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Basic Folk — Music
Basic Folk

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 Queer 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 is an official production of The Bluegrass Situation. Thanks for listening.

Welcome to Basic Folk.

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Latest Episodes:

Raye Zaragoza, ep. 107 Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

Raye Zaragoza has strong spiritual leader vibes and I believe everything she says. Originally raised in New York City, she and her two siblings and parents somehow all lived together in a studio apartment. New York has been a strong influence on her identity and her work ethic. She's a person who's always moving and moving fast. Raye's mom is an immigrant from Japan and her dad is of Mexican and Native American heritage, which also very much impacts her life and music. Her songs walk the line of activism and poetry. She manages to make a great pop song with an important message. No matter if she's writing an anthem for protesters at Standing Rock or an old fashioned love song, centered in her message is fearlessness, bravery and vulnerability.

Her latest album, Woman in Color, “was inspired by the current crusade to bring justice and equality to all those who have been marginalized, maligned and generally shunned at so many different levels.” Zaragoza has grown more confident and changed her perspective about adding her voice to that narrative. She writes songs about loving yourself no matter what you look like that reaches out to anyone that feels different. Even a song like "The It Girl" resonates with people who do not identify as female. All this to say, Raye is also a great hang. She's fun, quick-witted and like all cool people, has her own podcast, Create Well with Erica Elan. Enjoy Raye! She's the real deal!

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Suitcase Junket: "The End is New" Track by Track, ep. 106 Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

The Suitcase Junket's Matt Lorenz was guest #3 on this folk podcast and I'm thrilled to welcome him back to break down the latest album song by song. Released in November 2020, The End is New, was produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), who was working remotely (because of Covid precautions) from the West Coast. Matt describes how that changed the way the album turned out as well as several themes like climate change and overall support for science and reason.

Matt set out to make a "doom-folk" album and at first listen and not knowing exactly what that is, I feel like he's done it. We talk about what that might mean. The Suitcase Junket is known for his incredible live shows, which feature a one man band, Lorenz, playing instruments made of out items found in the garbage. Performing live is a big part of Matt's identity and we get to talking about what his life has been like without performing. Matt is just so awesome: open-hearted and verryyyy funny. It's a pleasure to have him on the podcast again. Enjoy and go buy that album!

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Patty Larkin, ep. 105 Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Patty Larkin is a monster on the guitar. Although starting on the piano, after her uncle gave her a guitar it was all over for young Patty. The main appeal of the instrument was the privacy in which one could play. She holed up for hours playing. In high school she furthered experimented with different ways to play, while working on her singing and writing. She moved to Boston in the 70's to study jazz guitar. She played in several rock bands on electric, but switched her focus to acoustic in the 80's which broadened her range. She rediscovered jazz styles and studied the work of Richard Thompson among others. Around that time, she became an integral part of the New England Folk circuit along with people like Bill Morrissey, Jonatha Brooke and Martin Sexton. For decades Patty Larkin has been a household name within the folk world as she continues to wow us with her intricate style and sophisticated work that has a particular high level humor within her writing and delivery.

Patty's latest is a record that sets poetry to her original music. Work by Billy Collins, Natalie Diaz, Nick Flynn, Marie Howe all make their way onto

Bird in a Cage

. In our conversation, she discusses why she was intrigued to combine music and poetry. She would work the practice of reading poetry out loud into her mornings in order to inspire herself into her day. This left her amazed enough to dedicate an entire record to the process. The project also happened to be the last collaboration Patty completed with the much revered and loved producer, Mike Dennen, who sadly died in 2018. She and Mike co-produced

Bird in a Cage

and she speaks of their connection and how they would work together. Also, she has the most epic lightning round answer to "Where is the most beautiful place you've ever visited," so I hope you listen all the way to the end!

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Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers, ep. 104 Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

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Wesley Schultz has one of the most recognizable modern voices in folk music. His band, The Lumineers, are arguably the most popular group of the genre embarking on stadium tours worldwide to support their chart-topping records. From afar, he also seems like one of the most humble and good-natured people to have lived. After doing a deep dive into his history and being able to talk to him in this capacity, I can confirm that the rumors are true: Wesley Schultz is very kind, thoughtful and generous. Well, at least I can confirm, he is the nicest person I've talked to that also has a signature Frye boot.

