A podcast about songwriting and the paths musicians take to get songs created.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/30/19/4f9ddcf1-f315-4a2a-b1d4-d91c6c584bbf_ptm_s6e6_tk_final.mp3

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we&#39;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&#39;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 &#34;The Station,&#34;. 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 &#34;The Station&#34;• 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 - &#34;Sadness is a Sine Wave&#34; and the physics of emotional elasticity• 10:13 - The Heraclitean river metaphor of change in &#34;A Horse Named Friday&#34;• 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 &#34;For Oliver&#34; as a standalone tribute single• 18:51 - Vanderbilt English degree, T.S. Eliot, and Frank O&#39;Hara&#39;s Lunch Poems• 22:30 - The bowling-obsessed real-life origin of &#34;7-10 Split&#34;• 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&#39; 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&#39;s &#34;Waiting for My Real Life to Begin&#34;• 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 - &#34;Very Great Quest Tour&#34; 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 &#34;The 7-10 Split&#34;• 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 &#34;Flight to JFK&#34; 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

Theo Kandel on Pursuing the Muse

Theo Kandel

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/19/22/66a0ae5e-3fda-41f8-8ca2-f9b2a76d9f70_ptm_s6e5_nd.mp3

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 &#34;relentless&#34; 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 &#34;retire&#34; 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 &amp; Supporting Apparition on the Road03:20 - American vs. European Audiences &amp; Guitar Attention Spans04:55 - The Bot-Generated Album Art Mystery06:55 - The Autobiographical Origins of &#34;Apparition&#34;07:50 - Sobriety: Being the &#34;Captain of the Ship&#34;10:20 - The &#34;Moneyball&#34; Mindset &amp; Having a Short Memory12:50 - Splicing the Opener: &#34;Reckless&#34; and &#34;Revenge&#34;14:00 - The Complex Amalgamation behind &#34;Black Dad White Mom&#34;17:15 - Modified Telecaster Tones &amp; Hybrid Picking Style20:20 - Prolific Songwriting &amp; The Modern Cost of Album Releases23:10 - Glimmers of Optimism in &#34;Running Away&#34;24:45 - The Road Ahead &amp; Rebranding Social Media Handles26:15 - Meet Bassist Shelly Anderson &amp; 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 &amp; Translating Phone Voice Memos33:00 - Rhythm Chemistry: Comparing Josh vs. Chase on Drums34:30 - Power Trio Dynamics: &#34;Two for the Price of One&#34;35:50 - Outro

Nick Dittmeier on Pursuing the Muse

Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/3/23/6b450d2b-84e4-407d-88e6-027f4b1f973b_ptm_s7e4_tc_final.mp3

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, &#34;Tender Country&#34;Stay tuned as we discuss: Why his new album is already in my top four records of the year, his fascinating &#34;Mirror versus Window&#34; 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 &#34;Final Four&#34; best records of the year00:02:57 – Defining Tender Country: Honesty, fatherhood, and pushing against &#34;shock factor&#34; culture00:05:07 – Artistic Philosophy: Being a &#34;Mirror&#34; versus a &#34;Window&#34; 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&#39;s perspective00:10:30 – Studio Textures: Evoking Stevie Wonder with the Clavinet on &#34;Homemade Margaritas&#34;00:11:46 – &#34;Bigger Wheels&#34; and capturing the universal truth of watching children grow up00:12:31 – Turtlebox Records: Partnering with the &#34;Yeti of Speakers&#34; for their debut release00:15:20 – Songwriting Craft: Instruments, co-writing with Brian Douglas Phillips, and the influence of Emily Dickinson00:16:35 – &#34;Bigger Than Your Hat&#34;: Reworking the &#34;cowboy&#39;s blessing&#34; 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 &#34;Clever&#34; vs. &#34;Authentic&#34;: When puns work and when they distract from the heart00:24:40 – The Editing Process: The &#34;first draft&#34; 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 &#34;Little Green Apples&#34;: Tradition, shared community, and an &#34;attitude of gratitude&#34;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, &#34;lean and mean&#34; touring, and collaborating with David Ramirez00:38:23 – Thinking in albums, concept records, and new songs00:41:42 – Outro and Contact Information

Thomas Csorba on Pursuing the Muse

Thomas Csorba

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/8/23/5d4d76f3-00c5-478c-984b-ce37b2e4e8c5_ptm_s7e3_sg_final.mp3

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 &#34;Lifeline&#34;: How the record helped Tom navigate a blizzard03:33 - Defining &#34;Unhinged&#34;: A comment from her manager at The Underdog leads to a new musical direction04:42 - Song Inspiration: &#34;Outlaw Cruises,&#34; 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&#39;s power chords to the blues of Bonnie Raitt08:32 - Capturing Energy: Selecting the right session players to make a song &#34;breathe&#34;09:41 - Creative Shorthand: Using &#34;Snakes in Space&#34; 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 &#34;Butterfly Effect&#34; of recording live-to-tape sessions17:10 - Lyrical Themes: Exploring heartbreak, anger, and &#34;parking lot vengeance&#34;20:19 - &#34;Chestnut Street&#34;: 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 &#34;Holy Land&#34;: The appeal of Austin and the influence of Gurf Morlix33:00 - The &#34;Broken Things&#34; Concept: Nashville band culture and the inspiration of Julie Miller40:02 - Songwriting as Therapy: Digging deep for brutal honesty and the &#34;magical&#34; transformation of experience41:51 - &#34;Gems from the Sky&#34;: Songs like &#34;Over and Out&#34; that write themselves in fifteen minutes42:50 - Breaking Stigma: Writing &#34;Christmas in the Psych Ward&#34; and navigating Bipolar Mania46:39 - &#34;Stowaway&#34;: 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 &amp; Contact Information

Sophie Gault on Pursuing the Muse

Sophie Gault

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/24/20/3082eeed-1cc0-47e9-b17e-fe3b23091cf4_ptm_s7e2_nef_final.mp3

