Sam Beam, better known by his stage name of Iron & Wine, visited the WFHB studios before playing a sold-out show at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Over the last two Iron & Wine albums, Beam has expanded his sound with bigger arrangements, dabbling in jazz and R&B, and touring with a twelve-piece band. On this short tour, however, Iron & Wine is back to its roots—just Beam and his acoustic guitar, singing folk songs with gorgeous melodies and deceptively dark lyrics. We discussed his background as a filmmaker and professor, and how listeners take ownership of his songs. Why did he choose the name “Iron & Wine”? “Because Sam Beam sounds kind of lame.” Upon request, Beam performed “Joy,” “Upward Over the Mountain,” and “Love and Some Verses.”

Hosted by Katie Moulton

Originally aired on September 16, 2014