Quarantuned With the Good Graces

Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 12 of “Quarantuned,” I’m talking with Monica Arrington, a wonderful singer-songwriter and composer from Atlanta who performs under the name Nerdkween.

We had a very honest, deep, and varied conversation that felt very important for me to have. We touched on Kimono My House and the recent birthday bash in which she performed three times over the course of the weekend; the defining qualities of her primary musical outlet, Nerdkween, and how it's different from her other projects Blackfox and The Hills and the Holler; how the past year has been for her, considering not only Covid but also all the events surrounding the murder of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, etc., and why it's important to be open to having difficult conversations but it's also equally if not more important to realize, as a white person, that trust is not a given. It needs to be earned.   

I am very grateful for Monica's patience, insight, and friendship.   

You can learn more about Monica / Nerdkween through her various musical outlets:

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Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 11 of “Quarantuned,” I’m talking with Harley Eblen, a wonderful singer-songwriter based in Seattle, WA.

Harley and I met through Song School, an annual workshop-style gathering of songwriters that takes place at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, CO, so naturally we talked about our experiences there. We also discussed his new single, "I See You," and how the 2016 election inspired it; approaching songwriting from a place of empathy and how that can change you as a songwriter; how music keeps him alive; our experiences in recovering from burnout; his recent exploration into musical production; planning and non-planning; truths and non-truths in songwriting; and so, so much more!

You can support this and my other musical-related endeavors by becoming a patron — in fact patrons that contribute $5 or more each month get the unedited, video versions of these quarantuned chats. You can become a patron for as little as $1 a month, and I appreciate any and all contributions, so thanks in advance for checking it out at patreon.com/kimware

You can learn more about Harley at https://www.harleyeblen.com/, and follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/harleyeblen/

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Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 10 of “Quarantuned,” I’m talking with Tracy Simpson, a very talented singer and songwriter, and the co-director of Southern Songwriters Association, a group based around the Fort Mill, SC area dedicated to the promotion and support of local songwriting.

Tracy and I met through SSA, so naturally we talked a lot about the organization. We also dove pretty deep into songwriting, her newly released singles, the value of communities, the beauty of ungainliness, and much more. It was such a relaxed, rich conversation and I truly enjoyed it so much.

You can support this and my other musical-related endeavors by becoming a patron — in fact patrons that contribute $5 or more each month get the unedited, video versions of these quarantuned chats. You can become a patron for as little as $1 a month, and I appreciate any and all contributions, so thanks in advance for checking it out at patreon.com/kimware

You can check out some of Tracy's original songs at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCstQF0R1ffGT7TWb_UMP-DQ and her studio recordings on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/5we9cVmlwNVRyBSkHoAtWB?si=G1Qx1-dNQ1qwRTtxlwXv7Q

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Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 9 of “Quarantuned,” I’m talking with Abigail Dowd, a wonderful songwriter and beautiful person from Greensboro, NC. Abigail and I met a few years ago at Song School in Colorado. When we had this conversation, neither of us knew whether Song School would happen this year. But it turns out, it was just announced that it's on! We talked a lot about Song School and how special it is, how things have been going for her since the pandemic started, her new single "One Moment at a Time," her upcoming album "Beautiful Day," the amazing synchronicity that led her to meeting her husband, and so much more. This conversation was such a joy.

You can support this and my other musical-related endeavors by becoming a patron — in fact patrons that contribute $5 or more each month get the unedited, video versions of these quarantuned chats. You can become a patron for as little as $1 a month, and I appreciate any and all contributions, so thanks in advance for checking it out at patreon.com/kimware

You can learn more about Abigail from her website at https://www.abigaildowd.com/​. Follow her on Spotify, etc. to hear the new album as soon as it's released on April 23!

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Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 8 of “Quarantuned,” I’m talking with Chris Shaw, a very talented musician from Columbus, Ohio. Chris and I both attended last week's "Folk Unlocked" conference, the virtual version of the annual Folk Alliance International gathering, which brings in artists from all over the world. We talked about what from the conference resonated with us, his current musical projects, our early life experiences in theatre, where he gets his news, and more.

You can support this and my other musical-related endeavors by becoming a patron — in fact patrons that contribute $5 or more each month get the unedited, video versions of these quarantuned chats. You can become a patron for as little as $1 a month, and I appreciate any and all contributions, so thanks in advance for checking it out at patreon.com/kimware

Chris is typically found performing with his R&B / soul outfit, "purveyors of art & soul" Topher James & Biscuit Brigade. You can find them online at https://topherjamesmusic.com/. Download their music from their Bandcamp at https://topherjames.bandcamp.com/, or find it on your favorite streaming platform.

