Best Small Town Poets Podcasts (2025)

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Joy Oladokun Writes Worship Music for Youth Group Rejects (REISSUE), ep. 316 51:18

Play Pause

6h ago51:18

51:18

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the past several weeks, Basic Folk has been digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Joy Oladokun, was originally posted on February 24, 20…

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115 Buck - Buck 2:33:05

23h ago2:33:05

2:33:05

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL272A23B9EAABAC03 https://www.facebook.com/buckdetroit/ https://downthelinezine.com/cue/buck_enterprises https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/2021/06/13/buck-ska-is-the-limit/ https://www.christianmusicarchive.com/album/buck https://www.amazon.com/Logic-Enemy-Out-Time/dp/B000OYCGYA https://www.youtub…

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Watchhouse in Conversation with Jacob Sharp (Mipso) (Bonus) 45:55

2d ago45:55

45:55

(Editor's Note: Oh, WOW! A bonus, surprise episode with Watchhouse? Yes! And it is a treat. We are pleased to have Jacob Sharp of Mipso as our guest host in conversation with his friends Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz of Watchhouse, talking about their new studio album, 'Rituals.' The record was co-produced with Ryan Gustafson of The Dead Tongues. T…

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Chris Thile: Calvin and Hobbes, Classical Music, and Curiosity (REISSUE), ep. 315 1:21:20

8d ago1:21:20

1:21:20

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing Chris Thile was originally posted on September 9, 2021 aft…

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Dar Williams: Music was Decided for Me (REISSUE), ep. 314 1:03:07

15d ago1:03:07

1:03:07

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Dar Williams originally posted on October 14, 2021. Enjoy!) Dar Williams…

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114 Steve Taylor - Squint 2:38:34

15d ago2:38:34

2:38:34

https://www.instagram.com/excompod/ https://open.spotify.com/show/5WYfTqA2EK48nfcdC1PL8S?si=507d06949fe24d29By Clifton Stuckey

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John Hiatt is Actually Not Scared to Talk about His Feelings (REISSUE), ep. 313 51:06

26d ago51:06

51:06

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy!) This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing John Hiatt originally posted on August 5, 2021. In 2021, …

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Anaïs Mitchell: 2019 Pre-Broadway interview on Hadestown, Lamb Rearing, and Untangling Third Wave Feminism (REISSUE), ep. 312 51:22

1M ago51:22

51:22

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy!) Listening back, I feel like this 2018 interview with Anaïs Mitchell holds up. Originally published on Jan…

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113 Disciple - My Daddy Can Whip Your Daddy 1:35:35

1M ago1:35:35

1:35:35

We did it! After a long, slow descent into Christian music-induced madness, we've finally found where the sea floor drops off into oblivion thanks to an album so aggressively dull, so devoid of anything resembling intrigue or artistic value, that it’s left us staring into the yawning void of our own psychosis. Congratulations to Christian music’s c…

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Morgan Toney on Circles, Elders, and Phil Collins, ep. 311 1:00:58

1M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

Circles have played a huge role in fiddler and singer Morgan Toney's life thus far: from drum circles, to talking circles, to the Earth itself (a circle!). In our Basic Folk conversation, Morgan talks about his L'nu (also known as Mi'kmaq) heritage and growing up on what's now called Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where his ancestors have lived since ti…

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Ancestral Rituals & Encroaching Modernity: Mamang Dai's 'Small Towns and the River' 34:51

1M ago34:51

34:51

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Maiya and Joe explore 'Small Towns and the River' by Mamang Dai, a deeply resonant poem that blends cosmology, animism, and the intimate experiences of life and death in India’s northeastern hill communities. Together, they unpack how Dai—drawing on her…

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Kris Delmhorst: Inching Forward through Sleepless Nights, ep. 310 52:20

2M ago52:20

52:20

Kris Delmhorst is not a good sleeper. The Western Massachusetts songwriter is usually awake from 2 or 3 am to about 4 or 5am. Sometimes it feels nice and floaty, but other times she is wide awake worrying about anything her brain can get a hold of. This is similar to a feeling with which she ended her tenth record, 'Ghosts in the Garden,' with the …

