Into The Weeds

A session by a Christmas Tree turns into a good laugh at death.

I randomly met some cool Brazilian musicians while traveling, and we became friends. I don't know all the names of the songs. One is "El Pato," and another is "Vai La." from Adriano "The name of songs is, the first I've been played was Yemanja (my own song), The second is Tarde em Itapuã by Vinícius de Moraes and Toquinho, and the third one is O Pato by João Gilberto."

Shane Presely who records the prolific "Rock Paper Podcast" came over, and we record back-to-back episodes of each of our shows. Magical Trash is an enigmatic hipster from Amsterdam, and Brandon has evolved into Mickey Mirage. We talk about our musical experiments. 1. "Sailors In Awe of the Stars" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Bored" - Magical Trash 3. "Fallen Cherub (Kasplat)" - Mickey Mirage

Our second episode featuring Sam. Luke Davids is a massively talented pop musician who lives in rural Iowa. He is on his way through town, and we all meet up in my home studio. 1. "The Devil On My Own" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Simple Life" - Luke Davids 3. "Pilgrim's Lullaby" - Sam Golden

Derek is at the end of an epic tour on his way back to Nashville. Cara only has a half hour lunch break. We meet in the middle, and set up our studio in a tiny space between some buildings. 1. "Ghosts Upon The Sand" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Stone Walls" - Derek W. Curtis 3. "To Be Dead is To Be Known" - Cara Louise

In this long and challenging episode, my old friend Tony comes over and we meet with Mike Younger. Mike is a troubled man who has been living dream since he was very young. He has come through the other side with many scars. He tells us his story of battling the fossil fuel industry. 1. "Sex Drive Engines" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Poison Rivers" - Mike Younger 3. "Movin' Forward?" Tony Compton

I go into the soul of South City Saint Louis, meeting up with Tommy Halloran and Cree Rider in Carondolet Park. We talk about the protests, and the trouble with finding a role in social change as a musician on a local scene. 1. "Plastic Bottle Gun" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "The World Applauds" - Tommy Halloran 3. "County Line" - Cree Rider

Brandon and I travel to Kansas City and meet with Jason, a punk bassist turned claw hammer banjo player. We are ejected by a friendly policeman, and end up knowing a bunch of the same people. 1. "If You'd Be My Bird" - Jason Beers 2. "Burn It On The Sky" - Ben Sturdevant 3. "Ony Sole" - Brandon J. Karras

I travel to my hometown and visit with some of my high school teachers from way back when who also write songs, and we talk about nostalgia. 1. "Grandad's Land" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Hillbilly Town" - David Luther 3. "More Than I Can Say" - John Lowrance

We set up to record in the Empty Off Broadway music venue, and we talk about why it's so hard to be light-hearted in music. 1. "The Biggest Thing Since Elvis" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Yesterday's Makeup" - Suzie Gilb 3. "A Classy Man" - Billy Croghan

I go hang out with two of the region's reigning Americana rock stars, and I ask them what Americana means to them. 1. "When John Henry Gets to Heaven" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Cornfed Visions" - Ryan Spearman 3. "Greet the Day" - Beth Bombara

Two talented folk musicians, Andrew Morris of the Matchsellers and the Bluegrastronauts, and Nic Harley of The Wunderhills, join me by pond, and we talk about majesty among the constant song of the cicadas. 1. "Alright, alright" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Give Me A Helpin' of That Long Deserved Peace" - Andrew Morris 3. "The Window"- Nic Harley

The first show on the road. Will is an interesting guy. He hosted Into the Weeds in his home Studio, and we are also joined by the venerable John Paul Chapman. 1. "Fissures in the Crust" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Driving Steel" - Will Chiles 3. "Basement" - John Paul Chapman

Benneigh from the band Turtle Club hangs out and we talk about the evolution of our creative processes. 1. "If The Night Could Last Forever (variations)" - Ben Sturdevant 2. "Homesick Blues" - Benneigh Fowler 3. "Love in the End Times" - Brandon J. Karras (song by Tim Gebauer)

The first of several collaborations with the multi-talented Sam Golden. 1. "So Much Sky" - Sam Golden 2. "Hey Friend" - Brandon J. Karras 3. "The Pruitt-Igoe Song" - Ben Sturdevant

Ani from the band "Vanilla Beans" comes over and we talk about the importance of friends. 1. "Lulu" - Ani Kramer 2. "No Song Will Save Me" - Ben Sturdevant 3. untitled - Brandon J. Karras

Roscoe is a hilarious character. Songs on this episode: "The Bottomless Whole" - Ben Sturdevant "Tommy's Farm" - Roscoe Beano "Save Your Life" - Roscoe Beano

Tim Gravlin talks about beginning his journey as a songwriter.