Worktapes
Download on the App Store

Worktapes episodes

  • Episode 70 - Mat Kearney - Big Man
    Mat Kearney joins Worktapes for a second time and hopefully not the last. Known for his distinct blend of pop, folk, and hip-hop. His distinct sound has fostered hits like "Nothing Left Lose" and “Ships in the Night.” His music regularly appeared on the biggest TV Shows of the early to mid 2000s like Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs, and One Tree Hill. He's toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Train, Mutemath, Keane, and more. Collaborations with Trent Dabbs, Kate York, Paul Moak, Matthew Perryman Jones, Brooke and The Bluff and Micah Tawlks. In this episode we discuss the 20th Anniversary of his "Nothing Left To Lose" and get a live performance. We also hear an early worktape his newest release, "Big Man".

    Check out Mat's first appearance on Worktapes in Episode 64

    Find Mat Kearney -https://www.instagram.com/matkearney/ 

    Listen to "Big Man" - https://lnk.dmsmusic.co/matkearney_bigman 

    Listen to "Nothing Left To Lose" - https://music.apple.com/us/album/nothing-left-to-lose/265279882?i=265280023 

    20th Anniversary Tour - https://www.matkearney.com/tour

    This episode of Worktapes Podcast was produced by Brandon Carswell & Jonas Litton Hosted by Brandon Carswell

    Filmed & Edited by Jonas Litton
    Production assistant Khayman Williams
    Recorded at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN

    https://www.instagram.com/worktapes_podcast/

    *All songs used by permission
    1 hr 5 min
  • Episode 69 - Stephen Day - Moonshine
    Stephen Day is an accomplished singer/songwriter who has performed with the likes of Teddy Swims, Ben Rector & Stephen Sanchez. His catalogue has produced over 140 million streams, sync placements including Universal Pictures and is currently touring his latest record, “Gold Mine” produced by Micah Tawlks. In this episode of Worktapes we talk about a song he wrote called “Moonshine” and listen to the original worktape as we discuss it.
     
    Find Stephen Day
    Listen to Moonshine

    Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell This episode was filmed in Nashville, TN Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson **All songs used by permission**
    56 min
  • Episode 68 - Shelby Means - Streets of Boulder
    Shelby Means is one of the foremost bassists in modern bluegrass. From her GRAMMY-winning work with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, to her travels with the GRAMMY-nominated band Della Mae, her career has spanned nearly two decades crossing more than 20 countries. She’s also an accomplished songwriter and vocalist, just released her first self tilted solo album this year. In episode 68 of Worktapes we discuss a song she wrote called, “Streets Of Boulder” and listen to the Worktape.

    Find Shelby

    Listen to Streets Of Boulder

    Worktapespodcast.com

    Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
    Film & Editing by Brandon Carswell & Quinn Chowaniec
    Additional Production Assistance by Jonas Litton
    This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
    Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us"
    Cover Art by Mid Century Western
    Worktapes show logos designed by Harrison Hudson 
    **All songs used by permission**
    52 min
  • Episode 67 - Natalie Hemby - Carousel
    Natalie Hemby secured her first publishing deal at the age of 19, laying the foundation for a stellar career as one of the most sought-after songwriters in the music industry. With her songs recorded by top artists like Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Lady Gaga, Yola, Dierks Bentley, Rag'n'Bone Man, Lady A, Kelly Clarkson, Little Big Town, Labrinth, and many others, she has proven herself to be an undeniable talent. In 2021, she released her second solo album, Pins and Needles, produced by her husband and longtime collaborator, Mike Wrucke. As part of The Highwomen, alongside Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires, Hemby won a GRAMMY® Award for Country Song of the Year, “Crowded Table.” Billboard has recognized her as “one of Nashville’s strongest creative figures.” In this episode, we discuss a song she wrote with Miranda Lambert called “Carousel” and listen to the original worktape of that song.

    Listen to Carousel by Miranda Lambert

    Listen to Natalie Hemby

    Listen to Highwomen

    Nataliehemby.com

    Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
    Film & Editing by Brandon Carswell & Russ Loyd
    Additional Production Assistance by Jonas Litton
    This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
    Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us"
    Cover Art by Mid Century Western
    Worktapes show logos designed by Harrison Hudson 
    **All songs used by permission**



    1 hr 5 min
  • Episode 66 - Anthony Smith - Tomorrow
    Anthony Smith is a versatile songwriter, producer and arranger who has achieved great success in many genres, including Country, Pop, R&B, and Jazz. His songs have been recorded by Bucky Covington, Lonestar, Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, Chris Young, Reba McIntire, Vince Gill, Emerson Drive, Heartland, Donna Summer, Kenny Rogers to name a few. In this episode we discuss a smash #1 hit song nominated at the 2012 ACM Awards for single of the year, “Tomorrow” by Chris Young and we will listen to the original worktape of that song.

