Pursuing the Muse

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we're joined by singer songwriter Theo Kandel to talk about his wonderful new album, A Horse Named Friday. It is the follow up to his debut album Eating, Drinking and Being and Love and I'm happy to say there is no sophomore slump here.  Stick around to hear how a stolen bowling ball sparked a ten-minute mockumentary film in addition to a great song. Learn how Sheryl Crow met Paul Simon to inspire his track "The Station,". Also find out why he structured the record to start and end in the exact same musical key._______________________________________https://www.theokandel.com/https://www.instagram.com/theokandelhttps://theokandel.substack.com/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3vyFRckdQb9oObCKpYtu2Ahttps://www.facebook.com/theokandelmusichttps://www.tiktok.com/@theokandelhttps://theokandel.myshopify.com/_______________________________________• 00:00 - Theme and Intro• 02:19 - Welcome: Tom Compton introduces Theo Kandel to Pursuing the Muse• 02:48 - Production credits on A Horse Named Friday and band lineup• 04:53 - Collaborative arranging and songwriting for "The Station"• 05:48 - Day-of demos vs. Grand Street Recording studio blocks• 06:43 - Growth and grief: The existential impact of losing Oliver Freiberg• 09:14 - "Sadness is a Sine Wave" and the physics of emotional elasticity• 10:13 - The Heraclitean river metaphor of change in "A Horse Named Friday"• 11:00 - Tracklist design, sequencing vibes, and key relationships in G• 12:57 - Sonic arc: Transitioning from pop energy to introspection• 14:21 - John Prine’s influence, universal accessibility, and avoiding pretension• 15:37 - Writing in the conversational second person and self-deprecation• 16:10 - Releasing "For Oliver" as a standalone tribute single• 18:51 - Vanderbilt English degree, T.S. Eliot, and Frank O'Hara's Lunch Poems• 22:30 - The bowling-obsessed real-life origin of "7-10 Split"• 23:24 - Fictionalizing a bowling-alley love triangle with walkdowns• 26:12 - Smashed windows and searching Echo Park dumpsters• 27:39 - PBA Tour bowler Bailey Maverick’s custom balls on tour• 29:06 - Grace Runnels’ screenplay and the 10-minute mockumentary music video• 30:46 - The value of cinematic music videos vs. short-form vertical content• 32:11 - Spinal Tap meets Kingpin comedic overlap in filming• 32:51 - Early songwriting foundations and parents' classic records• 33:36 - Inside Llewyn Davis and the Greenwich Village folk movement• 33:47 - John Fahey, Travis style picking, and DI tape saturation tricks• 36:03 - High school guitar lessons and building muscle memory• 38:06 - James Taylor’s BBC live performance techniques and clean attack• 40:09 - Hollow body guitar sustain vs. clean acoustic ASMR flatness• 41:09 - Learning Colin Hay's "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin"• 42:47 - Delays and logistics of the nine-month single rollout strategy• 45:15 - Tracklist length, budget limitations, and artistic discernment• 48:16 - Strip-down palette cleansers: Somewhere Along the Trail, Vol. 3• 50:49 - Vinyl design and upcoming physical release schedules• 51:20 - "Very Great Quest Tour" West Coast acoustic lineup• 52:16 - Schubas Tavern, wood acoustics, and Chicago Handshake Malört shots• 53:26 - The career sine wave of LPs and acoustic EPs• 54:05 - Substack newsletter and lyrics deep dives in "The 7-10 Split"• 55:34 - Social media footprint across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube• 55:49 - The bonfire metaphor of TikTok algorithmic careers• 57:52 - Meeting Evan Honer and recording "Flight to JFK" live session• 58:13 - Woodstock songwriting retreats and finding community• 59:15 - Stage acrobatics, backflips, and stage bench press alternatives• 01:00:11 - Outro and closing remarks

