Explore every episode of the podcast New Slang
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 212: Caleb Lee Hutchinson | 02 Nov 2023 | 01:02:05 | |
On Episode 212, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Caleb Lee Hutchinson. This past Friday, Hutchinson released the cosmic-swept space country album Southern Galactic. With anthemic barnburners like the tone-setting "Silverado" and honky-tonk juke joints like "At Least I'm Drunk" and "Good at Being Bad," Hutchinson captures adventurous sonic punches while delivering familiar country themes. Still, heartbreak, lonesomeness, and existential dread do the heaviest lifting on Southern Galactic. As a songwriter, Hutchinson continues to take giant strides as a storyteller and embraces those deep, dark, and often difficult moments on songs like "I Miss You," "Quarter Life Crisis," "Used Too," and "She Didn't Drink with Me." It's in those moments where everything comes together--Hutchinson's brooding baritone matches the heartbreak and unsureness of his lyrics while the vast chasm of deep space rumbles through with Western tinges and '80s synth. | |||
| 211: Dallas Burrow | 24 Oct 2023 | 00:53:20 | |
On Episode 211, I'm joined by Texas singer-songwriter Dallas Burrow. This past summer, Burrow released his latest full-length, the country and folk rambler Blood Brothers. With fellow Texan songwriter/producer Jonathan Tyler at the producing helm, Burrow continues establishing himself as a vivid storyteller with a knack for delivering a compelling, hearty punch. "Motel 6" is a road-weary charmer that'll fill your coffee cup for the drive back home. Songs like the wistful "Starry Eyes," haunting honky tonking "Out My Window," and the sad country waltzer "A Lot of It Was" showcase Burrow's (and Tyler's) dynamics as storyteller and bandleader. Still, the crisp title track "Blood Brothers," a certified Texas epic built on lore, adventure, heritage, and everlasting oaths, is perhaps Burrow's greatest moment. | |||
| 202: Sean Devine | 28 Sep 2021 | 01:23:04 | |
On Episode 202, I'm joined by Montana singer-songwriter Sean Devine. Devine released the excellent Here For It All in early September after recording the album with Josh Thompson and Cody Jinks's backing back down at Sonic Ranch. During this conversation, we talk about recording the album, exchanging Dropbox folders with Thompson, writing storytellers like "Clay Bluffs," coming down to Texas, his Montana home, and what continues to drive him to tell stories worth telling. | |||
| 111: Ashley Ray | 10 Aug 2020 | 01:23:57 | |
We kick off the week with Episode 111 where I'm joined by singer-songwriter Ashley Ray. Ray is releasing Pauline, a tightknit 10-song collection of vignette-styled memories, warm introspection, and dynamic charmers about small-town life, nostalgia, memories, and family roots, on Friday, August 14. Much of Pauline's strengths stem from Ray's ability to draw from childhood memories and those deep family roots. Songs feel as though she's flipping through old photo albums. Ray points to family portraits and candids and begins painting the glowing world in which they lived in. At times, there's a haze that permeates the recollection, but it adds to the genuineness and emotional ties of the current day. During this interview, Ray and I discuss growing up in Kansas, moving to Nashville, the memory-filled songwriting of Pauline, and recording the album with friend and often collaborator, Sean McConnell. Desert Door is a craft distiller of a premium and unique Texas spirit known as Texas sotol. The Blue Light Live The Blue Light Live is the premier live music venue of Lubbock, Texas. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 112: Jesse Dayton | 10 Aug 2020 | 01:09:12 | |
New Slang kicks off the week with Episode 112 where I'm by singer-songwriter Jesse Dayton. Dayton right off the heels of releasing Gulf Coast Sessions, an East Texas Rust meets Louisiana Bayou porch-picking party. Dayton presses pause during The Pandemic for some good, honest fun and gives us a second away from the doldrums of 2020. It's the perfect blend of Gulf Coast Blues and rock & roll for a summer swim, evening grill, or afternoon county road stroll. During this episode, Dayton and I talk growing up on Interstate 10 in Beaumont, Texas, recording music & hanging out with the likes of Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson, finishing up a book of memoirs, vinyl album collecting, and finding the proper running shoes. Desert Door is a craft distiller of a premium and unique Texas spirit known as Texas sotol. The Blue Light Live The Blue Light Live is the premier live music venue of Lubbock, Texas. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 110: Jonathan Terrell | 06 Aug 2020 | 01:12:43 | |
