Do you need to laugh? I did, and that is one reason why I am so glad that my guest this week is my dear longtime friend, Erin McKeown. This is a special crossover episode of Jess Klein's Big Table and Erin McKeown's Fax of Life. Like when, in the 90's, a star from one sitcom would appear on the other, and the storylines would get blurred, and everyone would get really excited.

Erin and I go waaaaaay back, to the late 90's whe we met on the Northeast songwriter scene. Then we became two parts of the folk supergroup known as "Voices on the Verge". Listen for a clip of Erin's tune "Blackbirds" from the Voices on the Verge album "Live in Philadephia".

Erin McKeown is a musician, writer, and producer known internationally for their prolific disregard of stylistic boundaries. Their brash and clever electric guitar playing is something to see. Their singing voice is truly unique —clear, cool, and collected. Over the last 20 years, they have performed around the world, released 11 full length albums, and written for film, television, and theater, all the while refining their distinctive and challenging mix of American musical forms.

Erin's first musical, Miss You Like Hell, written with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in 2018. It was nominated for 5 Drama Desk Awards, including Best Lyrics, Best Music and Best Orchestrations, and The Wall Street Journal named it Best Musical of 2018.

Leading their own band, Erin has performed at Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, and the Newport Folk Festivals. A familiar presence on NPR and the BBC, McKeown's songs have also appeared in numerous commercials and television shows.

While a student at Brown University, Erin was a resident artist at Providence, RI's revolutionary community arts organization AS220. A 2011-2012 fellow at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center For Internet & Society, they are also the recipient of a 2016 writing fellowship from The Studios of Key West and a 2018 residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. McKeown was a 2020-21 Professor of the Practice at Brown University and a 2022-23 fellow at The University of Chicago's Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry.

In this episode:

-How to be vulnerable onstage

-What is a 5-Year Plan to an Artist?

-How Monte Python taught Erin the subversive power of humor

-Actually, anyone can write a song

-The moment when Erin knew they needed to devote their life to music

-Erin helps me send a fax to Leonardo Da Vinci

***

Singer-songwriter Jess Klein – whom the New York Times calls "a songwriter with a voice of unblinking tenacity" – has always used music to dream her way forward. Over multiple decades and 12 critically acclaimed albums, Klein has pursued a creative evolution that has seen her delve into her own empowerment for emotional insights, while continuing to refine her eloquently melodic, effortlessly accessible song–craft.

Jess has toured the globe performing in pin-drop listening rooms, cozy theaters and at raucous festivals in front of tens of thousands of fans. She has toured nationally and internationally supporting Arlo Guthrie, Josh Ritter, Damien Dempsey, John Fullbright and Jonathan Byrd and has opened for such legends as Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle and Alejandro Escovedo. Jess has appeared on Good Morning America and NPR's All Things Considered and has performed at the Newport, Winnipeg, Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Festivals as well as Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.

She is the host of Jess Klein's Big Table - conversations with fellow artists and activists about creativity and social justice.

Jess's upcoming tour dates, new releases and more at https://jessklein.com/home and on her Substack

As well as:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@msjessklein

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/msjessklein/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesskleinmusic/

Taking a break from our regular format this week to answer listeners' questions!

-how to write songs about political issues

-singing - is it nature? or training?

-will I ever tour in Europe again?

-a rambling list of songwriters I admire

I am so grateful to folks who wrote in! Hope y'all enjoy.

***

Singer-songwriter Jess Klein – whom the New York Times calls "a songwriter with a voice of unblinking tenacity" – has always used music to dream her way forward. Over multiple decades and 12 critically acclaimed albums, Klein has pursued a creative evolution that has seen her delve into her own empowerment for emotional insights, while continuing to refine her eloquently melodic, effortlessly accessible song–craft.

Jess has toured the globe performing in pin-drop listening rooms, cozy theaters and at raucous festivals in front of tens of thousands of fans. She has toured nationally and internationally supporting Arlo Guthrie, Josh Ritter, Damien Dempsey, John Fullbright and Jonathan Byrd and has opened for such legends as Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle and Alejandro Escovedo. Jess has appeared on Good Morning America and NPR's All Things Considered and has performed at the Newport, Winnipeg, Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Festivals as well as Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.

She is the host of Jess Klein's Big Table - conversations with fellow artists and activists about creativity and social justice.

