Loading...

PODCAST

The Working Songwriter

Joe Pug hosts a weekly conversation with one of today's best songwriters. The Working Songwriter is a part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods Over 300 catalog episodes available to stream in the Nation of Heat Vault. Visit joepugmusic.com/vault

music music interviews

All Episodes

45:39

Live Episode - John Moreland at the 2026 Working...

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/10/02

Recorded live at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Joe Pug interviews beloved songwriter John Moreland. TWS Forum is an annual event that the podcast hosts in June. Listeners take in concerts by the headlining artists and then attend workshops from them during the day. This was the 2nd annual event. The headliners and dates for next year's Forum will be announced this month.

en

58:26

Classic Episode - Dar Williams

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/09/25

The iconic singer songwriter reflects on her last few decades at the vanguard of American folk music.This episode was originally aired on June 3rd, 2022.

en

51:52

Jim James

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/09/18

Our guest this week is one of Louisville, Kentucky’s favorite sons. Jim James is a native Kentuckian who rose to prominence as the vocalist and creative force behind the celebrated rock group My Morning Jacket.“The Jacket,” as they are affectionately called by their fans, released their debut album The Tennessee Fire in 1999 and took the country by storm with their legendary live show. Since then they’ve released a slew of critically acclaimed albums, including 2008's Evil Urges and 2011's

en

59:24

Classic Episode - Amy Ray

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/09/11

This legendary folk songwriter stops by the show to discuss her techniques for sculpting melody, structuring the bridge of a song, and navigating the ever-shifting sands of the music business.This episode was originally aired on August 20th, 2021.

en

51:58

Gary Louris

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/09/04

Our guest this week is one of the godfathers of modern roots and Americana music. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Gary Louris moved to Minneapolis as a young man in the 1970s and immersed himself in a Twin Cities music scene that punched way above its weight culturally. His group, The Jayhawks, would release a string of critically acclaimed and nationally beloved albums.One of Louris’s main gifts is his ability to contribute to the music of a wide array of artists, including Counting Crows, John

en

54:54

Classic Episode - Chuck Ragan

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/08/28

This episode originally aired on April 15th, 2022This songwriter has spent the last few decades building a devoted following with Hot Water Music and also with his own solo project. He discusses getting his start in the 1990s Florida Hardcore scene, getting his legendary Revival Tour off the ground, and some of his creative practices.

en

50:00

Episode 329 - Fruit Bats return!

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/08/21

Our guest this week is one of Chicago’s favorite sons. Eric D. Johnson is the songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist behind Fruit Bats, which started in the late 1990s as a four-track recording project before growing into a full touring band. Over the years, Johnson has been a member of The Shins and played with Califone and Vetiver. Besides Fruit Bats, Johnson is also one-third of Bonny Light Horseman alongside Anaïs Mitchell and Josh Kaufman.Fruit Bats have toured with acts including Modest

en

55:16

Classic Episode - Frank Turner

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/08/14

This episode was originally aired on April 8th, 2022.Fresh on the heels of his latest album hitting #1 on the UK Charts, this journeyman songwriter and performer stops by the show to discuss his beginnings in Hardcore music, many years of touring, and writing methods.

en

60:10

Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/08/07

Our guest this week on the Working Songwriter hails from a small mountain town in California, but his music has now made it across the world. Jay Buchanan got his start in the early 2000s with a solo project before joining ranks with a rock band and forming Rival Sons. Since 2008, that group has built a remarkable fanbase and beloved discography.Rival Sons have shared stages with an astonishing list of artists including Black Sabbath, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Queens of the Stone

en

61:15

Classic Episode - Allison Russell

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/07/31

This episode was originally aired on June 18th, 2021.After many years in celebrated roots music groups such as Po' Girl, Birds of Chicago, and Our Native Daughters, this songwriter has released a critically acclaimed debut album under her own name.

