American Songwriter Podcast Network

The founder of Nobody's Girl (with Rebecca Loebe and Betty Soo) and daughter of beloved songwriter Pierce Pettis, Grace Pettis was raised in a "homogeneous community steeped in a traditional Christian faith." This led to some questionable decisions as a a young person, including not reacting in a loving way when her best friend, Landon, came out to her as a gay man. Fortunately, that frame of mind and that action do not define her. Through contemplation, information gathering and soul-searching, Grace landed in a different place. She realized how she had done Landon wrong and also knew she could only express it through song, which is how her new song "Landon" came about. Grace relates to and prefers brave songwriters and the new song certainly is brave. An interesting note to make about Grace is that even though her dad is a successful musician, Garth Brooks, Joan Baez and many others have recorded his songs, her parents did not want their children to pursue music. That all changed after Grace attempted to teach herself on a self-purchased cheap guitar. Her mom, seeing her daughter struggle, finally let Grace play her fancy Martin guitar. Eventually, her dad let her use one of his guitars and things began falling into place. She moved to Austin and started playing open mics and attending Kerrville Folk Festival. She even won the New Folk Award at Kerrville in 2011 (something her dad ALSO won in 1987). Grace is very open and honest in our conversation. She addresses questions ranging from how she is actively being anti-racist to her Star Trek podcast ("Troubadours on Trek"). We love Grace! Thanks for being on the podcast!

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Old time player Jake Blount and his sister were the first of his family (on his dad's side) to be born off the Virginia plantation where his ancestors were kept as slaves for as long as anyone can remember. That history was all around him as a kid and really hit him hard after the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2013. He had been under the impression that racism of that kind, a person could kill a 17 year old black child and get away with it, still existed. He dove into researching music of slaves: spirituals, gospels and didn't find what he was looking for until he came across the banjo and learned it's history. It's become more and more widespread information that the banjo's roots reside in Africa. It was taken across the Atlantic by stolen black slaves. Blount learned the history was directly tied to the slave communities around the Chesapeake Bay, who were his ancestors. Since then, he's received a BA in ethnomusicology at Hamilton College in New York and become a fervent researcher and sharer of black folk music.

His new album Spider Tales' title is a nod to the great trickster of Akan mythology, Anansi. “The Anansi stories were tales that celebrated unseating the oppressor.” These are mostly black traditional songs. The subversion in these traditional songs to help singers survive: these songs are full of coded messages and allowed them room to criticize the powerful without fear of retribution. Jake is also a young queer man in America, which makes its way into his music in interesting ways: he changed the pronouns of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" to all male pronouns. His explanation of why he did that is heart-wrenching. Jake is smarter than everyone. He is my favorite person and he had the most fun lightning round ever. This person is amazing! I'm pleased to present this interview!

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Vermont-born Pete Bernhard (Devil Makes Three) was raised surrounded by art as all the adults in his life were either visual or musical artists. While his friends were obsessing over Metallica and Megadeath, Pete was captivated by old blues musicians. He found common ground with Cooper McBean growing up, who loved the same music he did and ended up becoming lifelong friends and musical partners in Devil Makes Three. Influenced by old blues and folk along with the energy they felt at punk shows they saw as teens, the pair made it their mission to create a fun, energetic live show in their performances. Devil Makes Three came together after Pete and Cooper moved to Santa Cruz, CA and teamed up with Lucia Turino. They toured and became and established band in the Americana world (and for some reason, the Jam band scene?).

Pete and I talk about his draw and interest in darker subject matter, particularly drugs and the opioid crisis. We also talk about Brown Bird, a band from Rhode Island that was very close with DM3 until the death of frontman David Lamb a few years back. Since then, David's widow and bandmate, MorganEve Swain has joined DM3 while Lucia takes a break from the road. And finally, we discuss how his new solo album, Harmony Ascension Division, features songs about friends he had in his teens and 20's. The record features Pete playing quietly, which is unlike a DM3 album and more reminiscent of his style when he first start playing music at that age: teens and 20's. Pete's thoughtful, generous and kind during this interview. Hope you enjoy!

Isa Burke, of Americana/folk trio Lula Wiles, is an opinionated white lady in America and I literally cannot get enough of her. The Maine native rebelled at a young age (under 10!) against her parents' folky disposition and devoured as much rock and roll as she could find. Eventually, her parents convinced her to attend Maine Fiddle Camp, where they attended as performers and teachers to campers of all ages (babies to grandparents). And what do you know? Isa love the hell out of fiddle camp and met some important friends while she was there: Eleanor Buckland and Mali Obomsawin, who, years later, came to form the trio Lula Wiles. Camp was also the first place that Isa saw young people taking on the folk tradition in a modern way. This excited her to no end thus began a life-long affair with traditional music.

Isa talks about the lessons she learned at Maine Fiddle Camp and how they are reflected in her musicality and in her band. It also rooted in her a a love of playing music for the sake of feeling good (vs playing to sell a lot of records). We also get into her lead guitar playing: what made her start, how she approaches her role and what it means to be a female lead guitarist in this patriarchal society. My favorite part of this interview (and maybe any interview, really) are Isa's candid comments about body image issues. She introduced my to the idea of "body neutrality" and talks about working to cultivate that and the struggle that comes along with trying to figure out how to feel about your body. Like I said, I can't get enough of her. Love her, would recommend talking to her for an hour.