Jess's upcoming tour dates, new releases and more at https://jessklein.com/home and on her Substack

As well as:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@msjessklein

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/msjessklein/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesskleinmusic/

A survivor of the New York City foster care system, Aminata Desert Rose Plant Walker Fire Woman, aka Dr. Amanda Kemp has been a lifelong poet-performer and advocate of justice. As a student at Stanford University, she was a leader in student movements to divest from South Africa and to press the university to revamp Eurocentric curriculum requirements.

Since her college years, she has worked with the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the Honorable Maxine Waters, and Niyonu Spann, and won numerous community awards.

As an artist, she has shared the stage and/or created with Danny Glover, August Wilson, Sonia Sanchez, Toni Morrison, George Wolfe, and Amiri Baraka. In 2007, she founded Theatre for Transformation to dramatize stories from African American history.

With a doctorate in race and performance from Northwestern University, she taught college students at Cornell University, Dickinson College, and Franklin and Marshall College. Now a Visiting Scholar at Franklin & Marshall, Dr. Kemp is also the bestselling author of Stop Being Afraid! 5 Steps to Transform your Conversations about Racism,and Say the Wrong Thing, a collection of personal essays about racial justice and compassion.

Aminata's wisdom is both grounding and expansive, and speaking with her at this time made me feel much more empowered.

In this episode:

• Embracing duality in a polarized time
• How fear impacts our perception, and how to regulate internally, opening us to possibilities we may miss when we are reliving old traumas
• The importance of building capacity to hold space for trauma in social justice work
• How to tune into messages from ancestors and from the plant world to find steadiness, soothing and encouragement
• Exploring justice without judgment

Listen to the Mother Tree Network Podcast on your favorite app, and read more about Aminata's courses and other offerings at https://www.dramandakemp.com

***

Singer-songwriter Jess Klein – whom the New York Times calls "a songwriter with a voice of unblinking tenacity" – has always used music to dream her way forward. Over multiple decades and 12 critically acclaimed albums, Klein has pursued a creative evolution that has seen her delve into her own empowerment for emotional insights, while continuing to refine her eloquently melodic, effortlessly accessible song–craft.

Jess has toured the globe performing in pin-drop listening rooms, cozy theaters and at raucous festivals in front of tens of thousands of fans. She has toured nationally and internationally supporting Arlo Guthrie, Josh Ritter, Damien Dempsey, John Fullbright and Jonathan Byrd and has opened for such legends as Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle and Alejandro Escovedo. Jess has appeared on Good Morning America and NPR's All Things Considered and has performed at the Newport, Winnipeg, Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Festivals as well as Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.

She is the host of Jess Klein's Big Table - conversations with fellow artists and activists about creativity and social justice.

Jess's upcoming tour dates, new releases and more at https://jessklein.com/home and on her Substack

As well as:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@msjessklein

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/msjessklein/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesskleinmusic/

In 2023, Chris Pierce was handpicked to be the special guest opener for the NEIL YOUNG Coastal Tour. He recently gained additional worldwide prominence with "We Can Always Come Back to This". His hit song aired on 3 episodes of the #1 NBC primetime series 'THIS IS US,' then went on to #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Pierce has also done worldwide headlining tours and has performed with: Neil Young, B.B. King, Steve Earle, Seal, Al Green, Allison Russell, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Rodrigo y Gabriella, Jill Scott, Keb'Mo, Blind Boys of Alabama, Aaron Neville & others.

His 2021 album, 'AMERICAN SILENCE' garnered critical acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone, NoDepression, SiriusXM, The Bluegrass Situation, AmericanaUK, Acoustic Guitar and others. PopMatters named 'AMERICAN SILENCE 'THE #1 Best Folk Album of 2021 and FolkAlley named "Residential School" from AMERICAN SILENCE one of the 100 Essential Folk Songs.

At a young age, Pierce developed a rare hearing disorder called Otosclerosis that led to the loss of hearing in one ear and partial deafness in the other, a setback that would deter many young musicians forever. The reality, however, fueled Chris' passion and determination all the more, forcing him to re-learn almost everything he had known prior to his condition. To Chris, music was, and still is, an unconditional companion.

