Tag: Cindy Howes

The Other 22 Hours: Brandy Clark (Reissue)

Posted on by Editor

We are often sold the myth that success cures insecurity. Brandy Clark joins us to unravel that narrative. Named one of the ‘“30 Greatest Living Songwriters” earlier this year by the New York Times, she is also a Grammy Award-winning artist who has placed her songs with Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, and Keith Urban. In addition, she is the co-writer of the Tony Award-winning musical Shucked.

In this beautiful conversation, originally aired in November 2024, she opens up about her fifteen-year journey to a breakthrough, the courage it takes to be a gay woman in country music, and the importance of only staying in rooms where you feel like a genius.

Powered by RedCircle

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

In This Episode:

– Brandy Clark
– Cyndi Forman
– Dave Brainard
– Shucked Musical
– Ep 60 – Lori McKenna
– Jessie Jo Dillon
– Ep 43 – Gretchen Peters
– Ep 46 – Mary Chapin Carpenter
– Keith Urban
– Dwight Yoakam
– Brandi Carlile
– Shangri-La Studio– Shane McAnally
– k.d. lang
– Ep 126 – Chely Wright
– Ep 97 – Fancy Hagood

Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.
Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.

The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (producer, mixer, musician) and Michaela Anne (songwriter, artist, creative coach). More about Aaron’s work. More about Michaela Anne’s work.

Photo Credit: Pamela Springsteen

The Other 22 Hours: Maggie Smith (Reissue)

Posted on by Editor

What if the messiness of life isn’t an obstacle to making art, but the very material itself? In this reissued conversation from our archives, we sit down with New York Times bestselling poet and author Maggie Smith (Good Bones, Dear Writer). Together, we explore what happens when you dismantle the dividing wall between art and everyday life, the discipline of staying in solitude rather than catering to an audience, and how learning to trust your own instincts becomes the ultimate safety net for a sustainable creative life.

Powered by RedCircle

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

In This Episode:

– Maggie Smith
– “Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life”
– “My Thoughts Have Wings”
– “For Dear Life” – Maggie’s Substack
– Lucinda Williams
– Joan Didion – The Center Will Not Hold documentary
– Jane Goodall
– “Good Bones”
– Jim Carrey commencement speech
– Tara Brach
– Stanley Plumly

Go Deeper:

Watch: View this entire conversation above or on YouTube.
Explore: Find similar conversations in these themed playlists.
Connect: Join the conversation on Instagram.

The Other 22 Hours is hosted by Aaron Shafer-Haiss (producer, mixer, musician) and Michaela Anne (songwriter, artist, creative coach). More about Aaron’s work. More about Michaela Anne’s work.

Photo Credit: Chad Cochran

Basic Folk: Keb’ Mo’ Defines the Blues as “Honesty Music”

Posted on by Editor

We are so honored to welcome Keb’ Mo’ (aka Kevin Moore) on the show for our 350th episode! After many decades of incredible music, his new solo acoustic album, The Breakdown, was written and recorded at his home studio near Nashville following open-heart surgery and personal life changes. He’s also recently released his second collaborative album with the legendary Taj Mahal.

We were blown away by Keb’ Mo’s definition of the blues: “honesty music.” There’s a lot of debate nowadays whether the blues is something that includes a formal set of requirements. Is it a genre? Is it a type of sound that’s trapped in a particular historical era? Kevin didn’t even give the time of day to any of those gatekeeper explanations. He said if the music has that honesty, has the moan and the sense of speaking to Black experience for a Black audience who understand what it’s like to struggle, that’s what the blues is.

Powered by RedCircle

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

There’s a spectrum of humility to ego in music. Some artists use music and performance as vehicles for their own notoriety. During this interview, I was struck by how far on the opposite end of the spectrum Keb’ Mo’ falls. Kevin went from being a kid in Compton asking his parents for a guitar, knowing how much $25 meant in those days, to now being an artist sponsored by so many guitar companies. He still remembers a time when the idea of having a collection of guitars was crazy talk.

His humility during our conversation is so present. I asked Kevin, “What does success mean to you and do you think you’ve achieved it?” His answer was, “I get to keep playing and I don’t have to get a regular job.” Even after all these years and so many accolades, it’s a privilege for him to play his own original music in front of people and to be a part of this tradition.

I just wanna shout out how generous Kevin is as a conversation partner. I came into this interview nervous because he’s one of the more legendary guests that we’ve had on the show. I found myself a number of times having to sit back and receive a compliment. He’s the first to say, “That was a great question. You’re really thoughtful. You’re killing it!” So I was really lucky to interview him.

Photo Credit: Rachel Deeb

Basic Folk: Hrishikesh Hirway

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

If you have been paying attention to music circles for the past 25+ years, you will be familiar with Hrishikesh Hirway. He formerly released music under the moniker The One AM Radio and has also produced and hosted the premiere music podcast of the 21st century (the only century with podcasts so far, so clearly we feel strongly): Song Exploder. Until recently, his name had not been front and center on any of his projects until his newest album, In the Last Hour of Light. Hrishi grew up in Massachusetts the son of Indian immigrants, immersed and in love with music. After releasing music as The One AM Radio until 2011, he started the podcast Song Exploder in 2014. He’s hosted and produced numerous shows and has been a crucial part of the podcasting landscape for 12 years.

