Episode 17 - Jarrod Walker Jarrod is currently at the beginning leg of a 31 day national tour with Billy Strings. And really glad he took the time out of his busy schedule to talk with me. For a bluegrasser from Nashville via Florida it was really interesting to hear his take on what life has been like after being thrusted into a national jam band. Coming from a background of playing more sit down traditional events with an older age demographic. We cover all kinds of ground, ranging from his approach to playing and how he has had to tweak it for more open ended solos and improvisation. We talk about the the jam band culture and substance abuse, using electric guitar pedals on the mandolin , staying positive and grateful even when you’re not feeling it and so much more. If you are enjoying these episodes please share or tag your friends who might enjoy them as well. Thanks.
Episode 16 - Joe Troop It was great to meet and chat with Joe Troop as he was just finishing off a house sitting stint in Aptos. Originally from Winston Salem NC, Joe also spent ten years living in Argentina where he formed a grammy nominated band, Che Apalche, with some of his students. I really appreciated Joe's outlook, a true anarchist heart, a lot of his perspective was different from other people I have interviewed so far. A lot of our conversation revolved around how capitalism affects the music biz in the US. We also touched on the different styles of music from Latin America that have influenced him over the years. Joe is currently putting out a new solo “banjo” album that features an alternating cast of great talent, so be on the lookout for that.
When I grow up I want to be like Jason Crosby. I did not realize before this conversation how extensive his resume was, from playing with Susan Tedeschi, practically playing with all the members of the Grateful Dead and now on the road with Jackson Browne. That is really just the tip of the iceberg of who he has worked with. And he still remains so humble and nice. In this episode we talk about the skills he has developed in order to become such a prolific sideman, what he does in order to prepare for these gigs and so much more. Jason was really generous with his time and thoughts about music and life.
Episode 14 - Ryan Herr I first met Ryan 13 or 14 years ago on a hillside in Mendocino county. Although we have not really stayed in touch over that time. I have watched his music career evolve over social media and thought it would be fun to catch up with him on the podcast. It turned out to be a great talk about music and life. Ryan is mainly an electronic music producer with an ability to play many instruments as well. Keeping a live aspect to his music is very important to him. Aspects of that appear in nearly all the tracks and sets he creates. In this episode we touch on differences and overlaps in different music scenes, how he stays creative and keeps a positive attitude. We touch on different aspects of the music biz and how to be creative in utilizing different areas of it to generate income. And much more. Lots of great tidbits of knowledge and music making in this episode.
Episode 13 - Keller Williams Keller Williams needs very little introduction. At this point I’d say he is a household name for just about any jamband/ hippie type person. It was so cool of him to join me from his beautiful home in Virginia and share some valuable insights with me. On life, creativity, psychedelics, keeping fun number one and so much more. It was so cool to have a great conversation with someone who has helped inspire so many.
Episode 12 - David Block This was a very cool conversation with David Block. Aka, The Human Experience, David has traveled, played and produced music all over the world under that pseudonym. And has a lot to show for it. Releasing over 160 tracks and working with many incredible musicians including members of Rising Appalachia, Buena Vista Social Club and others. In his most recent venture, Gone Gone Beyond, he is blending contemporary vocal driven folk music with electronic production. They just released their second full length album 2030, it's available on all streaming networks. I listened to some of the album and it sounds great. David and I went deep, meandering through all sorts of different topics ranging from spirituality, hacks and techniques he uses to stay creative. How keeping a childlike sense of wonder in order to access your most creative side can prove very beneficial. One thing I liked in particular as well was how keeping a good heartspace over headspace and turning on our “no-mind” can help allow us to tap into our creativity . It was a great conversation with a great artist and musician.
Episode 11 - Danny Barnes This was a very special episode for me, it was the first banjo player I have interviewed and a legendary one at that! Danny Barnes is the real deal. Playing professionally for nearly 50 years I feel like Danny and has literally seen it all. Starting in Austin with a band called the Bad Livers, he has made his rounds working in all sorts of different configurations and bands. Recording on 100s of different records over the years and working with and mentoring many different bands. To this day it seems like his work ethic is better than ever. He now spends his days in Port Townsend Washington drawing comics and working with David Grisman in the Dawg Trio. Danny has an extremely generous soul and was really happy to share his ideas on life and how to continually improve in music. He provides insight on how to stay positive and keep the conversation uplifted. And how to fall in love with music or whatever it is you love, even more. My heart was warmed by this episode and hope you will gain as much as I did from it.
