Basic Folk: Sam Moss

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. We explore how his New England roots continue to influence his music – despite his current residence being Virginia – and how his upbringing in a family of visual artists has shaped his artistic sensibilities.

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Sam also talks about how movement and the natural world inspire his songwriting, if not with more oblique lyrics. We dig into his latest album Swimming, where he boldly embraces more direct lyrical expressions; we discuss the balance between mood and narrative in his work, too. Our Basic Folk conversation touches on his journey from a shy young musician to a confident performer, as well, thanks in part to the encouragement of close friends like Jackson Emmer. He counts Emmer, who he played with in old-time duo The Howling Kettles, as one of his greatest inspirations for following his own creative arrow in music.

Elsewhere in the episode, we explore Sam’s passion for woodworking, a skill he honed as a respite from musical burnout. He describes the satisfaction of crafting tangible objects and how this practice complements his musical endeavors. We also really dive into his feelings around the word “gentle,” which is often used to describe his music and persona. He doesn’t actually mind being known as a gentle person– in fact, he hopes people do find his music soft and tender and, in that gentleness, that they still leave feeling his songs’ striking impact.


Photo Credit: Lead image by Jake Xerxes Fussell; alternate image by Alaina Shefelton.

LISTEN: Jackson Emmer, “What Good Is a Gentle Man?”

Artist: Jackson Emmer
Hometown: Carbondale, Colorado
Song: “What Good Is a Gentle Man?”
Album: 22 in ’22
Release Date: December 14, 2022
Label: Diamond Ranch Records

In Their Words: “I had originally planned to release 12 singles this year instead of an album, but my wonderful wife told me: ‘That’s not hard for you! Step it up. How about 22 in ’22?’ She is full of great ideas. This song in particular is one I was intimidated to write. I was even more scared to record and release it — but hey, that’s the whole deal.

“‘What Good Is a Gentle Man?’ is my minor league, anti-toxic masculinity manifesto. Sure, it’s a divisive phrase, but also accurate. Men who recoil in self-defense at this phrase are the same men who threaten their daughter’s boyfriends with shotguns and don’t see the irony. Men who recoil at this phrase are the same men who tap their friend’s nuts while watching ‘the big game’ and then wonder why they have no one to confide in. They excel at hurting the ones they love, weaponizing their egos, and playing the victim. They sh*t where they sleep. You know what I’m talking about. You’ve seen it. You’ve probably done it. Toxic masculinity is real, and we all need to work on it together. Thanks for listening.” — Jackson Emmer


Photo Credit: Jon Estes