For Songs
A podcast for and about songs and songwriting
About the show
This podcast is for those who love music but can't write a tune to save their lives. We talk with singer/songwriters of all stripes, professional touring musicians to those who can't quite catch a break. Maybe you'll hear something you'll like. Maybe not. But you will come away with a greater appreciation for the gift of songwriting, and how hard it really is.
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Episodes
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Episode 71: For Songs Singles! Tales of Never-ending Rage and a Beautiful Disaster, Sweet Lizzy Project
October 28th, 2024 | Season 1 | 29 mins 54 secs
beatles, cuba, cubanband, halloween, halloweenmusic, haunted, indierock, lissetdiaz, queen, slp
Happy Halloween! Here’s a special edition of For Songs Singles! This time we bring back old friend Lisset Diaz, singer/songwriter for the Havana-by-Nashville-based Sweet Lizzy Project. Lisset joins me to talk about the band’s latest single, Tales of Never-Ending Rage and a Beautiful Disaster, released just in time for Halloween. The only thing better than the music is the backstory behind the song, so buckle up, put on your costume and welcome Lisset back to the show!
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Episode 70: For Songs Singles! Speedway, The Scarlet Goodbye
October 2nd, 2024 | Season 1 | 27 mins 34 secs
danmurphy, goldensmog, indierock, jayhawks, punkrock, scarletgoodbye, soulasylum, yachtrock
Buckle up everyone—it’s milestone time! This episode of For Songs is the nice, big, round number of 70! That’s right, 7-0! And helping me celebrate is the most popular guest I’ve had—Minneapolis singer/songwriter/guitarist Dan Murphy. A co-founding member of Soul Asylum, Dan discusses the first single from his new band’s forthcoming album. The song is Speedway, the band is the Scarlet Goodbye, and the album is El Camino Adios, set for release in January. Dan dishes on how the songs came together, the differences between the new album and the band’s 2022 debut, and how playing live has brought a new dimension to the songs. So sit back, crack a beer, and enjoy Dan’s third appearance on the show!
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Episode 69: For Songs Singles! Beware, the Mighty Joshua
August 11th, 2024 | Season 1 | 22 mins 36 secs
bobmarley, indiemusic, indierock, mightyjoshua, newmusic, reggae, richmond
Sometimes the simplest words say the most. For proof, look no further than my next guest, Richmond, Va.-based singer/songwriter Mighty Joshua. Mighty Joshua is one of the hottest, sought after reggae acts along the East Coast, and his new album Dreaducation demonstrates why. In this episode, Mighty Joshua talks “Beware,” the first single from the new record. We talk about his significant growth as a singer and writer, and how being mindful—being aware—is a necessity in life. So please join me in welcoming the Mighty Joshua back to For Songs.
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Episode 68: A Conversation with Ian Hunter
May 10th, 2024 | Season 1 | 43 mins 53 secs
ianhunter, lucindawilliams, motthehoople, newmusic, queen, ringostarr, rocknroll
Every now and again I pinch myself when doing this show. It’s been four years and I’ve had some amazing guests. Yet this one was more than 30 years in the making. Because my guest is Ian Hunter, hands down my favorite singer-songwriter of ‘em all. Ian is best known for his time fronting the early to mid-70s band English band Mott the Hoople. From there Ian’s solo career has dotted nearly six decades, and he’s still going strong. Ian joined me to discuss his latest album Defiance Part II: Fiction. The songs are fantastic, but check out the roster of musicians who joined him: Ringo Starr, Brian May, Lucinda Williams, Jeff Tweedy, the late Taylor Hawkins, and so many more. I still can't believe this happened! So sit back, relax, and enjoy this interview with Ian Hunter.
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Episode 67: For Songs Singles! Find Your Way, Tim Easton
March 31st, 2024 | Season 1 | 26 mins 24 secs
alt.country, americana, findyourway, folkrock, music, musicpodcast, punkrock, singersongwriter, timeaston
Some folks are just a natural for this show. Nashville-based veteran singer/songwriter Tim Easton certainly fits the bill. A renowned tunesmith, Easton has lived a quintessential troubadour life—busking in Europe and living in L.A., New York, and many places in between. Now calling Nashville home, Tim is back with a new song and new album, both called Find Your Way. In this episode, we talk about the song and discuss his career and influences. Long-time listeners of this show will appreciate Tim’s love of both the Clash and Johnny Cash, the Louvin Brothers and Elvis Costello. So sit back and enjoy as Tim Easton joins me for For Songs.