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112 Black Cherry Soda - Grin 1:28:18

2M ago1:28:18

1:28:18

https://youtu.be/kbQKs3dV-yE?si=uITkyNhR6IzR1bS_ https://cmnexus.org/profiles/Black_Cherry_Soda https://downthelinezine.com/cue/black_cherry_soda https://www.discogs.com/release/2285596-Black-Cherry-Soda-Grin https://boottohead.com/bth101.html https://palmbeachbookery.com/products/black-cherry-soda-grin https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.co…

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fuck Spotify 1:32

2M ago1:32

1:32

If you listen to our podcast on Spotify, it might be time to change thatBy Clifton Stuckey

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Writing the Real World: Tennyson's 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' 36:13

2M ago36:13

36:13

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya examine Alfred Lord Tennyson's iconic war poem 'The Charge of the Light Brigade.' Written just weeks after the disastrous cavalry charge during the Crimean War in October 1854, this poem dramatically reshaped the Victorian cultural convers…

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Sara Watkins on I'm With Her's Witchy AF New Record, ep. 309 54:09

2M ago54:09

54:09

Sara Watkins joins Basic Folk to talk about 'Wild and Clear and Blue,' the new album from I'm With Her, her band with Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O'Donovan. The new LP was inspired by looking back on your life in order to move forward, with a very witchy manner of speaking that encompasses the ancient, mysterious, and spiritual. Sara shares insights int…

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The Makings of a Movement: The Metaphysical Poets 53:13

2M ago53:13

53:13

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya delve into the strange brilliance of the Metaphysical Poets. From the explosive intimacy of Donne’s 'The Flea,' to the restless rebellion in Herbert’s 'The Collar,' and the dizzying contradictions of Marvell’s 'To His Coy Mistress,' this …

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Mary Gauthier & Jaimee Harris on THE Three Shoes, Alchemy and Weeding out Baddies, ep. 308 57:54

2M ago57:54

57:54

Mary Gauthier and Jaimee Harris talk to Lizzie and Cindy for Basic Folk on-board the Cayamo cruise in front of a live audience. We get down to business in addressing NICE things by asking Mary what kind of shoes she's wearing – as she has a reputation for enjoying the good stuff, especially on her feet. After that, we asked and Jaimee Harris enthus…

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111 Puller - Sugarless 2:00:41

2M ago2:00:41

2:00:41

https://tenkillermusic.com/pages/meet-the-band https://open.spotify.com/artist/234Gp7UTsuxdJxNsusLSE8?si=QiEoXHPoSZqwM_q-R6Na4A https://youtu.be/nvIWChfB66U?si=14dxXQ6wtGMNLjms https://youtu.be/-uQ89CgBLhU?si=lnuOYxLIbaR-uHip https://tenkillermusic.com/pages/meet-the-band https://web.archive.org/web/20010811220029/http://www.pullerrock.com/history.…

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Beauty on the Wing: Keats' Ode to a Nightingale 44:43

2M ago44:43

44:43

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya look into John Keats’s haunting meditation on mortality and art, 'Ode to a Nightingale.' Written during the poet’s final years, this celebrated ode encapsulates the fleeting nature of life and the immortal legacy of beauty. Joe and Maiya …

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Susan Werner on Defining Hard Work, Paid Vacations, and Relaxing as Indie Musician, ep. 307 46:29

2M ago46:29

46:29

The dynamic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Susan Werner talks to us onboard the Cayamo cruise, which she describes as a "paid vacation." Reflecting on her upbringing on a working farm, Susan discusses the hard work that shaped her, but also how she’s learning to embrace rest and relaxation. With humor and insight, she navigates the balance be…

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Jon Muq: Uganda, Cruise Ship Food and His Googly-Eyed Guitar, ep. 306 34:55