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

In our Basic Folk conversation, Hrishi expands on the power of grief after his mother died and how his came gradually because of her long illness. He spoke of his name and what it’s felt like to reclaim it in a public space in 2026 versus 1999, and he gives a little shout out to Obama. He gets into his feelings about his speaking voice and the person who likes it the most (his wife). We also hear from Hrishi about what it’s like to be a figure in music that can offer musicians a bigger platform with his podcasts. He is someone who enjoys connecting and collaborating with others, but I wanted to know how it felt when sometimes the equation doesn’t always add up. Overall I give this interview a 10/10! It was a pleasure getting to know the wonderful Hrishikesh Hirway.

Photo Credit: Elisha Christian

Basic Folk: MayaFest (Maya de Vitry)

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Lancaster, Pennsylvania-born, Nashville-based songwriter Maya de Vitry has been on Basic Folk a half dozen times (she’s only second to our fave man-bestie Mark Erelli) because we are so obsessed with her songwriting perspective, from her time in the Stray Birds to her solo work. Every time she’s on the show, we try and do something special. She’s been on with her siblings (Nina & Lyle), her partner (Ethan Jodziewicz), and her musical besties (Shelby Means & Joel Timmons).

When we heard about her fifth studio album, All My Faith, we knew we had to raise the Basic Folk bar on one of the best working songwriters today. When I (Cindy) first heard Maya play these songs live, I thought they were next level. Even though I’m not a musician or songwriter of any kind, I really wanted to know why they were so incredible. I thought it would be a cool exercise to get other songwriter friends of Maya’s together to dig deep and explain what’s happening with Maya’s writing. What is it about the lyrics, the phrasing, the melodies that is really outstanding?

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

Maya was down with this idea and invited Ana Egge, Caitlin Canty, John Craigie, Kristin Andreassen, and Oliver Wood on this episode of Basic Folk, so we could hear from some of her favorite writers about these new songs. We had everyone here listen to the record a few times before recording the podcast; Maya shared the lyrics, album credits, and a track-by-track write up for the songs. She chose three songs for each person to specifically dig into, but of course everyone is free to share comments on any songs. We knew it was going to be a great experience, but it turned out even better than we had hoped. The insight these writers share intensify Maya’s new songs and give an even greater understanding of why they make such an impact.

Photo Credit: Ana Egge by Lorenzo Wolff; Oliver Wood by Alysse Gafkjen; Maya de Vitry by Ethan Jodziewicz; John Craigie courtesy of the artist; Caitlin Canty by Noah Altshuler; Kristin Andreassen courtesy of the artist. 

Basic Folk: Outlaws’ Almanac (Kimaya Diggs & Lizzie No)

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Lizzie No, Kaia Kater, Nathan Evans Fox, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, Tray Wellington, A.J. Haynes, and more are featured on the new compilation album Outlaws’ Almanac, a response to the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Led by executive producer Lizzie No, the project features a diverse range of songwriters and storytellers working in broadly defined folk, Americana, and roots traditions. Lizzie envisioned the compilation as an opportunity to be in conversation with the American project, taking an oft-overlooked perspective. Their curation centers Black, brown, Indigenous, queer, rural, and women’s voices, with traditional and contemporary music melding in a manner that brings to mind America’s promise of being a melting pot.

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

Lizzie No and Kimaya Diggs (who also appears on the album) join Basic Folk for a candid and vulnerable conversation about the project and its inspirations. We talked about how they each relate to outlaws and the difference between them and those tasked with protection within the law. We also talked about the significance of the album art by Mia Kristen, a folk art-inspired painting of a woman with a guitar riding a donkey surrounded by corn and flowers. I get into the details of some of the bungled celebrations of America’s major birthdays (namely the 100th and the 200th) and why those celebrations continually leave out marginalized and overlooked voices. We talk about how there are Black people in the future and why that is actually a radical idea in 2026. We end with a lighthearted Lightning Round called “IS THIS OUTLAW?” Thanks to Lizzie and Kimaya for being so open and honest in this intense and special conversation.

Photo Credits: Lizzie No by Mandi Fountain. Lead image of Kimaya Diggs courtesy of the artist. Alternate images of Kimaya Diggs by Jo Chattman. 

Basic Folk: The Milk Carton Kids

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, the Milk Carton Kids, are calling their latest album, Lost Cause Lover Fool, “the one.” They have finally figured out how to feel and sound like themselves with a broader sonic palette. They attribute that to sharing one mic when they sing with each other. The songs on the album enlarge small feelings and moments, working to turn them all into eternity. Moments that “usually pass too quickly to notice.” The guys have spent their careers making a case for staying small, staying present, and listening closely.

