For Songs
A podcast for and about songs and songwriting
Displaying 8 items of For Songs with the tag "folkmusic".
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Episode 80: A Fourth Conversation with Dom Flemons
February 1st, 2026 | 48 mins 29 secs
banjo, blackbanjogathering, blackstringband, bluegrass, carolinachocolatedrops, domflemons, folkmusic, joethompson, newepisode, rhiannongiddens, string band
There are folk records, and then there is the Carolina Chocolate Drops' debut album Genuine Negro Jig. Released in 2010, Genuine Negro Jig not only blew peoples’ minds, it also laid waste one of the oldest myths in music—that bluegrass and folk were largely played and created by white musicians. In this episode, multi-instrumentalist and Carolina Chocolate Drops founding member Dom Flemons discusses the album’s its 15-year anniversary and its new, double album reissue, complete with bonus tracks and so much more. So sit back, buckle up, and welcome Dom Flemons back 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 55: A Fourth Conversation with Paleface!
March 10th, 2023 | Season 1 | 40 mins 37 secs
antifolk, avettbrothers, beck, folkmusic, indierock, paleface, punk, punkmusic
Remember last fall? When indie-rock legend Paleface and his partner/drummer Monica “Mo” Samalot came onto the show to discuss their crowdfunding campaign for their new album? Well the campaign was a success and the new album is out! Beyond the Bells was released in mid-February, and man is it fantastic. Drawing inspiration from his entire career, Beyond the Bells is a masterclass in production and songwriting. We discuss four songs from the new record—Most of My Worries Never Happen, Fight Song, Selfish Wayz, and The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same. Dig in as we talk about the new album, his influences, and so much more.
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Episode 51: A Conversation with John McCutcheon
October 10th, 2022 | Season 1 | 40 mins 11 secs
banjo, folk, folkmusic, guitar, johnmccutcheon, songwriting, woodyguthrie
You think you’ve been productive during COVID? Well, you may have been, but not as much as my next guest did. In fact, folk singer John McCutcheon’s latest album Leap, released in September 2022, is his third album since 2020 AND but his 43rd of his career! John’s love of folk music began as a young teenager watching the 1963 March on Washington. He’s been writing and recording folk music since the mid-1970s, and hasn’t looked back. In this episode, we talk about four songs from Leap—The Ride, The Troubles, Sorryland, and Work. We take a deep-dive into his prolific songwriting process, how the material keeps flowing, and how he hopes to stay “useful” as long as possible. Listen in!
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Episode 45: For Songs Singles! Restless Companion, Michael Patrick F. Smith
April 18th, 2022 | Season 1 | 23 mins 10 secs
dakota, folkmusic, folkrock, indierock, newmusic, thegoodhand
It’s been a little more than since my next guest first joined me on For Songs. Michael Patrick F. Smith returns to the show for the first time since January 2021, a few weeks before his book The Good Hand was published. The Good Hand is a blistering read, telling the tale of his journey to North Dakota at the height of the shale-gas revolution that turned parts of the state into a latter-day gold rush. With the paperback version having just been released, Michael joined me to discuss a new song called Restless Companion. Restless Companion is a breezy tune that would fit right at home on Uncle Tupelo’s Anodyne, or Son Volt’s Trace. The song itself is an ode to The Good Hand and all the literal blood, sweat, and tears that went into it. So sit down, grab a beer, and welcome back Michael Patrick F. Smith to For Songs.
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Episode 33: A Conversation with Dar Williams
October 1st, 2021 | Season 1 | 39 mins 52 secs
darwilliams, folk, folkmusic, folkrock, joanbaez, newalbum, newmusic, pandemic
Time has a funny way of working, right? Some days feel like they last forever, while others are over in a blink of an eye. And the cruel joke is that as you get older, time seems to move even faster. On this episode of For Songs, singer/songwriter Dar Williams covers these themes and more on her latest album “I’ll Meet You Here,” released on Oct. 1. Dar has been making music since the early 90s, following in the footsteps of folk-rock luminaries Joan Baez, Jim Croce, and others. In fact,Joan took Dar under her wing, offering her advice and spots on tour throughout her career. And now Dar is roughly the same age as Joan Baez was when they first met, and she is returning the favor. Dar and I discuss four songs from “I’ll Meet You Here,” along with her influences—some will surprise you—and how she is gearing up to tour during a pandemic. So join me and welcome Dar Williams to For Songs.
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Episode 32: Catching Up with Dom Flemons
August 26th, 2021 | Season 1 | 27 mins 13 secs
americana, americansongster, domflemons, folkmusic, livemusic, rootsmusic
It’s a #ForSongs first! Check out my in-person interview with the mighty Dom Flemons, singer/songwriter/historian/storyteller/trailblazer. Dom and I chatted about a hour before a mid-August 2021 show just south of Washington. Listen in as Dom discusses his important work in changing the narrative of American folk music and highlighting the contributions African-American artists have made throughout the course of history. Listen in as Dom Flemons makes his return appearance to For Songs.