Basic Folk

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Basic Folk

Basic Folk: Honest conversations with folk musicians hosted by Cindy Howes and Lizzie No. Available where you get podcasts and http://basicfolk.com.

Basic Folk is a podcast with honest conversations between musicians and Cindy Howes, a well-versed public radio host and music curator, and guest host Lizzie No, a talented singer/songwriter. Basic Folk approaches interviews with warmth, humor and insightful questions. This podcast fosters the folk community and showcases a genre that is often misunderstood. Basic Folk features complex conversatio

ns about the human experience witnessed from an artistic angle. Our definition of “folk” is extremely broad, so you’ll hear interviews from Amythyst Kiah, Tom Rush, The Lumineers and many more. Basic Folk is dedicated to showcasing the best in folk and roots musicians including BIPOC musicians who have been excluded, or felt like they did not belong, in the folk world. Both Cindy and Lizzie bring unique perspectives to our honest conversations and are dedicated to changing the landscape and the gatekeepers of the folk music community. More: http://basicfolk.com

07/03/2025

Surprise announcement! As of this week, I am the new host for Folk Alley's nationally syndicated radio show 📻 I blessedly joined the FA team in 2014, ten years after I wrapped up my beloved WERS Coffeehouse in Boston. Folk Alley reconnected me with my favorite music community 🤍 It saved my life, brought me back to my people and has sustained my love for broadcasting. I'm thrilled to be taking on this new role and SO excited to be on-air in my new home state of Maine (hello Maine Public 😁 Sat, 8-10pm). Big respect to my predecessor Elena See and FA's tireless top dog Linda Fahey 🫶

See you everywhere Folk Alley airs 😎 Find your station here:
https://folkalley.com/folk-alley-radio-show-list/

06/03/2025

Sierra Hull is on our 300th episode 🎉🎉🎉 Newly independent, Sierra releases her record A Tip Toe High Wire highlights the freedom and growth that come with that independence. We talk small town life, compare our diamond rings and get into her "Stevie Nicks Era." Link in bio or where you listen.

27/02/2025

You probably know Gary Louris as the leader of The Jayhawks. But Louris’s hidden superpower is that he’s kind of like a musical Swiss Army knife – he’s basically got a creative skill for any application. Good buddy, Mark Erelli, examines Gary's tools of the trade and his v v romantic new solo album Dark Country.

Where you listen or here:
https://basicfolk.com/gary-louris-in-conversation-with-mark-erelli/

20/02/2025

On Lilly Hiatt's new album 'Forever,' Hiatt's diverse influences are woven into songs that touch on everything from relationships to anxiety and mental health to good old-fashioned rock & roll. Also FYI: Lilly + Lizzie No = LYLAS.

Where you listen or here:
https://basicfolk.com/lily-hiatt-driving-tunes-and-life-lessons/

18/02/2025

The Folk DJ Hall of Fame is getting an extra SPARKLE this year with the induction of SXm's Mary Sue Twohy 🤩 MST is a huge support of this cute lil folk pod and in her honor, we get to know one of folk radio's boldest leaders. Her career path has not been straight and narrow, but it has always been an adventure. She left her life behind as a touring singer songwriter behind to sit behind the mic and our folk radio community has been the better for it.

Hang with Mary Sue or where you listen to podcasts or here:
https://basicfolk.com/bonus-mary-sue-twohey-from-folk-roots-to-radio-waves/

13/02/2025

Sam Moss is not a strong Swimmer, but that's what he named his delightful new album. Sam talks about growing up New England, why he has so many good buddies and his feelings around the word "gentle."

Where you listen or here:
https://basicfolk.com/sam-moss-gentle-folk-sounds-and-woodworking-bounds/

06/02/2025

New bestie Anna B Savage is covered in moss, very into birds and is writing about LOVE on her new record, You and i are Earth. She's come back to the literal earth from her previous larger-than-life imagery (think David Bowie/Bjork) to dig around in the dirt and her human feelings. I loved loved LOVED talking to her and diving into the new music.

Where you listen or here:
https://basicfolk.com/covered-in-moss-anna-b-savages-world-of-folk-birds-and-ireland/

30/01/2025

If you're having big feelings about Satan, Carolyn Kendrick has *just* the thing for you. Her new album "Each Machine" was inspired by her year deep-diving the devil. On the pod, we try to break down those feelings and perspectives as well as speculate what Lucifer would bring to a potluck and who is headlining the music festival in Hell.

