Best Tom Smouse Podcasts (2024)

1
Kelley Smith 49:04

21d ago49:04

49:04

Brainerd, MN-based singer-songwriter Kelley Smith’s debut album Moon Child found an immediate audience and plenty of exposure. Reconnecting in the lull after hearing about that experience, and how she’s processing and planning the next chapters of her life and music career, gave our host Tom Smouse a special inside look into what many artists go th…

1
The Gated Community 56:44

1M ago56:44

56:44

Just blocks away from the 3rd Police Precinct that burned down during the 2020 protests, Minneapolis country-folk band The Gated Community saw many of their recordings lost due to a power outage. But being in the center of burning buildings, gunshots, and neighborly concern, Sumanth Gopinath was compelled to write about it in new songs, which fit p…

1
Whit Page 40:10

1M ago40:10

40:10

“Bit of a recluse, a naturalist, and about to release something, or so I hear." That's how another artist described Whit Page to our host Tom Smouse. Having heard her perform before, he was immediately piqued to understand her more non-traditional approach as an artist. We had the special opportunity to record her performing two unreleased songs in…

1
John Louis 43:46

1M ago43:46

43:46

There’s a tender kindness behind John Louis's songs that, in person, shine bright. Tom Smouse visited John at his home to learn more about his songwriting. While tossing a dog toy for the new puppy and chatting, you can hear the importance he places on the stories that explore the depth of emotions and pain. It’s this skill that seems to bring a he…

1
Freaque 41:37

2M ago41:37

41:37

There is no greater example of how music transcends our physical worlds than what Twin Cities artist Gabriel Rodreick, aka Freaque, creates. His songs often use visceral physical and visual imagery to traverse our range of emotions. Tom visited Gabriel at his home to discuss his process for creating such powerful stories.…

1
Humbird & Luke Callen 44:09

2M ago44:09

44:09

In this episode, Tom Smouse visited the home shared by Siri Undlin (aka Humbird) and Luke Callen, two Twin Cities-based artists who each deliver their own unique take on folk music. The pair demonstrated the level of respect and love they have for their community and one another. Both fresh off the release of their newest albums, Humbird and Luke g…

1
Luke LeBlanc 40:40

2M ago40:40

40:40

In this episode, Tom Smouse visited the home of Luke LeBlanc, a Twin Cities musician active since he was in his early teens. Now in his twenties and wise beyond his years, Luke's observant yet introspective outlook brings authentic insight to everything he writes. Sitting in his dining room and digging into his past that includes bubble baths, Zimm…

1
FINICK 43:01

2M ago43:01

43:01

In this episode, Tom met up with Josie Hasnik, aka FINICK. This high schooler has emerged in the Twin Cities in a variety of circles and venues, winning recognition for her fanciful indie-folk songs imbued with real-life emotions.By Tom Smouse

1
Pine & Fire 45:13

3M ago45:13

45:13

For our inaugural Season 5 episode, Tom Smouse met up with Pine & Fire, aka Jobi Adams and Brandi Foster. A folk duo from the north woods of Minnesota, they discussed their unique blend of traditional roots music with modern punk.

1
Poppa Bear Norton 26:51

9M ago26:51

26:51

Zak Norton and Bronson Bergeson, who together make up Poppa Bear Norton, are a country duo from northern Minnesota and one of 7 acts appearing at Amerigrass, a one-day festival taking place October 7 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis. The duo met me in downtown Minneapolis to talk about their musical approach, which combines comedy with classic…

1
Dellwood 21:48

9M ago21:48

21:48

I went to the Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge in Minneapolis to connect with this up-and-coming Minnesota duo about the origins of their act, their ties to the region's music community, and what they're looking forward to at the upcoming Amerigrass festival. You can hear Dellwood's intriguing modern indie take on old-time music on October 7: They'…

1
Wild Horses 20:24

10M ago20:24

20:24

I met up with three members of Wild Horses at the Hook and Ladder Theater in Minneapolis to talk songwriting, musical influences, their origin story and more. The high-octane alt-country/rock/Americana group from northern Minnesota is one of 7 acts performing at Amerigrass, a one-day festival taking place at the Hook October 7.…

1
Ty Pow and The Holy North 17:46

10M ago17:46

17:46

I met up with Tyler Pautsch, guitarist and singer-songwriter for Ty Pow and The Holy North, at the Hook and Ladder Theater and Lounge in Minneapolis. The group is one of the 7 bands performing at Amerigrass, the one-day festival taking place at the Hook October 7. We chatted about how this blues-rock, alt-country, Americana soul super group formed …

