Roots Rednecks and Radicals

A White Guy Listens to Mexican Music Part 4: Banda

Hey everyone this is the fourth installment of my series on Mexican music. This episode takes a deep dive into the style called "Banda." Hailing from Sinaloa Mexico this style incorporates elements of marching band music into Mexican culture. The band is led by a lead singer and became incredibly popular in the 1990s. It continues to be an important part of both Mexican music as well as Chicano culture. I hope you enjoy this look into this fascinating style of music. 

A White Guy Listens to Mexican Music Part 3: Mariachi

Hey all. This is part three of my series on Mexican music. It's the genre that some consider to be the grand daddy of all, Mariachi. This style certainly is iconic when it comes to Mexican culture and music, it tends to be the style most people think of when it comes to Mexico. It has a storied history and many incredibly talented artists. I had a great time digging into this style, I hope you enjoy this episode. Here's a few links if you're interested in learning more about Mariachi. 
 
Smithsonian Folkways: 
https://folkways.si.edu/mariachi-music-of-mexico/latin-world/music/album/smithsonian
 
https://folkways.si.edu/que-viva-mariachi-meaning-movimiento/latin-world/music/article/smithsonian
 
https://folkways.si.edu/artists/mariachi-los-camperos
 
You Tube Playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvPXOh26Z9cQPhEEUtJMy-_HR8bt7CwyY
 
 
 

A White Guy Listens to Mexican Music Part 2: Conjunto

Hey everybody. This is part two of my series on Mexican music. I hope you enjoy this episode on the genre of Conjunto. It's a fascinating area of music with a ton of incredible musicians and a rich history. If you'd like to know more about the genre check out the links below. Thanks for listening and I hope you dig it! 
 
Smithsonian Folkways 
https://folkways.si.edu/conjunto-essentials/music/playlist/smithsonian
https://folkways.si.edu/conjunto-south-texas/music/tools-for-teaching/smithsonian
 
Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvPXOh26Z9cT8JgzKOtebPTQCqui0_8nr
 

A White Guy Listens to Mexican Music Part 1: An Introduction

Hey all. I published this episode awhile back and never got around to finishing the series. I finally got back to it and finished that series so I am re-releasing this episode. In subsequent weeks I'll be releasing three more episodes in the series. So be on the lookout for that! But here's the first episode again in case you missed it, or you'd like to check it out again. 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
 

Dropkick Murphys bring new life to Woody Guthrie lyrics on ”This Machine Still Kills Fascists.”

Dropkick Murphys have been fusing Celtic folk sounds with punk rock for over 20 years. Their musical style has always been inspired by working class issues, with songs like I’m Shipping Up to Boston The State of Massachusetts, and Worker’s Song. Recently the band took on a new project of re-working unpublished Woody Guthrie lyrics and giving them new life. The band met in his home state of Oklahoma to record. The result is their first all acoustic album that blends their musical styles with the folk-hero musings of Woody Guthrie. I had a chance to chat with the band about this project, I hope you dig it! 

Trampled By Turtles ponder meaning and hope on Jeff Tweedy produced ”Alpenglow.”

Trampled By Turtles have been making music together for nearly 20 years. In that time they’ve released albums and toured the world. The group formed in Minnesota and over the years have blended captivating lyricism with string band instrumentation. The combination leaves the listener pondering life’s big questions with a sense of hope and longing. Their new album, recorded with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, afforded the group the opportunity to collaborate and explore new territory. I had a chance to chat with bass player Tim Saxhaug about the new record. I hope you dig it! 

John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band reflects on his new book ”Will The Circle be Unbroken.”

John Mceuen is a founding member of the seminal group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The group recorded an album 50 years ago called “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” that brought together some of the most iconic roots musicians of its day. Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Merle Tracis, Roy Acuff, just to name a few. John recently released a book memorializing this record with many pictures and stories of the recording process. I had a change to chat with him about this amazing book, as well as what it was like to record with these legendary musicians. I hope you dig it!

John Doe of X and The Knitters discusses complex relationships on his new album ”Fables in a Foreign Land.”

John Doe is a founding member of the seminal LA punk band “X.” The band defined the West Coast sound of punk in the early days and broke ground in the new style of music. Since his days in that band John has done a plethora of projects including movies, TV, and his own folk band as well. He’s one of those artists that, to me at least, is a prototype of what it means to be a creative person. His music, and art is hard to define. He takes risks and asks difficult questions. All the while making creative pieces that resonate with people and asks them to be self reflective and honest. He released a solo album this year and I got a chance to chat with him about the record as well as other projects he’s currently working on. I hope you dig it!

Sunny Sweeney

Sunny Sweeney is a singer songwriter who has a knack for tackling life’s difficult situations. Her most recent album was produced by Paul Cauthen and she collaborated with some heavy hitters like Vince Gill and Lori McKenna. Sunny takes a look at her own personal life in this album and explores difficult emotional territory. It’s raw, and it’s real. I had a chance to chat with her about the album. I hope you dig it!

Andrew Combs

Andrew Combs is a Nashville based singer songwriter. His music is emotive and contemplative. It sets a mood and a tone reminiscent of Radiohead, minimalistic and introspective. His new album “Sundays” was written and recorded in the midst of the pandemic with some close friends. The music draws inspiration for various sources from film to meditation and allows the listener to ponder the themes masterfully laid out in the sparse arrangements. We talked about his songwriting, and the recording process of the album. I hope you dig it!