Wesley grew up in Ramsey, NJ with his parents, including his clinical psychologist father, who sadly died during Wes' teen years. He became very close with his future bandmate Jeremiah Fraites after Jeremiah's brother and Wes' good friend Josh died of an overdose. The two bonded through grief, which they expressed through performing music. Eventually they would make their way to Colorado as The Lumineers and found massive success with their debut album, which included the huge hit "Ho Hey." Two more hit albums followed. 2020 included plans for a world tour in support of the latest record, III. Once the pandemic hit and the world stopped, Wes and Jeremiah found themselves with free time. Jeremiah just released a beautiful instrumental album, Piano Piano. Wes also released his solo debut album, Vignettes, a covers album as a way to introduce people to songs they might not know. He performs songs by Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Tom Waits, Counting Crows and for me, it came at exactly the right time. The album is calming and it grounded me in a way that only music can do. I am so fortunate for the opportunity to talk to Wes about his music. I hope you enjoy and learn something new about this very special musician!

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Sadie Gustafson-Zook, ep. 103 Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

There is a lot going on with Sadie Gustafson-Zook. Raised in a supportive Mennonite community near Goshen, Indiana, Sadie was playing in her parents' folk band from the age of 6. Homeschooled until grade 5, she learned to channel her feelings through writing. After graduating from Goshen College, she moved to Boston in order to experience life outside of her community and to further her education. She recently completed a master's in Jazz voice at Longy School of Music in Boston. The way she incorporates Jazz brings a refreshing burst of energy into her original music.
The songs on her latest release, Vol 1., were finished recording before the pandemic started. Sadie worked with the delightful Alec Spiegelman, who WILL appear on a future episode of Basic Folk. She talks about their creative connection and what he brought to the project. There are plans for the full length, but who knows when that will be in this world of uncertainty. That very topic of uncertainty is something that she's quite familiar with and has reflected on in her songs even as a person in her early twenties. We talk about the ability to cultivate wisdom at a young age. There has also been a pretty significant arc in her presentation of gender. She talks about how this her first release as an out lesbian and the evolution of her relationship to gender. Still based in Boston, Sadie is one of the most exciting up and coming songwriters coming out of the next generation of Passim musicians and I'm excited to welcome her to the podcast!

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Anjimile, ep. 102 Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

Anjimile Chithambo, who uses his first name on stage, is a genderqueer Black singer songwriter making his way onto a larger radar with the debut album, Giver Taker. The artist appeared on some high-profile Best of 2020 lists (Namely NPR) and picked up two recent Boston Music Awards. Originally from outside of Dallas, Jimi was raised by Malawian parents, father a doctor and mother a computer programmer, his sisters encouraged him to join the choir and taught him harmonies at a young age. The guitar came along around 10 or 12 and soon an infinity with the instrument began, particularly with finger picking. Moving to Boston for music in 2011, he developed a drinking problem that led to entering rehab in 2016. During treatment, Jimi discovered that he was a trans and non-binary person. That realization led to the inspiration for many of the songs on the new record. Particularly the song "The Maker," which compares a redefinition of gender to one of faith. In talking about the song he says “I very much link my queer identity to my spirituality.”

Talking to Jimi was a pleasure and I'm grateful how open he is about his story. In his experience with taking testosterone, he learned that he'd have to forever change the way he takes care of his voice. That rich deep sound that you hear coming out of the young performer, would no longer be taken advantage of. It was also fun to hear Jimi talk about his playful side: "I think I've always been a dumbass and once I got sober I was able to use those powers for good." The music reflects a more serious side that calls to mind Sufjan Stevens, a major inspiration for Jimi along with the music from Malawi that his parents would play in the house growing up. Keep your eye on this guy!

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Cinder Well, ep. 101 Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

Cinder Well, who is California-born Amelia Baker, makes spooky folk songs in the Irish music tradition. Amelia grew up in Santa Cruz, California in a non-religious Jewish family. Her parents always had music on the stereo: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and The Grateful Dead. Music was always on in the house. From a young age she was drawn to the vibe and the strange stillness of abandoned houses, which somehow has translated into her music. In high school, she discovered the joy of writing and recording music. She found that writing put her in touch with the humanness of her favorite musicians.