2M ago34:55

34:55

Originally from the village of Mutungo, Uganda (near the country's capital of Kampala), Jon Muq's journey to his current life of touring with an Austin, Texas home-base has been unconventional. Onboard the Cayamo cruise earlier this year, we talked to Jon about his childhood experiences, including fetching water with friends and "We Are the World,"…

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110 Hokus Pick - Brothers From Different Mothers 1:21:35

3M ago1:21:35

1:21:35

https://web.archive.org/web/19980206194618/http://www.hokuspick.com/bio.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_z-9zlmuhE&ab_channel=RagamuffinArchive https://www.bezartshub.com/events-calendar/2024/9/27/hokus-pick?fbclid=IwY2xjawJWZllleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaOsUJORDm7EhfFvCTFrZp4T2FEQs1t7D86wEPgH-sDn2PutEQG25TXeEA_aem_VPMIVEQI47cx2S5okeC8Cw https://www.f…

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Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night: Writing against Mortality with Dylan Thomas 46:50

3M ago46:50

46:50

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya unpack Dylan Thomas’s iconic villanelle, 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.' Written in 1947 and published in 1951, this powerful plea to resist mortality remains one of the most famous poems of the 20th century. Joe and Maiya explor…

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Ani DiFranco & Carsie Blanton: Menopause, The Wild Child, and Naps to fight Capitalism, ep. 305 43:44

3M ago43:44

43:44

Basic Folk is making trouble at sea with Ani DiFranco and Carsie Blanton! Hosts Lizzie and Cindy had the opportunity to speak with the two like-minded radical songwriters aboard the 2025 edition of Cayamo, a roots music cruise. Our conversation kicks off with Ani sharing her transformative experience performing as Persephone in the Broadway show 'H…

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Loudon Wainwright III: Oversharing, Family Ties, and Musical Legacy, ep. 304 46:20

3M ago46:20

46:20

The legendary Loudon Wainwright III, whose career has spanned over five decades, is known for his deeply personal songwriting and sharp wit – and oversharing. The patriarch of the Wainwright folk dynasty (which includes Rufus, Martha, their late mother Kate McGarrigle, as well as Lucy and her mother Suzzy Roche), Loudon reflects on the balance betw…

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109 Freeto Boat - Hindsight 20/20 1:41:38

3M ago1:41:38

1:41:38

https://ehrmanblog.org/did-christians-invent-charity/ https://freetoboat.bandcamp.com/ https://web.archive.org/web/20001012122144/http://www.freetoboat.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-Nw8cPqEoE https://www.discogs.com/artist/3445734-Freeto-Boat https://unleaded.tripod.com/freeto.html https://www.indievisionmusic.com/news/freeto-boat-are-back…

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Olivia Ellen Lloyd: West Virginia to Brooklyn, Finding Ground in Water, ep. 303 1:01:14

3M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Olivia Ellen Lloyd's latest album, 'Do It Myself,' sees the West Virginia-born Brooklyn-based songwriter reflecting on the powerful imagery of water. She shares how it has been a source of grounding and calmness in her life, from childhood memories spent on the Potomac River to her current love for the ocean, these elements have shaped her artistic…

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A Modernist Manifesto: Exploring T. S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land' 48:03

3M ago48:03

48:03

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maya delve into T. S. Eliot’s groundbreaking 1922 poem, 'The Waste Land.' Widely hailed as one of the most significant works of modernist poetry, 'The Waste Land' reshaped literary history with its fragmented structure, interwoven voices, and p…

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Bonnie "Prince" Billy On Making Nashville Musical Magic, ep. 302 1:04:32

3M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, has led an illustrious, sometimes mysterious career which has spanned decades and genres. Hailing from and still living in Louisville, KY, in our Basic Folk conversation Will reflects on his journey from a young artist struggling to find his place in the music world to a seasoned musician who embrac…

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108 Blenderhead - Prime Candidate for Burnout 2:44:21

