Palmyra: A Matter of Time If it’s possible to fall head over heels for a band (and I believe that is possible), then Palmyra is a band that people fall for. Like so many things in life, it appears to come down to authenticity, to that sense that what you’re hearing and seeing and experiencing is genuine. On their new record, Restless , which will be out everywhere on March 28, the band wrestles with questions of time, of speeding up or slowing down, and the accompanying control, or lack thereof....
Apr 01, 2025•45 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Jeffrey Foucault joins the Red Line Roots podcast to dig into his brilliant new record, The Universal Fire. The album has been described as a “working wake” for his late friend and bandmate, Bill Conway. It explores friendship, loss, both the depth and ephemeral nature of music, and the vitality of making something true. Credit to Joe Navas
Sep 06, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 5
William Prince: Stand in the Joy If there is anyone I am excited to see at Newport Folk Festival this year, it is William Prince. From the first song on his amazing 2023 record, Stand in the Joy , I felt like I was listening to a songwriter who has figured it out: how to cut out all the things that get in the way of a great song and just get to the heart. In our conversation, I found myself wondering if that is connected to what we talked about: how to cut out or move past the things in life tha...
Jul 24, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 4
The Simple Joy: The Power of Community When I moved to North Carolina, I asked some folks about who is active in the local music scene and the name Tuck Satterfield kept coming up. One person said, “He knows everybody.” And while I have found that to be true, it’s also that Tuck is a real champion for songwriters and musicians in the NC Triangle. He goes to gigs, celebrates accomplishments, talks shop, lends support, and genuinely appreciates their art. On top of all that, Tuck is the primary so...
Jul 22, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 3
A chance encounter in a used book store has brought us a stunning new record from Dawn Landes . Years ago, she came upon The Liberated Woman’s Songbook , a 77-song collection curated by Jerry Silverman , who authored more than 200 music instruction books and was music editor for Sing Out! Magazine. Recently, Dawn teamed up with Josh Kaufman to produce an album by the same name , and has curated some truly spectacular live shows to celebrate both these songs from our history and some of the most ...
Apr 09, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Ryan Flaherty and Erika Stahl are the powerhouse duo out of Maine, Muddy Ruckus. Last year, they released Vacationland , which demonstrates just how expansively two people can make music. We got to chat with Ryan and Erika and really enjoyed their reflections on process and following where the music is leading, as well as their thoughts on how an album has to ebb and flow to be engaging to listeners and satisfying to musicians. Thanks for listening to the podcast–share it with friends who like g...
Jan 30, 2024•38 min
For this episode of the podcast, we got to talk with Dr. Newman about his work. We discuss the state of mental health in the music industry, the different stressors on not only artists, but the myriad people who support art, the challenges in accessing mental health support, and possible paths forward to make sure people get the care they need. As Dr. Newman puts it, where there was no “net” before, Amber Health is beginning to build one. This is inspiring work for anyone who cares about music. ...
Jun 14, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Larry & Joe: Honest Music On March 24, the virtuosic duo Larry & Joe released their album Nuevo South Train in Durham, NC at The Fruit . Joe Troop, the guitar, fiddle, and banjo player from the Grammy-nominated band Che Apalache , did a residency series at The Fruit and Larry Bellorín, a harp player from Venezuela had been encouraged to connect with Joe. Their connection was immediate and what results is a vibrant, joyful sound. In our podcast interview, we talk about that show at The Fr...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Our first ever repeat guest, mandolinist and songwriter Ethan Setiawan, returns to talk about his new record, Gambit. We talk writing and naming tunes, moving to a new community, playing together with friends and contemporaries and recording releasing a record through a pandemic. Ethan is one of the most exciting, versatile and virtuosic musicians in today's acoustic music landscape. Be sure to check out his new record (and dig into his previous releases while you are at it!). https://www.ethans...
Feb 13, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Max García Conover: I Saw The Devil Max García Conover ’s new record, “ Deer ,” ( Son Canciones ) came out on June 3. It feels like a collection of poems in the best possible way. As Max talks about in our most recent podcast, not poems like the ones you read in school–“intelligence tests,” meant to be obtuse. No, these are songs that keep you awake to yourself and the world. They are mostly quiet, and there is a tendency for uncertainty, or, at least, a questioning of what makes us so certain. ...
