The Working Songwriter

Ron Pope Oct 28, 2025

This songwriter rose to prominence with the viral success of his single, "A Drop in the Ocean", and has navigated a flourishing career for the past two decades.

The Swell Season Oct 10, 2025

The musical partnership of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova has captivated worldwide audiences, even earning them an Academy Award in 2007 for the song "Falling Slowly".

Howard Jones Sep 26, 2025

This English musician was one of the defining voices of synth-pop throughout the 1980s and has built a remarkable career as a songwriter spanning four decades.

Greta Morgan Sep 12, 2025

This prolific songwriter has fronted projects such as The Hush Sound, Gold Motel, and Springtime Carnivore. She has just written a memoir entitled "The Lost Voice" published by Harper Collins, that explores her struggle after losing her singing voice to a health condition.

Dillon Warnek Aug 29, 2025

Originally hailing from the Pacific Northwest, this promising young songwriter played as a sideman in many other bands before stepping into the spotlight with his own records. He's toured with Courtney Marie Andrews, Erin Rae, and many others.

Dillon Warnek Aug 29, 2025

Originally hailing from the Pacific Northwest, this promising young songwriter played as a sideman in many other bands before stepping into the spotlight with his own records. He's toured with Courtney Marie Andrews, Erin Rae, and many others.

Mayday Parade Aug 15, 2025

Derek Sanders is the creative force behind this highly influential emo band that has been blazing a trail in American music for the last two decades.

Carlie Hansen Jul 25, 2025

This up and coming songwriter has toured with Troye Sivan and Yungblud, along with recording for Warner Brothers and Fearless Records.

Murder by Death Jul 12, 2025

Adam Turla is the creative force behind this beloved band from Bloomington, IN who have been touring their distinctive blend of gothic Americana for over two decades.

Tim Kasher Jun 27, 2025

This songwriter has been at the vanguard of indie rock for three decades, best known for his projects Cursive and The Good Life.

Jerry Douglas Jun 13, 2025

This Grammy award winning instrumentalist is considered the contemporary master of the dobro. He's played with everyone from Ray Charles to Billy Strings over the course of his decades long career.

Phillip Lammonds May 30, 2025

This journeyman songwriter has written for Hoottie & the Blowfish, Lee Brice, Josh Turner, Craig Morgan and many others. He has stepped into the spotlight with an album of his own entitled "Cowboy Things".

Magic Nothing May 09, 2025

Zack Fischmann is a musician who makes outsider folk music under the name Marmalade Mountain, but he has also built a music marketing consulting company that is supremely useful to independent artists.

Leslie Mendelson May 02, 2025

This Grammy nominated singer-songwriter has worked with luminaries such as Jackson Browne, The Who and The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, all the while maintaining her fruitful solo career.

Charlie Peacock Apr 23, 2025

This Grammy award winning producer, songwriter, and author joins the show to discuss his lengthy career that has included collaborations with The Civil Wars, Chris Cornell, and the Lone Bellow.

Peter Holsapple Apr 15, 2025

This artist has spent a lifetime helming influential bands like The dB's and contributing to major bands such as REM.

Announcing The Working Songwriter Forum! Apr 09, 2025

A weekend of intensive songwriting workshops, podcasts, and concerts at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL May 23-25, 2025. Tickets available now. Visit joepugmusic.com/tour for more details!

Mondo Cozmo Apr 08, 2025

Josh Ostrander is the creative force behind this beloved indie rock band. They've toured with Spoon, Muse, and Vance Joy. And their tunes have racked up tens of millions of downloads on Spotify.

Adam Doleac Mar 28, 2025

This native of Mississippi has written for Darius Rucker and Kane Brown, and toured with Carrie Underwood, Old Dominion and many others. His songs have amassed nearly 300 million streams on Spotify and his latest single features country heavyweight Thomas Rhett.

Steve Louw Mar 21, 2025

This award winning South African songwriter has crafted an indelible career over decades with his bands All Night Radio and Big Sky, along with his acclaimed solo work.

My Brightest Diamond Mar 14, 2025

Shara Nova is the creative force behind this hugely influential indie pop solo project. She as worked with Sufjan Stevens, David Byrne, and Laurie Anderson.

Stephen Kellogg Mar 07, 2025

This journeyman roots music artist has toured with Steve Earle, Adam Duritz and many others. He's recorded for Universal Music and Vanguard Records. And he's become one of the torch bearers for American songwriting over the last 25 years.

Fruition Feb 28, 2025

This group from Portland, Oregon tours the country with a novel blend of American roots music that features show-stopping vocal harmonies.