His highly anticipated album titled 'LET ALL WHO WILL' was released on September 1, 2023, with critical acclaim from NPR, NoDepression, American Songwriter, Hi Times and more. In addition to his solo career, Chris Pierce performs/records with Americana/Folk/Soul sensation WAR & PIERCE with Sunny War, the music of CSNY band OUR HOUSE, the Americana/Roots band LEON CREEK and does occasional appearances with the BLACK OPRY REVUE.

In This Episode:

• The power of compassion when dealing with folks who would silence or oppress us.
• What Chris learned about both racism and the joyful resilience of standing up in community while growing up as the son of a mixed race couple in California.
• Working with partial deafness as a musician, and how it led Chris deeper into his vulnerability and power.
• The necessity of self-care in deeply uncertain times.
• Remembering that social justice is a long game, longer than this election cycle.

Find all things Chris - upcoming tour dates, new releases and more at https://www.chrispierce.com

***

Singer-songwriter Jess Klein – whom the New York Times calls "a songwriter with a voice of unblinking tenacity" – has always used music to dream her way forward. Over multiple decades and 12 critically acclaimed albums, Klein has pursued a creative evolution that has seen her delve into her own empowerment for emotional insights, while continuing to refine her eloquently melodic, effortlessly accessible song–craft.

Jess has toured the globe performing in pin-drop listening rooms, cozy theaters and at raucous festivals in front of tens of thousands of fans. She has toured nationally and internationally supporting Arlo Guthrie, Josh Ritter, Damien Dempsey, John Fullbright and Jonathan Byrd and has opened for such legends as Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle and Alejandro Escovedo. Jess has appeared on Good Morning America and NPR's All Things Considered and has performed at the Newport, Winnipeg, Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Festivals as well as Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.

She is the host of Jess Klein's Big Table - conversations with fellow artists and activists about creativity and social justice.

Jess's upcoming tour dates, new releases and more at https://jessklein.com/home and on her Substack

As well as:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@msjessklein

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/msjessklein/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesskleinmusic/

Rachael Sage is a singer, songwriter, poet, and producer from New York who has released over 20 albums and EPs of empowered alt-folk-pop on her own label MPress Records since first bursting onto the women's music scene via Lilith Fair. An outspoken activist on behalf of many causes including LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness and women's health issues, Sage is a self-described "cancer thriver" who is a 6-time Independent Music Award Winner and John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize recipient. Rachael has shared stages with an eclectic list of artists including Ani DiFranco, Judy Collins, Dar Williams, Beth Hart, and Shawn Colvin. Her current album "Another Side" is out now.

In this Episode:

- How enduring being bullied as a kid gave Rachael empathy for other peoples' struggles as an adult

- Practicing empathy and 'tzedakah' - the Jewish value of giving back to others and the world

- Walking the line between assimilation and being an outsider as an artist and as the granddaughter of Russian Jewish immigrants growing up in the South.

- How a cancer diagnosis forced Rachael to become the "CEO" of her own health

- Surviving cancer and learning the deep value of true friendships

- Navigating activism in a sustainable way while being immuno-compromised

Read more about Rachael and her current projects at RachaelSage.com and check out her new album "Another Side" wherever you buy or stream music. Her latest video, "Albatross" is out now on YouTube.

Shannon Downey aka Badass Cross Stitch is an artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and general instigator. Her work moves people from passive consumers of art into engaged creators and leverages craft-based art forms to bring people together, present them opportunities to transition from makers to change makers, and inspire radical hope for what is possible.

In this episode:

• Want to help save the world? Pick one thing and commit!
• Shannon's family background in the Labor Movement and how growing up around organizers made activism feel fun and normal.
• How doing something analog and physical (not on a device or computer) allows our creativity to flow, new ideas to arise and healing to take place.
• Crafting and Cross Stitch in particular as an easily accessible way for people to express themselves and commit to social justice.
• Shannon's brilliant new book: Let's Move the Needle, an activism handbook for artists, crafters, creatives and makers is out NOW and will guide you through the concrete steps to go from *wanting* to do something to create social justice to *doing it*, sustainably and effectively.

Subscribe to Jess's Substack to find out about tour dates, new releases and more or listen on YouTube, Spotify, or jessklein.com and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

Reagan Mitchell, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, earned his/their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music with an emphasis in Jazz Studies and his/their Educational Specialist's and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. The transdisciplinary training in composition, performance, and educational philosophy has afforded them the space to explore the social, communal, therapeutic, political, and geographic implications of music.

