Roots Rednecks and Radicals

The Girlies Are Taking Over: Punk! This week we take a look at Bikini Kill, Amyl and the Sniffers, The Linda Lindas and more!

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 mine Worm Shot. I hope you dig it and go check these bands out! They're so good! 

Roots Rewind: A White Guy Listens to Mexican Music Pt. 1

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 incredible music. Along the way I discovered all sorts of fascinating things like the influence of European styles of music, the working class and folk music roots of the styles, as well as a ton of great tunes. I hope you enjoy this series and learn something new. There is a plethora of music to explore, so join me on this journey into the history of Mexican Music! 
 
If you are interested in learning more here are a few resources I found to be helpful. 
 
The Texas-Mexican Conjunto: History of a Working-class Music by Manuel Pena
https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Mexican-Conjunto-Working-class-American-Monographs/dp/029278080X 
Smithsonian Folkways Que Viva la Musica Latina!
https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Mexican-Conjunto-Working-class-American-Monographs/dp/029278080X
 
NY Times "Where Mexican Folk Ballads Meet Trap Music." 
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/style/trapcorridos-chicano-los-angeles.html

Melody Walker talks songwriting with Sierra Ferrell, and Molly Tuttle. Also her plethora of projects including a Grateful Dead Drag Band!

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, and what it's like being a woman in the music industry. We had a great long conversation about her journey and all of her projects going on. Including BERTHA a Grateful Dead Drag Band. I hope you dig it! 

Is The Patronage Model The Way Forward For Musicians?

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 makes sure they are well taken care of financially. We had a great conversation about what he's doing in Northern Nevada, and why it might work throughout the country. 
Check out his organization For The Song here: https://www.forthesong.com/
 

The Girlies Are Taking Over! Pop Music

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. It's really a cool time for pop music, and in this episode we take a look at these three artists and their art! 

We Need To Talk About The Kendrick Lamar Halftime Show!

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 on the show today talking about their new EP!

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 Practice. The record sounds great and I'm excited to bring you this conversation. Hope you dig it! 

Celebrating Black History Month With Gangstagrass!

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! 

Celebrating Black History Month With The American Songster Dom Flemons!

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 the contributions of Black musicians to Western Culture. I loved chatting with him, hope you dig it! 

Cowboy Poets Andy Hedges and Brenn Hill Talk the Music and Culture of The West!

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 year to share this diverse culture, and that's where I became familiar with Andy and Brenn. I got to sit down with them before a show in Reno last year to chat with them about this topic and I bring it to you this week!