On Episode 110, I am joined by Texas singer-songwriter Jonathan Terrell. Terrell's upcoming album, the American West-influenced Westward (out August 21) dominates the conversation as Terrell and I discuss at length the writing, inspiration, recording, etc of the excellent album. Terrell blends a richness of soft hues and delicate, vibrant pastels of the desert floor and setting sun with the intensity, chill, and darkness of the open night sky. His vignettes are cinematic and come in like fever dreams as they warm themselves up by the campfire or stove. Terrell's rasp draws you in during these intimate stories where he explores rebirth, lonesomeness, heartache, and moving on. Still, he let's loose for open road freedom and bottles up that rush and rhythm of rubber meeting asphalt. Undoubtedly, Westward is one of the cherished gems of 2020. Desert Door is a craft distiller of a premium and unique Texas spirit known as Texas sotol. The Blue Light Live The Blue Light Live is the premier live music venue of Lubbock, Texas. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 109: Ian Munsick | 03 Aug 2020 | 00:56:26 | |
Singer-songwriter Ian Munsick joins me for Episode 109. I talk with the Wyoming native Munsick about his rich blend of Western & Frontier grit and clever & charming pop sense, splitting time between Wyoming & Nashville, navigating the co-writing world of country music, how he collects his songwriting ideas, coming from a family of musicians & songwriters, and what he has on the horizon and his forthcoming full-length album, Coyote Cry. Desert Door is a craft distiller of a premium and unique Texas spirit known as Texas sotol. The Blue Light Live The Blue Light Live is the premier live music venue of Lubbock, Texas. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 108: The Co-Write | 30 Jul 2020 | 02:06:04 | |
On Episode 108, I am joined by Bobby Duncan and Donovan Dodd, co-hosts (and co-writers) of the music podcast, The Co-Write, for a two-part episode series. During this "home and away," Duncan, Dodd, and I talk about the general Texas music scene, the progress, growth, and shifts within the scene, being an artist and journalist in 2020, stories about Pat Green, Randy Rogers, The 806, etc and do a six-round Music Festival Fantasy draft. This is Part Two of the two-parter. Listen to Part One over on The Co-Write (and subscribe) by clicking here. | |||
| 107: Brit Taylor | 27 Jul 2020 | 00:58:42 | |
On Episode 107, I am joined by Kentucky singer-songwriter Brit Taylor. Taylor released the wistful, melancholy single "Waking Up Ain't Easy" in the early summer. With its traditional country roots with weeping pedal steel and Taylor's own restless vocals and lyrics, she captures a desolate and endless lonesomeness of post-breakup life. During this interview, we talk about being an early morning person, how impacts her songwriting, country music for adults, growing up in Kentucky (and the wealth of talented songwriters from the state), Zoom songwriting, and what she has planned for the rest of 2020. | |||
| 106: Garrett T. Capps | 23 Jul 2020 | 01:11:11 | |
On Episode 106, I am joined by singer-songwriter Garrett T. Capps. Capps, who released the (inter)stellar Space Country record All Right, All Night, embraces the sonic tones and textures of yesterday and tomorrow throughout his rich and diverse catalog. At times, he turns back the pages of Tex-Mex, honky-tonk, and the sweltering heat of South Texas. Other times, he ventures off into the vast unknown and lays down a dreamy foundation with the cosmic chill and awe of deep space adventures. During this conversation, we talk about those various directions in his songwriting and sound, growing up in San Antonio, touring Europe, recording albums with the likes of Adam Odor and Jerry David DeCicca, and hanging out with Texas legend Augie Meyers. | |||
| 105: Jenny Tolman | 20 Jul 2020 | 01:16:14 | |
On Episode 105, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Jenny Tolman. Tolman released her debut full-length album, the excellent and charming There Goes The Neighborhood just about a year ago. During this interview, we discuss the creation of Jennyville--the fictional picturesque town that's the focal point of Neighborhood--how and why she drifted towards this concept, growing up in Nashville, the Nashville songwriting machine and industry as a whole, and how she's stayed focused, grounded, and sane during the 2020 pandemic. | |||