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Episode 66: For Songs Singles! Tell Me This, Sons of Silver
February 29th, 2024 | Season 1 | 33 mins 27 secs
#indierock, #peterargyropolous, #punkrock, #rocknroll, #sonsofsilver, #tellmethis
If there’s one lesson songwriters learn over and over again, it’s that sometimes you just gotta let go. That’s the trick my next guest leaned on for his band’s latest single. Peter Argyropolous, lead singer and songwriter for LA-based rockers Sons of Silver, returns to For Songs to discuss Tell Me This, a classic, 70s-esque rocker released in early 2024. Coming off the heels of Sons of Silver's blistering 2022 EP Ordinary Sex Appeal, Peter opens up about the difficulties he had in finishing the song, especially its off-kilter lyrics. So dig in and welcome one of my favorite recurring guests Peter Argyropolous back to For Songs.
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Episode 65: For Songs Singles! I Can't Seem to Drink Her Off My Mind, Ian Jones
January 28th, 2024 | Season 1 | 24 mins 5 secs
countryrock, ianjones, ianjonesmusic, indiefolk, indierock, newepisode
If there’s been one constant chronicled on this podcast, it’s that no one knows the future of the music industry. my next guest, Seattle-based singer/songwriter Ian Jones, is doing all he can to crack the code. Ian is making his third appearance on this show, this time to discuss his latest single, I Can’t Seem to Drink Her Off My Mind. a fantastic, booze-soaked lament that will keep your toes tapping and eyes watering. So sit back and listen in as Ian gives a frank assessment of the industry and how the song came together.
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Episode 64: Celebrating the Life of Barry Lynch: A Conversation with Hannah Lynch
January 12th, 2024 | Season 1 | 44 mins 2 secs
#belfast, #belfastagreement, #ireland, #mondaymen, #music, #northernireland, #peaceaccords
Lest anyone doubt the power of music, I give you the life of Barry Lynch. I met Barry while on vacation in May 2012 at a pub in Northern Ireland, after he led a brilliant Irish session in which he sang and played just about every stringed instrument known to man. Sadly, Barry passed away suddenly in Spring 2023. In this episode, Barry’s daughter Hannah Lynch joins me to discuss her Dad’s life and musical journey. Hannah discusses how her father saw music as a connective tissue transcending cultures, languages, and barriers. Join me in learning from Hannah about Barry’s commitment to music, family, peace, and how music can literally change the world.
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Episode 63: For Songs Singles! Dawning, Yasmin Williams
December 8th, 2023 | Season 1 | 23 mins 29 secs
acoustic, aoifeodonovan, folk, guitar, guitarist, indierock, yasminwilliams
When we last caught up with Yasmin Williams, her life was just about to change. The DC-based acoustic guitar maestro released her groundbreaking album Urban Driftwood in February 2021. Full of spellbinding, mesmerizing, uplifting acoustic-guitar driven instrumentals, Urban Driftwood took Yasmin from her parent’s house to all around the globe, playing festivals, selling out clubs, and doing gigs with some of her heroes. In this episode of For Songs Singles, we talk about Yasmin’s latest breathtaking tune Dawning. As hypnotic as anything she’s written, Dawning is a revelation. So sit back, listen and let the amazing Yasmin Williams take you away.
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Episode 62: A Conversation with James Fearnley
November 20th, 2023 | Season 1 | 47 mins 48 secs
celticpunk, dropkickmurphys, floggingmolly, ireland, irishmusic, jamesfearnley, punkrock, shanemacgowan, thepogues, walkerroaders
Thirty years ago, I popped in If I Should Fall From Grace with God by the London-Irish punk band the Pogues, and my life changed forever. So it is such a tremendous honor to welcome Pogues founding member and accordion player James Fearnley to For Songs. We tackle a few obligatory Pogues questions but spend most of our time discussing James’ latest venture, The Walker Roaders. The Walker Roaders, which released their first record in August 2019, are a Celtic punk supergroup, featuring not only James from the Pogues, but Ted Hutt from Flogging Molly and Marc Orrell from the Dropkick Murphys. Yeah, you’re gonna wanna listen to this one.
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Episode 61: For Songs Singles! Somebody Wake Me When Its Over, Sweet Lizzy Project
November 4th, 2023 | Season 1 | 25 mins 26 secs
alanis, cranberries, cubanband, guitar, indierock, rockmusic, womeininrock, womenwhorock
If you’ve ever felt like there’s just not enough time in the day, that the world is crashing down and you’re feeling more pressure than you can handle, have I got the song for you. In this episode of For Songs Singles, I welcome back Lisset Diaz of the Havana-by-way-of-Nashville-based Sweet Lizzy Project. Lisset discusses the band’s dynamite new single, Somebody Wake Me When It’s Over. The song is a musical tour-de-force, a blistering rock opera that jumps out of your speakers right into your heart. You'll hear some Alanis, you'll hear some Cranberries, but most of all, you'll hear one of the most dynamic songs of the year. So buckle up as Lisset Diaz returns to For Songs.
