The Milk Carton Kids Are Making a Mountain out of a Molehill

Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, the Milk Carton Kids, are calling their latest album, ‘Lost Cause Lover Fool,’ “the one.” They have finally figured out how to feel and sound like themselves with a broader sonic palette. They attribute that to sharing one mic when they sing with each other. The songs on the album enlarge small feelings and moments, working to turn them all into eternity. Moments that “usually pass too quickly to notice.” The guys have spent their careers making a case for staying small, staying present, and listening closely.

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We loved our conversation with Kenneth and Joey so much – in fact, immediately following Lizzie sent me a voice recording expressing just that. She said it was so real: “What great guests and what great hosts!” We learned that Joey is a nepo folk baby as his mother, Debbie, was in a folk duo in college. We dig into what death as well as the banjo are up on their new album. We explore what it means to be labeled “weenies” versus “gentle” or “the titans of yearning.” We also hear from the guys about how they do not actually feel pressured to be funny, they just are.