Chuck Prophet Feb 23, 2025

This legendary songwriter has toured with Lucinda Williams and Alejandro Escovedo, and collaborated with Warren Zevon.

Mindy Smith Feb 17, 2025

This celebrated songwriter stops by the show to discuss her years touring with Dolly Parton, singing with Kenny Chesney, and releasing albums that were mainstays on country radio.

Fastball Feb 07, 2025

One of the founders of this legendary Austin band, Miles Zuniga, stops by the show to talk about their chart-topping hit songs, and the musical legacy that continues with their new album "Sonic Ranch".

Silverada Jan 31, 2025

Mike Harmeier is the leader of this beloved Texas country music band that's been traveling the country and releasing records for nearly 18 years. They've appeared at ACL, Stagecoach, and the Grand Ole Opry.

Steve Wynn of The Dream Syndicate Jan 24, 2025

The founder of this profoundly influential group talks about their early days in Los Angeles, touring with REM and U2, and his recently published memoir.

Twanguero Jan 17, 2025

Diego Garcia is the guitar virtuoso and creative force behind this project that has toured the world, garnering acclaim and awards.

Michelle Malone Jan 10, 2025

This artist is on the third decade of a career that his included collaborations with Indigo Girls, John Mayer, Gregg Allman, KT Tunstall, and many others.

Kishi Bashi Jan 03, 2025

This songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has toured with Regina Spektor, of Montreal, and many others. He's recorded for Joyful Noise records and has built a largely grassroots following all over the globe.

Medium Build Dec 14, 2024

Nicholas Carpenter is the creative force behind this band that hails from Alaska, which has toured with FINNEAS and Tyler Chiders, and recorded for Island Records.

Iain Matthews Dec 06, 2024

This troubadour was a founding member of the legendary British folk group, Fairport Convention, and has gone on to have solo recording career that has spanned six decades.

Andrea Von Kampen Nov 29, 2024

This songwriter from Nebraska has toured with Ron Pope and Tallest Man on Earth, in addition to recording for Fantasy Records.

Yarn Nov 22, 2024

Blake Christiana is the creative force behind this relentlessly touring band that has shared the stage with Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, and Allison Krauss.

"Crescent Bridge" - Live at the Old Town School of Folk Music Nov 21, 2024

Listen to the first single from my forthcoming album "Joe Pug - Live at the Old Town School of Folk Music". Thanks for supporting the podcast and my tunes as well!

Sadler Vaden Nov 15, 2024

During a career that has featured stints with Drivn' and Cryin' and Jason Isbell's 400 Unit, this guitar hero has lately been spreading his wings with a critically acclaimed solo project.

Ben Sollee Nov 08, 2024

This native of Kentucky is an accomplished songwriter, cellist, and film scorer who has collaborated with Abigail Washburn, Bela Fleck and Jim James of My Morning Jacket.

Kim Richey Nov 01, 2024

This native of Ohio has carved out a 30 year career in Nashville with songs cut by Trisha Yearwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Radney Foster. And her sought-after voice has appeared on albums by Jason Isbell and Ryan Adams.

The Red Pears Oct 25, 2024

This young rock group out of Los Angeles has played Coachella twice and toured with Interpol, Chicano Batman, and many others.

Annie Bosko Oct 11, 2024

This native Californian moved to Nashville and went on to write songs recorded by Willie Nelson and Jessica Simpson. She's collaborated with Dwight Yoakam, Vince Gill, and many more.

Cody Dickinson Oct 04, 2024

This drummer, songwriter, producer and filmmaker got his start by founding the North Mississippi All Stars with his brother Luther. He has since gone onto a career that has encompassed Grammies, supergroups, and film scores.

Blitzen Trapper Sep 27, 2024

Eric Earley is the songwriter behind this PNW roots music mainstay that has toured with Pavement, Drive By Truckers, Dawes and many others.

Blind Pilot Sep 21, 2024

Israel Nebecker is the the creative force behind this influential acoustic band from Astoria, OR. He stops by the show to discuss living in a tree house in their early years, recording with Tucker Martine, and finding inspiration after a significant hiatus between albums.

Bonnie Light Horseman returns! Sep 13, 2024

The folk supergroup composed of Anais Mitchell (Hadestown), Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats), and Josh Kauffman (Josh Ritter, Bob Weir), returns to the show to discuss their latest album which was recorded in a century-old pub in Cork County Ireland.

Ashe Sep 06, 2024

This Berklee College of Music grad discusses her years writing songs for other artists such as Demi Lovato, and her meteoric rise as an artist in her own right over the last five years.

Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon Aug 30, 2024

This luminary of American roots music discusses his years on the road with Leftover Salmon, Great American Taxi, and The High Hawks.

