No Simple Road – Details, episodes & analysis

We are so excited to have John Craigie join us this week on No Simple Road as part of our lead-up to Cascade Equinox Festival! John Craigie takes center stage in an unforgettable episode where he shares his musical journey and the intricacies of the Portland music scene. From his serendipitous move to Portland and his unexpected connections with Frasco and TK and the Holy Know Nothings, to the creative magic behind his latest album, John's stories are as entertaining as they are insightful. We explore his unique blend of humor and music, revealing how his early aspirations of comedy continue to influence his art today. The episode also explores the evolution of the music industry, from the days when independent artists lacked digital tools to the current era of streaming services like Pandora and Spotify. John discusses the democratization of music discovery and the impact of social media on promoting music. We also delve into John's experiences navigating major stage performances and his serendipitous connection with Jack Johnson, which led to unforgettable performances at iconic venues such as The Gorge. Additionally, the episode touches on the supportive and non-competitive nature of Portland's music community and the magic of collaborations within the scene. -For THE BEST MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES EVER go over to @MELTMUSHROOMS ON INSTAGRAM and shoot them a DM for a menu of all the amazing flavors of MUSHROOM CHOCOLATE BARS and MAKE SURE TO TELL THEM NSR SENT YOU FOR $20 OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! Sign up for a subscription to HEADY WAX FIENDS with the PROMO CODE: NSR and receive a free album of your choice from their catalog with a 3 month subscription and 2 free albums with a 6 month subscription! -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -venuellama.com is back! Head over and sign up for your free Llama Account now and start rating venues! INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - Young & Sick MUSIC IN THE COMMERCIALS BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! We produce these episodes in collaboration with MELT PREMIUM MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES. Follow them on Instagram @meltmushrooms. DM them for info and let them know we sent you. This week on the No Simple Road Weekly Rewind we are LIVE from Fire On The Mountain in Denver, Colorado with special guest Chris Pandolfi of The Infamous Stringdusters and the Inside The Musician's Brain podcast! We are kicking off Phish Dick's week in style with a live podcast talking all about what our first Phish experiences were, what it was about the experience that keeps us coming back, and Panda shares a bit, from a musician's perspective, some of the things he's taken from Phish to mold and shape who he's become as a player. Then, Kris Howland of Heady Wax Fiends Record Club joins us to talk a bit about his amazing club that's changing the game when it comes to collecting vinyl. We dig into Kris' Phishstory and then get into some shenanigans with the crowd doing our version of a Phish Trivia game! Remember... keep your own score! We want to thank Fire On The Mountain (Wash Park) location for hosting us and your generous and kind hospitality! -For THE BEST MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES EVER go over to @MELTMUSHROOMS ON INSTAGRAM and shoot them a DM for a menu of all the amazing flavors of MUSHROOM CHOCOLATE BARS and MAKE SURE TO TELL THEM NSR SENT YOU FOR BUT 1 GET 1 HALF OFF! Sign up for a subscription to HEADY WAX FIENDS with the PROMO CODE: NSR and receive a free album of your choice from their catalog with a 3 month subscription and 2 free albums with a 6 month subscription! -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -venuellama.com is back! Head over and sign up for your free Llama Account now and start rating venues! INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - Young & Sick MUSIC IN THE COMMERCIALS BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

