Best Fretboard Journal Podcasts (2024)

1
Podcast 465: Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) 37:28

8h ago37:28

37:28

The Decemberists' Colin Meloy joins us this week to talk about the band's new, long-awaited album, 'As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again.' Longtime readers of the magazine will remember Colin gracing the cover of our 45th issue. This time around, we chat about why there was a six-year break Decemberists albums, the tedious side of touring, the joys …

1
Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy) 1:08:46

2d ago1:08:46

1:08:46

Lord of the Les Paul and Mariscal of the Marshall Stack, Scott Gorham shot to worldwide prominence with the legendary rock band Thin Lizzy. He created what would become known subsequently as “The Twin Guitar Attack” - a harmonised lead guitar style developed alongside players such as Brian Robertson and Gary Moore, driving home the larger-than-life…

1
Podcast 464: Tony Trischka 1:08:50

12d ago1:08:50

1:08:50

Bluegrass banjo legend Tony Trischka joins us this week to discuss the making of his new album, 'Earl Jam.' He also gives us a mini-masterclass into the world of Earl Scruggs. The story behind 'Earl Jam' is truly remarkable: Upon receiving a USB drive full of never-before-released Earl Scruggs home recordings from the '80s and '90s, Trischka decide…

1
Podcast 463: Sofia Wolfson 1:14:15

19d ago1:14:15

1:14:15

Meet Sofia Wolfson, a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, writer, and Fretboard Journal contributor who just released an incredible album called 'Imposing on a Hometown.' This project features a bunch of former Fretboard Journal subjects and contributors, including Meg Duffy of Hand Habits, Mason Stoops, and Harrison Whitford. Mostly though, it's a c…

1
90. Jeff LaQuatra 56:01

20d ago56:01

56:01

Jeff LaQuatra is a professor of guitar and has directed the guitar program at Colorado State University since 2016. For episode 90 of the podcast, Jeff shares his musical journey from student, to winning and judging competitions, to teaching. Jeff also talks about how he prepares his students to make a living as a professional player and what advic…

1
Ep. 134: "A Little Debbie Swiss Roll" 1:26:39

22d ago1:26:39

1:26:39

It's the 134th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amp. This week, we're joined by jazz guitarist Jonathan Stout where we talk EH-150s, field coil speakers and more! Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com.…

1
Podcast 462: Ethan Sherman Returns 57:10

28d ago57:10

57:10

Guitarist Ethan Sherman returns to the Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about his new acoustic album, 'Passages.' This contemporary bluegrass-inspired record features Ethan alongside Wes Corbett (banjo), Rob Ickes (Dobro), Thomas Cassell (mandolin), Avery Merritt (fiddle) and Ethan Jodziewicz (bass). During our chat, Ethan explains why banjo recor…

1
Ep. 4: Nina Gerber 40:56

1M ago40:56

40:56

For our fourth episode, we speak with Nina Gerber, a teacher, arranger, producer, and accompanist currently based in Sebastopol, California. We wandered through the conversational terrain of early guitar experiences, how to define success, and much more. To learn more about Nina and her music: http://ninagerber.com Also, please check out the articl…

1
Podcast 461: Dr. Molly Miller 47:21

1M ago47:21

47:21

When guitarist Dr. Molly Miller isn't teaching music at USC, she's touring the world with Jason Mraz or recording with her own Molly Miller Trio. Or, as we learn today, she might be over at the tennis courts. On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, Miller walks us through a week in her life, talks about the gear she uses, and hints at hosting a t…

1
Ep. 133: "A Spicy Tomato Sauce" 1:34:56

2M ago1:34:56

1:34:56

It's the 133rd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amp! Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed: 1:14 Skip's 1950 Ferguson tractor, the Truth About Lawn Mowers 7:28 A zebra on …

1
89. Josh Rieck (J. Rieck Lutherie) 57:57

2M ago57:57

57:57

Josh Rieck has many arrows in his luthier quiver. He builds and repairs instruments, and also owns a full-service music store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Josh started out studying double bass in college and then completed the Guitar Repair & Building program at Red Wing College in Minnesota. He does it all: Violin family instruments, acoustics, a…

1
Podcast 460: John Roderick 1:01:22

2M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

On this week's show, we have a candid chat with Seattle indie rock musician-turned-podcaster (Roderick on the Line, Omnibus) John Roderick. The Long Winters frontman was an early Fretboard Journal subject and guest on our podcast. This time around, we talk about John's break from music-making, the new songs he's been writing, the perils of pedal co…

1
Podcast 459: Ryan Richter 1:06:53

2M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

For the last several years, Los Angeles-based musician Ryan Richter has served as a touring guitarist for Dijon, Ryan Beatty, Lizzy McAlpine and others. Years ago, he was also one of the Fretboard Journal's earliest employees. Ryan recently released his first solo project - a fascinating one-track, 20-minute long album called "As Good A Place As An…

1
Podcast 458: Josh Scott (JHS Pedals) 1:11:51

2M ago1:11:51

1:11:51

This week, JHS founder Josh Scott joins Jason to talk about guitar media, following your passion, marketing, work/life balance and so much more. We talk about how JHS was founded, the JHS Show on YouTube (and the work that goes into it), guitar media, printed matter in 2024, events, social media, the enduring power of Facebook (and paper books!), m…

1
Derek Gripper 56:49

2M ago56:49

56:49

Derek Gripper plays Malian Kora music on a vintage Hermann Hauser classical guitar...and if that doesn’t get your attention, nothing will! John Williams himself describes feeling that this was, and, I quote, "absolutely impossible until I heard Derek Gripper do it." So that’s pretty cool. We talk about his work translating the music of this beautif…

