Roots Rednecks and Radicals

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 Recently the band took on a new project of re-working unpublished Woody Guthrie lyrics and giving them new life.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!

Michelle Malone

Michelle Malone has been a stalwart singer songwriter for over 30 years now. Recording, touring, writing.. She’s done it all. Her music pulls on influences from blues, gospel, country, and folk. Her new album “1977” is a great collections of songs that are reminiscent of the “Laurel Canyon” folk scene of the 70s. We talked about he songs, the making of this latest album. I hope ya dig it! 

Michael Cleveland

Michael Cleveland is a fiddle player who’s been making a name for himself in the bluegrass community. Along with his band “Flamekeeper” he made an album called “Tall Fiddler” in 2019 that won a Grammy for bluegrass album of the year. The album featured greats like Bela Fleck, Del McCoury, Jerry Douglas, and Tommy Emmanuel. He was also featured in a documentary called “Flamekeeper” the explored his life and music. I had a chance to catch up with Michael recently on tour. We talked about his music, his band, and his fiddle playing. I hope you dig it!

Della Mae

I had a chance to catch up with the bluegrass band Della Mae. Their brand of socially conscious bluegrass is inspiring and amazing. They've been making a space for women in this community for some time with their songs and their message and I'm just a big fan. Their lead singer Celia Woodsmith took time out of her busy schedule to chat with me about their most recent release. I hope you dig it! 

Aaron Skiles

Aaron Skiles is a singer/songwriter from the Bay Area. He is in the band Bourbon Therapy and he recently released a solo album called Wreckage From The Fire. It was recorded at Dial Back Sound in Water Valley Mississippi. That studio and label are owned by Drive By Truckers bassist Matt Patton. The album was engineered by Matt’s partner in crime Bronson Tew. And it sounds incredible. I had a chance to chat with Aaron about this album and what it was like to record in that space. I hope ya dig it!