3M ago2:44:21

2:44:21

https://punklottopod.simplecast.com/ https://billypower.com/By Clifton Stuckey

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Rose Cousins & Edie Carey: Bast Friendship, Music, and the Art of Spatula-ing Life, ep. 301 1:25:31

4M ago1:25:31

1:25:31

Rose Cousins and Edie Carey's friendship has blossomed for over two decades. On the occasion of Rose releasing her new album, 'Conditions of Love - Vol 1,' the pair appear on Basic Folk to discuss the new music. They reflect on their early days and their first meeting as well as the ways they’ve influenced each other's careers and personal growth. …

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Resurrecting the Dead: Poetic Exorcisms in Sylvia Plath's 'Daddy' & 'Lady Lazarus' 48:06

4M ago48:06

48:06

TW: Discussions of suicide In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya dive into Sylvia Plath’s posthumous collection "Ariel," focusing on 'Daddy,' 'Lady Lazarus,' and other landmark poems from the collection. The episode begins with an exploration of Plath’s life, from her e…

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Sierra Hull: Mandolin Magic and Small Town Roots, ep. 300 1:06:40

4M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

When mandolinist Sierra Hull was little, her dad told her she was really good "for a ten year old." The older Hull knew Sierra had a fiery passion for the instrument and he knew exactly how to motivate his daughter. He went on to say that if she wanted to go to jams and porch-play for the rest of her life, she'd learned enough. He gave her realisti…

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107 Fanmail - The Latest Craze 1:54:46

4M ago1:54:46

1:54:46

https://www.discogs.com/release/445594-Fanmail-The-Latest-Craze https://www.amazon.com/Latest-Craze-Fanmail/dp/B00000J802 Scott Silleta: Following his departure from Plankeye in July 1998, Silletta formed the Christian pop-punk band Fanmail that year. In 1999, Fanmail released an extended play, Here Comes Fanmail EP, and their debut studio album, T…

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Basic Folk Presents: Folk Files: Shady Grove 25:27

4M ago25:27

25:27

Editor’s note: Basic Folk is pleased to introduce our listeners to one of our favorite podcasts by sharing an episode in our feed! Folk Files is a podcast hosted by Olivia Harding that seeks to uncover the mysteries of folk music through the ages and dive deep into the tangled history of murder ballads, sea shanties, rebel songs, and other music th…

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Reflecting on the War Years with Siegfried Sassoon (WWI Mini-Series) 48:30

4M ago48:30

48:30

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya conclude their mini-series on the poets of the First World War with an in-depth exploration of Siegfried Sassoon. They discuss his privileged early life, his pre-war poetry as a Georgian Romantic, and his transformation into one of the mos…

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Gary Louris talks to Mark Erelli on Songwriting, Late in Life Love, and Technology, ep. 299 1:01:02

4M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

You probably know Gary Louris as the leader of The Jayhawks – or as they refer to themselves, “a band from Minnesota.” The Jayhawks are pioneers of roots rock, alt-country, and Americana. Whatever you wanna call it, they’ve been making records where rock, pop, country, and other forms of American roots music overlap since the mid-1980s. But Louris’…

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Lilly Hiatt: Driving Tunes and Life Lessons, ep. 297 44:50

4M ago44:50

44:50

Singer-songwriter Lilly Hiatt has an interesting way of working melodies and a down to earth way of telling stories about her life and about how she sees the world. All of her albums have cool, crunchy guitar parts that take folk songwriting to a new rockin' level. On her new album 'Forever,' Hiatt's diverse influences are woven into songs that tou…

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106 Aunt Bettys - Aunt Bettys 1:49:17

4M ago1:49:17

1:49:17

Jay and Clifton celebrate the successful funding of the rerelease of Aunt Bettys self titled debut on Lost in Ohio!https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lostinohio/reissuing-the-aunt-bettys-debuthttps://multi-biome.com/music/tag/Aunt+Bettyshttp://www.basement.crucifyd.com/pages/records/html/discog-ART/Aunt%20Bettys.htmlhttps://www.patheos.com/blogs/…