American Songwriter Podcast Network: https://americansongwriter.com/american-songwriter-podcast-network/basic-folk-podcast/

Alice Howe's vibe is Jackson Browne & Bonnie Raitt, but also Joan Baez and old English ballads. Her musical life was changed in 2016 when she met Freebo, legendary musician who's played with Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Maria Muldaur, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and many others. Freebo and Alice instantly connected through music and their collaboration has led to many shows together and the production of her debut album visions. We talk about their musical partnership as well as her family. Her dad was a very talented painter turned architect. He died when Alice was 18 and she shared his influence on her art, music and life outlook. After graduating from Smith College, she moved to Seattle and worked at a guitar show learning priceless info about instruments, gear and life in general. Now in Los Angeles, Alice is in the middle of working on a project at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL. I've enjoyed getting to know Alice! We didn't know each other before quarantine, but before this interview we coincidentally worked together on troubleshooting live streaming shows, which is a fast way to make a good friend or a life-long enemy. Hope you enjoy!

American Songwriter Podcast Network: https://americansongwriter.com/american-songwriter-podcast-network/basic-folk-podcast/

Once singer/songwriter Danielle Knibbe earned the nickname "The Lyric Doctor" due to her intrinsic ability to channel human feelings through songs like an actual medical doctor. This woman was born to make you cry, feel and emote. Now Danielle calls Toronto home, but the musician was born and raised on in the prairies in Alberta, Canada. She knew that performing was what she wanted to pursue even as a young child. She discovered songwriting after attending the Edmonton Folk Festival at age 12, taught herself to play the guitar and started playing for anyone who would listen. Danielle also plays in a band with her husband, Connor Walsh and longtime bandmate Bryn Besse. She talks about what it's like to play with her husband - apparently they don't perform well together as a duo, which is hilarious to hear. We also talk about the concept of Ribcage songs, when you're feeling guarded and then vulnerable or heart songs. Danielle is kind, funny, empathetic and a blast to talk to! I really enjoyed our conversation and I took like a fish to water to her music. Hope you enjoy!

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Sunny War has a cool finger picking style and a singing voice that matches her persona: whimsical, yet strong. Sunny's probably the bravest person I have ever talked to in my life. She's been through the ringer of life: living a nomadic life with her mom, surviving abuse, suffering from addiction, getting arrested, leaving home, living on the streets, hopping trains and getting clean all before she was 25. Music has been ever-present in her life. She learned to finger pick guitar by listening to The Beatles "Blackbird." At 13 years old, she joined a punk band, which started a long complicated relationship with the punk lifestyle.

These days, Sunny's living in Los Angeles and surviving the quarantine just fine. In talking to her, I checked in with how she's doing dealing with lockdown. I was glad to hear she was staying away from alcohol and had just started eating a Keto diet. Sunny War is full of surprises! I literally did not know what to expect as I asked each question. Thanks to Sunny for talking to me!

American Songwriter Podcast Network: https://americansongwriter.com/american-songwriter-podcast-network/basic-folk-podcast/

Nerissa Nields is a guitarist, songwriter and singer best known for performing with her sister Katryna in The Nields and as a duo. She grew up outside of Washington, DC surrounded by music and politics, which had a profound impact on her formative years. She especially found herself greatly influenced by the music of Pete Seeger. These days, Nerissa finds it more difficult to find common ground with those she disagrees with politically, but is refreshingly honest about how she feels. In fact, this whole conversation with Nerissa is filled with incredibly honest and revealing realizations she's discovered along the way. I appreciated her forwardness with some sensitive questions: like considering a childless life after her divorce in her mid-30's. I admire how much she was willing to put her story out there for others. I've been a huge fan of the Nields since high school and Nerissa's music changed my life and opened my eyes to a modern-era underground folk movement. What's wild is that I first saw The Nields at MixFest in 1999, a hot AC station (Mix 98.5) that hosted a concert every year in Government Center. They played along with Ben Folds Five, Fleming & John, Duran Duran and Lou Vega (Mambo No. 5 guy!). It was wild. Anyways. I love The Nields and this was quite a thrill to talk to Nerissa. Thanks for listening!

American Songwriter Podcast Network: https://americansongwriter.com/american-songwriter-podcast-network/basic-folk-podcast/

There is something I find very telling about the way Letitia VanSant approaches her name with people. The Baltimore musician offers the pronunciation upfront ("Leh-TISH-ah" - "tish" rhymes with "wish."), not assuming that someone would know how to say it. There is kindness and patience in the offering, but also she takes control of the narrative of her unique and beautiful name. On her website it says: "Letitia is an old family name that she shares with a number of women in her family. As a child she was nicknamed “Sandy” from VanSant, her middle name. Her friends still call her Sandy, but she responds to both!"

A shy child, Letitia grew up with a passion for social justice and pursued a career in politics. She worked at a progressive lobby group in Washington, DC, until she decided to make music a full time venture. Her writing does have a political edge occasionally. She also bravely approaches the topic of sexual assault, garnering from her personal experience. We talked about how she made the choice to address her experience in such a public and upfront manner. She is a clear-headed, smart and compassionate person. I really enjoyed getting to know Letitia VanSant! Her new album Circadian is out now! Thanks for listening!

This show is part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network.