| 104: Kalsey Kulyk | 17 Jul 2020 | 01:09:06 | |
On Episode 104, I'm joined by Canadian singer-songwriter Kalsey Kulyk. Kulyk released her impressive seven-song Kalsey Kulyk last August. Kulyk pulls from '90s Country icons like Shania Twain as well as Americana staples such as Patty Griffin to form an informative and highly emotional blend of pop smart country songs. Kulyk's crystalline vocals are versatile and strong. Throughout her S/T, Kulyk delivers stark, slow-burning ballads ("Roll With It"), sunny, chorus-laden charmers ("Bad Liar"), and swaying daydreamers ("Low Times in High Heels"). | |||
| 103: Samantha Crain | 13 Jul 2020 | 01:08:42 | |
On Episode 103, I'm joined by Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain. Crain is releasing A Small Death, her forthcoming album, Friday, July 17. Over the course of 11 tracks, Crain leads us on through a deeply personal collection of songs where she cries, mourns, confronts, perseveres, and presses on. For Crain, the last handful of years have been filled with setbacks and anguish as she battled depression, anxiety, and trauma as a result of a series of car wrecks. Tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome made playing guitar virtually impossible and left Crain questioning herself as an artist. Slowly but surely though, Crain has been able to adapt and begin anew--hence, A Small Death and rebirth for Crain. She captures flashes of previous misery and dread throughout with dark textures, droning effects, and a fever-dream haze. Still, Crain doesn't just float around in the darkest experiences without reason. Much of A Small Death sees her processing the doom and darkness and searching for the light. Speaking with Crain, it's that much more apparent. She's excited and optimistic as she's shedding the cocoon of the last few years. | |||
| 201: Suzanne Santo | 24 Sep 2021 | 00:59:23 | |
On Episode 201, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Suzanne Santo, who last month (August 27) released the dark and mesmerizing album Yard Sale. During this episode, we talk about the emotional depth and weight within Yard Sale, touring with Hozier, writing on the road, mental health, and our favorite TV series of recent memory. | |||
| 102: Lou Lewis of Rattlesnake Milk | 10 Jul 2020 | 01:27:30 | |
On Episode 102, I am joined by Lou Lewis, the lead vocalist and lyricist of rollicking country-punk outfit Rattlesnake Milk. Lewis and company are largely informed by the flatlands of West Texas on their second album, a 10-tracked self-titled full-length that they released earlier this Spring. Through this string of character-driven narratives and truck driver country highway rollers, Lewis captures a gritty, dust-blown bunch of Flatlanders who are working the land--and being worked by the harsh land themselves. During this episode, we talk about those who influence & inspired Lewis's writing, farming in the South Plains, cultivating their sound, Mid-2000s era Lubbock music, contemporaries like Daniel Fluitt of Thrift Store Cowboys & Red Shahan, and discovering songwriters like Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, and Townes Van Zandt and their impact. | |||
| 101: Taylor Alexander | 07 Jul 2020 | 01:34:41 | |
On Episode 101, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Taylor Alexander, who released his full-length debut album, the excellent Good Old Fashioned Pain, just over a year ago. The collection of songs in several ways reflect Alexander's early to mid-twenties and the growing and maturation that followed. During this interview, we talk about the moments that shaped those songs, growing up in Florida & Georgia, his ultimate move to Nashville, the intimacy of songwriting, the likes of Bright Eyes & Elliott Smith, and how he's stayed inspired during the 2020 Pandemic. | |||
| 100: Clint Black | 02 Jul 2020 | 01:29:29 | |
On Episode 100, I am joined by Country music legend Clint Black. During this hour-plus conversation, Black gives incredible insight, detail, and perspective on his storied career. We go back and talk about his breakthrough debut album Killin' Time (which last year was its' 30th year anniversary), how being in the public eye changed his songwriting, how he and guitarist Hayden Nicholas formed an as unbeatable songwriting & creative team, writing & collaborating with the likes of Merle Haggard, how "going electric" helped shape and expand his artistic process, and his latest album, Out of Sane. | |||
