Tag: Music Podcast

Basic Folk: The Barr Brothers

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

In the eight years since The Barr Brothers last released an album, Andrew has been drumming with people like Feist, Mumford & Sons, and Broken Social Scene while Brad released a solo record and underwent incredible personal change. Brad made the huge decision to get sober, which he talks about candidly in our Basic Folk interview.

Anything you read about the new record, Let it Hiss, might allude to his newfound sobriety while not mentioning it directly. The band made a conscious decision not to include it in any press releases specifically so that their audience could have their own relationship with the new music. It seems like getting sober has impacted every aspect of the album, but one could listen and project just about any personal pivotal shift onto these songs. Regardless, I am so appreciative that Brad opened up about his sobriety, so we could better understand the music and the incredible relationship that he and Andrew share.

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Elsewhere in our conversation, we talk about Brad’s deep connection to the number 216, its origin, and why he’s kept that number close to him for most of his life. He shares his reflections on the music lessons given to him and Andrew from visiting Malian musicians, who exchanged their services for free dental work from their father. Those lessons completely changed the musical trajectory of the brothers and still impact them today. We also talk about their former band, The Slip (who are actually still active every now and again), a much-loved Boston group that was fully embraced in the jam band world. I find the music of Andrew and Brad Barr to be completely transformative and not of this world – and I’m so grateful for the new record. Please go see them live, especially if you are into celestial experiences!

Photo Credits: Lead image by Sarah Melvin. Alternate images by Meghan Sepe and Pappy’s Portraits.

Finding Lucinda: Episode 12

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

After the conclusion of their journey, Ismay tours the nation with screenings of Finding Lucinda, inviting local artists to play Lucinda Williams songs in the round. Following a show at Chico Women’s Club in California, Ismay interviews Chuck Prophet, a celebrated musician who co-produced the film. The pair discuss the origins of the project, what surprised them about making this documentary, and how Lucinda has influenced their songwriting and careers. They also discuss Chuck’s time opening for Lucinda in the early 2000s.

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Produced in partnership with BGS and distributed through the BGS Podcast Network, Finding Lucinda expands on the themes of Ismay’s eponymous documentary film, exploring artistic influence, creative resilience, and the impact of Williams’ music. New episodes are released twice a month. Listen right here on BGS or wherever you get podcasts.

Finding Lucinda, the documentary film that inspired and instigated the podcast, is now available to purchase, rent, or stream via video on demand. (Watch the film, listen to the soundtrack, or find a screening near you here.) Both the film and podcast showcase never-before-heard archival material, intimate conversations, and a visual journey through the literal and figurative landscapes that molded Lucinda’s songwriting.

Credits:
Produced, recorded, and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records, LLC.
Special thanks to: Rick Anderson, Gavin Jones, Joel Fendelman, Rose Bush, Liz McBee, Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overby.

Photo Credit: Peter Dervin

Find more information on Finding Lucinda here. Find our full Finding Lucinda episode archive here.

Watch Finding Lucinda, listen to the soundtrack, or find a screening near you here.

Dave Hause on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Dave Hause is a rock ‘n’ roller based in California. We share a booking agent that sparked our friendship, so I was very excited to have this conversation put on tape with my new friend, Dave. We talk about prioritizing your time as a musician, twins, touring being a gift, syncs and music supervisors, and his own music festival, Sing Us Home Festival. Dave’s new album …and The Mermaid is out now.

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Today on Only Vans, I have my new rock and roll friend, Dave Hause (pronounced like “pause”), thanks to our mutual booking agent who we both love and adore – looking at you Alex Fang at New Frontier. We chatted via Zoom, because Dave was home in California before heading out on his giant multi-country tour to support his new album. It’s called Dave Hause …and The Mermaid.

We don’t talk enough about Will Hoge and how he produced a few of Dave’s records, because time flies while we chat about Dave’s journey and his incredible Sing Us Home Festival that he puts on with his brother, Tim. The former leader of beloved Philly punk rockers The Loved Ones is clearly loving this chapter of his life with his band, The Mermaid. He almost makes me cry with his kind and inspirational words about placing our value in ticket sales. Go listen to the new record! It rocks.

 

Basic Folk: David Wilcox

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Asheville, North Carolina-based songwriter David Wilcox has been through some s-h-i-t. A difficult childhood in Northeast Ohio sent him seeking answers – mostly on his bicycle – in an attempt to get away. He has spent his lifetime leaning into his problems and digging into their roots at the source: his own heart. He decided to see what lessons his heart had been trying to teach him and, at 67 years old, he’s still listening and learning. He claims to have the answer of how to heal your heart and how to do it in two minutes; he lays it out in our conversation.

