Best Poen Podcasts (2025)

1
Jon Muq: Uganda, Cruise Ship Food and His Googly-Eyed Guitar, ep. 306 34:55

1d ago34:55

34:55

Originally from the village of Mutungo, Uganda (near the country's capital of Kampala), Jon Muq's journey to his current life of touring with an Austin, Texas home-base has been unconventional. Onboard the Cayamo cruise earlier this year, we talked to Jon about his childhood experiences, including fetching water with friends and "We Are the World,"…

1
Ani DiFranco & Carsie Blanton: Menopause, The Wild Child, and Naps to fight Capitalism, ep. 305 43:44

8d ago43:44

43:44

Basic Folk is making trouble at sea with Ani DiFranco and Carsie Blanton! Hosts Lizzie and Cindy had the opportunity to speak with the two like-minded radical songwriters aboard the 2025 edition of Cayamo, a roots music cruise. Our conversation kicks off with Ani sharing her transformative experience performing as Persephone in the Broadway show 'H…

1
Loudon Wainwright III: Oversharing, Family Ties, and Musical Legacy, ep. 304 46:20

15d ago46:20

46:20

The legendary Loudon Wainwright III, whose career has spanned over five decades, is known for his deeply personal songwriting and sharp wit – and oversharing. The patriarch of the Wainwright folk dynasty (which includes Rufus, Martha, their late mother Kate McGarrigle, as well as Lucy and her mother Suzzy Roche), Loudon reflects on the balance betw…

1
Olivia Ellen Lloyd: West Virginia to Brooklyn, Finding Ground in Water, ep. 303 1:01:14

22d ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Olivia Ellen Lloyd's latest album, 'Do It Myself,' sees the West Virginia-born Brooklyn-based songwriter reflecting on the powerful imagery of water. She shares how it has been a source of grounding and calmness in her life, from childhood memories spent on the Potomac River to her current love for the ocean, these elements have shaped her artistic…

1
Bonnie "Prince" Billy On Making Nashville Musical Magic, ep. 302 1:04:32

29d ago1:04:32

1:04:32

Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, has led an illustrious, sometimes mysterious career which has spanned decades and genres. Hailing from and still living in Lexington, KY, in our Basic Folk conversation Will reflects on his journey from a young artist struggling to find his place in the music world to a seasoned musician who embrace…

1
Rose Cousins & Edie Carey: Bast Friendship, Music, and the Art of Spatula-ing Life, ep. 301 1:25:31

1M ago1:25:31

1:25:31

Rose Cousins and Edie Carey's friendship has blossomed for over two decades. On the occasion of Rose releasing her new album, 'Conditions of Love - Vol 1,' the pair appear on Basic Folk to discuss the new music. They reflect on their early days and their first meeting as well as the ways they’ve influenced each other's careers and personal growth. …

1
Sierra Hull: Mandolin Magic and Small Town Roots, ep. 300 1:06:40

1M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

When mandolinist Sierra Hull was little, her dad told her she was really good "for a ten year old." The older Hull knew Sierra had a fiery passion for the instrument and he knew exactly how to motivate his daughter. He went on to say that if she wanted to go to jams and porch-play for the rest of her life, she'd learned enough. He gave her realisti…

1
Basic Folk Presents: Folk Files: Shady Grove 25:27

2M ago25:27

25:27

Editor’s note: Basic Folk is pleased to introduce our listeners to one of our favorite podcasts by sharing an episode in our feed! Folk Files is a podcast hosted by Olivia Harding that seeks to uncover the mysteries of folk music through the ages and dive deep into the tangled history of murder ballads, sea shanties, rebel songs, and other music th…

1
Gary Louris talks to Mark Erelli on Songwriting, Late in Life Love, and Technology, ep. 299 1:01:02

2M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

You probably know Gary Louris as the leader of The Jayhawks – or as they refer to themselves, “a band from Minnesota.” The Jayhawks are pioneers of roots rock, alt-country, and Americana. Whatever you wanna call it, they’ve been making records where rock, pop, country, and other forms of American roots music overlap since the mid-1980s. But Louris’…

1
Lilly Hiatt: Driving Tunes and Life Lessons, ep. 297 44:50

2M ago44:50

44:50

Singer-songwriter Lilly Hiatt has an interesting way of working melodies and a down to earth way of telling stories about her life and about how she sees the world. All of her albums have cool, crunchy guitar parts that take folk songwriting to a new rockin' level. On her new album 'Forever,' Hiatt's diverse influences are woven into songs that tou…

