Jimbo Mathus grew up in a house full of musicians, and by the time he was 8 years old, he was sitting in on family jam sessions. He dropped out of college, joined the Merchant Marines and eventually settled in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He formed The Squirrel Nut Zippers in 1993, which experienced massive success in the mid- to late ‘90s. The band was swept into the short-lived swing music revival, alongside The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Big Bad Voodoo…
Rachel McCartney’s Return to Music, Being a Horse Girl, & Accidentally Snubbing David Gray
For 17 years, Rachel McCartney had set aside a music career and all the anxiety and uncertainty that came along…
Keb’ Mo’ Defines the Blues as Honesty Music
We are so honored to welcome Keb’ Mo’ (aka Kevin Moore) on the show for our 350th episode! After many…
Hrishikesh Hirway: From Monikers to Podcasts to Music Under His Own Name
If you have been paying attention to music circles for the past 25+ years, you will be familiar with Hrishikesh…
MayaFest: Oliver Wood, Ana Egge, John Craigie, Kristin Andreassen, & Caitlin Canty on Maya de Vitry’s New Album
Lancaster, Pennsylvania-born, Nashville-based songwriter Maya de Vitry has been on Basic Folk a half dozen times (she’s only second to…
Lizzie No & Kimaya Diggs Celebrate America’s Outlaws
Lizzie No, Kaïa Kater, Nathan Evans Fox, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, Tray Wellington, A.J. Haynes, and more are featured on the…
Alela Diane: Gold in France, That 1990s/1890s Life, and Michael Hurley
Back in the mid 2000s Alela Diane’s ‘Gospel Pirate’ album was ringing my bell and, apparently, it was ringing a…
Club Passim’s Matt Smith on 30 Years of Building Community
Matt Smith is a living legend with his unbelievable 30-year run at Club Passim, the historic folk venue nestled in…
Folk State of the Union: Rissi Palmer, Rose Cousins, Kaïa Kater & Jobi Riccio Live on Cayamo
Well, is this not an excuse to get the girlies together if we’ve ever heard one!? For our final live…
Abraham Alexander & Kashus Culpepper: Handsome Club Convenes at Sea
We are live at sea aboard Cayamo 2026 with Abraham Alexander & Kashus Culpepper! The pair had not met prior,…