Amelia earned her masters in Irish Traditional Music Performance at the University of Limerick. While in school, she would visit the nearby town of Ennis, first being attracted to the fiddle tunes. She talks about what it was like to be able to play fiddle with the local musicians and how their practice of listening to each other changed her own musicality.

Her latest album, the much lauded No Summer, was recorded in a church north of Seattle. Among original songs, there are few traditional tunes on the record. She says: “I gravitate towards ballads from a strong female perspective, usually about critiquing men and marriage, and about the struggle and desperation of being a woman in older times.” Makes total sense

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Rose Cousins, ep. 100!! Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

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Canadian songwriter Rose Cousins hates small talk. She'd much prefer to get down to the bone of your humanity and know about your struggle than talk about the weather. Raised in the tight-knit community on Prince Edward Island, at a young age, Cousins had the sense of helping out others and lifting up others instilled in her. She also spent a lot of time alone working to process her deepest feelings. We talk about how the piano served as a way to express herself through music, which led to playing guitar and writing. In university, Rose studied kinesiology, which has made her aware of her own body and is something she thinks about and uses everyday. At one point, she was on her way to becoming a strength and conditioning coach, but music took off for her in unexpected ways. She's thrived and grown through her musical communities, particularly through the Cambridge, MA scene surrounded by Club Passim. She credits Rose Polenzani, Jennifer Kimball, Kris Delmhorst and (of course) Passim's Managing Director Matt Smith for their encouragement in developing herself musically.

Rose's latest album, Bravado, contains multitudes within the writing. She talks about how she has grown closer to her truth and being able to express that through the songs. I am particularly taken with the brilliance of "The Benefits of Being Alone" in its ability to make you laugh and cry so hard within the span of minutes. Rose has been a dear friend for a long time, so this was particularly meaningful to talk to her through this medium AND I'm so pleased that this is our 100th episode with such a special artist!

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Auyon Mukharji of Darlingside, ep. 99 Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

Auyon Mukharji, of the Massachusetts spacey-folk band Darlingside, grew up in Kansas with first generation immigrant parents. Nature, music and sports all played a big role in his formative years. He ended up studying biology at Williams College, where he met his future bandmates in Darlingside. He joined an a capella group with members of the band and that allowed the guys to formulate their freaky harmony connection that is so well on display in the band's recordings and shows. Auyon talks about finally connecting with singing through songwriting, overcoming chronic pain in his 20's and how friendship and humor play an important role in the band.

Rhythm plays a big role in the new album Fish Pond Fish and in our conversation, Auyon explains that intentionality. As per usual, nature shows up a lot in the songwriting, which is split evenly among the members of the band. He says “It’s like you’re searching through three-fourths of foreign consciousness. Bringing you to a place you couldn’t imagine. You move beyond yourself.” He goes on to talk about what it's like to be so close to other people’s consciousness in that kind of intense environment. Enjoy Auyon! He is a first class gem.

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Chris Smither, ep. 98 Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

Help produce Basic Folk by contributing at basicfolk.com/donate

The one and only Chris Smither! Influenced by Mississippi John Hurt and Lightnin' Hopkins, Smither's guitar playing is centered around the beat and around the groove. He mics his feet during concerts and loves being able to sound like several different instruments as his heroes did. Smither says “Groove is the essence of engagement.” He's lived an extraordinary life that started off moving around due to his linguistic parents' careers. He ended up in New Orleans for the bulk of his childhood, with a short stint in Paris, that allowed him to become fluent in French (among other languages). Something notable about Smither: as a songwriter, he has the hardest time with the lyrics, which is strange as the son of language professors. He talks about the impact of their work in his own songs.

We also get some great stories from Smither: like showing up at Eric von Schmidt's house in Florida that eventually led him to moving to Cambridge, MA. Once he arrived, he started hanging around incredible musicians. A young musician named Bonnie Raitt in particular took to his song "Love You Like a Man," and recorded it. Nearly 40 years later, it's still a staple of her live sets. We get to hear about the kind of career that Chris had envisioned for himself and why his alcoholism held him back for over a decade. Smither also talks about his relationship with his father, particularly through his song "Father's Day." He re-recorded that and 8 other of his older songs for his latest album More from The Levee, which also includes one brand new song, "What I Do." Chris Smither is a treasure! Enjoy!

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