Songscapes: Music and Nature

Dimitri Mugianis fronted the New York based punk band, Leisure Class, known for their highly energetic shows and ‘Beat’ poetry inspired lyrics. After spending years wrestling with drug addiction Dimitri found his way to recovery and was inspired to create an organization that provided others with an opportunity to be a part of a support network. Cardea, draws upon Dimitri’s experiences in Gabon to visit a group that practices Bwiti. Drawing upon these traditions, Dimitri guides others through recovery and provides a place for self-love and personal growth.

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find Dimitri on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dimitrimugianis/ and more information on Cardea at https://www.instagram.com/dimitrimugianis/

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Harrison Goodale

Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Featured music: Joy, I Love You More, Ready to Receive

Adam Gardner knows how to bring a vision to life. As alt/rock band Guster’s guitarist and vocalist, and co-founder of the nonprofit Reverb, he has a passion for sharing the messages he believes in through music. Reverb’s mission is to use the cultural power of music to influence related industries, concert tours, and fans to make sustainable change happen. They do this by collaborating with artists – for example, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, or the Dave Matthews Band – to create amazing ‘EcoVillages’ at their shows. Tune in to learn more about these EcoVillages and other cool projects of Adam’s, like Quarantine Kitchen with musicians and the different ways Guster stays close with their loyal fanbase, only on !Songscapes

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find Adam on Guster’s Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/guster/ or on Reverb’s website at https://reverb.org/

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Lindsay Johnson

Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Featured music: Hard Times, Hello Mister Sun, and Overexcited

This week on Songscapes, Charles takes us to Nashville, Tennessee to talk with singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Sierra Hull. Having picked up the mandolin at age 8, been mentored by Alison Krauss at 11, and debuted at Carnegie Hall at 12, the bluegrass virtuoso has long since been certain that the musician’s lifestyle was the one for her. Sierra talks about the strong community of musicians she’s always been surrounded by, working alongside her heroes like Sturgil Simpson and Béla Fleck, and how her approach to making music has changed and melded over time. She also dives into her latest album, 25 Trips, and its themes of hope for the future and savoring the moment. Her deep appreciation of traditional bluegrass and bright personality make for a charming episode of Songscapes!

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find Sierra on her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sierradawnhull/ or on her website at https://www.sierrahull.com/

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Lindsay Johnson

Media Researcher: Harrison Goodale

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Featured music: 25 Trips, Beautifully Out of Place, and Middle of the Woods

This week, host Charles Coplin interviews five-time Grammy-award winner and American Blues musician Keb’ Mo’! He discusses his views on environmental and social activism, concerns about plastic overflow, and the idea of finding other planets to colonize. He cares deeply about preservation, and points out that we cannot escape our consumptive lifestyles, so we must become aware of the impact of our daily choices.

Despite how bad things can look, though, he remains an optimist about our collective future by sharing messages of hope and light in his songwriting. Keb’ Mo’ also dives into his musical journey, how he kept pursuing his dreams in the face of failure, and talks about collaborations with artists like Taj Mahal, Roseanne Cash, and Robert Randolph. Make sure to check out Keb’ Mo’s latest album, Good To Be, out now!

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find Keb’ Mo’ on his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kebmomusic/ or on his website at https://www.kebmo.com/

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Harrison Goodale

Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Featured music: Good Strong Woman, Sunny and Warm, and Medicine Man.

Today, travel with Arizona Trails executive director Matthew Nelson along the Arizona trail, which spans 800 miles from the Mexico/U.S. border to Utah. Matthew helped complete the last 100 miles of the trail in his youth, which he credits as a turning point in his connection with the Southwestern landscape. In his early 20’s, he was launched into a career in Grand Canyon National Park. He tells the story of his transformative first experience with the Grand Canyon, and how that connection led him to create music with his group, Ongtupqa. If you’re curious to learn about clay percussion, ancient flutes and how he and his group invoke Earth, Spirit and Sky, don’t miss this episode of Songscapes!

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find out more about Matthew on his “about” page at https://www.americantrails.org/presenters-and-authors/matthew-j-nelson, or on his musical group’s page at https://www.ongtupqa.com/media.