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 &#34;rewilding&#34; 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 &#34;exhaustion of dadhood&#34;02:44 – Introducing the new album, Heirloom03:24 – The risk and vulnerability of autobiographical songwriting04:11 – Vocal dynamics and the raw emotion of &#34;I Know The End&#34;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 &#34;loop&#34;09:01 – The &#34;nine-month panic attack&#34; of bringing a child into the world10:02 – Perspectival shifts from abstract &#34;what ifs&#34; 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 &#34;stomp and holler hell&#34;16:18 – Inventive textures: Bowing, muting, and synth-style banjo17:19 – The &#34;cursed&#34; noise solo on the track &#34;Race Car&#34;18:21 – Banjo virtuosity vs. the &#34;pocket and vibe&#34; of songwriting19:45 – The &#34;Chris Knight&#34; edge of the song &#34;Meanness&#34;20:20 – Pushing creative boundaries and avoiding the &#34;worship music&#34; 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 – &#34;Thinking About Quitting&#34;: A scary cry for help28:54 – &#34;Sevendust&#34;: 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&#39;t enough: The need for systemic solidarity38:43 – Music as medicine and the &#34;blue-collar&#34; understanding of songs40:24 – Metabolizing pain into agency and change41:46 – Planting seeds and being &#34;good compost&#34; for the future42:51 – Nurturing real hope vs. &#34;the cheap shit&#34;44:52 – Upcoming tour dates and record release shows45:47 – The &#34;used car salesman&#34; 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 &#34;composting&#34; of a career01:05:21 – Closing thoughts on authenticity and &#34;no cosplay&#34; country01:07:04 – Outro and Contact Information

Nathan Evans Fox on Pursuing the Muse

Nathan Evans Fox

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Welcome again to Pursuing the Muse! Today we are joined by Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, the frontmen and primary songwriters of the Austin-based Band of Heathens, who are celebrating twenty years of making great music.Stick around to hear how their song craft has evolved over the years. Learn how Hurricane grew into a platinum monster. And find out which band member played linebacker in college.----------------------------------------https://bandofheathens.com/https://www.facebook.com/thebandofheathenshttps://www.instagram.com/bandofheathenshttps://www.patreon.com/bandofheathens----------------------------------------00:00 - Theme and Intro02:14 - Welcoming Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist02:50 - Celebrating 20 Years: From the Momo’s Residency to Country Sides04:22 - Improving the Craft: Dedication to Songwriting in Middle Age05:27 - The &#34;Problem Solving&#34; Nature of the Songwriting Puzzle07:02 - Waiting for Inspiration vs. The Discipline of Showing Up09:15 - Keeping the Creative &#34;Antenna&#34; Up11:44 - Inviting Inspiration: How Literature, Film, and Other Art Fuel Ideas13:24 - Patterns of Creation: Starting with Titles, Guitar Hooks, or Stream of Consciousness15:20 - Remote Collaboration and Trusting Each Other&#39;s Instincts17:45 - Early Roots: The Original Lineup and the &#34;Side Project&#34; at Momo’s19:51 - The Liberation of Shared Frontman Duties21:45 - Common Aesthetics as the Key to Band Longevity22:47 - The Legend of Colin Brooks: From Rocker to Fly Fishing Guide24:47 - Full Circle Moments: Reconnecting on Stage with Old Friends26:24 - The Good Time Supper Club: Building a Digital &#34;Second Family&#34;27:41 - The Dartmouth Connection: Gordy and Trevor’s Past as College Football Players28:51 - From the Gridiron to the Stage: Translating Linebacker Tenacity to Music31:10 - Bull Riding Trivia: The Biblical and Texas Imagery of &#34;Eight More Seconds&#34;32:33 - The Finishing School: Running a Private Creative Clubhouse in Austin33:41 - BOH Records: The Business of Staying Independent35:50 - Why They Turned Down Major Label Deals and Kept Their Rights37:39 - &#34;Hurricane&#34;: The Accidental Journey of a Platinum Monster38:37 - Reinterpreting Levon Helm: Dark Themes and Gulf Coast Imagery40:55 - The &#34;Slow Burn&#34;: How &#34;Hurricane&#34; Went Viral Without Industry Muscle42:27 - Hayes &amp; The Heathens: Collaborating for the Pure Fun of It47:22 - Learning Lyric Obsession and Word-Level Detail from Hayes Carll51:25 - Simple Things: Capturing the Hard-Won Optimism of the Post-Pandemic Spirit53:11 - &#34;Sprints&#34; and &#34;Pods&#34;: The Strange Logistics of Recording During Lockdown56:01 - The Narrative Arc of Country Sides: Mirroring the Band&#39;s 20-Year Journey59:34 - Connecting with the Band: Patreon, Good Time Supper Club, and Social Media01:00:58 - Outro &amp; Closing Remarks

The Band of Heathens on Pursuing the Muse

The Band of Heathens

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/15/13/57cf2722-3181-48e7-8cba-5ae6a8224ad7_ptm_s5_e8_wh_final.mp3

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we feature Warner Hodges, an Americana pioneer who rose from childhood drumming in USO country bands to defining the cowpunk sound with Jason and the Scorchers. He&#39;s also played alongside Dan Baird and Homemade Sin, as well as, the Bluefields. Now he&#39;s fronting the Warner E Hodges Band and not missing a beat. In this episode, Warner reveals why his wife actually hopes he dies out there on stage. The blunt advice he received from Dan Baird about the need for more guitar pedals, and the accidental and hilarious origin of the title to his new album, Absolutely. Pick that record up today!---------------------------------------------https://warnerehodges.com/https://www.instagram.com/warnerhodges/https://www.facebook.com/warnerhodges Get the new album Absolutely here:https://warnerehodges.com/store---------------------------------------------• 00:00:00 - Introduction and song clips• 00:02:02 - Tom Compton welcomes Warner Hodges to Pursuing the Muse• 00:02:28 - Transitioning from Sideman to Lead Frontman• 00:04:51 - &#34;I Hope You Die Out There&#34;: Perspectives on Road Life• 00:05:41 - Early Musical Roots: Playing Drums in the Family Country Band• 00:08:55 - From Drums to Guitar: The Impact of Seeing AC/DC• 00:10:56 - Rehearsals vs. Pedals: Hard Truths from Dan Baird• 00:13:31 - The Attitude of Punk and the Impact of the Sex Pistols• 00:14:47 - Meeting Jason Ringenberg and Forming the Scorchers• 00:17:36 - Defining &#34;Cowpunk&#34; and &#34;Volume-Based Americana&#34;• 00:18:54 - Touring the Southeast with the Ramones and R.E.M.• 00:22:38 - Sobriety and Reclaiming the Gift of Music• 00:27:50 - The Evolution of Guitar Style and Nashville Chops• 00:32:14 - The Physics and History of the 360-Degree Guitar Flip• 00:35:13 - Connecting with the Georgia Satellites• 00:37:25 - Joining Homemade Sin and Performing Satellites Classics• 00:40:50 - &#34;A Rock Band Inside a Jazz Head&#34;: Improvised Setlists• 00:43:31 - Producing &#34;Rollercoaster&#34; and Trusting Joe Blanton’s Ear• 00:45:29 - Collaborative Songwriting Dynamics• 00:50:41 - The &#34;Absolutely&#34; Album and the Supersuckers Connection• 00:53:27 - The Bluefields and Jimmy Page Aspirations• 00:56:13 - Outro and Closing Remark