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Wilfred Owen and Changing Attitudes Towards the War (WWI Mini-Series) 45:35

4M ago45:35

45:35

In this episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya continue their exploration of First World War poets by diving into the life and works of Wilfred Owen. They discuss his experiences as a soldier, his time recovering from shell shock at Craiglockhart War Hospital, and his mentorship under …

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Bonus Mary Sue Twohy: From Folk Roots to Radio Waves 41:12

4M ago41:12

41:12

SiriusXM's folk radio programmer Mary Sue Twohy has not had a straight career path, but it's certainly been adventurous. Mary Sue, who is about to be inducted into the Folk DJ Hall of Fame, has held many different jobs over her life, most notably as a touring singer songwriter and as a beloved folk radio programmer, host and active community member…

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Sam Moss: Gentle Folk Sounds and Woodworking Bounds, ep. 296 58:25

5M ago58:25

58:25

Although the ever-enigmatic Sam Moss is not a great swimmer, he named his latest album 'Swimming.' The folk singer with a gentle demeanor is back with thoughtful songs and captivating melodies. Hailing from New England, Sam has carved out a unique niche in the folk world, blending naturalistic themes with an introspective approach to songwriting. W…

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Rupert Brooke & The Romance of War (WWI Mini-Series) 47:33

5M ago47:33

47:33

In the opening episode of Season 2 of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, hosts Joe and Maiya launch into a three-part mini-series on First World War poets. The episode dives into the patriotic and idealistic poetry of Rupert Brooke, highlighting his early contributions before and at the onset of the war in 1914;…

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Covered in Moss: Anna B Savage's World of Folk, Birds and Ireland, ep. 295 57:32

5M ago57:32

57:32

Anna B Savage is down to earth and witchy as hell at the same time. Over her three albums, she's cultivated a memorizing sound and epic image – like David Bowie, Bjork, Kate Bush, etc. – that's gained her a god-like reputation. A reputation which preceded the actual human being behind the art, leaving some to wonder what it would be like to speak t…

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105 Big Tent Revival 1:33:48

5M ago1:33:48

1:33:48

Aunt Betty's Kickstarter https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/05/06/big-tent-rocker-moves-into-a-big-church-role/ https://www.klove.com/music/artists/big-tent-revival https://www.huffpost.com/entry/from-big-tent-revival-to_b_862065 https://web.archive.org/web/19991128083040/http://www.bigtent.net/biography.htm https://www.instagram.com/wigbone/p/Co2…

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Carolyn Kendrick's Devilish Detour: Satan's Folk Music, Moral Panic and the Color Red, ep. 294 1:07:30

5M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Carolyn Kendrick's latest project explores complex themes of moral panic, tradition, and the figure of the devil (AKA Satan, AKA Lucifer). The LA-based songwriter opens up about the inspiration behind her album, 'Each Machine,' which is accompanied by a thought-provoking zine. In our Basic Folk conversation, she discusses the significance of the co…

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104 Pep Squad - No Doy! 1:56:27

5M ago1:56:27

1:56:27

Jay and Clifton got a Jesus candle and they don't know why. But you know! It's Pep Squad's debut NO DOY!By Clifton Stuckey

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Josh Kaufman: Imperfect Folk Music & Backstage Snacks, ep. 293 1:02:56

5M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Multi-talented musician and producer Josh Kaufman is known for his work with Josh Ritter, The National, and his band Bonny Light Horseman. I've known Josh for many years, after meeting him in Pittsburgh while he was on tour with Dawn Landes. I felt instant friendship with him (and honestly with the entire Dawn Landes band that day). We haven't seen…

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Lutalo: Hip Hop Roots and Folk Future(s), ep. 292 50:22

6M ago50:22

50:22

In 2024, Vermont's Lutalo released their debut album, The Academy. In this episode of Basic Folk, they share the profound influence of their father, whose deep love for artistry and creativity laid the foundation for Lutalo's musical path. We delve into the broad variety of their influences, from underground hip-hop to African drumming classes, eac…