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We also talk about his new album, The Way I Tell the Story. Our conversation continues his exploratory journey, through the lens of his wife’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, retelling the story of his childhood, and staying calm in an emergency and in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated his community. We discuss how David was able to walk the line of acknowledging his talents without getting too caught up in the hot-and-fast success he experienced at the start of his career. He explains when it’s best to feel the depths of sorrow versus disassociating, and he talks about his lifelong love of cycling and how it continues to be a meditation and a life-saver. David is full of gems and wisdom – I think I’ll be listening back to this edition of Basic Folk many times over.

Photo Credit: Lynne Harty

Kat Hasty on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

What a fun and effortless conversation with my friend Kat Hasty, live from the Motherlode Saloon in Red River, New Mexico. We dig into weird stage habits, her new music on the way, drunk musician versus professional musician, making content, and the expenses of touring.

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Kat Hasty and I have one of the most effortless conversations, for two gals that almost never get to see one another – both of us being on the road like crazy. I have mad respect for Kat and I was thrilled she took time out of her busy festival day at the awesome 8750′ Festival in Red River, New Mexico, to chat with me at the legendary Motherlode Saloon.

Kat has great style – and somehow I got distracted and didn’t tell her how much I love Double Take vintage in Santa Fe, New Mexico – and you’ll see she has a super fun and magnetic personality. Drowning in Dreams was her album released in 2021 and Time of Your Life in 2025, both of which are awesome and authentic; she tells us she has so much new music on the way.

And, oh my gosh, since this came out, the mini Winnie – Kat’s traveling RV that we talk about – caught on fire! She and her band are okay, but holy moly. Someone buy that girl a new Sprinter! Thanks for chatting, Kat. I’m taking you up on that offer to interview me on my podcast, for real!

 

Basic Folk: Kathleen Edwards

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Kathleen Edwards claims that she’s now a pretty frequent crier after not crying for the first 30 years of her life. One reason for this change is the connectedness she has been feeling since leaving music and starting her coffee shop, Quitters. In our Basic Folk conversation, Edwards tears up talking about the cover of her new album Billionaire, which was shot by a former Quitters employee, Riley. Riley – along with a fellow employee Amanda – traveled to Nashville in 2019 to watch Kathleen perform. The event was a pinnacle moment in her adult life, especially because, sadly, Amanda has since passed away.

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Kathleen also discusses her folk music roots, which began during her days at a bucolic childhood summer camp where her counselor suggested that she could make a career out of writing and performing songs. She gives a hat tip to Ani DiFranco, who she cites as a major influence musically and personally. Through Ani’s example, she learned that success in the music business meant being self-reliant.

Edwards talks about overcoming clinical depression, her decision to take a hiatus from music to open Quitters coffee shop, and how that period impacted her life and career. She delves into the making of the new album, highlighting the contributions of Jason Isbell and other collaborators to the project. Throughout our chat, Kathleen emphasizes the importance of authenticity, self-reliance, and the role of humor and vulnerability in her music – and life.

Photo Credit: Lead image by Kate York; alternate images by Mike Dunn.

Adam Hood on Only Vans
with Bri Bagwell

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Today on Only Vans, we’re in the mountains of New Mexico with one of my most talented friends, Adam Hood! We get to talk about balancing being a songwriter and a road dog, building a home, and the motivation of writing a song as well as publishing deals, re-recording an album, and being an introverted artist.

We also talk with Charlie and Nicole, the organizers of the 8750′ Festival in Red River, New Mexico.

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What an honor it is to have my friend from Alabama, Mr. Adam Hood, on the podcast today coming to you from the really incredible 8750′ Festival we both played in Red River, New Mexico back in August. Peeking at his tour schedule, Adam is going to IL, WI, TX, MS, AL, TN, MD, and more, so be sure to check his tour schedule, because he is a must-see live act!

During the episode we talk a lot about publishing deals, because Adam and I both had them – and if you don’t know, a publishing deal is when you’re considered a full-time writer for a company. That is a uniquely hard place to be in, being a road dog and an employed staff writer was very busy and stressful – and also a freaking amazing – time in my life. I’m glad we dove in on that and, even though we talk about how hard it was, I know we both loved it and were lucky to be in that position.

We also talk about resistance from the book, War of Art (gifted to me by Wade Bowen actually), that is a must read for artists. Adam re-recorded one of his records to own the masters and it sounds great. Shoutout, again, to Gordy Quist and The Finishing School studio in Austin, Texas. And, to clarify, I did not do my own drywall in my house. That’s a lie, I don’t know why I said that.