Warner Hodges on Pursuing the Muse

Warner Hodges

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/2/0/7a6ee414-0406-41b8-a413-b17d8ac3dcbe_ptm_s5e7_pns_final.mp3

Today&#39;s guest is Nate Sipe, a founding member of the legendary Minnesota string band pert near Sandstone, who has been a staple of the Midwestern roots scene for over twenty years. As a multi-instrumentalist and co-curator of the Blue Ox Music Festival, Nate offers a unique look at the pipe dream of a lifelong career in music. In this episode, Nate reveals the origin of the band&#39;s name, discusses the urgent role of musicians as ambassadors for a traumatized Minneapolis, and shares how he stumbles into his best melodic hooks by simply noodling on new instruments. And much more.-----------------------------------------------------------https://linktr.ee/pertnearsandstone-----------------------------------------------------------• 00:00 - Theme and introduction• 01:59 - Tom welcomes Nate Sipe to Pursuing the Muse• 02:31 - Celebrating &#34;Pert Near&#34; 20 Years as a Band• 04:07 - Song Inspiration: &#34;Pipe Dream&#34; and Touring Realities• 06:14 - The Collaborative Songwriting and Studio Process• 08:28 - The Origin of the &#34;Pert Near Sandstone&#34; Band Name• 11:29 - Nate Sipe’s Journey as a Multi-Instrumentalist• 15:34 - Finding Hooks through &#34;Noodling&#34; and Stumbling• 18:08 - Recording &#34;Shooting Star&#34; with Family Heirlooms• 19:42 - &#34;Grace&#34;: Addressing Homelessness and Urban Life• 22:23 - Reflections on the Minneapolis Community and Trauma• 25:24 - Being an &#34;Ambassador&#34; for Minneapolis on the Road• 29:26 - Curation and Origins of the Blue Ox Music Festival• 32:50 - The Growth and Vibe of the Blue Ox Community• 35:55 - Musical Influences: From Grunge to Leo Kottke• 41:32 - Composing for Theater and Film (Ishmael)• 48:17 - Upcoming Tours and the &#34;Road to Blue Ox&#34;• 51:30 - Insights from Hosting the Blue Ox Podcast• 55:08 - Blue Ox 2026 Logistics and Camping• 57:41 - Outro &amp; Final Remarks

Nate Sipe on Pursuing the Muse

Pert Near Sandstone

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/15/21/34e97fee-7954-4727-920c-ce42458982f0_ptm_s5e6_fjw_final.mp3

Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse! I’m your host, Tom ComptonToday, we are exploring the intersection of faith and melody with Father James Wallace. He&#39;s a native of Winnetka, Illinois and a trained canon lawyer, Father James serves as pastor in the archdiocese of Chicago and a professor at Mundelein SeminaryToday we&#39;ll be discussing how your favorite rock songs can be seen through a spiritual lens, why explicitly contemporary christian songs can sometimes fall flat, and the ancient debate between Saint Augustine and Thomas Aquinas on whether music is a divine gift or a potential danger.Let’s jump on in or as James Hetfield might say, &#34;jump in the fire&#34;.---------------------------------------------------------------------00:00:00 - Show introduction00:02:06 - Intro: Tom Compton welcomes Father James Wallace00:03:25 - Catholic Priesthood and Credentials00:04:12 - Finding God in Secular Music00:05:36 - Lynyrd Skynyrd’s &#34;Simple Man&#34; as messenger00:10:59 - Romantic Poetry and the Song of Songs00:13:58 - Elvis Presley: Secular Love Songs for the Lord00:15:27 - Bob Marley, the Trinity, and the Blessed Mother00:18:37 - Saint Augustine’s &#34;De Musica&#34;00:22:57 - Scriptural Roots of Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix00:24:25 - Toby Keith’s &#34;I Love This Bar&#34; Church Metaphor00:26:14 - Thomas Aquinas and the Danger of Music00:27:32 - The Grateful Dead: Authenticity and Idolatry00:32:07 - Silence, Rest, and the Journey to God00:35:40 - Finding Spirituality in Metallica00:41:03 - The Metallica Ticket Lottery and Mosh Pit00:43:38 - Deepening the Worship Experience in the Mass00:47:26 - Objectivity in Beauty and Modern Art00:50:00 - Lyrical Quality and Judas Priest00:51:52 - Final Reflections: Reminding us of the Good and Beautiful00:53:06 - Outro

Fr James Wallace on Pursuing the Muse

Fr James Wallace

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/10/13/4163a455-ed45-4c59-aaf1-734e6a739c27_ptm_s5e5_d_final.mp3