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Harrison Goodale

Media Researcher: Lauren Myli

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Featured music: Rain of Life, Vasey's Paradise, Rolling Thunder

Meet punk musician and park ranger Mason Evan Runs Through III, also known as his stage name, Wounded Knee. Born in Minot, North Dakota, he is of the nearby Fort Peck Reservation in North East Montana and is a member of the Assiniboine (Nakoda) nation. He is currently based in Utah, where he lives and works as an interpretive ranger and environmental educator in Dinosaur National Monument. Mason also shares about his musical project, Wounded Knee, and how he “creates emotionally charged music for a world that’s forgotten how to feel.” Tune in to hear about his journey to working for the National Parks System, as well as how he uses his music for political activism. Mason’s belief in genuine self expression and standing up for what’s right is inspiring and empowering, and his life reflects what he speaks. Don’t miss this striking episode of Songscapes!

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find Mason on his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/woundedkneepunk/ or on his Bandcamp at https://woundedkneepunk.bandcamp.com/album/bury-my-heart

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Harrison Goodale

Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Featured music: Holy Fire, Nakoda Calling, Burning Tipis

Charles Coplin catches up with his friend Gregg Hill to chat about his latest release, Born Liar.

Gregg has been making music since the 90’s and has spent most of his time focused on live performance and honing his songwriting craft. With a recent move to New Orleans, Gregg is embracing the artistic freedom that he has discovered in his new community.

The latest record is inspired by long road trips to western landscapes- to escape the doldrums of the pandemic, and contemplating what stories from the past can be pulled into the present to hopefully help us all be a bit more empathetic to our fellow neighbor.

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find Gregg Hill on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gregghillmusic/ or on his website at https://gregghill.com/

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

• Host: Charles Coplin

• Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

• Editor: Harrison Goodale

• Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

• Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

• Featured Music: Sky of Gold, Clinging to the Wind, Born Liar

Cincinnati, OH based Folk-Rock outfit, The Heavy Hours just released their latest ep, Wildflowers in August.

This collection of songs was recorded in Woodstock NY, in the dead of winter. With two feet of snow on the ground, and in a small mountain town, the band was cut off from the outside world. And this was a good thing. Recording and making the best music they could was the only thing on their mind. Simone Felice, of the the Felice Brothers, produced the EP and helped guide the band in their journey to find a sound that paid homage to the past, but still felt like something new.

The Heavy Hours began by rehearsing in a family owned abandoned house, and have recently been co-writing with a certain member of the Black Keys. As a touring band, the seasons have a strong connection to their travel playlists - and specific songs bring them back to very areas of the country that they visited.

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find The Heavy Hours on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/theheavyhours or on their website at https://theheavyhours.com/

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

• Host: Charles Coplin

• Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

• Editor: Harrison Goodale

• Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

• Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

• Featured music: Wildfire, Don’t Walk Away, Desperate Days

The guinea pigs for Sustain’s first Songscape retreat ever, we hear from Chris Freeman of Parsonsfield and some of the inspiration behind that experience. Charles Coplin and Chris explore the different ways in which inspiration can strike, how nature permeates other aspects of life and the evolution of the band over the years.

The new album, Happy Hour on the Floor, investigates the “in between moments” and being present in everyday life. Setting music to the ordinary, makes it extraordinary. 2020 brought with it new challenges, and once again, Parsonsfield was forced to pivot and come up with innovative solutions for their live shows. Some of which included experimenting with loop pedals and taking a more DIY approach to touring during the pandemic.

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find Parsonsfield on their Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/parsonsfield/ or on their website at https://www.parsonsfield.com

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Harrison Goodale

Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Featured music: Till I Die, Ktaadn, Weeds or Wildflowers

Sean Rowe is all about connection, whether that be through his songwriting, foraging, or surviving in the woods for weeks on end. Since he was a child, Sean has been interested in what the natural world has to offer those curious enough to look closely. As he grew older, the interest took him to the Tom Brown Wilderness Survival School and onward to his own survival treks into the woods. Tune in to hear his insight from a three-week journey in the wild, his tips for authentic “Tik-Tokery”, and why songwriters will never hear their own work the way listeners do. Make sure to check out his newest record, The Darkness Dressed in Colored Lights, and thanks for listening to Songscapes by Sustain Music and Nature!

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to review, share and subscribe to the podcast! Learn more about nonprofit Sustain Music and Nature’s work to make music a force for nature at: www.sustainmusicandnature.org

You can find Sean Rowe on his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/seanrowe11/ or on his website at https://www.seanrowe.net/

Find Charles on his Twitter at https://twitter.com/coplincharles

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Harrison Goodale

Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Featured music: To Make It Real, Tornado Head, and What Are We Now