podcast
Jon Muq: Uganda, Cruise Ship Food, and His Googly-Eyed Guitar
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,”…
Read MoreAni DiFranco & Carsie Blanton: Menopause, The Wild Child, and Naps to fight Capitalism
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…
Read MoreLoudon Wainwright III: Oversharing, Family Ties, and Musical Legacy
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…
Read MoreOlivia Ellen Lloyd: From West Virginia to Brooklyn, Finding Ground in Water
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…
Read MoreBonnie “Prince” Billy On Making Nashville Musical Magic
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 Lexington, 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…
Read MoreRose Cousins & Edie Carey: Bast Friendship, Music, and the Art of Spatula-ing Life
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…
Read MoreSierra Hull: Mandolin Magic and Small Town Roots
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…
Read MoreGary Louris in Conversation with Mark Erelli
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…
Read MoreLilly Hiatt: Driving Tunes and Life Lessons
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…
Read MoreSam Moss: Gentle Folk Sounds and Woodworking Bounds
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.…
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