Adventures in Americana presents Smouse in the House

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 emotions and past memories. In this episode, we chat about two of his new songs and how grief for the loss of his father continues to influence his music. And he also shares the legacy of the Spider John Koerner guitar he received and the bond he has formed with his own historic instruments.

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 intriguing stories for different projects and maintains an openness and respect for art and the creative process. Sitting in the large booths in the quiet nest of his Como neighborhood home, Max shared his process for writing, the progression of ideas, and why he chose to move back to the Twin Cities after living in New York City.

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. In this episode, we present two exclusive live performances recorded in his home. Dan Kase is a noble bearer of the traditions and importance of our past, honoring old-timey blues pickin’ music and introducing new generations to the genre.

CREDITS

Hosted by Tom Smouse

Produced & Edited by Carol Roth

Web Design by Jaclyn Nott

Photography by Tom Smouse

Intro/Outro Music by Ellkaye (aka Lila Karash)

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Jaclyn Nott & Tom Smouse

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 in the emotions and stories Josh tells in his songs, and his south Minneapolis neighborhood nurtures that passion. 

Please let us introduce you to an artist that is ready to have a very prosperous 2023!

CREDITS

Hosted by Tom Smouse

Produced & Edited by Carol Roth

Web Design by Jaclyn Nott

Photography by Tom Smouse

Intro/Outro Music by Ellkaye (aka Lila Karash)

Intro/Outro Voiceover: Jaclyn Nott & Tom Smouse

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 struggles in pursuit of his passions, a struggle many of us can all identify with and root for. I can't wait to check in with him a year from now to hear about the progression of his music, learn about the new community of musicians that support him, and witness a young talent grow into his own talented shoes.

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 hear his trademark wit and humor, but he also takes a  contemplative approach in his answers, revealing insights about his minimalism as well as his songwriting. It’s these types of unique shared experiences and intangible variables that make the concept of this podcast shine. Come hang out with me and Jake!

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 with a more jam-based band brought a new level of lingo, jive, and energy to the table. The best part is discovering this band at the beginning of their musical evolution, and you can sense there is still growth and emergence in their songs. I can’t wait to see where New Salty Dog is heading, and I’m excited to introduce them to new listeners!

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 our discussion, revealing how deeply Duluth lends its character to her writing.

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 importance of literature, and thinking past the basic meaning of a word. Emily beautifully describes the ways we can connect our own personal stories to a wider discussion of common human feelings. With the added bonus of two special acoustic performances on her patio, recorded just for us!

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 and skilled musicians are fans of other artists. That lightbulb-moment offers a great insight to how artists are driven to create, develop and collaborate, and thankfully possible that even the best musicians are not above admiring and appreciating other artists – for the love of not just good but great music.