    Find Anthony

    Listen to Tomorrow

    Ads for this episode: 

    Dave Barnes plays 3rd & Linsdley for 2 special nights July 11th & 12th - Get tickets Here

    Gear up at Eastside Music Supply 


    Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
    This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
    Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
    **All songs used by permission**
    1 hr 13 min
  • Episode 65 - Dave Barnes - Someday This Will All Make Sense
    With nearly 30 years of songwriting under his belt, Dave Barnes has carved his own path through rock, acoustic, country, soul, and contemporary Christian music. Over the years, he’s collaborated with a star-studded list of artists, including Amy Grant, Matt Wertz, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, and Maren Morris. He also earned a Grammy nomination for his hit song "God Gave Me You," which was recorded by Blake Shelton making it a #1 hit. In this episode we discuss his early grunge music influences, moving from playing drums into songwriting, how comedy informs his songwriting , and we listen to the worktape of his song "Someday This Will All Make Sense" 

    This episode is sponsored by Songtown 

    We shop at Eastsidemusicsupply.com

    Find Dave Barnes
    Listen to "Someday This Will All Make Sense"
    Dadville Podcast


    Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
    Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
    This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
    Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
    **All songs used by permission**
    1 hr 23 min
  • Episode 64 - Mat Kearney - Headlights Home
    Known for his distinct blend of pop, folk, and hip-hop, Mat Kearney has created a unique sound that has led to hits like “Nothing Left to Lose” and “Trainwreck,” which contributed to his 2006 Dove Award win. He has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Train, Mutemath, Keane, and more. His collaborations include artists like Trent Dabbs, Kate York, Paul Moak, Matthew Perryman Jones, Brooke and The Bluff, and Micah Tawlks. In this episode, we discuss his early hip-hop influences, life-transforming grace that informed his writing, working with Brooke & The Bluff, and listen to early worktapes of the song “Headlights Home.”

    Find Mat

    Listen to Headlights Home


    Episode Sponsored by Eastside Music Supply 

    Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
    Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
    This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN 
    Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
    **All songs used by permission**
    1 hr 6 min
  • Episode 63 - Matt Wertz - Rosalee
    Matt Wertz, is an indie singer-songwriter whose soulful pop tunes have struck a chord with audiences worldwide. With his signature feel good indie rock-pop, Matt crafts songs that combine catchy melodies with nostalgic undertones. Throughout his career, he’s shared the stage with icons like Dave Barnes, Thad Cockrell, Jason Mraz, Ben Rector, and Gavin DeGraw, solidifying his place as a standout in today’s singer-songwriter scene. In this episode we discuss  early influences, his newest record, “Recently”, spotify for artists and we listen to the worktape of a song he co-wrote with Jon Foreman called “Rosalee”

    Find Matt Wertz 

    Listen to "Rosalee"

    Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
    Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
      
    Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
    **All songs used by permission**
    1 hr 31 min
  • Episode 62 - Nathan Barlowe - Feed Your Feelings
    Nathan Barlowe is a talented multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, best known for his work as a member of the bands Luna Halo, Five Knives, Reality Check, Honeymoon Thrillers and Keith Urban’s band as a touring musician. His music has been recorded by high-profile artists like Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, and Newsboys. Nathan has also achieved significant success in the dance music scene, with three top 10 Billboard dance singles to his name. His song placements include The Voice, American Idol, in Apple commercials,  NHL Stanley Cup, the theme song for the final season of King of Queens. He is also the inventor of an innovative electronic instrument called “The Phantom,” which functions as a sampling machine played like a keyboard. We discuss how he began in music at an early age, imposter syndrome and listen to an original demo of the Luna Halo song “Feed Your Feelings”.

    Find Nathan Barlowe

    Find Luna Halo

    Listen to Feed Your Feelings

    Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
    Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
    This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN  
    Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
    **All songs used by permission**
    48 min
  • Episode 61 - Clay Mills - Beautiful Mess
    Clay Mills is a Grammy nominated songwriter with cuts by Darius Rucker, Trisha Yearwood, Little Big Town, Lady A, Diamond Rio and more. When he’s not writing he is mentoring writers through Songtown, an organization he co-founded with hit writer Marty Dodson, offering a songwriting  masterclass, community building and mentorship. In this episode we talk about how he came writing jingles in NYC, not giving up and his huge number one song cut by Diamond Rio, “Beautiful Mess”

    Find Clay Mills

    Listen to Beautiful Mess

    Songtown 

    Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
    Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
    This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN 
    Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
    **All songs used by permission**
    1 hr 3 min

About Worktapes

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Worktapes!

This is a podcast where we tear apart songs.
Why was the song written? What’s it about? What is the context and emotion behind it? Where were you at the time? What…