What energizes a band and keeps their creative flame alive amidst the challenges of the music industry? Join us for a heart-to-heart conversation with Russell Long of The Great North Special as he takes us through the band's recent journey, from the release of their album "Callithump Parade" to their transformative experiences navigating life as a band.  Russell's insights into how the band collaborates to develop a unique visual identity are truly inspiring, and you'll feel the camaraderie and connection that make these artistic endeavors possible. Russell opens up about the trials and triumphs of sustaining motivation and creative persistence. Drawing on Rick Rubin's philosophy of creating art for oneself, we explore the emotional rollercoaster of seeking validation and the importance of community support in pushing through tough times. The discussion also sheds light on the often-overlooked administrative tasks involved in producing a record and the heartfelt gratitude that comes from being acknowledged in an album's liner notes. The essence of building a local community and fostering genuine relationships within the music scene is powerfully highlighted, showing how these bonds fuel artistic growth. We also reflect on the transformation of underground culture, the balance between digital and real-life experiences, and the impact of technology on our consciousness. Listen in as we celebrate the joy of live music, share recent concert experiences, and highlight the importance of genuine human connections! Head over to https://www.thegreatnorthspecial.com/ for tour info, merch, and more and make sure to check out 'Callithump Parade' streaming everywhere you get your music! -For THE BEST MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES EVER go over to @MELTMUSHROOMS ON INSTAGRAM and shoot them a DM for a menu of all the amazing flavors of MUSHROOM CHOCOLATE BARS and MAKE SURE TO TELL THEM NSR SENT YOU FOR $20 OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -venuellama.com is back! Head over and sign up for your free Llama Account now and start rating venues! INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - Young & Sick MUSIC IN THE COMMERCIALS BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! We produce these episodes in collaboration with MELT PREMIUM MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES! Follow them on Instagram and DM them to let them know NSR sent ya for $20 off your first order!!!! This week on the No Simple Road Weekly Rewind we have a special guest on the ride with us... Sean Marmora, better known as @longstrangeputt on IG! We talk about the beginnings of his concert going addiction, the genesis of @longstrangeputt, creating a family through the live music experience, and we recap a little bit of our most recent journey to Cascade Equinox Festival and relive some of the the best moments from our time there! Head over to www.patreon.com/nosimpleroad to become a supporter and take part in the growing community on our Discord server and get all the extra content that is starting to come out of the No Simple Road community. INTRO MUSIC by Young & Sick -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -Make Sure to visit our friends at Fire On The Mountain for some amazing food at one of the 3 locations in the Portland area or one of the 2 locations in the Denver area! -CHECK OUT www.venuellama.com TO LEAVE REVIEWS FOR ALL YOUR FAVORITE (and non-favorite) VENUES AND GET HELPFUL INSIDER INTEL ON VENUES YOU"RE HEADED TO! OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music. We inform and delight music fans by creating shows with leading artists, telling untold stories, and working with brands to craft compelling narratives that bring music to life.

We are very excited to have singer/songwriter Christian Lopez in the studio as our guest on No Simple Road this week! Rolling Stone says.. "as popularity in Americana rises, Lopez can connect the dots for many young listeners..” Christian Lopez is not merely riding the wave of Americana Music, the West Virginia native is bending it to its knees. With the will of his voice and the stomp of a steady beat, Christian Lopez is pioneering his own brand of Folk Rock. Hailed as an Americana wunderkind when he burst onto the scene in 2015, Lopez recorded his debut album, produced by multi-Grammy winning producer, Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton) when he was just 18. Followed up by his critically acclaimed sophomore album, “Red Arrow” in 2017, featuring guests like Vince Gill and Kenneth Pattengale (Milk Carton Kids). Since then, Lopez has released 2 albums including “The Other Side” (2021) his latest release “Magdalena” (June 2023) which he wrote and recorded while living in the tiny town of Magdalena, New Mexico. We chat with Christian about: Playing music from the age of 5. How a visiting Dude Ranch as a kid gave him the bug to become a musician. What was it inside of him that made him give up a full college scholarship in pursuit of a dream. Ways he connects back to friends and family back home after being on the road for extended periods of time. The process of using angst as a creative tool in songwriting. Dropping barriers inside oneself to find your own unique voice. His experiences in working with major labels as a young man. Pushing through doubts from those around you. Finding the place of being unapologetically yourself. ... and so much more! For tour info, music, merch, and more head over to: www.christianlopezmusic.com and check out the new album 'Magdalena' everywhere you stream your tunes! -For THE BEST MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES EVER go over to @MELTMUSHROOMS ON INSTAGRAM and shoot them a DM for a menu of all the amazing flavors of MUSHROOM CHOCOLATE BARS and MAKE SURE TO TELL THEM NSR SENT YOU FOR $20 OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -Make Sure to visit our friends at Fire On The Mountain for some amazing food at one of the 3 location in the Portland area or one of the 2 location in the Denver area! -CHECK OUT www.venuellama.com TO RATE YOUR FAVORITE VENUES AND GET HELPFUL INTEL ON VENUES YOU'VE NOT YET BEEN TO! INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - Will Hanza of Escaper MUSIC IN THE COMMERCIALS BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music. We inform and delight music fans by creating shows with leading artists, telling untold stories, and working with brands to craft compelling narratives that bring music to life.