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. This episode we&#39;re exploring bridging the world of music and the teachings of the Buddha. Our guest today is a retired Buddhist monk whose background includes being a college music major and a musician in the US Navy. His search for life&#39;s answers led him to the Thai Forest Buddhist tradition in the lineage of Bhikkhu Buddhadasa. In this episode, we&#39;ll reveal why stardom often creates more problems than it solves. We&#39;ll discover how complex music is built on simple repetition. And we&#39;ll learn why life can be better enjoyed once you put down the script that&#39;s handed to you.This is part 1 of a 3 part exploration of the spirituality in music. -----------------------------------------------------Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DhammaratoDhammaDhammarato talk transcripts: https://dhammarato.com/Discord community: https://discord.gg/cKjsU2Qp-----------------------------------------------------00:00:00 – Intro00:01:56 – Welcome: Tom Compton welcomes retired monk Dhammarato00:03:46 – Musical Roots: From playing for Red Skelton’s fans to studying fine arts at USC00:05:18 – High Fidelity in the Navy: Recording in professional labs and transitioning toward computer science00:08:04 – Searching for the Cure: Moving from clinical psychology to finding Goenka in India and Buddhadasa in Thailand00:10:47 – The Retirement Hobby: Managing a global online sangha and publishing new books on the path00:14:29 – Symptom Relief vs. Cure: Comparing modern psychotherapy to the Buddha’s actual solution for mental disease00:15:50 – Defining the Dhamma: Prioritizing happiness in the present moment over future rewards00:16:38 – The Illusion of Stardom: Why Hollywood success often leads to disaster rather than satisfaction00:19:08 – Historical Hardships: Examining the difficult lives of legends like Mozart, Chopin, and Gershwin00:20:43 – The Value of the Moment: Understanding that music&#39;s true worth exists only while it is being played00:21:37 – Practicing the Mind vs. the Instrument: How a happy camper finds more joy in Chopsticks than a struggling pro finds in an Etude00:25:45 – The Remorse of the Gambler: Analyzing how &#34;loser&#39;s mentalities&#34; and sadness dominate popular songwriting00:27:57 – Uplifting the Tune: The need for more wholesome, celebratory music like &#34;Joy to the World&#34;00:30:31 – Culture and Tone: How societal mentality, from post-war joy to modern rowdiness, reflects in musical genres00:32:45 – Therapeutic Notes: Using songs like &#34;Margaritaville&#34; to own mistakes and develop a &#34;Don&#39;t Worry, Be Happy&#34; mindset00:37:43 – The Simplicity of the One Thing: Debunking the Western &#34;no pain, no gain&#34; approach to meditation and sitting in pain00:39:33 – Stripping the Infiltration: Moving past Hindu-influenced beliefs in reincarnation to live in one&#39;s own improved opinion of the world00:41:01 – Shakespeare’s Stage: Putting down the &#34;childhood script&#34; to see the world as a hilarious comedy00:43:11 – From Victim to Winner: Breaking the habit of dependency and victimhood to develop a &#34;can-do&#34; attitude00:45:10 – Simple Success: Why finding inner happiness reduces the need for &#34;shopaholic&#34; behaviors and spending00:46:25 – Looking for Love in Adulation: Nurturing oneself as a best friend rather than seeking validation from a crowd00:48:38 – Finding the Sangha: Accessing Dhammarato’s 2,000+ videos and Discord community00:54:19 – Success as a Mind State: How creating a habit of wholesome thoughts changes internal and external reality00:57:41 – The Architecture of Sound: How Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony proves complexity is just repetition and variation of simplicity01:01:01 – Defining Dharma: Understanding the &#34;full body of everything&#34; as the natural world01:01:40 – Pursuing Openness: Re-envisioning &#34;the Muse&#34; as a flow of Dhamma through a prepared mind01:05:04 – Outro: Closing remarks and final gratitude

Dhammarato on Pursuing the Muse

Dhammarato

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/1/23/85bdd921-94ec-43fd-a36e-bff22a271fd5_ptm_s5e4_hc.mp3

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse; I’m your host, Tom Compton. Today, we’re joined by Henry Conlon, a Nashville-based artist originally from Long Island whose baritone voiced songs are helping him make a name for himself in the music world.Stay tuned as we discuss surviving an ice storm, the whirlwind experience of recording full albums in just two days, and the real-life newspaper obituary that inspired his meticulously crafted song, &#34;Flowers for Josephine&#34;. Don’t go anywhere!-------------------------------------------------------------https://henryconlonmusic.com/https://instagram.com/henryconlonmusichttps://www.facebook.com/henryconlon/-------------------------------------------------------------Pursuing the Muse: Henry Conlon Conversation Summary00:00 – Intro02:08 – Tom Compton welcomes Henry Conlon to Pursuing the Muse02:21 – Surviving the Nashville Ice Storm03:34 – Growing up on Long Island and the Northeast circuit04:42 – Early musical beginnings: From piano to summer camp guitar05:53 – The choice to write originals over covers07:32 – Guitar style and influences: John Prine, The Replacements, and Bob Dylan09:01 – Moving to Nashville: From Stella Blues to the Music City &#34;graduating class&#34;11:15 – The Belmont University songwriting and music business experience13:24 – Learning the recording process and the Nashville &#34;Singles&#34; culture16:37 – A prolific 2025: Releasing 25 songs in 18 months18:22 – Song spotlight: The &#34;lonely poet&#34; world of &#34;Wild Dreams&#34;21:07 – Experimenting with tempo: Turning slow acoustic pieces into driving rock songs25:02 – Writing without an instrument: Songcraft via voice memos and morning commutes26:52 – The story arc of the American Wild record29:52 – Defining the &#34;American Wild&#34;: From the Utah desert to the musical frontier32:23 – The Muse: Writing for his wife, Emily34:45 – &#34;Flowers for Josephine&#34;: Researching a 70-year Chicago love story41:21 – Setting parameters vs. finding the &#34;click&#34; in songwriting45:49 – Collaborating with producer Paul Ebersold47:54 – Live-tracking methodology: Capturing the &#34;human experience&#34; in the studio53:41 – Meeting Robert Earl Keen at a Nashville guitar store56:41 – Life on the road: Opening for a legend across the country01:00:09 – The Business Side: Wearing the hats of manager, booking agent, and roadie01:03:48 – Where to find Henry Conlon and digital platforms01:05:02 – Future goals: The 2026 record and upcoming live projects01:06:33 – Outro &amp; Closing Remarks

Henry Conlon on Pursuing the Muse

Henry Conlon

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/13/1/b7c9ce6e-3112-4239-a31d-8c26cc818f99_ptm_s5e3_jd_final.mp3