| 099: Daniel Fluitt of Thrift Store Cowboys | 29 Jun 2020 | 01:21:42 | |
On Episode 099, I'm joined by Lubbock singer-songwriter Daniel Fluitt. As lead vocalist of Thrift Store Cowboys, Fluitt and company played a vital role in shaping the way music from Lubbock and West Texas sounded and felt like. Here, Fluitt and I discuss that role in The New Lubbock Sound, meeting contemporaries like Rodney Parker, "lost" studio sessions with the Legendary Tommy Allsup, how recording in Tuscon, Arizona played a key role in finding their sound, playing three-hour gigs in Lubbock, and surprise Christmas shows with Jason Isbell. | |||
| 098: Aubrie Sellers | 25 Jun 2020 | 01:13:53 | |
On Episode 098, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Aubrie Sellers where we discuss the ins and outs of her latest album, the atmospheric Far From Home. Sellers and company recorded the sharp, bold, and stark Far From Home at the secluded studio Sonic Ranch right outside the desert town of Tornillo, Texas. The results are a mix of fierce rock and roll anthems such as the gritty "Drag You Down," and sugary and swaying "Lucky Charm" to the vulnerable ease of "Worried Mind" and the intimate smoky postcard of "Haven't Even Kissed Me Yet." Throughout, Sellers shines as a vocalist and moment capturer--especially on the aforementioned "Haven't Even Kissed Me Yet." Sellers and I talk about growing up on a tour bus, songwriting--in Nashville, in the modern era, and when collaborations click--Led Zeppelin, and recording an album out in the desert. | |||
| 097: Will Hoge | 22 Jun 2020 | 01:16:12 | |
On Episode 097, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Will Hoge. At the end of this week (Friday, June 26), Hoge is releasing his latest album, Tiny Little Movies. At 11 tracks long, Hoge delivers vivid imagery and detail as he breathes life into a cast of common and everyday characters. Throughout, he captures their anxieties, struggles, dreams, successes, and relationships with a delicate understanding and empathetic touch. In addition, Hoge's brand of Heartland Rock meets country sees the blue-collar Nashville troubadour often embraces a grittier and rollicking sonic punch that's as driving as anything in Hoge's diverse song catalog. | |||
| 096: Mike Harmeier & Adam Odor | 19 Jun 2020 | 01:32:42 | |
On Episode 096, I'm joined by Mike Harmeier, the lead vocalist of blazing country outfit Mike and The Moonpies, and music producer Adam Odor. Mike and The Moonpies just released Touch of You: The Lost Songs of Gary Stewart, a 10 song collection of previously unreleased songs by the late iconic honky-tonking country legend. Here, I catch up with Harmeier and Odor to talk about how the instant classic collection came to be, recording the album during a Quarantine, and how essential Stewart is to the Moonpies sound. We dip into conversation about their previous works like Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold, writing songs with winking meta self-references, and of course, our favorite classic video games such as Goldeneye & Red Dead Redemption. | |||
| 095: Ruthie Collins | 17 Jun 2020 | 01:08:42 | |
On Episode 095, I am joined by singer-songwriter Ruthie Collins. Collins recently released the calm, serene, and desert swept Cold Comfort. On the 11-track record, Collins captures the stark juxtaposition of the desert. At times, she's full of sunny and bright chorus lines and sun-kissed pedal steel swells. At others, Collins leaves us with the lonesome chill of an isolated desert night. All the while, Collins writes with a sense of vulnerability about heartbreak, tiring relationships, and moments of unsureness. At its' best, Cold Comfort glows with cosmic country ambiance and Collins finding strength during her most trying of times. | |||
| 094: Kyle Nix | 15 Jun 2020 | 01:28:14 | |
On Episode 094, I'm joined by Oklahoma fiddler and songwriter Kyle Nix. Nix releases his debut album, the mesmerizing and sonically sprawling Lightning On The Mountain & Other Short Stories on Friday, June 26. Throughout, Nix displays his knack for raw, gritty, and visceral storytelling with a diverse, yet cohesive sonic palette. During this interview, Nix and I talk about the creative process, his friendship & mentorship with Oklahoma legends such as Byron Berline, the initial stages of Lightning, and Bob Dylan records & eras. | |||
