Podcast”; Itunes: http://bit.ly/sndpodi TuneIn: http://bit.ly/sndti Stitcher: http://bit.ly/sndsti GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/sndplay Get The Sound Podcast App: http://bit.ly/TSPAPPS

While he certainly has the musical pedigree, this Lesh is making his own mark with a great band that features outstanding 3 part harmonies, great songs and a really great vibe. We’ve had a chance to listen to their latest release “Under the Lights” due out June 16th and we were thoroughly impressed with the playing and memorable songs. I sat down with Grahame to get an understanding of where the band is at in their very early career. We talked about that, the song making process, their residency at Terrapin Crossroads and more. 

Nicole is an incredible vocalist and songwriter who’s taken some time since her last record Slow Phaser, to get married, figure out life and write new material. We’ve always been a big fan of her work, and the fact that she’s joined Joe Russo’s Almost Dead on stage makes us appreciate her even more! We sat down to talk to her about the delay between records, writing music and her performances with JRAD…..

Leslie Mendelson is a Grammy nominated artist that is not as a house hold name but should be! Her 2009 debut Swan Feathers did receive accolades and through all kinds of crummy circumstance we’ve waited a long time for a follow up. The good news is, the tide has turned and Leslie with the help from some notable friends is well on the path to certain creative justice.  She recently released Love & Murder, a haunting and memorable solo album, that is absolutely gorgeous We sat down to discuss the new record, and the goings on her life now and the very bright future.

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. In fact, if you do, you may miss Levi Robin’s sound entirely. This up and coming singer-songwriter needs to be heard. His songs are beautiful, combining mindful lyrics, a soulful sound and very distinct guitar player. We sat down with Levi to learn more. You can listen to everything else here: https://soundcloud.com/levirobin and follow his exploits at levirobin.com