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Episode 60: A Third Conversation with Louis Michot
October 10th, 2023 | Season 1 | 40 mins
cajun, cajunmusic, folkmusic, leescratchperry, lostbayouramblers, louisiana, louismichot, newepisode, newmusic, pogues
Sometimes life comes full circle. In this episode of For Songs, I welcome back Louisiana-based singer/songwriter Louis Michot of the traditional Cajun band the Lost Bayou Ramblers. Louis first appeared on the show in Fall 2020. In the three years since his first appearance, Louis wrote and released his first solo record, Reve du Troubadour, which is French for Troubadour’s Dream. Although the album is entirely sung in Cajun French, the songs span a much wider range, from dub to hip hop, to the Pogues, to classical music. Louis is as much of a historian as he is a musician, and some of his songs will make you uncomfortable. So sit back and gear up as Louis takes us through Reve du Troubadour.
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Episode 59: A Return Conversation with Dom Flemons
August 4th, 2023 | Season 1 | 42 mins 42 secs
americansongster, blues, bobdylan, carolinachocolatedrops, domflemons, folk, folkmusic, thepogues
The sun is out, life is returning to normal and our favorite bands are back on tour. Not even two years ago this seemed like an impossible dream. But here we are, in Summer 2023, and things seem, well, pretty good. A new day is dawning. Just ask acclaimed multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Dom Flemons, who released his brilliant solo record Traveling Wildfire this past March. Dom joins me for a third time to discuss his new record, and how it signals the dawning of a new day for him and the rest of us. So sit back and let Dr. Dom Flemons take you away…
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Episode 58: A Second Conversation with Ian Jones
May 19th, 2023 | Season 1 | 49 mins 36 secs
americana, ianjones, newmusic, outlawcountry, seattle, singersongwriter
Music, not unlike life, is about the journey. And perhaps no artist I’ve interviewed knows this better than Seattle-based singer/songwriter Ian Jones. A true craftsman, Ian knows that getting your big break in the industry is about luck and being in the right place at the right time. His music would fit at home on Outlaw Country, though he has a soulful voice that recalls John Denver as much as it does Chris Stapleton, or whomever is leading the so-called “Americana” charts. Ian and I chatted about his latest release Results Not Typical. We talk about four songs—Rollin’, Someday, Without You I’m Lost, and Goodbyes are the Hardest Words. So sit back, grab a beer, and welcome Ian Jones back to For Songs.
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Episode 57: For Songs Singles! Break Down the Walls, Emma Noble
April 23rd, 2023 | Season 1 | 23 mins 5 secs
disco, emmanoble, london, motown, newmusic, noble&heath, soul, soulmusic
The best thing about music is no matter how old you are, no matter how long you’ve been listening and loving music, you can still hear something that will stop you in your tracks. Which is what happened to me a few months ago when London-based singer/songwriter Emma Noble’s latest single Break Down the Walls jumped out of my Spotify feed. Break Down the Walls sounds like it could’ve been recorded yesterday, or 40 years ago on Motown. Emma is a key player in London’s thriving soul scene. Her music draws influences from ‘50s-‘60s soul, ‘70s disco, and ‘80s new wave. In this episode of For Songs Singles, Emma discusses her musical journey, how her DJ-ing business led to developing relationships with producers and songwriters, and how this genre-bending gem of a pop tune came together. Dig in!
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Episode 56: A Return Conversation with Dan Murphy of the Scarlet Goodbye
March 24th, 2023 | Season 1 | 45 mins 32 secs
danmurphy, goldensmog, huskerdu, jeffarundel, replacements, scarletgoodbye, soulasylum
Join me as former Soul Asylum guitarist Dan Murphy makes his long-awaited return not only to this show but to the music industry as a whole! In this episode, Dan talks about his new band the Scarlet Goodbye and its brand-spanking new debut album Hope’s Eternal. The band is a duo, with Dan being joined by fellow Minneapolis singer/songwriter Jeff Arundel. We discuss four songs—Angel Dust, Panic & Blame, Julieann, and Celebrated Summer. We cover a ton of ground in this episode, so sit back, grab a beer, and listen in!