| 093: Emily Scott Robinson | 12 Jun 2020 | 02:07:30 | |
On Episode 93, I am joined by singer-songwriter Emily Scott Robinson. I spoke with Robinson back in mid-April and we hit a number of conversations ranging from how she's handling the Quarantine in the Arizona Desert, hipster cowboys, how she's morphed as a songwriter and storyteller, capturing the essence of small towns across America (including a small Friday Night Lights cameo), Spotify's Indigo Playlist, women songwriters in country music and the glass ceiling, and of course, the rich and vivid vignettes found on her 2019 album, the delicate, warm, comfortable, and sobering Traveling Mercies. | |||
| 200: Quaker City Night Hawks | 21 Sep 2021 | 01:01:52 | |
On Episode 200, I'm joined by Sam Anderson and David Matsler of Fort Worth rock band Quaker City Night Hawks. During this one, we talk about early roots, discovering music in the late '90s, collaborating with Mike and The Moonpies, and how the pandemic has had them reaccess their approach to songwriting, releasing albums, and tour schedules. | |||
| 092: Caleb Caudle | 09 Jun 2020 | 01:09:35 | |
On Episode 92, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Caleb Caudle. Caudle released the sultry Southern country groover album, Better Hurry Up, earlier this year. At 11 songs long, Caudle balances introspective storytelling that feels comfortable and well lived in with a back porch familiarity and a roots rocking edge that welcomes toe-tapping rhythms. Caudle offers a look at rose-colored nostalgia with the likes of the thrilling "Monte Carlo," the sweltering bounce of "Let's Get," and the gorgeously elegant sendoff on the closing "Bigger Oceans." Recorded at The Cash Cabin, Johnny Cash's Cabin-turned-studio, Caudle's songs find a Southern Gothic warmth with earthy tones, textured harmonies, and Caudle's own velvety vocals. | |||
| 091: Kathryn Legendre | 28 May 2020 | 01:30:46 | |
On Episode 091, I'm joined by country songwriter Kathryn Legendre. Last year, Kathryn released the excellent EP, Making It Up. It was a blend of old-school honky-tonk ethos and the modern neo-traditional songs of the '90s. Throughout the five songs, she blended a familiar warmth found on old country albums that embraced pedal steel and smokey dive bar banter with clever storytelling and memorable choruses. Now, she's following up Making It Up with a two-song single, "One Long Sad Song" and "Waiting in Line." Again, Kathryn's natural country roots fill out the two-song punch and capture a restlessness and down and out sadness. | |||
| 090: Christian Wallace | 25 May 2020 | 01:38:38 | |
On Episode 90, I'm joined by journalist Christian Wallace, an associate editor at Texas Monthly, where he has delivered some of the best in-depth reporting and robust storytelling of recent memory. Namely, his nuanced storytelling of the Permian Basin oilfield in both the written word and most recently, the breakout podcast series, Boomtown. | |||
| 089: Gabe Lee | 21 May 2020 | 01:22:56 | |
On Episode 89, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Gabe Lee. In 2019, Lee made quite the statement with the ever-impressive debut of farmland, a 10-song collection of sparsely arranged and primarily acoustic introspective storytellers and wallflower commentary. Lee didn't waste any time between his debut and follow-up, Honky Tonk Hell. Released in early March, Honky Tonk Hell is a natural progressive step in Lee's career as an artist. It finds his songs fully fleshed out as full-band anthems, rocking ramblers, and barroom hustlers. Still, Lee and company preserve the proper space and attention around Lee's strength as a lyricist and storyteller. Lee naturally weaves intimate experiences and thoughts with timeless expressions and newly-minted phrases. | |||
| 088: Willy Braun of Reckless Kelly | 18 May 2020 | 01:29:40 | |
On Episode 88, I'm joined by Reckless Kelly lead vocalist and chief lyricist Willy Braun. This year, the pioneering Americana Country outfit is doing a first with the release of American Jackpot / American Girls, two 10-song full-length albums released the same day. Much as the titles allude, the 20 songs of American Jackpot and American Girls give Braun and company ample of space to explore a multitude of American themes without ever settling in on a "Rah Rah Rah" tired trope. Rather, songs seek out the true essence of the American Spirit with songs about Jackie Robinson, Tom Petty, grandfathers, Grand Canyon mule rules, Western exploration, rural living, a necessary reminder that we're a country of immigrants, the search for a sense of belonging, and that longing for home. | |||