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse! Today, we are joined by a very special returning guest, Jon Danforth. An Arkansas native now living in Dallas, Jon is here to discuss his brand new LP, Natural State—a rootsy, nostalgic project six years in the making. Listen in as we discuss the &#39;bacon and birds&#39; inspiration behind the lead single, how a &#39;weed bouquet&#39; led to a life-changing confession of love, and the chilling true event that inspired the record&#39;s darkest track. And much more!---------------------------------------------https://jondanforth.comhttps://jondanforth.bandcamp.com/ https://instagram.com/jonmdanforthhttps://www.facebook.com/jondanforthmusic/https://open.spotify.com/artist/5w771fPotpeDtoppQXCIo9?si=V3AwDOVyR06UuMEB4kwgsAhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0gS-JGFmiSV07te0wPQKoA---------------------------------------------• 00:00 – Intro and theme music.• 01:51 – Tom Compton welcomes Jon Danforth back to the show.• 00:02 – Discussion of Danforth’s third LP, Natural State.• 02:50 – The six-year songwriting timeline and studio process.• 04:00 – Exploring themes of nostalgia and calling back seasons of life.• 04:54 – The double meaning behind the title Natural State.• 05:54 – Track breakdown: &#34;Kingfisher&#34; and memories of Pinnacle Mountain.• 07:00 – Recurring themes of slowing down and living in the moment.• 07:54 – &#34;Tall Grass&#34;: A slice-of-life song inspired by a Dallas backyard.• 09:42 – &#34;Rest of My Life&#34;: A semi-fictionalized story about Jon’s wife.• 11:20 – &#34;Eureka&#34;: Finding childlike wonder in Eureka Springs with his daughter.• 14:45 – Incorporating new instruments: Banjo and Fiddle.• 15:33 – The decision to chase a &#34;folky, rootsy&#34; record.• 17:26 – &#34;Hot Springs Blues&#34;: Healing waters and breakup songs.• 19:12 – Creating an &#34;old school saloon&#34; vibe with piano and banjo.• 20:07 – The history of the Ohio Club and Hot Springs gangsters.• 20:51 – &#34;Morgan Mountain&#34;: Co-writing with his sister, Amy.• 22:38 – The German meaning of &#34;Morgan&#34; and themes of tomorrow.• 23:47 – The challenges and learning curve of collaborative songwriting.• 27:15 – Songwriting vs. Poetry.• 28:17 – Lead Single: &#34;Arkansas Sunrise&#34; and capturing the &#34;personal universal&#34;.• 32:15 – The &#34;Bacon and Birds&#34; inspiration.• 33:07 – &#34;Two Rivers Park&#34;: A literal description of a &#34;keeper moment&#34;.• 34:08 – The story of the &#34;weed bouquet&#34;.• 35:44 – &#34;Devil in the Den&#34;: A dark turn based on a true event.• 36:45 – Balancing darkness and light in album sequencing.• 38:43 – &#34;The Springs&#34;: Spiritual transcendence and baptism imagery.• 41:04 – Connecting physical healing waters to spiritual restoration.• 42:07 – Discussion on the relationship between healing and escapism.• 44:05 – Maintaining simplicity without becoming &#34;corny&#34;.• 47:28 – Rejecting the &#34;commodity&#34; of fast music for the &#34;scenic route&#34; of art.• 50:09 – &#34;Hunting&#34; for the next project while releasing the current one.• 52:16 – Natural State as a tribute to place.• 54:06 – Jon Danforth: Unofficial ambassador for Arkansas Tourism.• 57:23 – Memories of Bo’s Barbecue and local legends.• 58:14 – Future plans for regional shows and touring.• 59:11 – Outro: Where to find Jon Danforth and MySpace nostalgia

Jon Danforth on Pursuing the Muse

Jon Danforth

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/5/3/78be1422-d721-4575-8d55-9a98f5c257cb_ptm_s5e2_g_final.mp3

Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we’re joined by Gary Landess, frontman of the Chicago-based dirty blues rock quartet Gatorwater. Known for their slithering slide guitar and a rhythm section that thumps like a creature emerging from the swamp, the band recently released their heavy new album, Hydrophonic. In this episode, Gary reveals how a warped, unplayable guitar accidentally launched his signature slide style, the mystery of the real-life &#34;Illinois Cowboy&#34; and his spurs, and the family racing boat legacy that inspired the track &#34;Ora Hula Ballroom&#34;. And much more...------------------------------------------------------https://www.instagram.com/gatorwaterbandhttps://www.facebook.com/gatorwaterg/https://gatorwater.bandcamp.com/------------------------------------------------------• 00:00 - Intro• 02:02 - Welcoming Gary Landess, frontman of Gatorwater.• 02:27 - Hydrophonic release• 02:58 - The &#34;Old New&#34; Album• 04:15 - Shirk Studios:• 05:17 - Potions and Elixirs• 08:03 - Independent Release Strategy• 09:40 - Banking Music• 11:54 - Meet the Band: bassist Donovan Foote, harmonica Peter Beck, and drummer Olivia Beatty.• 13:23 - Collaborative Songwriting• 16:54 - Vocals and &#34;Growls&#34;• 22:36 - AI and the Future• 23:35 - The &#34;Titanic Green&#34; Resonator• 27:39 - Baritone Experimentation• 30:23 - From Drums to Guitar• 34:24 - &#34;Faking It Till You Make It&#34;• 39:25 - Musical Gateways• 42:25 - Defining the Sound• 43:54 - Modern Influence• 47:53 - &#34;Illinois Cowboy&#34;• 50:31 - &#34;Ora Hula Ballroom&#34;• 58:00 - Streaming Realities• 58:40 - Tales from Phyllis’• 59:40 - Outro &amp; Contact Info

Gary Landess of Gatorwater on Pursuing the Muse

Gatorwater

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/1/28/15/42b5a45b-07a9-4f9b-83f8-577177c347e2_ptm_s5e1_jw_final.mp3