In addition to currently being an Associate Professor in the Division of Liberal Arts at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), Reagan has freelanced as a saxophonist, composer, and arranger in the Nashville, Greeley, Denver, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Greensboro areas. Some of the musical luminaries he/they have performed with are Charlie Hunter, Bobby Previte, Jnerio Jarel, Randy Brecker, Ernestine Anderson, and many others. Reagan has laid the foundation for a program of research on the cultural and historical influences of race, space, gentrification, auditory architecture, and communal wisdom on education. Reagan's scholarship brings together curriculum theory, ethnic studies, Black diaspora studies, critical race theory, Queer theory, critical geography, and critical sound studies.

In this episode:

• The generational through lines of activism and community in Reagan's family in Nashville.

• How "Music City" really got started in the 1870's with the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a choir made up of formerly enslaved people and the children of formerly enslaved people who were invited to sing for Queen Victoria in England.

• The ancient roots and historical through lines of queerness and matriarchy - how we're taught to think of these concepts as "new" but they are really a rediscovering of what has been both suppressed and here all along.

• The power of asking "why" - connecting Jewish and Black intellectual and philosophical traditions and how all great philosophers at some point have to turn something over to a higher power because there are parts of our human experience that we cannot grasp as humans.

• The importance of reframing menstruation as a community responsibility!

* Transcript readers please note: I was having some tech issues - my platform didn't transcribe my half of the convo in some parts. I apologize for any frustrations; this is still new software and learning curve for me. You do however have Reagan's half transcribed.

** Please also note this episode ends a bit abruptly but that is because the rest will be coming your way as part 2 later in the season!

Subscribe to Jess's Substack to find out about tour dates, new releases and more or listen on YouTube, Spotify, or jessklein.com and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

Jess Klein's Big Table was inspired by many activists and works, including adrienne maree brown's podcast How to Survive the End of the World and Finding Freedom: White Women Taking on Our Own White Supremacy.

Trevia (TREE-va) Woods is a multiracial woman with Indigenous ancestors who has two decades of experience in bodywork, education and community-building. She has roots in the Midwest and Colorado and, after traveling the world finds herself back in America finding her roots and how she belongs in the world. Trevia supports people in unpacking cultural appropriation, community building, and helping people expand their capacity to hold many truths about our lineages so we feel more connection and belonging in these times.

Find Trevia at ManyTreesLifeway.com and Kin Keepers Haven and on instagram @trevia_woods

Please note there are a couple brief audio glitches in this episode and the audio changes a bit around 13 minutes. New platform = still learning! Thank you for your patience.

In this Episode:

-The importance of listening and learning when we're new to social justice work so we can build up our nervous systems to handle the uncomfortable reality we're living in.

-How looking to social justice mentors - especially Indigenous and Black women helps us see the work that's already been happening and how we can contribute vs reinventing the wheel or getting into our savior complexes, especially as white people.

-The mental and spiritual disconnection from our history and the land illustrated by white folks planning to leave America because it's a mess. AND the antidote to running away (hint: it's community!)

-What Trevia learned from her Indigenous grandmother about joy and laughter as a survival technique to sustain us in apocalyptic times.

-How "It's the most vulnerable among us who make us a community and make us who we are" and what we miss as a culture and in social justice movements when we don't prioritize accessibility for disabled folks.

*A book Trevia references in the conversation is The Marrow Thieves, by Indigenous Canadian author, Cherie Dimaline.

**The Durham teacher Trevia references is Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock and her organization is we are-nc

Introducing Jess Klein's Big Table, hosted by folk/americana singer-songwriter and touring artist, Jess Klein.

This podcast will feature bi-weekly conversations with Artists and Activists about the intersections between ancestors, art, and activism. Questions to be explored will include: Who and where do we come from? What lineages and forebears do we draw upon, biological and otherwise, for inspiration and strength in our creative and social justice work?

My intention with these conversations will be to build community and connection among and between artists and activists, and inspire you, dear listeners, to embrace creativity in your activism and activism in your creativity.

More about Jess and her music:

https://www.jessklein.com https://www.youtube.com/msjessklein https://www.instagram.com/msjessklein https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KDZ8Vb3dZnQ8jnptHBdzD https://www.facebook.com/jesskleinmusic https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/jess-klein/4026099