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! We produce these episodes in collaboration with MELT PREMIUM MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES! Follow them on Instagram and DM them to let them know NSR sent ya for $20 off your first order!!!! This week on the No Simple Road Weekly Rewind we are joined by a special guest! Lisa Glassman of Active Potential! Lisa Joy, Musicians Performance Coach and Dynamic Movement Expert, is leader in the field of musicians health and wellness, and the creator of Active Potential™. She works with performing artists and music industry staff on-site and online to alleviate pain and optimize performance. Lisa Joy coaches students to identify the sources of their resistance, and learn practical actions to remove physical and mental obstacles, stress, and pain, in order to create and perform at the highest level.  After years of working at festivals, shows, and in studio, as a licensed massage therapist, yoga teacher, meditation guide and personal trainer, Lisa Joy took the pandemic pause to move online and create the resources musicians need to thrive daily while at home and on the road. She empowers students to learn and sustain how to perform with excellence and ease not just on the few days each year there is a healing practitioner onsite, but every day on their own.  Active Potential™ hosts virtual and in-person healing services for musicians, industry professionals and fans through our unique online musicians membership, performance coaching program, interactive movement workshops and festival healing spaces. Passion for music and its innate ability to heal, Lisa Joy has made it her mission to heal the healers, to teach musicians how to prevent the myriad of common injuries and issues associated with the repetition, asymmetry, and conditions of playing instruments and living on the road. She understands the nuance of being both an artist and an athlete, and applies a holistic approach of working with students on shaping mind and body as tools to their success. To contact Lisa and get started with Active Potential head over to: www.activepotential.com Head over to www.patreon.com/nosimpleroad to become a supporter and take part in the growing community on our Discord server and get all the extra content that is starting to come out of the No Simple Road community. INTRO MUSIC by Young & Sick -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -Make Sure to visit our friends at Fire On The Mountain for some amazing food at one of the 3 locations in the Portland area or one of the 2 locations in the Denver area! -CHECK OUT www.venuellama.com TO LEAVE REVIEWS FOR ALL YOUR FAVORITE (and non-favorite) VENUES AND GET HELPFUL INSIDER INTEL ON VENUES YOU"RE HEADED TO! OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music. We inform and delight music fans by creating shows with leading artists, telling untold stories, and working with brands to craft compelling narratives that bring music to life.

We are super excited this week to have Leftover Salmon banjoy player Andy Thorn as our guest on No Simple Road. Andy never expected to go viral. But in 2021, he was in his backyard, playing an improvised banjo tune to a wild fox, when his wife caught the whole thing on video. The video made headlines around the world. Soon, Andy was interviewed on the Kelly Clarkson Show and A & E’s Neighborhood Wars. Even NPR’s Political Gabfest discussed the video. A New York Times writer called it “a moment plucked from Aesop.”  We talk with Andy about: Why he picked up the banjo at age 13. How spending his time wisely during lockdown created so many beautiful things. The ways he's seen the Bluegrass scene grow and change over the years. Does Andy think that Bluegrass can sustain shows in stadiums? How Mayor McCheese started touring with Leftover Salmon. His perspective on playing with a band he used to go see. What it was like for him to play music in France. How he and' Foxy' became friends. His experience playing Salmon Fest. ... and a whole lot more! Check out Andy's solo album 'Songs Of The Sunrise Fox' streaming everywhere and for Leftover Salmon tour info, merch, and more head over to www.leftoversalmon.com -For THE BEST MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES EVER go over to @MELTMUSHROOMS ON INSTAGRAM and shoot them a DM for a menu of all the amazing flavors of MUSHROOM CHOCOLATE BARS and MAKE SURE TO TELL THEM NSR SENT YOU FOR $20 OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -Make Sure to visit our friends at Fire On The Mountain for some amazing food at one of the 3 location in the Portland area or one of the 2 location in the Denver area! -CHECK OUT www.venuellama.com TO RATE YOUR FAVORITE VENUES AND GET HELPFUL INTEL ON VENUES YOU'VE NOT YET BEEN TO! INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - Will Hanza of Escaper MUSIC IN THE COMMERCIALS BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: ANDREW HENDRYX OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music. We inform and delight music fans by creating shows with leading artists, telling untold stories, and working with brands to craft compelling narratives that bring music to life.

