Sit down everyone as school is back in session. Your teacher for this episode is one of America’s best storytellers, Louisiana-based singer/songwriter/fiddler/guitarist Louis Michot. Louis is truly a national treasure, a student as much as he is teacher. In his "day job" he fronts the multiple Grammy winning traditional Cajun band the Lost Bayou Ramblers. Here, Louis returns to For Songs to discuss his latest solo album called Seauxleaux (pronounced “solo” in Cajun French). This interview, along with his performance on the raw, riveting Seauxleaux, will give you chills, or at least it does for me. We talk about history, the impact of lifelong relationships, and what it means—or doesn’t—to be punk rock. So grab a beer, your pencil, and let Louis take you away.
Every album is important to every band, but some have greater impact than others. Look no further than the [Sweet Lizzy Project](www.sweetlizzyproject.com). The now Nashville-based band’s first album Heaven, was released 10 years ago this year and literally changed their lives. Recorded in a humble studio in Havana, Cuba, Heaven ended up in the hands of Raul Malo, lead singer/songwriter for the Miami-based Americana band the Mavericks as he was scouting bands and locations to film the 2017 PBS special Havana Time Machine. One listen and Raul not only included the band in the special, but also brought them to the US. In this episode, Sweet Lizzy Project lead singer Lisset Diaz makes a return appearance to discuss Heaven, which the band is rereleasing to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Join me as Lisset recounts how a part-time hobby turned into an album that uprooted and changed their lives. It can be cliché to say that music changes lives, but Lisset and her band are living proof. Dig in!
If nothing else, music is healing. Look no further than my guest on this episode—Dan Murphy, former lead guitarist from the 80s-90s cowpunk band Soul Asylum and the alt.country super group Golden Smog. The Minneapolis-based Murphy, who thought he had quit the music biz for good roughly 13 years ago, is in the midst of an unexpected musical renaissance. In this episode, Dan and I discuss his band the Scarlet Goodbye’s second album El Camino Adios. We talk about his partnership with band co-founder Jeff Arundel, a few tunes from the record, and how he has rediscovered his love of being in a group again. Go grab a beer or two and dig into this one!
It’s a For Songs first! Join me in the studio for this fabulous conversation with Kevin and Jarrett from the rock/pop/indie rock trio Franklin Gotham. This interview was recorded at Jarrett’s Mixtape Studios in Alexandria, Va. We talk about the band’s latest EP Good Times, Bad Times, and three brilliant songs: the rock-pop gem Caroline, their brilliant cover of Life in a Northern Town, and then, well, you just gotta listen to the whole interview to see what Star Words is about. Trust me, it’s worth it. So sit back, grab a beer, and enjoy!
Prepare to be transported. Destination? Who knows, somewhere peaceful no doubt. Just get ready and enjoy the ride. My guest for this episode is making her fifth appearance on the show—[Yasmin Williams](www.yasminwilliamsmusic.com), one of the most innovative and talented musicians I’ve ever heard. Yasmin is here to discuss her latest album Acadia, released in October 2024. Coming on the heels of her breakthrough 2021 release Urban Driftwood, Acadia establishes Yasmin as a true force in modern music. In this episode, we discuss the making of the new record—her first on a major label—and how she assembled an all-star cast of guest artists. We also talk about how her life has changed since Urban Driftwood and recording with the support of a major label. Mostly, though, we talk about the songs. The breathtaking, dreamy, evocative songs that will transport you to a better place. So sit back and welcome Yasmin Williams back to the show.
If you are looking for an album so definitive of our times—an album that exquisitely captures the chaos, the churn, the despair, and ultimately the hope of our world—look no further: LA-based Sons of Silver’s newest release Runaway Emotions is absolutely the one. Lead singer/songwriter Peter Argyropoulos has always been a bit of a soothsayer, as the band’s first two EPs so clearly demonstrated. On Runaway Emotions, however, he takes it to a new level. In this episode, Peter joins me again to detail Runaway Emotions, his hopes and fears for the band and world, and so much more. We focus on four songs in particular—Running Out of Words, Nobody Minds, Hold Tight, and Friends. The album is rough, edgy, abrasive, yet tender. We dish on the state of the world, the music industry, and, of all things, wine. Check out this interview, then check them out on tour! Buckle up, ‘cause this one’s a doozy!
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, probably one of the hardest rocking and hardest working bands around. 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 song is incredible—a tour-de-force recalling Queen, the Beatles, Living Colour, Faith No More, Guns N’ Rose, and so much more. 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!
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 one of Minnesota’s biggest rock band Soul Asylum, Dan is making his third appearance on the show. In this episode of For Songs Singles, 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. The band’s second album, El Camino Adios marks a departure of sorts for Dan and his songwriting partner Jeff Arundel. As exemplified by the undeniably catchy Speedway, El Camino Adios is a character/story driven album, inspired by everyday life in rural America. Dan talks how he and Jeff approached the album and made a conscious effort to evoke stories and write outside the first person. Dan also details how a few years of playing live together brought a greater cohesion to the songs. So sit back, crack a beer, and enjoy Dan’s third appearance on the show!
Sometimes the simplest words say the most. For proof, look no further than my next guest, Richmond, Va.-based singer/songwriter [Mighty Joshua](www.mightyjoshua.com). 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. The song is a musical tour de force, with a driving bass line and sharp horn section anchored by Joshua’s percussion and soulful voice. Like the word itself, “Beware” is more than meets the eye—you’ll hear something new every time you listen. Mighty Joshua talks about how the song came to be, 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.
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—with all due respect to everyone who’s been on—this one has been 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. Mott had a major hit in 1972 with All the Young Dudes—look it up on Spotify, trust me you’ve heard it. 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 album follows Defiance Part I, both of which were recorded near the end of the pandemic. 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. We talk about the album, the pandemic, the staying power of music, and, well, the theme of both Defiance records—agism and not going quietly into the night. What else could you want? Dive into this interview with Ian Hunter.