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we are joined by the legendary Justin Warfield. From signing a solo deal at sixteen on Quincy Jones’s label to his global success with She Wants Revenge, Justin has spent thirty years navigating diverse genres. Stick around as we discuss how Beastie Boys made it safe for him to be a &#39;total weirdo&#39; in early hip-hop, the &#39;perfect storm&#39; involving Lady Gaga that gave his hit &#39;Tear You Apart&#39; a massive second life, and the &#39;Willy Wonka&#39; factory experience of the 90s London music scene.Justin has a new album out called &#34;Deathrock Devotionals&#34; under the band name Warfield. ------------------------------------------------https://www.justinwarfield.comhttps://instagram.com/justinwarfieldhttps://linktr.ee/justinwarfieldhttps://justinwarfield.bandcamp.comhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_fKiWxtJFNyf0pXQc1vK_whttps://cleopatrarecords.bandcamp.com/album/deathrock-devotionals------------------------------------------------• 00:00:00 - Intro• 00:02:44 - Starting at 16 accidental career and mentorship in composition.• 00:03:41 - The Quincy Jones Connection• 00:04:51 - Architect of Trip-Hop?• 00:07:09 - &#34;Nashville Skyline&#34; Meets Hip-Hop• 00:09:04 - Freedom to be a &#34;Weirdo&#34;• 00:10:20 - The &#34;Perfect Storm&#34; of 1988/89• 00:13:29 - Transition to London• 00:14:18 - Willy Wonka’s Factory• 00:16:19 - Cycle of Mentorship• 00:19:25 - Alternative Evolution• 00:21:18 - &#34;Growing Up in Public&#34;• 00:22:17 - Birth of She Wants Revenge• 00:26:37 - A 20-Year Partnership• 00:27:51 - How Lady Gaga personally championed &#34;Tear You Apart&#34; for American Horror Story.• 00:28:44 - The WARFIELD Project• 00:32:43 - Solo Autonomy: creative freedom of recording alone versus the collaborative• 00:34:59 - &#34;All the Fun&#34; Mission Statement• 00:38:06 - Songwriting Deep Dive: Reworking &#34;If the World Starts Crashing Down Tonight&#34;• 00:41:35 - Trusting First Instincts• 00:44:31 - Collaborative Process: How Thomas Froggatt and Spencer Rollins add &#34;curveballs&#34;• 00:48:15 - Live Interpretation• 00:49:08 - Mixtape Generation• 00:50:25 - Vulnerability in &#34;A Love So Bold&#34;• 00:52:23 - Looking Ahead• 00:54:23 - Outro &amp; Contact: Instagram and Bandsintown

Justin Warfield on Pursuing the Muse

Justin Warfield

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/12/22/18/300d2b84-005a-414d-a649-89410075c66a_ptm_s4e7_mg_final.mp3

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. This go round we have Mark Guarino, a veteran journalist for the Washington Post and ABC News, and author of the award-winning music history book, Country and Midwestern. We discuss how Chicago’s role in country and folk history is like an independent research lab. While Nashville became the high-profile factory producing the finished &#34;products&#34; for the mass market, Chicago was the experimental space where the formulas were first discovered, tested, and pushed into weird, new directions away from corporate oversight. Mark&#39;s extensive stories reveal a rich century of Chicago&#39;s music evolution. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------https://countryandmidwestern.comhttps://www.instagram.com/markguarino----------------------------------------------------------------------------• 00:00:54 – Intro: Tom Compton welcomes Mark Guarino• 00:02:07 – Huskies Pride: Reminiscing about high school days and ill-fated track team experiences.• 00:05:32 – A Decade of Discovery: The ten-year journey of writing Country and Midwestern• 00:07:44 – Human-Centric History: Why focusing on the stories of people is the key• 00:10:01 – The Unique 1990s: the luck of being a journalist in the right place at the right time.• 00:12:12 – An &#34;Injustice&#34; Rectified• 00:13:12 – WLS National Barn Dance• 00:15:33 – &#34;Hillbilly Heaven&#34; in Uptown• 00:20:05 – Stories of Resistance• 00:22:14 – The Gate of Horn• 00:24:29 – Bob Gibson’s Dark Side• 00:28:06 – Old Town School of Folk Music• 00:32:48 – McCarthyism &amp; The FBI• 00:37:08 – The Prine Connection• 00:38:35 – Bob Dylan Deemed Unworthy.• 00:42:44 – A Living Legacy: the University of Chicago Folk Festival• 00:45:15 – From the Will the Circle Be Unbroken resurgence to the modern popularity of Bluegrass.• 00:47:55 – The Spirit of Collaboration• 00:53:44 – 2025 Favorite Releases• 00:57:17 – Van Morrison’s Deep Cuts• 01:03:05 – Closing superlatives

Mark Guarino on Pursuing the Muse

Mark Guarino

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/12/13/21/ef5f1f05-e832-4ec4-93f7-acacb5713528_ptm_s4e6_bd_final.mp3

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. This week we’re diving into the wonderful new album, Clams Casino, with the artist who created it, Brian Dunne.Brian is a singer-songwriter based in New York. He’s known for combining rock and roll with raw, literate self-examination, and he is also a member of the supergroup Fantastic Cat.Stick around as Brian discusses the core conflict of his working-class characters having to choose whether to &#34;sell out or move out&#34;, how he produced the album at home, sometimes keeping the &#34;lower quality audio&#34; from original demos to preserve the song’s soul, and why he believes that professional songwriting discipline is like &#34;going fishing&#34; every day.----------------------------------------------------------------------------https://www.briandunnemusic.net/http://instagram.com/briandunnemusichttp://facebook.com/briandunnemusic/https://briandunne.bandcamp.com/https://www.youtube.com/user/bdunne8/videos----------------------------------------------------------------------------• 00:01:56 - Intro: Tom Compton welcomes Brian Dunne and praises Clams Casino• 00:03:10 - The concept of Clams Casino as the aftermath of the previous album• 00:04:10 - The central theme of the record: Examining personal and public issues through the lens of class and working-class roots• 00:06:15 - The two main characters and the core conflict: whether to &#34;sell out or move out&#34;.• 00:07:14 - Discussing songs that explore the duality of letting a dream die, contrasting the pain with the &#34;sweet relief of letting something go&#34;• 00:08:17 - Solo performance feedback• 00:10:08 - Fantastic Cat: How the &#34;super group of sorts&#34;came together, and plans• 00:12:39 - Production shift: Adopting a new process for Clams Casino by prioritizing the &#34;pure&#34; intention and &#34;soul&#34;• 00:14:34 - Using &#34;lower quality audio&#34; demo tracks to achieve an authentic balance,.• 00:15:30 - The &#34;ears&#34; and collaborators who helped refine the record, including Ken Yates, Dan Rohan, Ben Tali, and Don D’Lego.• 00:17:12 - Brian Dunne played about 90% of the instruments on the album• 00:18:11 - Using his humble New York home studio• 00:21:10 - The title Clams Casino: It is a bygone red-sauce menu item that symbolizes working-class aspiration, class pride, and shame• 00:25:33 - Vocal style and influences• 00:27:51 - Guitar influences: Mike Campbell and Robbie Robertson PTM logo created by David LawrencePTM theme song &#34;Iron Rails&#34; by Joel Corelitz