1
Bonus Mary Sue Twohy: From Folk Roots to Radio Waves 41:12

2M ago41:12

41:12

SiriusXM's folk radio programmer Mary Sue Twohy has not had a straight career path, but it's certainly been adventurous. Mary Sue, who is about to be inducted into the Folk DJ Hall of Fame, has held many different jobs over her life, most notably as a touring singer songwriter and as a beloved folk radio programmer, host and active community member…

1
Sam Moss: Gentle Folk Sounds and Woodworking Bounds, ep. 296 58:25

2M ago58:25

58:25

Although the ever-enigmatic Sam Moss is not a great swimmer, he named his latest album 'Swimming.' The folk singer with a gentle demeanor is back with thoughtful songs and captivating melodies. Hailing from New England, Sam has carved out a unique niche in the folk world, blending naturalistic themes with an introspective approach to songwriting. W…

1
Covered in Moss: Anna B Savage's World of Folk, Birds and Ireland, ep. 295 57:32

2M ago57:32

57:32

Anna B Savage is down to earth and witchy as hell at the same time. Over her three albums, she's cultivated a memorizing sound and epic image – like David Bowie, Bjork, Kate Bush, etc. – that's gained her a god-like reputation. A reputation which preceded the actual human being behind the art, leaving some to wonder what it would be like to speak t…

1
Carolyn Kendrick's Devilish Detour: Satan's Folk Music, Moral Panic and the Color Red, ep. 294 1:07:30

3M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Carolyn Kendrick's latest project explores complex themes of moral panic, tradition, and the figure of the devil (AKA Satan, AKA Lucifer). The LA-based songwriter opens up about the inspiration behind her album, 'Each Machine,' which is accompanied by a thought-provoking zine. In our Basic Folk conversation, she discusses the significance of the co…

1
Josh Kaufman: Imperfect Folk Music & Backstage Snacks, ep. 293 1:02:56

3M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Multi-talented musician and producer Josh Kaufman is known for his work with Josh Ritter, The National, and his band Bonny Light Horseman. I've known Josh for many years, after meeting him in Pittsburgh while he was on tour with Dawn Landes. I felt instant friendship with him (and honestly with the entire Dawn Landes band that day). We haven't seen…

1
Lutalo: Hip Hop Roots and Folk Future(s), ep. 292 50:22

3M ago50:22

50:22

In 2024, Vermont's Lutalo released their debut album, The Academy. In this episode of Basic Folk, they share the profound influence of their father, whose deep love for artistry and creativity laid the foundation for Lutalo's musical path. We delve into the broad variety of their influences, from underground hip-hop to African drumming classes, eac…

1
Jerry Douglas: From Steel Mills to Dobro Thrills, ep. 291 57:50

3M ago57:50

57:50

Jerry Douglas is widely regarded as the best Dobro player in the world. Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, and James Taylor are counted among his many collaborators and his four-decade career has earned him 16 GRAMMY Awards and numerous other accolades. In our Basic Folk conversation, he shares stories about his upbringing in Warren, Ohio, where his fa…

1
Basic Folk: An Official Bluegrass Situation Production 5:06

4M ago5:06

5:06

Basic Folk features honest conversations with folk musicians hosted by Cindy Howes and Lizzie No. We approach interviews with warmth, humor and insightful questions. Since 2018, this podcast has dignified under the radar roots musicians by providing a platform that they might not otherwise have. You’ll hear interviews from Three-time Grammy-winning…

1
Year-End Reflections with Cindy & Lizzie: A Wild 2024 Ride, ep. 290 1:11:13

4M ago1:11:13

1:11:13

It's 2024 recap time on Basic Folk! Cindy & Lizzie dive into a most special year-end reflection, featuring highlights from our honest conversations with folk musicians. We revisit THE top episode of the year, Anna Tivel & Jeffrey Martin's insightful discussion on navigating artistic challenges and living a simple life. Cindy shares her favorite epi…

1
Nature Calls for Trampled by Turtles' Dave Simonett: Music, Hunting and Home, ep. 289 1:00:14

4M ago1:00:14

1:00:14

Dave Simonett, lead singer and songwriter of the bluegrass-adjacent Trampled by Turtles, is a talented musician AND a great outdoorsman. From the small town of Mankato, Minnesota, to the vibrant music scenes of Duluth and Minneapolis, Simonett shares his upbringing in a musically-inclined, nature-loving family, shaped by the sounds of church hymns …

