NEM#121: K.C. Clifford on Brokenness and Power

K.C. has created seven releases of confessional folk (sometimes gospel, sometimes country) since 2000. We discuss “No More Living Small” and listen to “You Couldn’t Stay” from her 2020 self-titled album, then talk about “Broken Things” from Orchid (2010) and “Find My Way Home” from Teeth-Marks on My Tongue (2004). Intro: “Emily” from Times Like These (2000). For more  Continue Reading …

NEM#72: Sarah McQuaid Kills Her Darlings

Sarah has recorded five solo albums since 1997, starting with traditional folk songs, sometimes guitar instrumentals, and now focusing on originals that mix British and American folk in a style influenced by Joni Mitchell, among others. She has lately pared back her songwriting to ensure that every note counts. We discuss the title track and "The Silence above Us" from If We  Continue Reading …

NEM#70: Amy Annelle’s Natural Environments

Amy has recorded nine albums of emotionally stark but often artistically decorated original folk music, punctuated by cover tunes like the opening music here, Townes Van Zandt's "Buckskin Stallion Blues," which appeared in the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. We discuss "Mouth to Mouth" from The Autopilot Knows You Best (2000), "The Nightjar’s Blues" from The  Continue Reading …

NEM #36: Robbie Fulks: Ambassador of Country

Robbie has recorded 12 solo albums of crafty-lyric, country-folk music since 1996, including 2016's Grammy-nominated Upland Stories. We discuss "America is a Hard Religion" and "Fare Thde Well, Carolina Gals" from that album, then look back to "Where There's a Road" from Georgia Hard (2005) and conclude with "I Told Her Lies" from South Mouth (1997). Opening/closing music:  Continue Reading …