Thank you to one of our favorite places, The Motherlode Saloon in Red River, NM for letting us film the pod there.

 

Finding Lucinda: Episode 11

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

For the finale of their road trip, Ismay finally gets to meet the center of this entire narrative – Lucinda Williams. Their goal is seeking guidance about what to do with their self-doubt. Ismay discovers that Lucinda had one major difference in her origin story that is the key to understanding why she never gave up herself. Ismay and Lucinda also discuss items from the archives that Ismay has gathered along their route to Nashville. Ismay performs the song, “Spin,” from the archives for her and is surprised by Lucinda’s reaction.

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Produced in partnership with BGS and distributed through the BGS Podcast Network, Finding Lucinda expands on the themes of Ismay’s eponymous documentary film, exploring artistic influence, creative resilience, and the impact of Williams’ music. New episodes are released twice a month. Listen right here on BGS or wherever you get podcasts.

Finding Lucinda, the documentary film that inspired and instigated the podcast, is now available to purchase, rent, or stream via video on demand. (Find ways to watch here.) Both the film and podcast showcase never-before-heard archival material, intimate conversations, and a visual journey through the literal and figurative landscapes that molded Lucinda’s songwriting.

Credits:
Produced and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records, LLC.
Music by Ismay.
Artwork by Avery Hellman.
Nashville Recording: Recorded at Room & Board Studio.
Sound Recordist: Rodrigo Nino
Producer: Liz McBee
Director: Joel Fendelman
Co-Director & Cinematographer: Rose Bush
Special thanks to: Siobhan Maher Kennedy, Ray Kennedy, Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Don Fierro, Rebecca Jordan Williams, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams, and Tom Overby.

Find more information on Finding Lucinda here. Find our full Finding Lucinda episode archive here.

Finding Lucinda is available to watch via purchase, rental, or video on demand. Find out how to watch here.

Basic Folk: Peter Rowan

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Legendary Massachusetts-born, California-based musician Peter Rowan is best known for his bluegrass roots. A practicing Buddhist, he did time in Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys as well as in the short-lived and epically important Old & In the Way with Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. However, his latest album, Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce, celebrates the music of the Southwest and draws a throughline from Tex-Mex to bluegrass. Rowan has a long history with this music from his very first solo record, which includes the original recording of “The Free Mexican Airforce” as well as “Midnight-Moonlight.” Both of those classic Rowan compositions got re-recorded for the new record and feature the late great Flaco Jiménez (as did the original 1978 recordings), who passed away in July 2025.

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In our Basic Folk conversation, we talk about Flaco’s enthusiasm for Peter’s music, the many collaborations they recorded, and why he included a recording of Flaco speaking on the album. Peter speaks about how immigrants and musical culture from Latin America are constantly inspiring him and keeping him patriotic. He also spoke about what keeps him aging well, what his energy and enthusiasm look like at 83 years old, and, of course, Bill Monroe’s baseball team.

Photo Credit: Amanda Rowan

Finding Lucinda: Episode 10

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Ismay wakes up the day after interviewing Mary Gauthier ready to attend a live performance by Lucinda Williams at the Ryman Auditorium. In order to finish out their journey, Ismay hopes to interview Lucinda right before her show and find a conclusion to their road trip. However, it turns out that due to unforeseen circumstances the interview is no longer possible. So, Ismay attends the show anyway and has to make a decision about whether to continue following Lucinda or to move forward. Plus, they meet up with engineer and producer for Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, Ray Kennedy.

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Produced in partnership with BGS and distributed through the BGS Podcast Network, Finding Lucinda expands on the themes of Ismay’s eponymous documentary film, exploring artistic influence, creative resilience, and the impact of Williams’ music. New episodes are released twice a month. Listen right here on BGS or wherever you get podcasts.

Finding Lucinda, the documentary film that inspired and instigated the podcast, is slated for release on September 9, 2025. Both the film and podcast showcase never-before-heard archival material, intimate conversations, and a visual journey through the literal and figurative landscapes that molded Lucinda’s songwriting.

Credits:
Produced and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records, LLC.
Music by Ismay.
Artwork by Avery Hellman.
Nashville Recording: Recorded at Room and Board Studio.
Sound Recordist: Rodrigo Nino
Producer: Liz McBee
Director: Joel Fendelman
Co-Director & Cinematographer: Rose Bush
Special thanks to: Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Don Fierro, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams, and Tom Overby

Find more information on Finding Lucinda here. Find our full Finding Lucinda episode archive here.

Pre-order the documentary film via Apple TV here.