Steve Cropper Aug 23, 2024

This legendary musician and songwriter was integral to the Staxx Records sound, and has writing credits on "Green Onions" and "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay".

Mat Kearney Aug 16, 2024

This Oregon native has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crowe and Train. He's also recorded for Columbia and Universal Republic records over the course of his remarkable career over two decades.

Guster Aug 09, 2024

This legendary band from New England has toured with everyone from Phish to John Mayer to Dave Matthews Band. They've experience underground success and Gold singles. Their creative leader Ryan Miller stops by the show to discuss their long journey in music.

Steep Canyon Rangers Aug 02, 2024

This Grammy award winning bluegrass band from North Carolina has been active for nearly a quarter century. They stop by the show to discuss their years as a group, including their auspicious collaboration with the legendary comedian Steve Martin.

Save Ferris Jul 26, 2024

Monique Powell is the lead singer of this legendary ska punk band from Orange County CA, who have been blazing their on trail in music for three decades now.

Patrick Davis Jul 07, 2024

This American songwriter and producer has written for and with Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Jewel, Pat Green and Guy Clark. He joins the show to discuss his career of writing for himself and for other artists.

Collective Soul Jun 28, 2024

Ed Roland is the creative force behind this legendary American rock band, he stops by the show to discuss the unlikely way that the band broke and their three decade career thereafter.

K Flay Jun 21, 2024

This songwriter has recorded for RCA and Interscope Records, and toured with AWOLNATION, Third Eye Blind, and Dashboard Confessional. Recently, she has had to navigate the unexpected medical condition of sudden hearing loss. An inspirational story from an inspirational artist.

Lawrence Gowan of Styx Jun 14, 2024

This native of Ontario has written and recorded platinum singles of his own, while also remaining a contributing member of the legendary rock band Styx.

Bridget Kearney Jun 07, 2024

This founding member of the wildly popular group Lake Street Dive joins the show to discuss her new solo project, her early years learning the upright bass, and composing with a group.

Josh Radnor May 31, 2024

This celebrated film and television actor who spent nine seasons on How I Met Your Mother on CBS, is well on his way to establishing his career as a recording artist.

Kitchen Dwellers May 17, 2024

This celebrated young bluegrass outfit from Montana has toured with Goose, Infamous Stringdusters, Greensky Bluegrass and many others.

Maia Friedman May 10, 2024

This California native pulled a stint in Dirty Projectors, and then formed the band Coco before striking out on her own.

Josh Abbott Band May 03, 2024

This bandleader recounts their humble origins in Lubbock, having their song "Taste" take off on local radio, and their wild musical journey ever since.

King Canyon Apr 26, 2024

This newly formed super group features Grammy award winning guitarist Eric Krasno of Soul Live, Otis McDonald and bass player Mike Chiavaro. The conversation was taped live at the 2023 Park City Song Summit.

Devon Allman Apr 19, 2024

The accomplished songwriter, guitarist, and record producer reflects on cutting his teeth with his father's band, The Allman Brothers, and blazing his own path.

Mackenzie Porter Apr 12, 2024

This songwriter has had six Number Ones on the Canadian Country charts and also performs as an actress on television shows on AMC and Netflix.

Shane Smith and The Saints Apr 05, 2024

This hard-touring group got their break when the T.V. sensation Yellowstone featured their music. They're out now with a brand new record, "Norther".

Alejandro Escovedo Mar 29, 2024

The roots music icon joins our show to discuss his early punk years with The Nuns, touring with John Prine, and his latest album "Echo Dancing".

Amelia White Mar 22, 2024

This East Nashville troubadour has shared the stage with John Prine and Justin Townes Earle stops by the show to discuss her new album.

"Heroes Pass Us By" Mar 08, 2024

The new album "Sketch of a Promised Departure" is out today. Here's a small taste of it. Head to joepugmusic.com to hear more.

San Fermin Mar 08, 2024

Ellis Ludwig-Leone is the composer behind this indie rock collective that has a string of critically acclaimed albums to their name.

Matt Pryor of The Get Up Kids Mar 01, 2024

The creative force behind this legendary rock band opens up about his years on the road, getting sober, and writing his new memoir, "Red Letter Days".

Foghat Feb 24, 2024

Bryan Bassett has been a contributing member to Foghat, Wild Cherry, and southern rock luminaries Molly Hatchet. He joins the show to discuss his five decades in music.

Tyler Ramsey Feb 16, 2024

This native of North Carolina was once an integral member of Band of Horses and is now back to releasing his own critically acclaimed solo albums.

Lizzie Weber Feb 10, 2024

This artist hails from St. Louis and has toured with the Swell Season, Ben Folds, and many others.