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! We produce these episodes in collaboration with MELT PREMIUM MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES! Follow them on Instagram and DM them to let them know NSR sent ya for $20 off your first order!!!! This week on the No Simple Road Weekly Rewind we are feeling the closing of the season coming on! We talk a little about feeling tired but accomplished in this moment in time after a Summer of hard work a a ton of fun. It's not over yet though... we're headed to Cascade Equinox Festival this Friday-Sunday and we give you all the low down and intel we've gathered, share a little of what we have planned for our appearance on Saturday, who our guest is, and how we see this festival being so incredibly different from the rest! Festival passes and single day tickets are still available at www.cascadeequinox.com Head over to www.patreon.com/nosimpleroad to become a supporter and take part in the growing community on our Discord server and get all the extra content that is starting to come out of the No Simple Road community. INTRO MUSIC by Young & Sick -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -Make Sure to visit our friends at Fire On The Mountain for some amazing food at one of the 3 locations in the Portland area or one of the 2 locations in the Denver area! -CHECK OUT www.venuellama.com TO LEAVE REVIEWS FOR ALL YOUR FAVORITE (and non-favorite) VENUES AND GET HELPFUL INSIDER INTEL ON VENUES YOU"RE HEADED TO! OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music. We inform and delight music fans by creating shows with leading artists, telling untold stories, and working with brands to craft compelling narratives that bring music to life.

Catch up with the No Simple Road crew as they discuss everything from the music scene, family life, show recaps & reviews, spirituality, psychedelics, and everything in-between! We produce these episodes in collaboration with MELT PREMIUM MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES! Follow them on Instagram and DM them to let them know NSR sent ya for $20 off your first order!!!! This week on the No Simple Road Weekly Rewind we are recapping our epic week in Denver and the whole Ophelia's appearance and live stream as well as our Phish Dick's hot takes and trip report! This was a stellar week for the members of the No Simple Road Crew and we do our best here to bring you all on the journey with us and share all the feelings of those magickal moments with all of you! Head over to www.patreon.com/nosimpleroad to become a supporter and take part in the growing community on our Discord server and get all the extra content that is starting to come out of the No Simple Road community. INTRO MUSIC by Young & Sick -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -Make Sure to visit our friends at Fire On The Mountain for some amazing food at one of the 3 locations in the Portland area or one of the 2 locations in the Denver area! -CHECK OUT www.venuellama.com TO LEAVE REVIEWS FOR ALL YOUR FAVORITE (and non-favorite) VENUES AND GET HELPFUL INSIDER INTEL ON VENUES YOU"RE HEADED TO! OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music. We inform and delight music fans by creating shows with leading artists, telling untold stories, and working with brands to craft compelling narratives that bring music to life.

This week on No Simple Road we are so excited to have the one and only Jake Eddy as our guest on the show! Jake Eddy is a bluegrass guitarist born and raised in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He began his musical career and lifelong addiction to the road playing banjo professionally at the age of fourteen with bluegrass-legend Melvin Goins. His guitar playing, which is primarily influenced by bluegrass and jazz, is showcased on his debut album of fiddle tunes entitled "Jake Eddy", which features such greats as Grammy-Award winning Bryan Sutton, Rob Ickes, and Kenny Smith. He tours as a sideman with the Becky Buller Band from Manchester, TN as well as his own group. His current touring group features his brother, Carter on upright bass and NC-native Graham Brewer on Mandolin. We talk with Jake about: Why a garden keeps him grounded at home. Using the skill of playing fast to draw folks into his musical world. How bluegrass became part of his DNA. Some solid advice for new players. What it was like to hit the road at fourteen along side musical giants. If he feels like he missed out on actually being 'a kid'. Playing music with synesthesia. How and why he started the 'homestay' program for his students. The story of acquiring his 1943 Martin D28. ... and a whole lot more! -For THE BEST MUSHROOM CHOCOLATES EVER go over to @MELTMUSHROOMS ON INSTAGRAM and shoot them a DM for a menu of all the amazing flavors of MUSHROOM CHOCOLATE BARS and MAKE SURE TO TELL THEM NSR SENT YOU FOR $20 OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! -FREE SHIPPING from Shop Tour Bus Use The PROMO CODE: nosimpleroad -Make Sure to visit our friends at Fire On The Mountain for some amazing food at one of the 3 location in the Portland area or one of the 2 location in the Denver area! -CHECK OUT www.venuellama.com TO RATE YOUR FAVORITE VENUES AND GET HELPFUL INTEL ON VENUES YOU'VE NOT YET BEEN TO! INTRO MUSIC PROVIDED BY - Will Hanza of Escaper MUSIC IN THE COMMERCIALS BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN OUTRO MUSIC BY AND USED WITH PERMISSION OF: CHILLDREN OF INDIGO No Simple Road is part of OSIRIS MEDIA. Osiris Media is the leading storyteller in music, combining the intimacy of podcasts with the power of music. We inform and delight music fans by creating shows with leading artists, telling untold stories, and working with brands to craft compelling narratives that bring music to life.