Oct 19, 2022•49 min
Thomas Rhyant: Further On Thomas Rhyant recorded his debut solo album, Love Lifted Me , in about forty-five minutes of first-takes. I guess when you’re this good, you just walk in the studio and make a record. I had the good fortune to hear Thomas perform at Newport Folk Festival last summer, as part of the Spiritual Helpline Gospel Revue. Thomas played guitar and sang in the group that also featured Sister Lena Mae Perry, The Union, Phil Cook and the Guitarheels. And when he sang–well, I’m not ...
Oct 10, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Autumn Nicholas: (Dis)comfort I had the good fortune to hear Autumn Nicholas at Newport Folk Festival this summer. I was taking photos as she began her song to start the Black Opry Revue set. And, after just a few notes, I had to stop snapping pictures because I had to listen. Her voice and performance were so captivating. After the Festival, I listened to everything she’s released on repeat. Autumn’s EP Shades of Beige features beautiful songs like “Light” and “Back When.” She’s released severa...
Sep 09, 2022•33 min
Its been a few years since we started this thing and we don't get to catch up too much about life, what we are listening to on our personal time and what is exciting us, so we hopped on the phone and did just that. We talk releases from 2022 we have been constantly spinning, what we are excited for down the line, A LOT about Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots and, well, just two guys who love music catching up. Enjoy.
Aug 15, 2022•36 min
Rachel Sumner: Come Along Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light released their debut, self-titled album last week and it is fantastic. The first song, “ Hunting Doves ,” introduces this group well, showcasing their virtuosity and creativity. As we discuss in this episode of the Red Line Roots podcast, the song came together from finding pieces of songs in Rachel’s notebooks and Jame Joyce’s novel Ulysses . Intrigued? The entire record is beautiful, and we were so lucky to catch up with Rachel this...
Aug 08, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 9
The Dead Tongues: It Doesn’t Have to Be I first heard one of Ryan Gustafson’s songs at the Phil Cook & Spirit Family Reunion Newport Aftershow in 2016 , one of the most joyful musical experiences of my life. Ryan was playing in The Guitarheels, and played “ Graveyard Fields ,” one of the songs he’d written under the moniker The Dead Tongues . While playing with Hiss Golden Messenger on the Heart Like a Levee tour, Ryan released Unsung Passage , a truly beautiful record. This year, he release...
Jul 18, 2022•31 min
The Kentucky Gentlemen: Love Language It was such a pleasure to talk with Brandon and Derek Campbell, also known as The Kentucky Gentlemen . The twin brothers moved to Nashville in 2013 and started writing songs. Years of hard work are paying off, as they release their EP The Kentucky Gentlemen, Vol. 1 . They’ve had videos featured on CMT and have been featured in showcases sponsored by The Black Opry , an organization dedicated to changing the fact that Black people have been overlooked in coun...
Jul 11, 2022•32 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Sarah McCombie describes herself and her husband, Austin, as “old souls.” They like old things, old people, and old songs. It’s no surprise then, that many of the songs on their new album, If You See Me Riding By , feel timeless. This record has kept me good company this spring, and it’s exciting that as of June 3, it’s out in the world for everyone to hear. We had a wonderful chat a couple of months back as Sarah and Austin braved the New Jersey Turnpike on a spring tour. Take a listen and chec...
Jun 15, 2022•44 min
For episode 5 we catch up with Maya de Vitry. Maya recently released a brand new record titled "Violet Light". Its a beautifully collaborative collection of songs recorded during the pandemic. Two things that usually wouldn't be in the same sentence but Maya was able to find a way to craft a wonderful record around that sentiment. Check it out and get "Violet Light" today. https://www.mayadevitry.com/ Interview by Brian Carroll Edited by Brian Carroll photo by Laura Partain...
Feb 23, 2022•41 min
Aoife O’Donovan: Show Me The Heart on Your Sleeve Aoife O’Donovan ’s new record Age Of Apathy came out on January 21, and it is sure to be one of the great records of 2022. I have already spun these songs so many times that they’ve become good neighbors in this new year. One of the things I love about this record is the songs shift as they need to–Aoife isn’t afraid to follow the emotional quality of her songs into territories that break some patterns and find new ground. It’s the type of experi...
Feb 03, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 4
I first met Prateek as so many folkish roots songwriters will tend to meet, at the Lizard Lounge Open Mic. I was judging and Prateek was performing/learning the ropes helping with running sound. His excitement and desire to be a part of something bigger than himself, a community, was palpable and he wore that genuine eagerness on his sleeve. Flash forward 6 or so years and he has become one of the mainstays in the Boston and Cambridge/Somerville songwriter community. Get nods from the BMAs and N...
