Roots Rednecks and Radicals

I met Max Gomez at a show he played in my hometown. It was a solo acoustic show, and I was really blown away by his songs. They have a casual, and intimate feel. I knew I wanted to have him on my show and we finally worked out a time in his busy touring schedule. His songwriting incorporates some of the best elements of folk and country music. He weaves tales, explores heartbreak, and leaves you with a keen sense of the subjects in his songs. We had a great chat about his news album which is out now. You should go listen to it. After you enjoy this podcast. I hope you dig it!

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass Moca) is starting a record label aimed at developing artists, focusing on creativity, and giving exposure to musicians who are creating under-appreciated art. The first record on this new label came out last Friday. The Kasawambwe Brothers of Malawi recorded this album with help from Mass Moca. I spoke to Harlan Steinberger who runs a studio in Los Angeles called Hen House Studio. He's worked with artists like Willie Nelson and Sunny War, and has been recording music for decades. I had the chance to speak with him about this exciting new project, and what's in store for the future of Mass Moca Records. I hope you dig it!

Man, I just love the Fall. The weather is changing. It's getting chilly outside. And best of all Halloween is on the way! I put together a playlist of music I think you'll dig if you're into this time of year as much as I am. Join me as we listen to some of the best music for the best time of year!

In 2020 Amanda Shires released a song about the topic of abortion and women's reproductive rights. I had the chance to interview her about this song and it was such a great conversation. She really is an insightful and empathetic writer. She just put out a new album at the end of September and I wanted to bring this conversation to you again. A number of songs on the album deal with her divorce to Jason Isbell, and it just reminded me of the courage she has to take on difficult topics.

The West Texas Exiles are a Texas based band that are making incredible music. They have a new album out, and on today's episode we talked about all kinds of things. The influence of Texas musicians like Buddy Holly and Willie Nelson. How the stark landscape of the western desert impacts them as artists, and how the band has been playing festivals like Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and the Luck Reunion. Colin Gilmore is the son of legendary Texas musician Jimmie Dale Gilmore and I feel like you can really hear that in the band. We had a fun conversation while the band was working in their studio, I hope you dig it!

There is a new documentary out now on the history of Lilith Fair. It is really good! It touched on so many topics that are relevant to the music industry today. The artists in the documentary are so good; Sarah McLachlan, Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu, Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile, and Indigo Girls just to name a few. I wanted to bring my interview with Amy Ray of Inidgo Girls to you again. It was such a treat to chat with her, and this just felt like good timing! I hope you dig it!

Lots of great music out there and I'm here to bring you the best of it. This week we take a look at five songs that have come out recently that you should be checking out! Jeff Tweedy, Neko Case, Lucy Dacus, Will Hoge, and Hayes Carll. All good jams that should be on repeat for you!

Rancid released their album ...And Out Come The Wolves 30 years ago this year. It's the record that introduced me to the band and inspired the name of this podcast! This week I do a breakdown of this classic, and take a look at what makes it such a classic! I hope you dig it!

Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger came out in 1975. It was a watershed album for him. He also made a movie by the same name and the set for that movie hosts his yearly music festival. The album is incredible and gave him a couple of hits including Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain. This week I do a deep dive into this album. I hope you dig it!

AI seems to be the thing of the moment. Generative models are creating everything from pictures and movies to full songs. But is it any good? Turns out, not really. I tried my hand at making some different "AI Music" to see just how awful it is. And let me tell, it's really bad. Join me as I take a look at the future of music and why AI generated songs are total garbage.

It's been a while since I've done one of these episodes and in my opinion it's been far too long! There is always a ton of great music out there and sometimes it's hard to keep up with what's going on. This week we take a look at new music from Margo Price/Jesse Welles, Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett, Wedneday, and SG Goodman. I love all of these songs and we take a look at what makes them great. I hope you dig it!

Kai Crowe-Getty is a songwriter from rural Virginia. The themes he weaves into his music explore the geography and culture of the rural south. It's mindful and introspective. Today we talk about his new album, and his work with artists like American Aquarium, and Chuck Ragan. I hope you dig it!

I've been following Tyler Childers for quite a while now. He's always been an impressive songwriter to me, telling stories of his native Appalachia with his own twists and turns. His new album Snipe Hunter just takes things to the next level. He writes about deer hunting, foraging mushrooms, exploring Hinduism and Australia. The album is all over the place, but in a really fascinating way. As a guy who grew up in a hunting family, exploring nature this album makes me feel seen. I just don't have enough good things to say about this record, and I say a lot! I hope you dig it!

I first came across Nathan Evans Fox on his TikTok account. He's from rural North Carolina and he has a fresh perspective on what it means to be from the south, and rural America. The common discourse on these issues is old and tired, and we need to be having these discussion about rural life and country music. He has a song out called Hillbilly Hymn that reflects on the idea of "Jubilee" from the Old Testament. The resetting of debt, and reordering of society. It's really fascinating and I wanted to share this with y'all! Hope you dig it!

Tami Neilson has a new record out called "Neon Cowgirl" and it is a powerhouse of a record. The songwriting is great. It sounds incredible. And she collaborates with incredible artists like Neil Finn (Crowded House) Ashley McBride, Grace Bowers, and many other. We also talk about her connection with Willie Nelson, and how big of an influence Roy Orbison has on her sound. Check out the new album, it's a banger. Hope you dig it!

Ozzy passed away last week. He was a massively influential artists who is credited with laying the foundations of what became the genre of metal. I wanted to do an episode taking a look at the first three albums from Black Sabbath. Today we'll be listening to tracks from the albums "Black Sabbath/Paranoid/Master of Reality." These three albums are quintessential to the metal genre, and the just rock! Great riffs, arrangements, and lyrics. I hope you dig it!

Amanda Shires has been pretty quiet over the last year or so after her divorce with Jason Isbell. She has a new album coming out soon and this is the first track off that new record. It is mindful, and sad, and beautiful. It explores real human emotions about love and loss, and new directions. Today we take a look at the track and what makes it a wonderful poetic expression of a person going through some really difficult times. I hope you dig it!

I have been a fan of Margo Price for years now. Her first album "Midwest Farmer's Daughter" was an incredible country album. On top of being a noteworthy songwriter, she lends her voice to causes she supports without flinching. Over the years she's toured with and become friends with legendary artists like Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson and she is making music in the spirit of those two artists. Today we take a look at her new single "Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down." I hope you dig it!

Over the last couple of years Worm Shot has been consistently gathering a fan base in Northern Nevada. They are a part of a growing scene largely based out of Reno that includes a variety of styles, and influences. I've gotten to see them live a couple of times now and I've just been really impressed with their sense of self. They are developing a sound that is really all their own, and the response from the Reno scene is palpable. I was happy to have them come in to our radio station KNVC 95.1 FM in Carson City. Shout out to Waylon Parr who set up, and took care of the interview. It was fun to have everyone in the studio to talk music, and have them perform a few songs. I hope you dig it!