en

47:54

Chicago Farmer

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/07/24

Our guest this week is Cody Diekhoff, better known as Chicago Farmer.He grew up in the small farming community of Delavan, Illinois, before moving to Chicago in 2003. Over the past two decades, he has built a devoted following through relentless touring, first as a solo performer and more recently with his band, the Fieldnotes.Along the way, he has shared stages with Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snider, Greg Brown, the Wood Brothers, Elizabeth Cook, Wayne Hancock, Greensky Bluegrass, Del McCoury and Gene

en

54:58

Classic Episode - They Might Be Giants

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/07/17

This episode originally aired on November 5th, 2021.John Flansburgh, one of the founding members of this groundbreaking indie-rock institution, stops by the show to talk about his creative process and how his band has navigated the music business for the last four decades.

en

41:10

Gabe Dixon and Mike Mattison of the Tedeschi Trucks Band

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/07/10

Our guests this week are Gabe Dixon and Mike Mattison of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, the Grammy-winning roots ensemble led by Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.Formed in 2010, their debut album, Revelator, won the Grammy Award for Best Blues Album, and the group has since become one of the country’s premier live bands, selling out Madison Square Garden and playing more than twenty shows at Red Rocks.Mike Mattison has been working with Derek Trucks for more than two decades. He joined the Derek Trucks

en

67:16

Classic Episode - Robert Finley

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/07/03

This episode was originally published on March 5th, 2021.The renowned troubadour from Louisiana found his commercial success in music later in life; he reflects on the journey that brought him to that peak.Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

en

51:32

Novelist, Stephen Markley

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/06/26

This week on The Working Songwriter, we're thrilled to step out of our normal comfort zone by welcoming one of the country's most acclaimed young novelists. Originally from Mount Vernon, Ohio, author Stephen Markley now makes his home in Los Angeles. He attended Miami University (of Ohio) for his undergraduate degree before being accepted into the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop. Simon & Schuster published his debut novel, 'Ohio,' in 2018. The book was widely praised for its

en

58:35

Classic Episode - Dashboard Confessional

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/06/19

This episode originally aired on June 25th, 2021.Chris Carrabba, the auteur behind this legendary emo band, discusses the twists and turns of a career that has included Gold records, MTV music awards, and truly devoted fanbase.

en

43:52

Dale Watson

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/06/12

Our guest this week was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but, just like Davey Crockett, got to Texas as soon as he could. Dale Watson began his musical career playing the clubs of Houston before decamping to Austin and becoming a fixture in the live music capital of the world. The music machine in Nashville never fully embraced Watson’s traditionalist combination of Western swing, rockabilly, and country, but he’s built a devoted cult following the world over on his own. It’s a style of music that he

en

42:44

Classic Episode - Marcus King

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/06/05

This Greenville, South Carolina native is a Grammy-nominated troubadour known for his tireless touring schedule. Originally aired on December 18th, 2020.

en

55:38

Joe Pernice

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/05/29

Our guest on the Working Songwriter this week hails originally from Boston, Massachusetts and now makes his home in Toronto. Joe Pernice got his musical start, though, in Northampton, MA. At the time, it was a hot bed of indie music creativity. His band the Scud Mountain Boys built a loyal following in the 1990s with a string of critically acclaimed releases. He’s recorded for Sub Pop, One Little Indian, Team Love, and New West Records.Over the years Pernice has collaborated with a variety of

en

55:40

Classic Episode - Joan Osborne

The Working Songwriter ·

2026/05/22

This episode was originally aired on September 18th, 2020.The celebrated singer and songwriter describes her initial ascent to the top of the charts with her debut album and how she has been able to string together many interesting chapters of her career.

en

361 results

Similar Podcasts

Music History Today Network

Music History Today Podcast Network

Ridiculous Rock Record Reviews

R4 and SOA Collaborative

Follow Your Dream - Music And Much More!

Robert Miller

Women of Substance Music Podcast

Bree Noble

The Grunge Bible Podcast

Grunge Bible