1
Becca Stevens on Grief, Spiritual Co-Writing and Connection, ep. 288 58:17

5M ago58:17

58:17

I (lizzie) first came across Becca Stevens via her collaboration with string group The Attica Quartet. Her new album, Maple to Paper, is really different from her previous releases. If you think you know everything that there is to know about Becca Stevens as a singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer, you are wrong. And you are going to be so am…

1
Twisted Pines' Kathleen Parks Secret Polka Past, ep. 287 1:19:48

5M ago1:19:48

1:19:48

Hot off the heels of Twisted Pines' latest release, Love Your Mind, Kathleen Parks is here to dig into her uncelebrated polka origins. Daughter of renowned trumpetist Eric Parks, the younger Parks grew up in New York's Hudson Valley in a very creative family (her mother was also a dancer and the one who made Kathleen practice all the time). She sta…

1
Edie Carey & Sarah Sample: remain Cool despite Comfort, Cajons and Dream Catchers, ep. 286 1:08:26

5M ago1:08:26

1:08:26

Friends and collaborators, Edie Carey & Sarah Sample teamed up in 2014 for their first album Til the Morning: Lullabies and Songs of Comfort. The pair both had babies and were wanting to do a project that centered around calming music for both children and adults. They were shocked at the album's reception by adults (aka non-babies) who listened af…

1
The Sound of Women's Voices: A Shorty Bonus on a Weird Ass Day 16:34

5M ago16:34

16:34

I woke up today and my wife told me the news. I went for a walk in the woods and found myself thinking about We Shall Overcome and singing it by myself surrounded by fallen leaves and pine trees. I put on Dawn Landes’ new album: The Liberated Woman’s Songbook, I thought about women of the past and how they found their strength. I started posting cl…

1
From Songwriting to Sobriety: Kasey Anderson's Journey to His Final Album, ep. 285 1:11:41

6M ago1:11:41

1:11:41

We're starting with the end in our conversation with Kasey Anderson. On the pod, we've covered a lot of firsts; debut album, origin stories and the beginnings. Ever since I (lizzie) have known Kasey, his social media bio has been "gradually retiring songwriter." I'm always teasing him about "What does that mean? When are you going to retire?" Offic…

1
Riffing on Life: Chuck Prophet talks Music, Surfing, and Storytelling with Mark Erelli, EP. 284 1:16:09

6M ago1:16:09

1:16:09

Editor’s note: For this episode, we invited our friend Mark Erelli to interview Chuck Prophet. The two are familiar with each other's work through songwriting together for Mark's latest album Lay Your Darkness Down (2023). We're thrilled to welcome Mark back as guest host! Chuck Prophet has been a mainstay on the indie and Americana music scenes si…

1
Liv Greene on Finding her Tender Little Queer Heart, ep. 283 55:32

6M ago55:32

55:32

Oh how I've longed to talk to Liv Greene. Every once in a while you come across a young artist that seems older and wiser than her 26 years. Liv's been giving me that impression since I met her in 2019 when she was at Club Passim waiting tables and breaking hearts on the stage at just 21 years. Ok enough about being young. Liv's been writing, study…

1
Exploring Ancestral Roots with Blind Pilot, ep. 282 56:02

6M ago56:02

56:02

The Oregon-bred indie folk music outfit Blind Pilot goes on a deep spiritual journey on their new album In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain (produced by Josh Kaufman). The music inspiration for frontman Israel Nebeker lay in his songwriting process. After struggling with writing for years (this is the first Blind Pilot album in 8 years), he set asid…

1
Amy Helm: Letters to Women and the Legacy of The Barn, ep. 281 1:14:03

7M ago1:14:03

1:14:03

Amy Helm has had one of the most fascinating lives that any person can have. As you might have guessed from her famous last name, she comes from roots music royalty. Amy Helm is the daughter of Levon Helm, the beloved late drummer for the incredible groundbreaking Canadian American group The Band. She also continues to run and uphold the musical le…

1
From Reality Bites to Nursery Rhymes: Lisa Loeb's Unconventional Journey, ep. 280 1:06:58

7M ago1:06:58

1:06:58

Looking back at her wildly successful and always adventurous career up to this point, it feels inevitable that Lisa Loeb was always going to be a songwriter and have a music career. But young Lisa probably could have done any creative job well. She grew up surrounded by music, yes, but she also had a passion for theater, and got her degree in compa…