| 087: Charlie Marie | 14 May 2020 | 01:00:24 | |
On Episode 87, I am joined by rising country singer-songwriter Charlie Marie. Charlie really began turning heads last Spring when she released Charlie Marie, an incredibly strong and sharp five-song EP that displayed her knack for writing clever hooks and a highly emotive classic country croon. Songs such as "Rodeo" and "Shot in the Dark" had a vintage neon glow while EP standout "Countryside" felt like a breath of necessary fresh air way out on the outskirts of town. She bookended the EP with "Rhinestones" and "Playboy," two efforts that displayed a sharp wit. She weaves in and out of highly emotional moments where she's highly confident or incredibly vulnerable and exposed. Charlie Marie is as strong a collection of songs released in recent memory. | |||
| 086: Zach Nytomt | 12 May 2020 | 01:06:33 | |
On Episode 086, I'm joined by Texas songwriter Zach Nytomt. This too was an interview conversation held pre-quarantine. Matter of fact, as I was heading to Nytomt and company's soundcheck at Blue Light, it was announced that SXSW was being canceled. It felt surreal and an extremely foreign idea to all of us--and still does. | |||
| 085: Jarrod Morris | 07 May 2020 | 00:43:19 | |
On Episode 085, I'm joined by rising Texas songwriter Jarrod Morris. I caught up with Jarrod in early March at The Blue Light before Quarantine 2020 came our way. Jarrod released his promising debut album West of East a year ago this past March. Produced by Texas legend Lloyd Maines, West of East sprawls with bluegrass-tinged numbers like the infectious "Red Bandana," the soaring picturesque soundscapes of "Panoramic View," and the bustling dive-bar hustler "Coyote." | |||
| 084: Rod Melancon | 05 May 2020 | 01:20:43 | |
Episode 84 is another "old & unreleased" interview episode. This time around, it's one I did with Rod Melancon this past summer (2019). I'd stopped by his Austin apartment to talk about Pinkville, his excellent 2019 album, Southern Gothic literature, and really dived into our film and TV series obsessions. Melancon is as well-versed as they come in both modern pop culture and classic southern Americana. Being the son of Louisiana and a teacher, Melancon is a student of storytelling and mood. Melancon is great at combining a narrative and the art of language. They're mood and backdrop setters. Pinkville (and his previous works) is full of classic American stories about high school dropouts, country & rock superstars, military veterans suffering from PTSD, and brazen bank robbers. | |||
| 083: Jesse Daniel | 30 Apr 2020 | 01:02:47 | |
On episode 83, I'm joined by songwriter Jesse Daniel. Daniel just released his second album, the rollicking honky-tonk homage album Rollin' On. A California son, the influence is all over Daniel's songwriting and sound. There's a definite Bakersfield Sound influence on these highway songs, honky-tonk bar vignettes, and lonesome country breakup ballads. Here, Daniel and I discuss releasing an album in the midst of a pandemic, recording Rollin' On, the writing of the album and where many of those songs originated, songwriting on and about the life on the open road, growing up in rural California, and the revival of old school country sounds. | |||
| 199: Rod Gator | 16 Sep 2021 | 01:21:56 | |
On Episode 199, I'm joined by Louisiana singer-songwriter Rod Gator, who is releasing his latest album, the radiant For Louisiana, this Friday, September 17. During this conversation, we talk about his Louisiana roots, writing about natural disasters & conflict, hear stories about near-death experiences, recording and collaborating with Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas and Will Walden, and dive into more film and TV talk about Michael Mann, True Detective, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. | |||
| 082: Hailey Whitters | 28 Apr 2020 | 01:08:59 | |
On Episode 82, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Hailey Whitters. She called me last week to discuss her second full-length album, the sonically charming The Dream. While sitting in her Nashville backyard, we spoke about how growing up in rural Iowa has had an impact on her songwriting style, working with the likes of Lori McKenna and Brandy Clark, her first official co-writing session with Kacey Musgraves, the honest hardships of her song "Ten Year Town," The Dixie Chicks, and where many of the songs of The Dream came. | |||