Where you listen or here:
https://basicfolk.com/carolyn-kendricks-devilish-detour-satans-folk-music-moral-panic-and-the-color-red/

23/01/2025

Multi-talented musician/producer Josh Kaufman is known for working with Josh Ritter, The National, and his band Bonny Light Horseman. Josh is producing *every* record these days (Amy Helm, Anais Mitchell, Arny Margaret, The Hold Steady, The National, Mary Chapin Carpenter, etc. etc.). He happened to have a day in the studio with a very cool band in which he recorded a bomb instrumental record. We talk about the new album, producing every record and snacks in the green room.

Where you listen or here:
https://basicfolk.com/josh-kaufman-imperfect-folk-music-backstage-snacks/

16/01/2025

In 2024, Vermont's Lutalo released their debut album, "The Academy." Lutalo's music speaks for itself. Lutalo is dedicated to crafting new a type of folk even though their music is genre agnostic. They're making really cool songs and they're making waves. Lutalo could be compared to so many legendary artists and bands, but you can't quite put your finger on what their sound is but they are a heavy hitting songwriter and we think they're going to be huge.

where you listen or here:
https://basicfolk.com/lutalo-hip-hop-roots-and-folk-futures/

09/01/2025

Jerry Douglas is widely regarded as the best Dobro player in the world. He's work with Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, and James Taylor over his four-decade career which has earned him 16 GRAMMY Awards. As a kid from Ohio, Jerry grew up amongst the grit and glory of the rustbelt, soaking in the bluegrass from his father's band. We discuss his new album The Set, working with the next generation and being scouted as a teenager by one of the greatest bluegrass bands ever, The Country Gentlemen.

Where you listen or here:
https://basicfolk.com/jerry-douglas-from-steel-mills-to-dobro-thrills/

02/01/2025

A New Day for ! We are pleased to announce we are now an official production of The Bluegrass Situation!! We're debuting our new logo by Belhum, new theme music by Dietrich Strause and our new attitude. Come hang with the girlies on Basic Folk: check out the new trailer where you listen or here:

https://basicfolk.com/basic-folk-an-official-bluegrass-situation-production/

*~*~*~*~*

Basic Folk features honest conversations with folk musicians hosted by Cindy Howes and Lizzie No. We approach interviews with warmth, humor and insightful questions. Since 2018, this podcast has dignified under the radar roots musicians by providing a platform that they might not otherwise have. You’ll hear interviews from Three-time Grammy-winning guitar gods like Molly Tuttle, Haitian American folk legends like Leyla McCalla and deep feelers like songwriter John Hiatt.

Basic Folk is dedicated to showcasing the best in folk, bluegrass, acoustic and americana including Black, Brown and Q***r folx who have been excluded, or felt like they did not belong, in the folk world. Cindy & Lizzie each bring a unique perspective to these honest conversations with folk musicians. We are equally dedicated to repainting the broad landscape of folk music as we are to tearing down the ivory towers of the music industry. What would Bruce Springsteen do if he ever got the keys to that mansion on the hill? Let's find out together on Basic Folk.

Basic Folk is pleased to be an official production of The Bluegrass Situation. Thanks for listening.

Welcome to Basic Folk.

16/12/2024

I hope that the dancing-inclined amongst you enjoy the healthy mix of bangers and bops, and in a few cases, slick transitions FROM bangers TO bops. I hope 2025 brings to each of us good health and a Shaboozey-Sierra Ferrell collab. - LN

I have a few new year’s resolutions: less sweets, learn enough guitar for the campfire, write down my feelings…. I’m going to add “find more tunes offline.” If you see me in the wild, do me a favor and hold me to it. - CH

Bop along to our fav from 2024:

https://basicfolk.com/basic-folk-cindy-lizzies-best-of-2024/

12/12/2024

"We are at a time of year where your body wants to be doing less. We've just survived a chaos clown show of violence in the election. Our culture is shifting rapidly. It's okay if the things that used to work for you don't work anymore. You're allowed to start over. You're allowed to try new things. You're allowed to tell people in your life, 'I've changed.' You're allowed to listen to new artists. You're allowed to change how you dress. You can do it all. 2025 is a new year and you have freedom. And that's my blessing to you." - Lizzie No.

https://basicfolk.com/year-end-reflections-with-cindy-lizzie-a-wild-2024-ride/

05/12/2024

Trampled by Turtles Dave Simonett gives good buddy vibes on the pod. Talkin' bout hunting, music, trying to read all the books and write all the songs. From Minnesota to the music industry, balancing artistic integrity with commercial pressures and his passion for conservation.