1
Folk Music, Friendship, and Fountain Pens: Nerding out with Bruce Molsky & Darol Anger, ep. 29 1:07:23

7M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

The names Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger have come up more often than not when talking to fiddlers on Basic Folk. The pair have single handedly mentored hundreds of our favorites in fiddle music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Darol's online music school, music camps, festivals and more. Darol and Bruce joined us on the occasion of their newes…

1
Basic Folk Presents: American Masters: Creative Spark feat. Jewel 38:37

7M ago38:37

38:37

Editor’s note: Basic Folk is pleased to introduce our listeners to one of our favorite podcasts by sharing an episode in our feed! Do you ever find yourself watching, reading, or listening to something truly amazing and wondering, “How did they do it?”. That's why we wanted to share an episode of American Masters: Creative Spark, the award-winning …

1
Balancing Dreams and Reality: A Folk Debate on Ambition, ep. 278 1:10:27

7M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

Welcome to another edition of Folk Debate Club, our occasional debate series! To discuss Ambition vs Acceptance, we welcome our panel: music journalist Kim Ruehl, Basic Folk boss Cindy Howes, and yours truly Lizzie No. We would like to extend a very warm welcome to our special guests singer-songwriter Michaela Anne & producer Aaron Shafer-Haiss, al…

1
Jeffrey Foucault remembers Billy Conway with Universal Fire, ep. 277 1:15:02

8M ago1:15:02

1:15:02

In our episode with Wisconsin-born, New England based Jeffrey Foucault, we had a handful of questions for the singer-songwriter about his background: coffee, the midwest and Mark Twain wisdom. Then we talked about Billy Conway for more than an hour. Conway was Foucault's long-time partner in music, drummer and best friend who died from cancer in 20…

1
Amos Lee on Friends, Femininity and Folk Roots, ep. 276 1:05:35

8M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

Throughout his music career, singer-songwriter Amos Lee has cultivated a large female fanbase and also owes a lot of his early start to Norah Jones (a female!). He's about to hit the road co-headlining with folk music and queer icons, The Indigo Girls. In our conversation, he talks about the atmosphere he's going for in concert and it's not a very …

1
From Lancaster to the Limelight: The de Vitry Sibling Soundtrack, ep. 275 1:10:35

8M ago1:10:35

1:10:35

Maya, Nina and Lyle de Vitry's life, beginning in Lancaster PA, has been music and family, music festivals with old-time music, songwriting and folk music. The de Vitry siblings (including sister Monica, currently teaching art in Western Mass) grew up amongst music and nature in their rural home and even had a family band called Old-Time Liberation…

1
Basic Folk Presents: The Other 22 Hours - Mary Chapin Carpenter 49:49

8M ago49:49

49:49

Editor’s note: Basic Folk is pleased to introduce our listeners to one of our favorite podcasts by sharing an episode in our feed! The Other 22 hours, hosted by singer/songwriter Michaela Ann and producer Aaron Shafer-Haisse, talks to fellow musicians about the helpful tools and routines the use to stay creative, inspired, and …

1
Denitia’s Musical Journey: From NYC Streetwear to Nashville’s Vintage Vibes, ep. 274 57:11

8M ago57:11

57:11

Sometimes it strikes me just how much power can emanate from a creative mind. Speaking with Denitia was one of those times. When the indie music artist comes across an unfamiliar musical concept, she goes “sponge mode” until she understands it. Then she seamlessly integrates it into her artistic vocabulary. This relentless curiosity and sense of pl…

1
Anna Tivel & Jeffrey Martin: Eyeballs, Ice Cream, and Portland, Oregon, ep. 273 1:15:51

8M ago1:15:51

1:15:51

Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin have both released new albums in the past year that have knocked us right over. Living Thing is the most recent Anna Tivel singer-songwriter record and Thank God We Left the Garden being the Jeffrey Martin new album. Of all the singer-songwriter interviews and musician conversations we've done over the course of the po…

1
Fake Interviews & Real Talk: Matt the Electrician Reinvents Music Marketing, ep. 272 1:01:52

9M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

The world of Austin's Matt the Electrician, aka Matt Sever, is quirky and sincere. Sever is known for his work ethic and vibrant presence in the Austin Texas music scene. Before music was full-time, Matt worked as an actual electrician in between folk music gigs and open mics. He found people were drawn to his skills in the trade, so he decided to …

