For Songs
Rob Thormeyer
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Top 10 For Songs Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best For Songs episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to For Songs for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite For Songs episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
01/08/21 • 42 min
Lots of really bad things have come about because of the internet, Facebook, Twitter, etc. But one good thing is catching up with friends you haven’t seen or heard from in decades. In this episode of For Songs, I speak with singer/songwriter/playwright/author Michael Patrick F. Smith. Michael and I went to elementary school together in the small town of Ijamsville, Md. Not a streetlight or traffic light when we grew up there, but it was home. We went our separate ways after high school--he ventured out to Baltimore and eventually New York to write music and much more. He’s shared the stage with legends like Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Paleface. Michael is a true renaissance man, as his first book comes out next month about his time in the oil/gas fields of North Dakota. In this episode, we talk about four songs from his most recent album The Great Away, available on Spotify. Listen in as we catch up, chat about life, music, and much more!
You can find out more about Michael here: www.thegoodhand.org!
07/13/22 • 45 min
For me, this episode is 11 years in the making. For my guest Barry Lynch and his group the Armagh Rhymers? We’re talking 30 years. The Armagh Rhymers, a traditional Irish mummers band from Northern Ireland, released their first album in 1992. So now 30 years later, “Vol. 2” is on the streets and, well, you need to take a seat, grab a pint or two, and listen in. Mumming, for those who don’t know, is an ancient tradition, dating back in Ireland to the pagan, pre-Catholic days. It consists of musicians wearing straw masks, becoming characters, and performing a play based on fables and other rituals dating back thousands of years. They go door-to-door, singing and playing for whomever let them in. So yeah, this one goes back a bit. Barry helped produce and mix the album, as well as playing all kinds of stringed instruments and adding his distinctive vocals. I met Barry more than 11 years ago on a trip to Northern Ireland and we stayed in touch over the years. This is the first time we’ve talked since we met at a pub in the small town called Moy, maybe 45 minutes west of Belfast. Barry is an accomplished musician, having played all over the world and even at the White House in the late 90s, promoting the peace process that ended decades of sectarian strife in Northern Ireland. While this is an ancient artform, the Armagh Rhymers Vol. 2 is at its core about peace; it’s about coming together through music. So go grab that pint (or two) and welcome Barry Lynch to For Songs.
02/18/22 • 44 min
It is a cliché that blood is thicker than water, but its also true. And my next guests are living proof. Bonnie and Eleanor Whitmore of the Whitmore Sisters have just released their first album as a duo. Ghost Stories is an emotional powerhouse. And it is full of inspiration. Eleanor and Bonnie have been in and around the Americana genre for pretty much their whole lives. Eleanor and her husband Chris Masterson make up folk rock duo The Mastersons, and they also play in Steve Earle’s backing band The Dukes. Bonnie, meanwhile, has released a number albums over the years and has played with a who’s who—James McMurtry, Bruce Robison, Kelly Willis, on and on and on. Despite their roots, Ghost Stories is their first album together, and let’s hope there’s more to come. We talk about four songs —Hurtin’ for a Letdown, Ghost Stories, Greek Tragedy, and The Ballad of Sissy and Porter. We talk about death, drugs, influences, and, of course, songwriting. We also talk about life—celebrating and appreciating the simple act of being alive. This interview gets pretty heavy at times, so be ready. It is my high honor to welcome Eleanor and Bonnie Whitmore to For Songs.
10/29/20 • 50 min
The #election is here! So let’s dig into some of what I think is the best political songwriting of our day. In this episode, we feature four songs by different artists, each taking on different elements related to politics and these times we live in. We explore racial justice, social justice, and how we can create a better, more humane world. We’ve got three returning guests—Scott Miller, Yasmin Williams, and Mark Andersen—and making her first appearance is Australian-born, UK-based singer/songwriter Emily Barker. From urgent punk rock to beautiful instrumentals, and everywhere else in between, we cover it all. On this episode we feature Emily Barker’s “Machine,” the Clash’s “Three-Card Trick,” Yasmin’s brand-new “After the Storm,” and Scott Miller’s “The People Rule.” Each is distinct in its message and its sound, but they are all exemplary examples of great political songwriting.
10/16/20 • 40 min
Fewer bands in rock history are as human, genuine, and flawed as the Clash, the 70s-80s punk rock band that outgrew its punk roots as it grew in mainstream fame. The band wanted to be one of the biggest in the world, but somehow do so without compromising its politically charged message. Is that possible? In a fascinating book called “We are the Clash,” co-author, music historian, and humanitarian Mark Andersen exquisitely details an unheralded time in the band’s history: the making of the band’s last album, “Cut the Crap.” “We are the Clash” is a spellbinding, ambitious book that revisits this oft-forgotten era of the band, when lyricist and singer Joe Strummer tried to will a band of almost all new recruits, save bassist Paul Simonon, into an all-out war on the music industry and the rise of Thatcherism. The band’s efforts ultimately failed, but Mark’s book will give you a fresh new look at this album, this moment in time, and where we are today. “We are the Clash” is available online, but give your local bookstore the first shot.