| 081: Jeff Crosby | 23 Apr 2020 | 01:21:08 | |
On Episode 81, I'm joined by songwriter Jeff Crosby. I caught up with Jeff back in mid-January when he was coming through town and playing The Blue Light. We sat down and talked a lot about his forthcoming album, North Star. As his fifth full-length album, it finds Jeff really rediscovering his home state of Idaho, small-town characters, and the strained relationships of a touring musician. Standout songs like "Laramie" and "North Star" use the Pacific Northwest as an elegant backdrop for Crosby's heart on his sleeve style of storytelling. North Star is officially out April, 24. | |||
| 080: Isaac Hoskins | 16 Apr 2020 | 01:22:22 | |
Episode 080 is with singer-songwriter Isaac Hoskins. I sat down with the Kansas native at the beginning of the year to discuss songwriting, country music, and winning the 2019 Blue Light Singer-Songwriter Competition. An added bonus at the end, the three songs Isaac performed the night he won the competition. | |||
| 079: Turnpike Troubadours 2018 | 14 Apr 2020 | 01:12:24 | |
Episode 079 is an old interview from 2018 with the guys from Turnpike Troubadours–it’s with Ryan Engleman, RC Edwards, Kyle Nix, Gabe Pearson, and Hank Early. We sat on the bus for a loose and rambling conversation about music, the band's early days, old bands, and hear a few stories. | |||
| 078: Nathan Mongol Wells of Ottoman Turks | 09 Apr 2020 | 00:41:31 | |
Episode 078 is with Nathan Mongol Wells of the Dallas country-punk outfit Ottoman Turks. We talk about their debut album, playing with Joshua Ray Walker, Dallas, and dive bars. | |||
| 077: Josh Morningstar | 12 Mar 2020 | 01:02:44 | |
Episode 077 is with singer-songwriter Josh Morningstar. We talk songwriting, narrative storytelling within songs, drug addiction, and what's coming next for Morningstar. | |||
| 076: Robert Ellis | 30 Jul 2019 | 00:52:58 | |
On Episode 76, I’m joined by Texas singer-songwriter Robert Ellis. We discuss his latest album, Texas Piano Man, creating characters, developing narrative arcs, conceptual albums, and songwriting in general. | |||
| 075: Jonny Burke | 27 Jun 2019 | 01:49:22 | |
Episode 075 is with Texas songwriter Jonny Burke. We sat in his living room for a conversation about songwriting, storytelling, why music is essential to the human condition, Joseph Campbell, growing up in the Hill Country, writing with Evan Felker, and what drives him as an artist. | |||
| 074: Adam Hood | 20 Jun 2019 | 00:46:24 | |
Episode 074, I'm joined by Adam Hood. We talk about his latest album, Somewhere in Between, bridging the gap between his native Alabama and Texas, co-writing, and songwriting. | |||
| 072: Kathy Mattea | 20 May 2019 | 00:36:23 | |
On Episode 72, I’m joined by country music singer Kathy Mattea. We sat in the green room of Cactus Theater a few weeks back for a nice conversation about her early career, rise up the country music charts, and her latest albums and reinvention as a more rootsy folk singer. | |||
| 198: Luke Dick | 14 Sep 2021 | 01:09:12 | |
On Episode 198, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Luke Dick. During this conversation, we talk about the intersection of art & commerce, releasing music in 2021, writing & collaborating with the likes of Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, & Natalie Hemby, navigating the Nashville songwriting world, and his latest single, the excellent "Some Things Change." | |||
| 071: Vincent Neil Emerson | 14 May 2019 | 00:53:12 | |
Episode 071 is with Vincent Neil Emerson. We talk about honky-tonks and dive bars, hanging with Jason Momoa, Fort Worth songwriters, collaborating with contemporaries like Colter Wall, the story behind "7 Come 11," and his new album Fried Chicken & Evil Women. | |||
| 070: Charley Crockett | 18 Apr 2019 | 00:48:16 | |
Episode 070 is with country singer Charley Crockett. We talk about recording with Bruce Robison and The Next Waltz, growing up in South Texas, releasing albums at a rapid pace, and writing with Evan Felker. | |||
| 069: Joshua Ray Walker | 25 Mar 2019 | 00:45:04 | |
Episode 069 Dallas singer-songwriter Joshua Ray Walker. We talk about growing up in Dallas, the city's impact on his storytelling, and his debut album Wish You Were Here. | |||