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse; today I’m catching up with Nick Dittmeier of Nick Dittmeier and the Saw Dusters, as well as, talking to bassist Shelley Anderson a bonafide Sawduster herself.Nick is a veteran of the show from season one who is currently on a "relentless" tour supporting his new album, Apparition, which has already taken the band from the Midwest to Europe and back again.Stick around as we discuss the mysterious internet-bot origin of his crazy album art, why Nick decided to "retire" from drinking to become a better band leader, and the his comparisons of European and American audiences.Side note, Nick and the band have never sounded better than they did at Broken Hearts. I have seen this band many times. They are a rock and roll powerhouse that you should not miss when they come to your town.Conversation with Nick will be followed by a chat with Shelley. Stay tuned_____________________________________https://www.facebook.com/nickdittmeiermusichttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGBfrvKReo4rQW7sI1KGfcQhttps://www.instagram.com/nick_dittmeier_music/https://nickdittmeier.bandcamp.com/merch_____________________________________00:00 - Intro: Episode Teaser and Welcome02:11 - Interview Welcome & Supporting Apparition on the Road03:20 - American vs. European Audiences & Guitar Attention Spans04:55 - The Bot-Generated Album Art Mystery06:55 - The Autobiographical Origins of "Apparition"07:50 - Sobriety: Being the "Captain of the Ship"10:20 - The "Moneyball" Mindset & Having a Short Memory12:50 - Splicing the Opener: "Reckless" and "Revenge"14:00 - The Complex Amalgamation behind "Black Dad White Mom"17:15 - Modified Telecaster Tones & Hybrid Picking Style20:20 - Prolific Songwriting & The Modern Cost of Album Releases23:10 - Glimmers of Optimism in "Running Away"24:45 - The Road Ahead & Rebranding Social Media Handles26:15 - Meet Bassist Shelly Anderson & Switching to Bass28:00 - Bass Influences: From Kim Deal to PJ Harvey29:05 - 20 Years of Mastering: From Country Stars to Rock Royalty30:50 - Joining via Instagram DM & Translating Phone Voice Memos33:00 - Rhythm Chemistry: Comparing Josh vs. Chase on Drums34:30 - Power Trio Dynamics: "Two for the Price of One"35:50 - Outro

Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we sit down with Texas singer-songwriter Thomas Csorba. Based in Dallas, Csorba is a modern master of Americana who documents the emotional realities of domestic life and fatherhood on his brand new record, "Tender Country"Stay tuned as we discuss: Why his new album is already in my top four records of the year, his fascinating "Mirror versus Window" theory of artistry, and how getting a day job helped him finally redefine what it means to really hit the big time. ------------------------------------------------https://www.thomascsorba.com/https://www.instagram.com/thomascsorbamusic/https://www.facebook.com/thomascsorbamusic/https://www.thomascsorba.com/store------------------------------------------------00:00:00 – Intro00:02:04 – Welcome: Tender Country makes the "Final Four" best records of the year00:02:57 – Defining Tender Country: Honesty, fatherhood, and pushing against "shock factor" culture00:05:07 – Artistic Philosophy: Being a "Mirror" versus a "Window" for the listener00:06:28 – Redefining success and reconciling life on the road with family00:08:16 – Releasing the Pressure Valve: How getting a day job shifted Csorba's perspective00:10:30 – Studio Textures: Evoking Stevie Wonder with the Clavinet on "Homemade Margaritas"00:11:46 – "Bigger Wheels" and capturing the universal truth of watching children grow up00:12:31 – Turtlebox Records: Partnering with the "Yeti of Speakers" for their debut release00:15:20 – Songwriting Craft: Instruments, co-writing with Brian Douglas Phillips, and the influence of Emily Dickinson00:16:35 – "Bigger Than Your Hat": Reworking the "cowboy's blessing" and Harry Nilsson00:19:13 – Discipline and Accountability: The pros and cons of co-writing00:20:09 – Willie Nelson lullabies, Texas songwriters, and a deep dive into Tony Rice00:22:12 – Balancing "Clever" vs. "Authentic": When puns work and when they distract from the heart00:24:40 – The Editing Process: The "first draft" philosophy and constant tweaking in the studio00:26:40 – The Life of a Song: Why records are snapshots rather than final versions00:28:14 – Covering "Little Green Apples": Tradition, shared community, and an "attitude of gratitude"00:31:09 – THow dying to oneself leads to better art and a better household00:33:40 – An oil-painting wife, unimpressed kids, and the mundane as sacred00:35:29 – Family Update: Two boys and a baby girl on the way00:36:31 – Solo acoustic runs, "lean and mean" touring, and collaborating with David Ramirez00:38:23 – Thinking in albums, concept records, and new songs00:41:42 – Outro and Contact Information

Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse. Joining us today is Nashville’s Sophie Gault an east coast raised songwriter and guitarist celebrated for her aggressive playing style and a commitment to uncompromising honesty.Stay tuned as we discuss the single comment from her manager that redefined her sound, the eight-hour marathon session that captured lightning in a bottle, and why she considers the act of songwriting a form of magical therapy.-----------------------------------------------------https://www.sophiegault.com/https://www.instagram.com/sophie_gault/https://www.facebook.com/sophiegaultmusichttps://www.youtube.com/@sophie-gault-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Intro01:46 - Tom welcomes Nashville recording artist Sophie Gault to Pursuing the Muse02:11 - Unhinged as a "Lifeline": How the record helped Tom navigate a blizzard03:33 - Defining "Unhinged": A comment from her manager at The Underdog leads to a new musical direction04:42 - Song Inspiration: "Outlaw Cruises," gambling, and the blues influence on the title track05:44 - The Triple Threat: Balancing the roles of guitarist, singer, and songwriter06:46 - Early Beginnings: Quitting piano lessons at eight and begging for a guitar at twelve07:17 - Musical Evolution: From Green Day's power chords to the blues of Bonnie Raitt08:32 - Capturing Energy: Selecting the right session players to make a song "breathe"09:41 - Creative Shorthand: Using "Snakes in Space" to communicate musical vibes12:41 - Independent Struggles: The financial and mental toll of the modern music business14:57 - Studio Atmosphere: Imagining a late-night bar environment within a sterile studio16:31 - Lightning in a Bottle: The "Butterfly Effect" of recording live-to-tape sessions17:10 - Lyrical Themes: Exploring heartbreak, anger, and "parking lot vengeance"20:19 - "Chestnut Street": A college literature class song finally finds its home21:11 - The Art of the Cover: Finding the truth inside the songs of Robert Johnson and Buck Owens25:20 - Touring Realities: Full-band runs, Sirius XM airplay, and the Yorkville Law Office27:17 - Geographic Influence: The journey from Maryland’s Eastern Shore to the Catskills and Nashville29:09 - Texas "Holy Land": The appeal of Austin and the influence of Gurf Morlix33:00 - The "Broken Things" Concept: Nashville band culture and the inspiration of Julie Miller40:02 - Songwriting as Therapy: Digging deep for brutal honesty and the "magical" transformation of experience41:51 - "Gems from the Sky": Songs like "Over and Out" that write themselves in fifteen minutes42:50 - Breaking Stigma: Writing "Christmas in the Psych Ward" and navigating Bipolar Mania46:39 - "Stowaway": Using cruise ship metaphors to capture unbidden feelings51:18 - Writing on the Road: Avoiding creative blocks while traveling52:18 - Road Gratitude: Finding joy in the early morning coffee and the next destination54:32 - Old Souls and Social Media: Why Sophie identifies as more than a TikToker55:24 - Outro & Contact Information

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we’re joined by Nathan Evans Fox, a musician whose brand of country blends Appalachian roots with deep empathy. Stay tuned as we discuss the raw emotion of Nathan becoming a father while losing his own in the same year. We’ll also explore his inventive "rewilding" of the banjo and hear all about his beautiful new album, Heirloom, out now, Pick it up today.----------------------------------------https://www.nathanevansfox.com/https://instagram.com/nathan.evans.foxhttps://www.tiktok.com/@nathan.evans.foxhttps://nathanevansfox.substack.com/----------------------------------------00:00 – Intro and Theme02:02 – Welcome: Nathan Evans Fox on the "exhaustion of dadhood"02:44 – Introducing the new album, Heirloom03:24 – The risk and vulnerability of autobiographical songwriting04:11 – Vocal dynamics and the raw emotion of "I Know The End"04:58 – The central theme: Becoming a father while losing a father05:06 – Exploring personal, political, and systemic inheritances06:00 – Making the album a literal heirloom through a structural "loop"09:01 – The "nine-month panic attack" of bringing a child into the world10:02 – Perspectival shifts from abstract "what ifs" to concrete history10:59 – Biblical Jubilee and the hope for social liberation13:05 – The Banjo: A tool for losing religion and marking cultural location15:03 – Avoiding nostalgia and "stomp and holler hell"16:18 – Inventive textures: Bowing, muting, and synth-style banjo17:19 – The "cursed" noise solo on the track "Race Car"18:21 – Banjo virtuosity vs. the "pocket and vibe" of songwriting19:45 – The "Chris Knight" edge of the song "Meanness"20:20 – Pushing creative boundaries and avoiding the "worship music" sound22:12 – Collaborating with producer Zachary Hamilton23:46 – A look at the contemporary Kentucky country scene24:43 – Sequencing the record: A-sides, B-sides, and viral transitions26:43 – "Thinking About Quitting": A scary cry for help28:54 – "Sevendust": Insecticide as a metaphor for poisonous love33:48 – Reimagining the nuclear family as a rehearsal space for solidarity35:10 – The professional empath: Lessons from hospital chaplaincy37:05 – When empathy isn't enough: The need for systemic solidarity38:43 – Music as medicine and the "blue-collar" understanding of songs40:24 – Metabolizing pain into agency and change41:46 – Planting seeds and being "good compost" for the future42:51 – Nurturing real hope vs. "the cheap shit"44:52 – Upcoming tour dates and record release shows45:47 – The "used car salesman" reality of the 2026 music industry48:43 – Rewilding Country Music: Killing the monocrop of mainstream values50:45 – Radicalizing the merch table with Zines and Okra seeds55:47 – Musical influences: The AI-proof genius of Roger Miller57:05 – Autobiographical boundaries and the influence of David Bazan59:19 – The heartbreak of Wasted Love and the "composting" of a career01:05:21 – Closing thoughts on authenticity and "no cosplay" country01:07:04 – Outro and Contact Information