1
Buffalo Galaxy 23:38

10M ago23:38

23:38

In this special season of Smouse in the House, we interview many of the artists who'll perform at the inaugural Amerigrass festival at the Hook and Ladder Theater in Minneapolis. For the second episode I met up with jam-grass band Buffalo Galaxy in the Nokomis neighborhood of South Minneapolis.By Tom Smouse

1
Maygen & The Birdwatcher 20:53

10M ago20:53

20:53

In this special season of Smouse in the House, we interview many of the artists who'll perform at the inaugural Amerigrass festival at the Hook and Ladder Theater in Minneapolis. Our first guests are an award-winning Americana act and organizers of the festival. Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann talk about how their unique sound inspired the creation a…

1
Molly Brandt 50:00

1+ y ago50:00

50:00

The beauty of local music is the ability to witness new artists grow, and I feel so honored to have an opportunity to follow the rapid and organic development of Molly Brandt, a truly authentic artist finding her voice and place in our community. Nestled in Lowry Hill on one of the coldest evenings of the year, we discuss her burgeoning songwriting…

1
Mother Banjo & Ben Cook-Feltz 46:45

1+ y ago46:45

46:45

Ellen Stanley, aka Mother Banjo, and Ben Cook-Feltz are such pillars in our music community, both supporting artists through promotion, live shows, and making music accessible to as many people as possible. Seated downstairs in their home, you can feel the passion they carry in songwriting. It’s a tangible experience where they can pull from places…

1
Lamar 45:27

1+ y ago45:27

45:27

Possibly my favorite beginning to any of our podcast episodes, I walked right into a magical off-the-cuff song about pancakes performed by Lamar, aka Geoffrey Lamar Wilson, and his young child playing a cardboard guitar. Surrounded by books and photos of his kids, we chatted about that first spark of joy playing music as a child in the family basem…

1
Sister Species 46:23

1+ y ago46:23

46:23

If you close your eyes and listen to Sister Species, you’ll be able to imagine the home of Emily Kastrul – sprawling plants, DIY home improvements, the gentle give of a wood floor, and a trove of local art surrounding the home. Each song connects to the environment, such as how the Mississippi River and Emily’s backyard garden find their way into t…

1
Tracey Blake 36:38

1+ y ago36:38

36:38

Iowan native Tracey Blake is an enigma to country music. His R&B swagger, admiration for Prince, and student of the Minneapolis sound is a combination that doesn’t immediately make you imagine country music. But in that multifaceted skill set comes an authentic voice that feels all his own. We discuss the ironic importance of the Mississippi by his…

1
Sarah Morris 48:19

1+ y ago48:19

48:19

Walking into Sarah Morris’ bathroom was a surreal experience. The minty green bathroom has been home to so many artists and friends that we had to record the podcast there. Sarah is an avid supporter and angel to our music community with hosting videos all over her home. We discussed her experience living in Nashville and how the move back to Minne…

1
Charlie Parr 34:24

1+ y ago34:24

34:24

Tucked into the green room underneath the bustle of Turf Club in St. Paul, it’s easy to see why so many people connect to Charlie Parr. Humble, smart, and keen on life, Charlie exudes an aura of approachability and camaraderie. His love for songwriting and the creative process feels simple, but what comes out in the end is a complex wave of emotion…

1
Max Markin 39:43

1+ y ago39:43

39:43

Oftentimes I discover a kinship with musicians that align with my own past. Due to his involvement in the music community here in the Twin Cities, I immediately felt that kinship with Max Markin. He ran a music label and actively networks with other local artists as the host of a songwriter showcase series at Palmer’s. Creatively, Max writes intrig…

1
Lonesome Dan Kase 40:25

1+ y ago40:25

40:25

You won’t meet a more dedicated musician and songwriter than Lonesome Dan Kase. He’s a historian of his genre, a pillar in the scene, and the kindest gentleman. Recently, I sat down with Kase to discuss his craft, learn about old-timey music playing styles, where he caught the bug, and how influential his music research seeps into his own writing. …

1
Josh Cleveland 52:50

1+ y ago52:50

52:50

Having known Josh Cleveland for over 10 years, recording this podcast at his home felt extremely comfortable. His humor, wit, and detail in songwriting are instantly present in our conversation. Together, we dive into his evolution as a songwriter, along with exploring his magical home with a long history of music creation. There’s heartfelt warmth…

1
Samuel J. DuBois 37:19

2y ago37:19

37:19

Because environment heavily influences art, there is a clear through-line to his home of Prescott, Wisconsin. Growing up in a small town, feeling connected to the community, and yet wanting to move on and expand your opportunities–there's a part of everyone that can relate to Sam DuBois and his songwriting. Sam’s is an authentic voice that struggle…