05/10/24 • 43 min
Every now and again I pinch myself when doing this show. It’s been four years and I’ve had some amazing guests. Yet this one—with all due respect to everyone who’s been on—this one has been more than 30 years in the making. Because my guest is Ian Hunter, hands down my favorite singer-songwriter of ‘em all. Ian is best known for his time fronting the early to mid-70s band English band Mott the Hoople. Mott had a major hit in 1972 with All the Young Dudes—look it up on Spotify, trust me you’ve heard it. From there Ian’s solo career has dotted nearly six decades, and he’s still going strong. Ian joined me to discuss his latest album Defiance Part II: Fiction. The album follows Defiance Part I, both of which were recorded near the end of the pandemic. The songs are fantastic, but check out the roster of musicians who joined him: Ringo Starr, Brian May, Lucinda Williams, Jeff Tweedy, the late Taylor Hawkins, and so many more. We talk about the album, the pandemic, the staying power of music, and, well, the theme of both Defiance records—agism and not going quietly into the night. What else could you want? Dive into this interview with Ian Hunter.
08/11/24 • 22 min
Sometimes the simplest words say the most. For proof, look no further than my next guest, Richmond, Va.-based singer/songwriter [Mighty Joshua](www.mightyjoshua.com). Mighty Joshua is one of the hottest, sought after reggae acts along the East Coast, and his new album Dreaducation demonstrates why. In this episode, Mighty Joshua talks “Beware,” the first single from the new record. The song is a musical tour de force, with a driving bass line and sharp horn section anchored by Joshua’s percussion and soulful voice. Like the word itself, “Beware” is more than meets the eye—you’ll hear something new every time you listen. Mighty Joshua talks about how the song came to be, his significant growth as a singer and writer, and how being mindful—being aware—is a necessity in life. So please join me in welcoming the Mighty Joshua back to For Songs.
11/04/23 • 25 min
If you’ve ever felt like there’s just not enough time in the day, that the world is crashing down and you’re feeling more pressure than you can handle, have I got the song for you. In this episode of For Songs Singles, I welcome back Lisset Diaz of the Havana-by-way-of-Nashville-based [Sweet Lizzy Project](www.sweetlizzyproject.com). Lisset discusses the band’s dynamite new single, Somebody Wake Me When It’s Over. The song is a musical tour-de-force, a blistering rock opera that jumps out of your speakers right into your heart. Lyrically, the song addresses anxiety and the fear that there’s just not enough time to accomplish your dreams. This is a true rock masterpiece and if there’s any justice in the world, the band’s guitarist and producer Miguel Comas will be the most sought after producer in the country after this single. So sit band and enjoy as Lisset Diaz returns to For Songs.
10/04/22 • 18 min
As you’ve no doubt heard in listening to this podcast, the music industry is not for the faint of heart. You need nerves of steel, patience, determination, and, at times, a devil-may-care attitude. You also need support, and lots of it, if you hope to make just enough to get by. In this special episode of For Songs, we are joined again by indie-rock legend Paleface and his drummer/partner Monica “Mo” Samalot. Paleface has seen it all, a veteran of the industry since the early 90s. His songwriting chops sharpened by folks like Daniel Johnston and others, PF has rubbed elbows with some of the biggest names in the business, people like Beck and the Avett Brothers. In this episode, PF and Mo discuss the crowdfunding campaign currently underway to support their next release, which is expected to come out in early 2023. We talk about what goes into writing, recording, producing, and releasing an entirely independent record. We discuss how you can play a key role in getting their new album out on the streets by supporting their efforts. And talk about the joy of playing live again after more than a year of being off the road.
To make a contribution to their crowdfunding campaign, check out their website here: www.palefaceonline.com.
11/19/21 • 38 min
With Hurricane Ida bearing down on his home state of Louisiana, musician Louis Michot felt helpless. After a quick jaunt for his band’s—Grammy winning Lost Bayou Ramblers—first gig outside Louisiana in nearly two years, Michot and his crew raced home to be with their family as the storm approached. An unlucky break during the show led to a short COVID scare, but even more frightening were the cries for help he saw online as Ida pummeled New Orleans and other areas, knocking out power for weeks. Once he felt safe and healthy—he never did get sick, thankfully—Michot and his band raced into action, setting up gofundme campaigns to bring goods and services to those areas devastated by the storm. His band raised tens of thousands of dollars for supplies like food, gas, and everyday needs. Once the immediate crisis ended, he started thinking bigger. He launched the Louisiana Solar Fund to bring portable solar generators into indigenous areas wrecked by the storm. In this special episode of For Songs, Louis talks about this work, the state of the power grid, and why it is so important to bring resilient forms of energy to all corners of the country.
Oh yeah, we also talk about music and his latest EP, the five-song live recording Tiny Island. Tiny Island was recorded by his second band Michot’s Melody Makers outdoors on his property. The Melody Makers are joined by the incredible and versatile singer/songwriter/cellist Leyla McCalla. We talk about three songs from the EP, how the band maintains its tight sound without rehearsing, and how cool it is when the bugs and frogs living on Louis’s property accompany the band. Please join me in welcoming Louis Michot back to For Songs.
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FAQ
How many episodes does For Songs have?
For Songs currently has 70 episodes available.
What topics does For Songs cover?
The podcast is about Music, Podcast, Folk, Podcasts, Songwriting, Rock, Music Interviews, Music Commentary and Guitar.
What is the most popular episode on For Songs?
The episode title 'Episode 66: For Songs Singles! Tell Me This, Sons of Silver' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on For Songs?
The average episode length on For Songs is 37 minutes.
How often are episodes of For Songs released?
Episodes of For Songs are typically released every 16 days.
When was the first episode of For Songs?
The first episode of For Songs was released on May 23, 2020.
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