1
Podcast 457: John Smith 59:12

3M ago59:12

59:12

Singer-songwriter John Smith joins us this week to talk about his moving new Joe Henry-produced album, 'The Living Kind.' We hear about the British folk scene and John's time with John Renbourn and others; his guitar collection (including a rather unusual custom Fylde, his Mule guitars and others); the making of the new album; his thoughts on strea…

1
Ep. 132: "Start Dark" 1:21:58

3M ago1:21:58

1:21:58

No guests or special theme this week...just an all-new, old-school episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amp. Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed: 1:31 What's on Skip's workbench: Va…

1
Podcast 456: Scott Ballew 47:43

3M ago47:43

47:43

Scott Ballew is an Austin, Texas-based filmmaker and musician. For years, he’s directed unforgettable videos and documentaries for Yeti and others. In 2020, he decided to take up songwriting and recorded his first album just a year later. This week, Ballew releases his third album, Rio Bravo. It’s an exceptional work that somehow combines Ballew’s …

1
88. Casimi Guitars 1:09:51

3M ago1:09:51

1:09:51

Lifelong friends Mathias Roux and Matthew Rice make visually stunning and beautifully executed Casimi Guitars out of their shop in South Africa. For episode 88 of the podcast, Mathias and Matthew discuss how they developed their visual style and the voice of their guitars. They also share their thoughts on the division of labor in the shop, their t…

1
Podcast 455: John Leventhal 59:22

3M ago59:22

59:22

Six-time Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer John Leventhal joins us this week to talk about 'Rumble Strip,' his long-awaited debut solo album! John tells us why, after five decades in the music business, he decided to make a solo album. We chat about his writing process, the home studio he and partner Rosanne Cash have in …

1
Podcast 454: Craig Korth 1:06:40

3M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Craig Korth is a bluegrass musician, instrument collector, and luthier based in British Columbia. Over the years, Craig performed at countless festivals, ran a music camp, and amassed a world-class collection of vintage instruments. As he recounted at the end of his appearance on episode 271 of the Fretboard Journal Podcast, he's also struggled wit…

1
Podcast 453: Julian Lage 39:23

4M ago39:23

39:23

This week, guitarist Julian Lage returns to the Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk to us all about his new, Joe Henry-produced album, 'Speak to Me' (Blue Note). We talk about working with Henry, the 'Speak to Me' band (including Levon Henry), Lage’s writing process, his favorite practice hacks, the gear he used, and so much more. We pack a lot into …

1
Ep. 131: "Sandy Soil" 1:48:19

4M ago1:48:19

1:48:19

Illustrator/musician/underground comix legend Robert Armstrong (Mickey Rat, Couch Potato, the Cheap Suit Serenaders!) joins Skip and Jason this week for a very special installment of the Truth About Vintage Amps. Want to support our show? Join our Patreon! Some of the topics discussed: 1:38 NOS military-grade green pilot light jewels from Gary Econ…

1
Podcast 452: Rasmus Zandvliet & Jeremy the Guitar Hunter 1:18:24

4M ago1:18:24

1:18:24

This week, we share two great interviews: First, we talk to Rasmus Zandvliet, a young (17-year-old!) aspiring luthier from the Netherlands teaching himself how to build acoustic guitars from scratch using YouTube videos for inspiration and a modest array of tools (and a curling iron to bend sides!). Rasmus is already on to his third guitar and garn…

1
87. Joe Zon (Zon Guitars) 59:03

4M ago59:03

59:03

Joe Zon of Zon Guitars has been pushing the limits of bass building with phenomenal results since the early 1980s. For episode 87 of the podcast, Joe explains his theory and the construction of all-composite necks and how they are used to enhance the sounds of the wood. Joe also discusses his collaboration with Bartolini pickups, active versus pass…

1
Jocelyn Gould 53:44

4M ago53:44

53:44

Canadian-born Jocelyn Gould is a JUNO award-winning guitarist, vocalist, composer and professor of jazz studies who performs at the highest international levels. Jocelyn is one of those musicians that I could listen to for hours. She is a force of nature, too. She tours constantly. I was delighted to fly back from Norway in time to catch up with he…

1
Ep. 130: "America's Hat" 1:45:18

4M ago1:45:18

1:45:18

It's a very special, all-Canadian episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp repair! This week, we have special guests Calvin McCormick (Hiwatt) and Mike Watson of The 6L6s along for the ride. Reminder: You should join our Patreon. Some of the topics dis…

1
Podcast 451: Matt the Electrician 53:51

4M ago53:51

53:51

Austin's Matt the Electrician joins us this week to talk about his new album, 'The Ocean Knocked Me Down.' He also gives us a mini master class on being a productive songwriter. We also talk about John Allison Guitars, the Austin music scene today, the weekly songwriting group helmed by Bob Schneider and so much more. https://matttheelectrician.ban…

1
Ep. 3: Grant Gordy 52:31

4M ago52:31

52:31

For our third episode, we speak with Grant Gordy (Mr Sun, David Grisman Quintet), a Brooklyn-based guitarist and composer. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about his early meetings with the guitar, color wheels and the circle of fifths, composing, and more. To learn more about Grant and his music: https://www.grantgordy.com Guitar for Int…

1
Podcast 450: Adam Levy and Ethan Sherman's String Theories Takeover, Pt. 4 1:08:43

4M ago1:08:43

1:08:43

It's the fourth and final installment of 'String Theories' takeover of the Fretboard Journal Podcast! To celebrate the launch of their book, String Theories, guitarists and educators Ethan Sherman and Adam Levy share some of their favorite music tips and New Year's resolutions with us. Order the book here: https://stringtheoriesbook.com/ This week,…

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