For Songs - Episodes Tagged with “#Music”

Episode 64: Celebrating the Life of Barry Lynch: A Conversation with Hannah Lynch

Rob Thormeyer — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 22:00:00 -0500

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 small pub in the small town of Moy, Northern Ireland, after he led a brilliant Irish session in which he sang and played just about every stringed instrument known to man. I finally brought him onto this show in July 2022 to discuss an album he’d just produced by a band called the Armagh Rhymers. 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. Barry’s belief that music can connect people and change the world took him all over the globe. As a teacher in a divided area of Northern Ireland, Barry used music to bring opposing sides together, an effort that took him to the White House and the United Nations as the Belfast Peace Accords were being negotiated. We discuss a 2013 album he recorded with family (including Hannah and her sister Jane) and lifelong friends John Devlin and others under the nom de plume of The Monday Men. Join me in learning from Hannah about Barry’s commitment to music, family, peace, and how music can literally change the world.

Episode 28: A Conversation with Sandra the Pie Lady and Tony T. of the Pug

Rob Thormeyer — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 16:00:00 -0400

Live music is here! And not just outdoors! But actual music in actual clubs--like it used to be before March 2020! As things open up, though, our favorite bars and clubs don't just flip a switch and go back to normal. Here in DC, many bars and clubs have been closed for a year and half! That's 18 months of no money, no people, no music, no drinks, nothing. It's not just been a slow week or month--it's been nothing coming in for almost two years! If any bars and clubs made it this far, they are barely hanging on. This episode of For Songs is a snippet from the online #saveourstages benefit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SySNmoCdRvA&t=1s). We brought in eight amazingly talented and diverse bands and they talked about their favorite venues while also performing a number of awesome tunes. Go check it out now! The video included an interview with Sandra the Pie Lady, owner of the Pie Shop, and Tony T, owner of For Songs-sponsor The Pug, both in DC. The Pie Shop and the Pug have been closed since March 2020. They are getting ready to reopen. What do they need to do to get ready? What can you expect as a customer? When can you expect shows to start up again? Let Sandra and Tony take it away...

Episode 24: A Conversation with Sandra the Pie Lady

Rob Thormeyer — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:00:00 -0400

It’s no secret the toll the pandemic is taking on the music industry. Musicians are struggling to get by, they can’t tour, they really can’t play much of anywhere, except their living room. It’s truly become a hand-to-mouth existence. And honestly, the same goes for the independent venue owners too. Being shuttered for more than a year will likely put most out of business; indeed, far too many have closed since March 2020. Those that are still here are hanging by a thread. This is a special episode of For Songs. My guest is Sandra the Pie Lady, owner of the Pie Shop, a small concert venue in Washington. Now the Pie Shop, as its name implies, actually is a pie shop—selling delicious sweet and savory pies. For Sandra, it’s kept them going, but she knows that she’s in a unique situation. She also knows she’s ready to open up the club again to live music. In this interview, she talks about the last year, the uncertainties and the downright depression of seeing your business and livelihood shuttered. Sandra is optimistic as things start to open a bit, but it’s still a tough slog. So sit back, order a pie from www.pieshopdc.com, and listen to this interview as you pick it up. It’ll be the best damn pie you’ve had all year!

Episode 16: Another Word from Our Sponsor--The Pug

Rob Thormeyer — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 16:00:00 -0500

So it should this should go without saying, but joking with your servers at a restaurant about the #coronavirus is not cool. It sets off a chain reaction resulting in the server and other staff at said establishment needing to get tested and quarantining until they are well, which of course means lost wages. In this catch-up interview with Tony T of For Songs’ sponsor @thepugDC, he tells us why we really shouldn’t be messing around with those sorts of jokes. But most important, Tony dishes about music and how he creates playlists as a means to keep patrons in their seats at the bar. Yep, there’s a secret to it! So listen, find Tony’s latest playlists on Spotify and play along!

Episode 13: A Word from Our Sponsor--The Pug

Rob Thormeyer — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 16:00:00 -0500

It’s been months since many of us have been out and about, getting a drink at a bar or hearing live music. For me, the last time I went to a club was in early March in Washington, catching the phenomenal Poguetry tour literally days before the world shut down. I detailed this experience in my interview with Louis Michot of the Lost Bayou Ramblers, who opened up for and supported Spider Stacy and Cait O’Riordan of the Pogues on that brilliant tour.

As frustrating as it’s been for the fans and musicians, as we’ve chronicled on this podcast, imagine what it’s like for the owners of these venues and smaller bars that rely on big crowds to make a living. In this episode of For Songs, we talk with Tony T, owner of the Pug, a bar on H St NE Washington. The Pug is also the sponsor of this podcast. Tony voluntarily closed the Pug in mid-March at the outset of the pandemic, assuming, like many of us, that this would be a painful few weeks, maybe two months, of shutting down in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Well, eight months later, the virus is raging out of control. What will it take for folks like Tony to hold on? And how can you help? Let Tony show you the way.

Episode 11: For Songs #Election2020 Special!

Rob Thormeyer — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 08:00:00 -0400

The #election is here! So let’s dig into some of what I think is the best political songwriting of our day. In this episode, we feature four songs by different artists, each taking on different elements related to politics and these times we live in. We explore racial justice, social justice, and how we can create a better, more humane world. We’ve got three returning guests—Scott Miller, Yasmin Williams, and Mark Andersen—and making her first appearance is Australian-born, UK-based singer/songwriter Emily Barker. From urgent punk rock to beautiful instrumentals, and everywhere else in between, we cover it all. On this episode we feature Emily Barker’s “Machine,” the Clash’s “Three-Card Trick,” Yasmin’s brand-new “After the Storm,” and Scott Miller’s “The People Rule.” Each is distinct in its message and its sound, but they are all exemplary examples of great political songwriting.