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 album Find Your Way. Tim’s solo work dates back to the late 90s, back when the major labels bet big that so-called alt.country or Americana would be the next thing. In this episode of For Songs Singles, Tim talks about how those big bets never paid off. We cover quite a bit here, but mostly we discuss the first single from the album, the ethereal title track Find Your Way. The song deals with a life-changing near-miss traffic incident, caused by Tim being a bit under the influence. Tim opens up about how the incident caused him to reevaluate his lifestyle. We also discuss his career and influences, and 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.
If there’s one lesson songwriters learn over and over again, it’s that sometimes you just gotta let go. Sometimes you just gotta let the song work its way out on its own schedule. Just let it 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, joins me to discuss Tell Me This, a classic, 70s-esque punk rocker released in early 2024. In addition to being a great friend of the show, Peter is also a fantastic interview. 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. Peter also goes into detail about the band’s struggles in dealing with new personnel and refurbishing their sound. We cover a bit of everything here—songwriting, guitar tech, and gearing up (hopefully) for a year of touring. So dig in and welcome one of my favorite recurring guests Peter Argyropolous back to For Songs.
If there’s been one constant chronicled on this podcast, it’s that no one knows the future of the music industry. Hell, no one even knows what the next few days are going to be like in the industry. Certainly 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. The song is a throwback to Merle Haggard, David Allen Coe, Buck Owens—a true drown-in-your-beer country tune that sounds like it was recorded in Bakersfield 50 or 60 years ago. Interesting, Ian is taking a kitchen-sink approach to marketing the song, as the album it will eventually be on is still being record. Not only that, he released a live version of the song before anyone’s heard the studio version. Will it work? Who knows! And that’s the point—there’s no blueprint, so why the hell not? It’s 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.
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.
When we last caught up with Yasmin Williams, her life was just about to change. It was February 2021, the pandemic was slowly but surely starting to ease, and the DC-based acoustic guitar maestro released her groundbreaking album Urban Driftwood. 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. It’s been a whirlwind—and two-plus years later, Yasmin is back. 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. It signals a re-awakening of life after a catastrophic pandemic, new love, hope, and, well, pretty much whatever you want. Yasmin had help for this one, including Grammy winning singer/songwriter Aoife O’Donovan. Yasmin gushes over Aoife’s magical, soaring vocals and reveals just how much her life is different from just two years ago. So sit back, listen and let the amazing Yasmin Williams take you away.
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. I was 17, socially awkward, and a bit of a loner, but discovering the Pogues opened a whole world for me. Finding their brand of traditional Irish music blended with punk rock was like discovering a new home—comfortable yet dangerous, familiar yet mysterious. So it is such a tremendous honor to welcome Pogues founding member and accordion player James Fearnley to For Songs. James, hailing from outside Manchester, England, joined the band at the beginning, enlisted because if he could play the piano, surely he could play the accordion. I spoke with James via Zoom from his L.A. home. 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. We talk about the band’s songwriting prowess, lessons James has picked up from being around amazing artists like Shane MacGowan, Jem Finer, Joe Strummer, among others. Yeah, you’re gonna wanna listen to this one. So sit back, grab a pint (or two) and welcome James Fearnley to For Songs.
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](www.sweetlizzyproject.com). 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. Lyrically, the song addresses anxiety and the fear that there’s just not enough time to accomplish your dreams. This is a true rock masterpiece and if there’s any justice in the world, the band’s guitarist and producer Miguel Comas will be the most sought after producer in the country after this single. So sit band and enjoy as Lisset Diaz returns to For Songs.
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, at the height of the pandemic. He didn’t know it at the time but he was in the midst of writing and recording his first solo album. Three years later, Louis has just released Reve du Troubadour, which is Cajun French for Troubadour’s Dream. In this episode, Louis discusses how those eerie first few months of the pandemic resulted in creative output that even surprised him. Although the album is entirely sung in Cajun French, the songs span a much wider range. You’ll hear Lee “Scratch” Perry. You’ll hear the Pogues, you’ll hear classical music. You’ll hear…well, you get the point. In addition the music, you’re also going to learn something. Louis is as much of a historian as he is a musician, and some of his songs will make you uncomfortable. Learning about the past can be difficult, but that’s the point. So sit back and listen as Louis takes us through Reve du Troubadour.
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, as I’ve chronicled on this show. 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](www.theamericansongster.com), 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 a new beginning for him and the rest of us. Dom talks about how writing and recording this album was a cathartic experience, to be in the studio again with musicians and producers, and to get back on the road. Traveling Wildfire tracks dozens of emotions from the last few years, from the pain of loss to the joy of normalcy. We also talk about how his interactions with folks like Bob Dylan and James Fearnley of the Pogues influenced a few tracks on the album in particular. As it always is when talking to Dom, you will learn something along the way. So sit back and let Dr. Dom Flemons take you away…
Music, not unlike life, is about the journey rather than the destination. And perhaps no artist I’ve interviewed knows that better than Seattle-based singer/songwriter Ian Jones. A true song craftsman, Ian knows that getting your big break in the music industry is about luck and being in the right place at the right time. But more than anything, you need killer songs. And while Ian hasn’t quite struck his lucky break, it’s not for a shortage of great tunes. Ian is influenced by the best—Dylan, the Beatles, Jim Messina, you name it. 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. We discuss the path he’s chosen, his commitment to break into the business, and the inspirations for these brilliant songs. This is an emotional interview, as we get into some pretty raw memories at times. So sit back, grab a beer, and welcome Ian Jones back to For Songs.
