podcast
Dawes Welcomes Inner Critic, Says “No, Thank You” To The Comment Section
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 during their 18th voyage in March 2026 in front of a packed audience. The guys have been performing as Dawes since 2009, but…
Read MoreJulian Taylor’s Folk Evolution: From Misfit to Musical Storyteller
One of the things I [lizzie] really enjoyed about interviewing Toronto-born singer-songwriter Julian Taylor is his relationship with the truth. He has a really peaceful attitude towards learning and sharing new information. For example, at the beginning and the end of our interview, there were biographical facts about him that I had gotten wrong in…
Read MoreThe Mammals Do Not Want Your Old Farm Equipment
Mike and Ruth Merenda have been making music together as the Mammals since 2001, with a little break in 2008 to play as Mike & Ruthy. They’ve been back as the Mammals since 2017 with a couple of great albums, most recently ‘Touch Grass’ Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Mike, born and raised in New…
Read MoreJoe Henry & Mark Erelli Wanted to Hang Out, So We Let Them
Joe Henry has released 15 studio albums, apprenticed for legendary producer T Bone Burnett and, in turn, has produced many other musicians’ albums on his own, including three GRAMMY Award-winning albums – for Solomon Burke, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. He’s co-written a few songs as well, including a couple with his sister-in-law,…
Read MoreLaurie Lewis’ Bluegrass Love Letter to California
A foundational participant in the ’70s Bay Area bluegrass scene, Laurie Lewis knows the power of collaboration. She’s been a part of an ensemble in recent years that’s called “Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands” with Laurie on fiddle, guitar, and vocals, Brandon Godman on fiddle, George Guthrie on banjo, and Hasee Ciaccio on bass.…
Read MoreNaomi Westwater is Spiritually Creative, But Also Very, Very Organized
Something you might notice about Boston musician Naomi Westwater is that they have both sides of the brain on lock. They are very good at community organizing, grant applying, advocating, and other “left-brained” activities. However, they are also a creative, deeply spiritual, open-hearted person, traits typically associated with the right brain. That’s not always something…
Read MoreGreat Lake Swimmers’ Tony Dekker: Accidental Bandleader
Accidental bandleader and beloved Canadian Tony Dekker joins us to talk about Great Lake Swimmers’ new album, ‘Caught Light.’ Tony is up to old tricks again, like recording in a remote and weird place (in a century-old farmhouse in the middle of the woods) and working with his merry band of rotating musician friends, including…
Read MoreMary Chapin Carpenter is the Woman in the Truck
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s latest album, Personal History, is as lush in production and color as is the beautiful farm land she calls home in Virginia. Carpenter will often wake up early for sunrise walks with her dog, Angus and one of several daily cups of coffee (of course) to start the day. She reflects on…
Read More2025 Wrap-Up: Gals Chat, A Corn Cob, Alaska, and One Man
To send 2025 off into the great abyss, we have a sensational year-end Basic Folk roundtable featuring Lizzie’s group chat: Kaïa Kater, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, and Isa Burke. It can feel so challenging to know which media you can trust and whose takes you can really take to the bank. There is no one we…
Read MoreMadison Cunningham is Embarrassed All the Time
Our episode with Madison Cunningham was one of those all-time Basic Folk moments where a guest gets really deep really quickly. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to speak with this brilliant young torchbearer of the folk tradition to celebrate the release of her new album, ‘Ace.’ Cunningham grew up in the church,…
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