Brian Dunne on Pursuing the Muse

Brian Dunne

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/12/7/23/3f383ad1-cec6-4319-981d-09616adcce83_ptm_s4e5_ej_final.mp3

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we welcome Atlanta musician Elijah Johnston, winner of the 2022 Vic Chesnutt Songwriter of the Year Award.His new album, Stupid Soul, blends lush Americana, power pop, and 90s alternative sounds, earning praise for its diversity. Elijah&#39;s most recent release is the holiday song &#34;The Joy in Everything&#34;.Hear Elijah discuss how recording Stupid Soul became &#34;more scrambled than initially planned, why he tackled Bruce Springsteen’s &#34;Valentine&#39;s Day&#34; with a &#34;modernized shot in the arm&#34;, and why he actively avoids an &#34;arms race of who can out personal each other&#34; in songwriting----------------------------------------------------------------------------https://elijahJohnston.nethttps://instagram.com/elijahmjohnstonhttps://www.tiktok.com/@elijahmjohnstonhttps://elijahjohnston.bandcamp.com/----------------------------------------------------------------------------• 00:01:52 - Intro• 00:02:23 - Discussion of the diverse, hard-to-categorize nature of Stupid Soul.• 00:03:15 - The recording process for Stupid Soul becoming &#34;more scrambled&#34; despite aiming for cohesion.• 00:04:34 - The evolution toward a looser style• 00:05:45 - Catchiness of the song &#34;Ideas&#34; and positive reception• 00:07:57 - Translating the sonically dense album tracks into strong live arrangements• 00:10:02 - Awareness of which songs have the necessary structure to shine in solo acoustic versus full-band settings.• 00:11:00 - Performing the complex vocal arrangements of &#34;Baby Bands&#34; live.• 00:13:29 - Attention to album sequencing• 00:14:41 - The choice of &#34;Leonard&#34; as the album opener• 00:19:35 - Prioritizing universal themes and &#34;ecstatic truth&#34; over transcribing diary entries.• 00:23:48 - Covering Bruce Springsteen&#39;s &#34;Valentine&#39;s Day&#34;• 00:29:53 - Winning the 2022 Vic Chesnutt Songwriter of the Year Award.• 00:31:42 - The historical significance of Athens, GA• 00:35:05 - Early musical goals focused on songwriting and melody• 00:39:51 - The spontaneous studio decision that turned an electric guitar song into an acoustic, folky track.• 00:43:40 - Sequencing the album closer, &#34;Football Season,&#34; as a simple, climactic loop back to the start• 00:47:22 - Using the horror movie title &#34;I Know What You Did Last Summer&#34; metaphorically to explore the dramatic emotions of young people• 00:52:40 - Songwriting process is generally Melody first, followed by finding words that fit• 00:57:21 - The practice of repurposing strong song sections• 00:58:09 - Recording strategy involves strict budgeting and entering the studio avoiding wasting time.• 01:00:32 - Relying on the Apple Voice Memo app to capture raw ideas• 01:01:49 - The history and camaraderie of the core musical crew.• 01:05:45 - Plans for the next album• 01:07:45 - The goal of making every section of a song the &#34;catchy part&#34;• 01:09:06 - Outro &amp; Upcoming dates, including South by Southwest in Austin

Elijah Johnston on Pursuing the Muse

Elijah Johnston

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/12/1/2/a51ee904-e7f9-44d8-90b0-92ce9324c97c_ptm_s4e4_gl.mp3

Today on Pursuing the Muse, we are in conversation with Nashville native, Gabe Lee!Gabe is an award-winning songwriter, recently named Saving Country Music’s 2023 Album of the Year winner for Drink The River. Known for crafting songs that blend country, folk, and rock, Lee is celebrated as a versatile performer and profound storyteller.Stay tuned to hear Gabe reveal the working title of his next album. He details the unique experience of recording it in a haunted mansion in West Virginia. And he explains why heartbreak is an incredible motivator for any songwriter. So without further Adie----------------------------------------------------------------------------https://www.gabeleetn.com/https://www.facebook.com/mistergabeleehttps://www.instagram.com/mistergabeleehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFZaJ14uIYL-ztx-oM-iSeA----------------------------------------------------------------------------• 00:02:00 - Intro: Tom Compton welcomes Gabe Lee• 00:03:07 - New Single &#34;Wedding Song&#34;• 00:03:39 - The Intense Record Release Cycle• 00:06:01 - Creative Freedom Between Albums• 00:06:48 - Upcoming Record Tone• 00:07:56 - Independent Production• 00:08:35 - A Grungier Sound• 00:09:26 - Producing Solo• 00:10:37 - Working Title: &#34;Brittle County&#34;: seemingly strong things can shatter, and seemingly brittle things can be strong• 00:12:35 - Unique Recording Process: Recording eleven songs in a haunted mansion• 00:13:37 - Chemistry vs. Session Musicians• 00:16:59 - Songwriting Origins: Starting songwriting in high school/middle school, channeling emotions and heartbreak• 00:19:07 - Finding His Voice• 00:21:13 - The Leap to Drink the River• 00:23:45 - The Sonic Thread: voice and the thread of storytelling maintain cohesion• 00:26:29 - Affection for Bluegrass• 00:27:32 - Songs Work in Both Worlds• 00:29:28 - Developing Originality• 00:32:09 - The Influence of John Prine• 00:36:10 - Collaboration with King Margo• 00:39:04 - Economics of Touring• 00:43:58 - Musician Networks• 00:45:02 - The Nashville Proving Ground• 00:50:50 - The Art of Sequencing• 00:52:30 - The Emotional Back Half of Drink the River• 00:54:19 - Drink the River Theme• 00:56:38 - The Empathy of Storytelling• 01:02:37 - The Central Message: The title track, &#34;Drink the River&#34;• 01:04:55 - Opening Up to Co-Writing• 01:07:59 - Brian Elmquist Collaboration• 01:08:57 - Outro &amp; Continued Touring

