Banjo Chat

In this episode we chat with Allison DeGroot! Allison talks about her immersion into banjo and how she got into playing in bands. Writing tunes. The playing of Hobart Smith and Fred Cockerham and recording the album Hurricane Clarice with Tatiana Hargreaves. We listen to Ostrich with Pearls, we talk about weaving in family stories into the music. Her original tune, Wellington and finding the muse. Nancy Blevins and the production of the album. How she visualizes the banjo when playing with Tati. Getting into different banjo tunings! Staying inspired, handling pressure and how it feels to be creative and evolving with the banjo. Also tips and advice for banjo players!

https://allisonandtatiana.bandcamp.com

https://brucemolsky.bandcamp.com/

https://www.allisondegroot.com/

Hubby talks about how he got into music, how he practices in small spaces, his influences in early folk, old-time, influences from other people besides banjoists (comedians, other types of musicians). Naming our banjos. He dives deep into some music from Black Banjo Songsters and we listen to the Rufus Casey version of the Cuckoo song. What it was like for him learning that the banjo started as a black instrument and how it re-shaped history. His live shows and what it was like playing his first festival as a touring musician. Being in the Carolina Chocolate Drops. The perception of the banjo from all different types of audiences. Hubby asks what it’s like for me being a woman playing the banjo. We chat about the hustle in NYC.

He talks about not letting history get into the way, but also being aware of the songs you’re playing and being respectable and knowledgable.

Hubby shares his must-know songs for the banjo world.

https://www.hubbyjenkins.com/

https://hubbyjenkins.bandcamp.com/

“I never feel more grounded and more centered than when I’m lost in playing” -Hubby Jenkins

On episode 4 our guest is Adam Hurt! We talk about the importance of teaching in day to day life, and the realities of being a musician, getting stage nerves and energy levels after performing. His Back to the Earth album and working with Ricky Skaggs, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert and Jordan Tice. What kind of music he listens to and what the ingredients for good music are. Some strategies for learning new music. Thoughts on old-time music and what influences his music and advice for us in this world of social media.

In this episode we listened to:

Kentucky Winder and Biddy https://adamhurt.bandcamp.com/album/back-to-the-earth

Adam Hurt’s Website: https://www.adamhurt.com

On this episode I chat with banjoist, Kaia Kater!

Talking about gear and her music on the last two albums she put out; Grenades and Nine Pine. The pressures of being a musician, and different recording techniques. How to write for the banjo. How she started banjo and traveling back and forth from Canada to the U.S. Love/hate relationships with different tunings. Talking about her dream banjo. Her Grenades album/social change, and her dad’s experience as a refugee from Grenada. Throwing off the shawl of traditional banjo playing. And a little bit about the upcoming album.

WEBSITE: https://www.kaiakater.com/

Songs on the Podcast

From album Grenades: Canyon Land

https://kaiakater.bandcamp.com/track/canyonland

From album Nine Pin: Paradise Fell

https://kaiakater.com/track/1023267/paradise-fell

This week on banjo chat podcast, it's me taking listener emails!

Great questions from our listeners. We chat about how to seem more confident on stage, what is stage banter?, how to meet people to play with, and crazy gigs.

Also cheers to radio station WSSB 91.7! Thanks for playing the pod!

www.patreon/banjochat

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