Dig in or where you get podcasts or here:
https://basicfolk.com/nature-calls-for-trampled-by-turtles-dave-simonett-music-hunting-and-home/

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Hello Basic Folk listeners! 👋 My name is Olivia Harding and I’m the host of Folk Files, a podcast that explores the origins, misconceptions, and interpretations of traditional folk songs. If you’re a bluegrass lover, then you probably know the song “Shady Grove”. It’s a popular fiddle tune with many different versions and sets of lyrics. But what is Shady Grove? Is it a place? Is it a person? Is it a mondegreen, which means a mishearing of lyrics? And is it true that you can trace “Shady Grove” back to the old English song “Matty Groves”? I answer all these questions and more in my episode “Peaches in the Summertime”, which you can listen to in the Basic Folk podcast feed. If you like what you hear, you can find Folk Files anywhere you listen to podcasts. Happy listening! Follow Folk Files: @folkfilespodcast

“Great melody can survive more than in an okay lyric, than a great lyric and a lousy melody.” More on the allure of melody with Gary Louris - @garylourisofficial - on #BasicFolk in your podfeed.

Lilly Hiatt: “I come from folky people” #BasicFolk in your podfeed #LYLAS

Lilly Hiatt’s probs not hanging out after the show. Getting a good night’s sleep on latest #BasicFolk 😴🤘

Sam Moss is a tenderoni and we are into it 😍🥹🐰🐱🧸 #BasicFolk in your pod feed 🦄

When “Walk it off” is actually an effective means of getting reatively unstuck. Sam Moss talks abt walkin’ on #BasicFolk in your pod feed.

When your alter-ego and your true self are: #1) separated by one middle initial and #2) are slowly melding together with moss and dirt. @annabsavage nervously explores on #BasicFolk in your podfeed.

Save us Carolyn Kendrick!!! CK gives a step by step on how to not panic in a very panicky time. The whole story on #BasicFolk in your pod feed.

Whoopsie! My entire life is researching the devil 😈 That happened to Carolyn Kendrick, she made a record to process and we talk all about it. #BasicFolk in your feed.

When you’re four years old, but your dad is Josh Kaufman. All about it on #BasicFolk in your pod feed.

This one’s for the dads that said “You CAN sing!” Lutalo is on #BasicFolk in your pod feed.

Under the hood at #BasicFolk 👍🏼 new trailer out where you listen. Produced by @thebluegrasssituation, tearing down the ivory towers, getting the keys to the mansion on the hill and having an all night @aoifemaria inspired party 🎻🍻🐶

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CINDY HOWES has two passions: radio and folk music. She starting working radio stations at age 14 and has also been deeply rooted in the New England folk music scene for over 18 years. Originally from Massachusetts, the Emerson College grad’s resume includes WERS, WBOS, WBUR and WBZ. A zealous folk music fan, she currently works at historic Club Passim in Harvard Square and is deeply immersed in Boston’s rich singer/songwriter and Americana community. Also, Cindy hosts the podcast Basic Folk, honest conversations with folk musicians. That’s a lotta folk.

Arriving at Pittsburgh’s WYEP Morning Mix Host, and then Evening Mix Host and Digital Content Manager in 2007, as host and producer, she's interviewed and produced hundreds of musicians and prominent personalities. Since 2014, she’s been hosting at online radio station Folk Alley, part of The Freshgrass Foundation.She also served as the Marketing and Promotions Manager at Emerson College’s WERS. Cindy’s been thriving at the intersection of music and community for a while and knows how to bring music fans and music creators together in many different ways. In addition to her radio work, Cindy has worked in playlist curating for restaurants and retail stores. She’s familiar with many different genres of music: folk, rock, world, hip-hop, blues and more. Cindy lives in Boston with her cat Dottie. She enjoys yoga, hiking and playing the three chords she knows on a borrowed parlor guitar. She grew up in suburban Massachusetts playing clarinet in the high school band while belonging to both a sheep and rabbit 4H club.