Gabe Lee on Pursuing the Muse

Gabe Lee

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/11/24/3/d3c28a93-12c1-4353-b8d8-f92743680ded_ptm_s_e3_jonnolanfinal.mp3

Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse! Jon Nolan is back for his second appearance on the podcast. We are diving deep into his fantastic new album, Slow Cooker. Jon hails from Newmarket, New Hampshire, aka &#34;Shoe Town&#34;. He is a seasoned musician, having co-fronted Say ZuZu with Cliff Murphy as well as taking the reigns with his own band, Good Company.  Stay tuned as Jon reveals the raw, emotional story behind the track &#34;Someone&#39;s in the driveway,&#34; inspired by an end-of-life request from an old acquaintance. You&#39;ll also learn how his wintertime music series sparked the album&#39;s title, Slow Cooker, which encourages slowing down and taking time. And learn about what the Omnichord actually is.----------------------------------------------------------------------------https://jonnolan.nethttps://jonnolan.bandcamp.comhttps://www.instagram.com/jonnolannhhttps://jonnolannh.substack.comhttps://www.sayzuzu.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------• 00:01:48 - Intro: Tom welcomes Jon Nolan back• 00:03:22 - Slow Cooker Origin• 00:06:03 - Recording Location• 00:07:11 - Slow Cooker Sessions• 00:09:28 - Creative Process jealously guarding the joy of playing• 00:14:05 - The Story Behind &#34;Someone&#39;s in the driveway&#34;• 00:18:18 - Newmarket History• 00:21:43 - The Cinematic Album• 00:28:55 - &#34;Sea Glass&#34; and the Omnichord• 00:34:08 - Slow Cooker Themes• 00:40:02 - Emotional Core• 00:44:06 - Shifting Moods• 00:50:54 - Bass in the Pocket• 00:52:19 - &#34;Sweat and Blood&#34;• 00:56:30 - Gear Details• 00:59:10 - The closing track• 01:07:11 - Support and Touring• 01:12:20 - The Importance of Community• 01:17:53 - Slow Cooker Sessions (Detailed)

Jon Nolan on Pursuing the Muse

Jon Nolan

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/11/10/0/406e5a22-e0f8-47ae-83c0-f915b235188d_ptm_s4e2_yayhoos_final.mp3

Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse. I’m Tom Compton, and today we’re talking the recent vinyl release of the Yayhoos two albums with half the members of the band: Terry Anderson and Eric Ambel. The Yayhoos are a roots-rock supergroup, featuring former Georgia Satellites frontman Dan Baird, Eric Ambel of The Del-Lords, Terry Anderson of the Olympic Ass Kickin Team and bassist extradoinaire Keith Christopher. They are known for their loud, unapologetically ragged rock sound. Coming up you&#39;ll hear the chaotic story of recording their debut album, Fear Not the Obvious, live to eight-track in a North Carolina barn; learn how Eric coaxed Keith&#39;s stream of consciousness lyrics into a finished song and find out why attending a Yayhoos show was arguably one of the most fun things you could ever do.----------------------------------------------------------------------------https://www.facebook.com/theyayhoos/https://bloodshotrecords.shop.musictoday.com/dept/yayhoos?cp=113358_113370_116176https://www.ericambel.com/https://olympicasskickinteam.com/https://www.instagram.com/the_ericambel/ Champagne stopper:https://a.co/d/8FNkRhk Roscoe&#39;s studio tour:https://youtu.be/2b1OAFWi4Dw Wes Lachot:https://weslachot.com/----------------------------------------------------------------------------• 00:00:00 - Show intro• 00:02:18 - Intro: Tom Compton welcomes Terry Anderson and Eric Ambel of the Yayhoos• 00:03:09 - The impetus for releasing the two great albums on vinyl.• 00:04:14 - Explanation of acquiring the Bloodshot assets and what led to the vinyl release.• 00:05:39 - Eric Ambel discusses finding the analog tapes for both records and the remastering• 00:07:01 - Discussion of the mastering challenges of Bruce Springsteen&#39;s Nebraska• 00:09:20 - Differences in mastering for vinyl versus CD• 00:10:59 - Terry Anderson shares his enthusiasm for the new vinyl sound• 00:12:11 - The origin story of the Yayhoos begins: early songwriting sessions• 00:14:04 - Discussion of the band forming after Keith Christopher was brought in and early recordings on a cassette four-track• 00:15:15 - The band formed as a co-op after tour support was pulled, leading them to play songs off all members&#39; solo records.• 00:17:13 - How the band used a &#34;development deal&#34; to record the first album at Terry&#39;s dad&#39;s barn• 00:19:30 - Recording and songwriting process for the first album• 00:22:12 - The creation of Keith Christopher’s song &#34;For Crying Out Loud&#34; using mumbled vocal takes.• 00:24:40 - The release of Fear Not the Obvious in 2001, coinciding with September 11th.• 00:27:55 - The surreal experience of playing a gig just days after 9/11• 00:31:19 - The story behind the song &#34;Frozen Head,&#34; which appears on all members&#39; solo records• 00:33:05 - The infectious energy and fun of The Yayhoos&#39; live shows, including &#34;crick dancing&#34;• 00:35:45 - Recalling a memorable gig in Spain• 00:39:51 - How the band self-released their second album, Put the Hammer Down• 00:40:40 - The band&#39;s highly collaborative songwriting process and how they pitched in to help each other• 00:46:41 - Eric describes the dulcimer/dulcitar instrument used on &#34;Right as Rain&#34;• 00:50:24 - Terry’s favorite aspects of playing with Eric• 00:51:43 - Eric’s favorite aspects of playing with Terry• 00:53:02 - Terry shares the recent loss of three years of his songwriting notes• 00:55:36 - Eric discusses his collaboration with renowned studio designer Wes Lachot• 01:00:32 - Eric mentions a popular video walkthrough of his studio on YouTube• 01:07:11 - Terry&#39;s favorite gig memory: playing the Roskilde Festival in Denmark• 01:09:37 - Discussion of the Outlaw Country Cruise• 01:11:55 - Final encouragement to purchase the vinyl reissues before they sell out.• 01:13:00 - Eric promotes his website and Instagram (which includes cat pictures).

The Yayhoos on Pursuing the Muse

The Yayhoos

A podcast about songwriting and the paths musicians take to get songs created.