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Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 7 of “Quarantuned”, I’m talking with Lars Nagel, an awesome songwriter and guitarist from Atlanta. Lars and I had a great conversation and dove deep into songwriting and art in general, as well as his rich history with the Atlanta music scene, from back in the early 90s with the Ditchdiggers, to his time with the El Caminos, to the present as a solo artist and with his weekly "BLT" showcase that he hosts with Tom Cheshire (episode 3) in Kimono My House on Facebook.

You can support this and my other musical-related endeavors by becoming a patron — in fact patrons that contribute $5 or more each month get the unedited, video versions of these quarantuned chats. You can become a patron for as little as $1 a month, and I appreciate any and all contributions, so thanks in advance for checking it out at patreon.com/kimware

You can find Lars on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lars-Nagel-474309662588846/, and his releases "American Honey" and "Happy to Be Hear" on your favorite streaming platform.

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Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 6 of “Quarantuned”, I’m talking with K Michelle Dubois, a very talented musician from Atlanta, GA. Despite some technical difficulties that threatened to kill the entire convo, we pushed through and had a great time! We covered a lot of territory here, from her brand new album "The Fever Returns" and its predecessor, "Harness," to DIY video making, to our obsession with social media and tips for breaking free, to ... smart stuff like nebular theory! to so much more.

You can support this and my other musical-related endeavors by becoming a patron — in fact patrons that contribute $5 or more each month get the unedited, video versions of these quarantuned chats. You can become a patron for as little as $1 a month, and I appreciate any and all contributions, so thanks in advance for checking it out at patreon.com/kimware

You can find Michelle on:

Music in this episode*:

Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 5 of “Quarantuned”, I’m talking with the uber-interesting and creative Dennis Tardan and Renée Yaworsky, of the Dennis for Famous (D4F) show. This conversation was amazing! Improv, celebrities, Hollywood, self-sabotage, women and their tendency to deflect compliments (we went deeps y'all) ... honestly no topic was off-limits. It was somethin' else!

I had a blast hanging out with Dennis and Renée, and I hope you dig it, too! You can support this and my other musical-related endeavors by becoming a patron — in fact patrons that contribute $5 or more each month get the unedited, video versions of these quarantuned chats. You can become a patron for as little as $1 a month, and I appreciate any and all contributions, so thanks in advance for checking it out at patreon.com/kimware

You can find Dennis and Renée's videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_1DWGG0wm8xITBGQEd93hQ

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Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 4 of “Quarantuned”, I’m talking with the ever-talented Juliana Finch, a songwriter from Durham, NC. Juliana and I talked about all sorts of stuff! Including the importance of connection and community, her recent return to college, religion and art, creativity during the pandemic -- and how it's so ok if you're NOT making things during this time -- things we miss and new parts of our lives that we hope to hold on to post-pandemic, esoteric art, and much more.

I had a lovely time catching up with Juliana, and I hope something from our conversation resonates with you, too. You can support this and my other musical-related endeavors by becoming a patron — in fact patrons that contribute $10 or more each month get the unedited, video versions of these quarantuned chats. You can become a patron for as little as $1 a month, and I appreciate any and all contributions, so thanks in advance for checking it out at patreon.com/kimware

You can find Juliana online at:

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Welcome to Quarantuned With the Good Graces! Quarantuned is an interview podcast that focuses on staying creative, present, and connected during these unsettled and isolating times. In episode 3, I talk with Atlanta musician and man about town Tom Cheshire. Best known (at least to me, but he's done so much amazing stuff!) for his work in All Night Drug Prowling Wolves and West End Motel, Tom and I talked about Kimono My House -- the Facebook group that connected us and has served as the catalyst for so many new relationships since the pandemic -- staying creative despite isolation and uncertainty, the importance of community, and much more.

This was a fun, inspiring conversation, and I hope you enjoy it. You can support this and my other musical-related endeavors by becoming a patron — in fact patrons that contribute $10 or more each month get the unedited, video versions of these quarantuned chats. You can become a patron for as little as $1 a month, and I appreciate any and all contributions, so thanks in advance for checking it out at patreon.com/kimware

Find Tom online at:

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