1
Jake La Botz 37:03

2y ago37:03

37:03

My recent visit with Jake La Botz provided yet another strong example of why sitting in someone’s home can uncover deeper and more personal conversations and connections. In this episode, we explore how an artist’s environment can impact the creative process, something Jake’s encountered during his time living in Rochester, Minnesota. You’ll get to…

1
New Salty Dog 45:53

2y ago45:53

45:53

New Salty Dog is a group of guys you want to hang out with. They are laid back, entertaining, and care deeply about creating special moments with their music. You can feel the camaraderie that they have for their city, musician friends, and neighborhood in our chat. For someone that has covered more Americana, acoustic-based performers, speaking wi…

1
Breanne Marie 43:08

2y ago43:08

43:08

Breanne Marie represents so many of the themes this podcast seeks to explore. Her Duluth home sits on the border of city and nature, nestled high above Lake Superior. There's an instant warmth in her voice, charm in her stories, and rich environmental influences. In this fourth episode of season two, Breanne shares two songs that speak directly to …

1
Emily Haavik 37:14

2y ago37:14

37:14

Storytellers have the gift of poetically communicating beyond words. Emily Haavik is one of those special individuals that can weave a story with a feeling, both simple and deeply weighted. In this third episode of the second season of Smouse in the House, we get an opportunity to learn about her creative process, where she finds inspiration, the i…

1
Trevor McSpadden and Mary Cutrufello 44:55

2y ago44:55

44:55

Trevor McSpadden and Mary Cutrufello hold each other with a high level of mutual respect. You can hear it in their stories, jokes, and when sharing their creative process. Individually, they represent songwriting forces and storied histories that converged with their Texas pasts. It came full circle for Tom when he learned that even highly talented…

1
Pit Stop 45:57

2y ago45:57

45:57

Pit Stop is a gift shop of musical variations on traditional Americana bands. Stuffed into Jake Balistrieri’s small apartment, the band (including James Patrick Horigan, Gage Webster, and Zack Warpinski) shared their songwriting process, including the tools Jake and Sarah use to collaborate as songwriting partners and the inspiration of blues, coun…

1
Turn Turn Turn 46:10

2+ y ago46:10

46:10

In the 7th and final episode of season 1, Tom visits the amazing St. Paul home of Adam Levy of the retro folk-pop band Turn Turn Turn. Here, Tom chats with Adam and fellow band members Savannah Smith and Barb Brynstad–all mainstays of the Minnesota music scene–about how they work together and influences underpinning their irresistible sound. And ev…

1
Mary Bue 40:10

2+ y ago40:10

40:10

In the sixth episode of season one, Tom Smouse visits the home of singer-songwriter/yoga + music teacher Mary Bue to discuss how love, loss, and dreams inspire and infuse her work and life.By Tom Smouse

1
Roe Family Singers 53:12

2+ y ago53:12

53:12

In the fifth episode of season one, Tom Smouse visits the home of Quillan and Kim Roe. These founding members of Roe Family Singers embody "family," from stories of their past to the art on their walls to their music and relationships within the local music community–particularly at 331, having served as the longest running residency in Minnesota. …

1
Good Morning Bedlam 48:56

2+ y ago48:56

48:56

In the fourth episode of Smouse in the House, Tom visits the home of two of the funniest and most insightful artists he's ever met—Isaak and Tori Elker of Good Morning Bedlam—to discuss their newly released album, Lulu, and what’s shaping up to be an exciting year ahead, packed with shows and growing national recognition.…

1
Surge and the Swell 41:47

2+ y ago41:47

41:47

In the third episode, Tom visits the home and creative space of Aaron Cabbage, aka Surge And The Swell. A musician who is passionate about supporting and celebrating the local music scene, Cabbage draws inspiration from his environment and experiences to create songs, honoring the individual experience, as being enough. Join Tom as he dives into Ca…

1
Becky Kapell 38:10

2+ y ago38:10

38:10

In the second episode of Smouse in the House, our host, Tom Smouse, is graciously invited into the home/creative nest/safe space of local singer-songwriter Becky Kapell. Becky has a humbleness and deep appreciation for her place in the Twin Cities music scene. She respects her peers, gets excited for others' successes, and the joy she has as an art…

1
The Sapsuckers 47:26

2+ y ago47:26

47:26

It's always interesting meeting a band after you've listened to all of their music. Perceptions shift and so many dots get connected in learning about the style and process of songwriting. For me, The Sapsuckers exemplify the longstanding traditions of Americana music. They understand the dynamics in the genre, are able to classify the type of song…

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