Songwriting with Soldiers Feb 02, 2024

Jay Clementi is a chart topping songwriting who has written for Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride and many others. He joins our show to talk about the foundation he creatively works with to help veterans tell their own stories through song.

St. Paul & The Broken Bones Jan 26, 2024

We were joined by Paul Janeway at the Park City Song Summit to discuss his group's meteoric rise to prominence and his creative process.

The Last Revel Jan 19, 2024

This American string band from Minnesota excels with an emphasis on songcraft and lyricism.

Liz Longley Jan 12, 2024

This native of Downingtown PA studied Berklee College of Music, moved to Nashville and promptly won the prestigious BMI John Lennon songwriting competition.

HEALTH Jan 05, 2024

Jake Duzsik is the founder and creative force behind this industrial rock band from Los Angeles that has toured with Nine Inch Nails and contributed scoring to video games such as Grand Theft Auto.

Bob Schneider Dec 22, 2023

This legendary Austin TX songwriter stops by the show to talk about three decades of prolific writing, touring, and recording.

Classified Dec 16, 2023

This Canadian hip hop star has found success for over three decades, including appearances with Snoop Dogg and platinum records of his own.

Dylan LeBlanc Dec 11, 2023

This soulful singer from the American south has painstakingly built a worldwide following over the last decade.

Michigander Dec 01, 2023

Jason Singer is the creative force behind this indie rock band that has built a national following by collaborating with Manchester Orchestra and playing legendary festivals such as Lollapalooza.

Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO) Nov 24, 2023

Zach and Lebo are the creative forces behind this rock and jam institution. They discuss their original formation, and recording for Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records.

Andy Frasco Nov 17, 2023

The legendarily spirited rock and roll frontman joins the show to discuss his early years working for record labels, DIY touring, and learning the craft of songwriting from mentors in Nashville.

Mireya Ramos Nov 10, 2023

This Grammy winner stops by the show to discuss her acclaimed band Flor de Toloache, and her time touring with notable acts such as Dan Auerbach's The Arcs.

Chris Farren Nov 03, 2023

This artist, formerly of Fake Problems, has toured with the Gaslight Anthem, Anti-Flag, Frank Turner and many others.

Darrell Scott Oct 27, 2023

This legendary songsmith who has written for Brad Paisley, the Chicks, Guy Clark, Montgomery Gentry and many others joins the show.

"Sketch of a Promised Departure" Oct 25, 2023

Listen to the first song of the new Joe Pug album.

Deer Tick Oct 20, 2023

Providence Rhode Island's greatest gift to rock and roll joins the show to discuss their years on the road and their knack for collaborating with one another over the course of years.

Otis McDonald Oct 13, 2023

This musical project is the brainchild of musician Joe Bagale, who has built a sizeable following for his music via the pathway of the royalty free library on Youtube.

Anna Tivel Oct 06, 2023

This native of the PNW has won the Telluride Troubadour award for songwriting and the prestigious Kerrville Folk Fest "New Folk" award. She's been composing and recording critically acclaimed folk records for the last decade.

Tim Easton Sep 29, 2023

This Akron OH native got his start busking the streets of Europe before moving to Los Angeles and scoring his first record deal. He's carved out a career as one of Americana's most beloved journeyman songwriters.

John Gallagher Jr. Sep 22, 2023

After starring in hit musicals like "Spring Awakening" and "American Idiot", this multi-faceted performer has struck out on a career as a singer-songwriter.

Courtney Jaye Sep 15, 2023

This peripatetic songwriter has collaborated with Rhett Miller, Gary Louris, Matthew sweet and many others, all while keeping her own artistic career rolling.

The Steel Woods Sep 08, 2023

Wes Bayliss, one of the co-founders of this Nashville southern rock juggernaut, stops by the show to talk about the band's genesis and the loss of their co-founder Jason "Rowdy" Cope.

Tall Heights Sep 01, 2023

This duo from New England has been releasing anthemic and rousing folk music for over a decade.

Ratboys Aug 25, 2023

Julia Steiner, the creative force behind this exciting young indie rock band, stops by the show to discuss the band's origins and their latest album.

Bill Nershi of The String Cheese Incident Aug 18, 2023

One of the founding members of this indelible American jam band stops by the show to discuss his early years, recording with Steve Berlin, and writing with a group.

Peter Case Aug 11, 2023

The legendary troubadour who fronted bands like the Nerves and the Plimsouls, talks about his five decade career as a Grammy nominated singer-songwriter.

The Revivalists Aug 04, 2023

Zack Feinberg, one of the creative forces behind this platinum selling rock band, stops by the show to talk creative process.

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