1
John Smith is Finding Harmony in Chaos, ep. 271 55:10

9M ago55:10

55:10

Originally from Devon, the English singer-songwriter John Smith got his start playing bars and clubs in Liverpool, both with his own songs and as a side player for artists like Lianne La Havas, Lisa Hannigan and David Gray. Growing up with folk music and guitar music influences from Eric Clapton to Maria Callas to Nick Drake, John’s sensitivity as …

1
Peggy Seeger spills Folk Feminist Tea with Dawn Landes, ep. 270 1:10:30

9M ago1:10:30

1:10:30

Editor's note: For this episode, we invited our friend Dawn Landes to interview Peggy Seeger. Dawn was the perfect choice to interview the feminist folk icon. She recently joined us on a special episode with Aoife O'Donovan to discuss their feminist-themed new albums. We're thrilled to welcome Dawn back as guest host! I can’t believe it took me 40 …

1
Ana Egge on Dream-Writing, the Truth, and Sinead O'Connor, ep. 269 1:06:06

9M ago1:06:06

1:06:06

Folk music singer Ana Egge's 13th album Sharing in the Spirit came out of the musician one song at a time. She didn't even think about moving onto a new song before the writing and production of each song was complete. Working with her friend and collaborator Lorenzo Wolff, the songwriting process and music production plan was to just work on a han…

1
Soundcheck Stories and Life Lessons: Chris Smither and Peter Mulvey, ep. 268 1:01:23

10M ago1:01:23

1:01:23

Chris Smither has been Peter Mulvey's mentor since back in 1993, when the young Mulvey opened for the already seasoned Smither. The blues and folk legend liked what he heard and enjoyed the similarities in creativity and quirks and he took that young man on the road with him. Their musical partnership has crossed paths and outlasted the digital age…

1
Steve Poltz Wants to Listen to The Grateful Dead, Watch Laugh-In and Write a Song Together, ep. 267 1:18:43

10M ago1:18:43

1:18:43

If you're looking for recommendations for desserts, might I suggest asking folk music and comedy savant Steve Poltz? This man loves gluten and carb-heavy deserts. He also loves collaborations, camaraderie, creativity and using humor in music. It all began for Poltz, or Poltzy as his friends call him, in his birthplace of Halifax Nova Scotia, making…

1
Basic Folk Presents: Only Vans 29:52

10M ago29:52

29:52

Editor’s note: Basic Folk is pleased to introduce our listeners to one of our favorite podcasts by sharing an episode in our feed! I am awestruck with the charm and charisma of Texas Country Musician Bri Bagwell - most impressively demonstrated on her podcast Only Vans, where she talks to her friends in her van (actually she recently upgraded to an…

1
Archiving the Heart: Greg Brown on Music, Family, and Throwing Out Old Notebooks, ep. 266 44:27

10M ago44:27

44:27

Iowa folk music icon Greg Brown is living that retired life. After playing his farewell retirement concert in 2023, he's returned with a new book: Ring Around The Moon: A Songbook, which highlights a song selection personally picked by the songwriter himself, as well as family photos, personal anecdotes and self-penned drawings. The book features a…

1
The Reckoning of Montreal Banjo-Witch Kaïa Kater, ep. 265 1:23:59

10M ago1:23:59

1:23:59

After banjo player Kaïa Kater attended Americana Fest in 2016, the music industry started telling her she was a part of the genre, which encompasses all kinds of roots music, acoustic music, folk music, singer-songwriter and alternative country music. She was singing about heavy themes like historical trauma, her cultural heritage (her father is fr…

1
Guster is a Place, ep. 264 59:03

11M ago59:03

59:03

Frontman Ryan Miller joins us to talk about all things Guster. From their tried and true collaborative writing process to the theatrical delights of their recent "We Also Have Eras" tour, to what it really looks like to make environmental sustainability a priority on tour. Guster has just released their 9…

1
Finding Freedom in a Flip Phone: John Moreland's Quest for a Simple Life, ep. 263 59:05

11M ago59:05

59:05

I hate surprises. However, Oklahoma's pride and joy John Moreland surprised us with his latest album Visitor and I guess I'm okay with it. Moreland's gone back to a sparse acoustic instrumentation, unlike the electronic sound (which I also loved) on his previous release, 2022's Birds in the Ceiling. Recently, he took a page from his wife Pearl Rach…

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