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

We loved our conversation with Kenneth and Joey so much – in fact, immediately following Lizzie sent me a voice recording expressing just that. She said it was so real: “What great guests and what great hosts!” We learn that Joey is a nepo folk baby as his mother, Debbie, was in a folk duo in college. We dig into what death–and the banjo–are up to on their new album. We explore what it means to be labeled “weenies” versus “gentle” or “the titans of yearning.” We also hear from the guys about how they do not actually feel pressured to be funny, they just are.

Photo Credit: Max Wagner

Basic Folk: What Is a Folk Song For?

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Well, is this not an excuse to get the girlies together if we’ve ever heard one!? For our final live interview aboard Cayamo, we arranged a check-in with some of our favorite folks to talk about the state of Folk Music (and folk-adjacent music). Our panel included country artist and host of Apple Music’s Color Me Country Radio Rissi Palmer, Canadian sweethearts Rose Cousins (CEO of emotions) and Kaïa Kater (Dean of Sad Songs), and Jobi Riccio, a self-proclaimed “rizzler.” We spoke about the function of folk songwriting, the hope and confidence of Gen Z, the inspiration taken from elders, and the fact that there are Black people in the future (thank you, Alice Randall).

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

We’ve noticed some folk songs coming out recently about moving forward and persevering despite living in hard times. It seems like the folk zeitgeist is collectively coming together to say something and we wanted to explore what’s happening with folk musicians at this time. What is the function of folk songwriting in modern times? Comfort? Information? Inspiration?

Folk is the big scoop that catches everyone. We need there to be a place for everyone else – and we are the everyone else. When you choose to be in this community, you grab onto this big rope, pulling against all that needs pulling against (feeling, current events, poverty, capitalism, things that homogenize, surveil, and control). These artists and the stories they tell take care of communities in a way that is similar to healthcare workers, but how are these workers being taken care of? We wanted to ask, “What’s the state of your workplace and how is care being taken?” And, “What does it feel like to be moving through the world playing music for people at this time?”

Photo Credit: Will Byington

Basic Folk: Abraham Alexander & Kashus Culpepper

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

We are live at sea aboard Cayamo 2026 with Abraham Alexander and Kashus Culpepper! The pair had not met prior, but we found a couple of very cool parallels between them, so we decided to interview them together. Plus, we knew it would be more fun to have them both up on stage in front of an audience. Abraham, based in Ft. Worth, Texas, and originally from Greece, has had an impressive rise in profile thanks to opportunities from friends like Leon Bridges, Gary Clark, Jr., and Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas). Quesada actually worked with Abe on the song “Like a Bird,” which was nominated for an Oscar for its inclusion in the deeply moving 2023 film Sing Sing. Navy veteran Kashus Culpepper, born and raised in Alexander City, Alabama, grew up singing in church and learned to play guitar while deployed in Spain. His deployment actually occurred during the pandemic in 2020; left with nothing to do and nowhere to go, he spent his time learning guitar, drinking plenty of sangria, and playing for his fellow sailors (who would also be enjoying said sangria).

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

Abe and Kash have a few things in common that we discuss: their emotive and boisterous singing voices, learning guitar as adults, intense histories with sports, and, of course, being very handsome. We introduce our conversation with the two musicians as “Handsome Club,” (a shout out to Lizzie No’s OnlyFans handle, @handsomelizzie) and ask them to speak about their relationship with beauty. After ensuring them that we were for real, they spoke of beauty found in the process of turning pain into something positive, and how confidence in yourself is everything. We have some poignant moments and some major laughs that are enhanced by an awesome crowd. Thanks to everyone on board Cayamo for making the first meeting of Handsome Club so successful!

Photo Credit: Joel Parks

Basic Folk: Dawes

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

We are so excited to kick off our Interviews at Sea series with DAWES! We had the chance to talk to brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith aboard Cayamo: A Journey Through Song in front of a packed audience during the music cruise’s 18th voyage in March 2026. The guys have been performing as Dawes since 2009, but the band has been a duo since their 2024 album, Oh Brother.

The Goldsmiths have been singing and playing together their whole lives inspired by their musician father, Lenny Goldsmith, who toured as the lead singer of Tower of Power in the 1980s. Taylor was never told it was hard to play guitar or sing, so he just did it. He always knew he wanted to be a professional musician. We talk about the ways his musical career turned out as not quite what he had expected. We also touch on how their singing has evolved over the course of their lives together.

Both Taylor and Griff are fathers, so of course we asked about the freedom that comes with priorities changing in their lives and careers – as well as what toys they may have regretted ever letting their kids have.

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

One thing following Dawes around for the past year is the aftermath of the January 2025 Eaton Fire in Los Angeles. Both brothers and their parents suffered immense loss due to the flames sweeping through Altadena, California, destroying thousands of homes and causing over 30 deaths. Griffin’s son was born two weeks after the fire, a month early. Dawes became the musical face of the disaster with an emotional performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and opening the GRAMMYs with Randy Newman’s “I Love LA” with a veritable supergroup: Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, St. Vincent, and John Legend. The brothers get into what the experience taught them about healing and reaching a place where this tragedy does not define them. We hear a bit about Taylor’s love of collecting first editions and his fear of the comment section and we wrap up with a fun “Which One?” lightning round. Thanks to Dawes!

Photo Credit: Joel W. Parks