Jan 24, 2022•35 min
You could go an entire lifetime and never come across another artist like John Mailander . His musical voice resting on the precipice where beauty meets power. His even temperament balancing the sheer virtuosity that lays beneath his finger tips, riddled with character, grace and soul. The robust palette that he paints his sonic landscapes with is vast. Deep and pulling shades of blues and greys mingling with brilliant gold and saffron, covering the full breadth of emotion and vibe in even a sin...
Jan 19, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Scott Hirsch: Love is Long As we head into a very tenuous 2022, maybe it will help you to know about a great album that was released in 2021! Scott Hirsch ’s Windless Day is a fantastic record for stepping outside yourself a little bit. As Scott talks about in this episode of the Red Line Roots podcast, he thinks deeply about the songs on his records in relationship to each other, to create a coherent experience. In an era of singles and streaming, Scott prefers to think about how the album will...
Jan 04, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Joe Troop: Making Mistakes When Joe Troop talks about cancel culture, he isn’t talking about the right wing folks who don’t want any books in school about gay people or racism. He’s talking about the people more committed to saying the right words about issues than they are about taking the right actions. It’s complicated--I know he’d be the first to say that what you say matters, and we should be accountable for what we say and do. And , at the same time, there can be this version of equity wor...
Dec 01, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This has to be one of my favorite conversations that I have been lucky enough to have as part of this podcast. Alisa Amador is an amazing musician and shares so much insight into her work on this episode. Red Line Roots was founded as part of the Boston music community, and Alisa has quickly become one of the most important voices in the Boston roots/folk scene. She’s been in music her whole life, playing in her parents’ band, Sol y Canto , since she was a kid. Alisa released her latest EP, Narr...
Nov 24, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Listening to Adia Victoria ’s latest record, A Southern Gothic , is mesmerizing. It is my favorite album of the year. It is poetic and gritty, ethereal and earthy all at once. Of course, if one thinks deeply about the blues, as Adia does, you know that paradox is all around. Joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, life and death, are all cousins. It is the tension in these spaces where art, beauty, and freedom thrive. The first couple of times I got to chat with Adia (for her albums Baby Blues and Si...
Oct 26, 2021•36 min
Oliver Wood: Always Smilin’ My first concert of 2021 was in June, seeing The Wood Brothers and Ryan Montbleau at an outdoor show at Shakori Hills. Right after that, I got to chat with Oliver Wood about his wonderful solo record, Always Smilin ’ . I love this record because it captures what I love most about Oliver’s musicianship: his generous, collaborative spirit. When you see Oliver in concert, he often comments on the role of the audience in creating a space for music to happen: the energy, t...
Oct 13, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 22
It is truly amazing when an artist can use the same tools for decades and continue to create vibrant, urgent, singular work. If there’s any musician that I know who fits this description, it’s Charlie Parr. He gets miles out of a few different guitars and his voice. On his new album, Last of the The Better Days Ahead , he took a new approach to songwriting, focusing on the lyrics before he picked up a guitar. The result is a record that really slows you down, helps you listen, and brings the wor...
Aug 25, 2021•28 min
Hearing Yasmin Williams ’s compositions is immediately transfixing--and then you see her play, and it’s like you’re seeing someone invent how to play guitar. Yasmin’s most recent record, Urban Driftwood , is a masterpiece. It evokes a wide range of emotions and mirrors experiences that are somber, joyful, angry, and hopeful. We had the great pleasure of chatting with Yasmin for the RLR podcast. In this reflective conversation, Yasmin takes stock of where she is now, after a year in which she put...
Jul 20, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 20
You ever hear that David Foster Wallace graduation speech, “ This is Water ?” It follows from that joke where two fish are swimming along and one says something like, “The water’s great today,” and the other swims a little further and then halts and says, “Wait. What the hell is water ?” And then Foster Wallace implores the graduates to be attentive to the metaphorical water they swim in. This is water, he repeats to himself, reminding himself that standing in line at the grocery store is, in fa...
Jun 18, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Allison Russell has written a beautiful album. “Outside Child,” was largely written while on tour with Native Daughters --Allison’s collaboration with Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Amythyst Kiah--and it is a record at once about the abuse that Russell experienced at the hands of her adopted father and about the resilience and fortitude to name trauma, to face truth, and to reclaim oneself. In this podcast episode, Allison explores her role in stopping intergenerational trauma, both person...
May 21, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 18