Episode 10 - Alisa Rose Ever since I moved to the Bay 10+ years ago, Alisa has always been amongst one of the best in the West in my opinion. An extremely versatile player with an in depth understanding of classical, old- time, bluegrass and other styles. It really gives her a unique and powerful voice on her instrument. In this interview we talk about the techniques and tools she uses to achieve what she does. We touch on what she has been up to over the past 14 months, some of the projects she has been involved in. Including, composing music for a string quintet, making music with Nashville based mandolin player Tristan Scroggins in their duo project Scroggins and Rose and keeping up with a very busy teaching schedule. She also has a really cute new dog. Which has also helped get her through this strange past year. It was great to catch up with an old friend and great musician, Alisa Rose.
Considered by many to be one of the premier acoustic guitar players in the world, it was such an honor to get to chat with him. For about an hour. One of the main points I got from this talk is what David does in order to keep his guitar playing #1. The choices he makes in his life, in order to achieve the level greatness that he his on his instrument. Truly inspiring. David Grier is the shit!!
Episode 8 - Reed Mathis It was so nice to have Reed come by the studio and chat in person. I really had no idea what to expect. But I can now begin to understand why and how he has had such a varied and exciting career. The conversation went many places, but one of the recurring motifs for me is how unique his approach to music is and his ability to articulate it. In this episode Reed talks about his bass playing, ensemble playing, and his general take on life. The good, bad and ugly. Not only is he a great musician with an in-depth understanding of Jazz, jam and rock. He also has the resume and street cred to back it up. Reed took me there, in this conversation. And hope he will for you as well.
It was really awesome to catch up with Joe Craven. He truly is a living a legend in my eyes, and after speaking with him it became more apparent as to why. His playful and youthful outlook towards music making is truly inspirational. We touch on his work with the David Grisman Quintet. His work with Jerry Garcia in the early 90s. HIs approach to music education and the different ways he has helped inspire countless other musicians and artists. . This conversation left me smiling and hope it will for you as well.
Episode 6 - Lindsay Lou It was super cool to catch up with Lindsay at her home in Nashville on a warm spring day. We talk about what she has been up to over the pandemic. Which includes spending time in nature, bike riding, a little bit of fishing and floating down the river in her kayak smoking spliffs. Sounds pretty nice, right? We also touch on her process of songwriting, gender roles in music, the strength and spirit of her grandmother who recently passed and meander through various other topics. Lindsay is a really cool and empowered woman who I felt inspired by after talking too. And hope you will as well. Enjoy!!
Episode 5 - Ezra Lipp Turns out Northern California based drummer Ezra Lipp is a really insightful person. You may have seen him play with groups such as ALO, Phil and Friends, Magic in the Other and more. We touch on all kinds of topics including his practice routines, spiritual practices that help to keep his head in a good place and other great tidbits of life philosophy. He has also recently just finished training and education in mastering music (hire him!!) , we spend a bit of time talking about that process as well. All in all a great conversation with a great musician. He has a podcast of his own that you should check out well. Enjoy!!
Episode - 4 with Diane Patterson This was a really special conversation. I have known Diane for 10+ years. Our mutual friend, Stace, who introduced us, tragically died of breast cancer 1.5 years ago. She was the owner and Ma of a beautiful off the grid homestead in Northern California. Where many great people, artists and musicians worked, lived and visited. Diane, dubbed the folk-goddess many years ago, truly lives up to her name. Traveling around the country playing festivals, house concerts, protests and actions. Keeping true to her roots and keeping it real, through story-telling and song. Diane is an awesome and inspiring being with lots to share. I enjoyed this conversation quite a bit and hope you do as well.
Hey Everyone For those of you who don’t know Adam, he is the front man of a great band out of Wisconsin, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. He is a deep thinker and all around great guy. We touched on his process of writing music/songs and how he has stayed inspired over the past year. Some of the other side projects he his been working on recently. What helps him stay mentally balanced and focused through tough times. His love of nature and fly fishing, spirituality and more!!!
For those of you have who have heard of or have tried to learn flat-picking on the acoustic guitar then you have heard the name Tyler Grant. A winner of the national flatpicking championship, band leader, teacher, road warrior, lover of nature and all around nice guy. It turns out Tyler Grant is the shit. I am so grateful to have gotten to know him over the past handful of years and consider him a friend and mentor. We had great chat as he was driving from Boulder to San Diego. We touched on all kinds of topics. Feel free to share with friends and would love to hear what you think.
This is a pilot interview with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan. He came to my studio in San Anselmo CA and we chatted for a good while. After the interview he asked if I could get a jam together for him. The proceeding week we had a big ol' bluegrass jam. It was really fun!! I attached an audio clip of that at the end. The actual interview doesn't get going until about 6 minutes in. I am just prefacing the interview until then, feel free to fast forward. Would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Feel free to email me at banjoisaac@gmail.com.