Our first ever repeat guest, mandolinist and songwriter Ethan Setiawan, returns to talk about his new record, Gambit. We talk writing and naming tunes, moving to a new community, playing together with friends and contemporaries and recording releasing a record through a pandemic.Ethan is one of the most exciting, versatile and virtuosic musicians in today's acoustic music landscape. Be sure to check out his new record (and dig into his previous releases while you are at it!).https://www.ethansetiawan.com/ Interview and editing by Brian Carrollphoto by Louise Bichan 

Max García Conover: I Saw The DevilMax García Conover’s new record, “Deer,” (Son Canciones) came out on June 3. It feels like a collection of poems in the best possible way. As Max talks about in our most recent podcast, not poems like the ones you read in school–“intelligence tests,” meant to be obtuse. No, these are songs that keep you awake to yourself and the world. They are mostly quiet, and there is a tendency for uncertainty, or, at least, a questioning of what makes us so certain. The songs, to borrow a line from Frank Burroughs, “won’t keep still,” and that’s what I like about them. Sometimes when I listen, they’re sorrowful, sometimes joyful, and that’s life, isn’t it? As MC Taylor sings, “It’s a beautiful world, but painful, child.” That, to me, is what Deer captures–the beauty of our interconnectedness and its fragility; the importance of attention and the costs of inattention. I hope you enjoy this latest edition of the Red Line Roots podcast and check out Deer. If you buy the CD from Son Canciones, they send you this beautiful book of stories behind the songs, and don’t you miss having something to hold and consider when you listen to new music? Anyway, enjoy. Photo: Shaw PhotographyInterview by Ken TempletonEdited by Brian Carroll

Thomas Rhyant: Further OnThomas Rhyant recorded his debut solo album, Love Lifted Me,  in about forty-five minutes of first-takes. I guess when you’re this good, you just walk in the studio and make a record. I had the good fortune to hear Thomas perform at Newport Folk Festival last summer, as part of the Spiritual Helpline Gospel Revue. Thomas played guitar and sang in the group that also featured Sister Lena Mae Perry, The Union, Phil Cook and the Guitarheels. And when he sang–well, I’m not sure I’ve seen people that surprised and awed in a long while. He can hit falsetto notes that are simply out of reach for the vast majority of singers. Love Lifted Me is a spare, gorgeous record. Most songs are just Thomas and an acoustic guitar. Interview by Ken Templeton

Autumn Nicholas: (Dis)comfortI had the good fortune to hear Autumn Nicholas at Newport Folk Festival this summer. I was taking photos as she began her song to start the Black Opry Revue set. And, after just a few notes, I had to stop snapping pictures because I had to listen. Her voice and performance were so captivating. After the Festival, I listened to everything she’s released on repeat. Autumn’s EP Shades of Beige features beautiful songs like “Light” and “Back When.” She’s released several singles since that 2020 EP, including the powerful anthems, “On a Sunday,” and “Not Gonna Do This Anymore.” Autumn is an incredible songwriter and artist and I am so thankful that she joined us for the latest episode of the Red Line Roots podcast! Give it a listen, share with a friend, and make sure you catch Autumn on tour!Interview by Ken TempletonEdited by Brian Carroll

Its been a few years since we started this thing and we don't get to catch up too much about life, what we are listening to on our personal time and what is exciting us, so we hopped on the phone and did just that.We talk releases from 2022 we have been constantly spinning, what we are excited for down the line, A LOT about Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots and, well, just two guys who love music catching up.Enjoy.

Rachel Sumner: Come AlongRachel Sumner & Traveling Light released their debut, self-titled album last week and it is fantastic. The first song, “Hunting Doves,” introduces this group well, showcasing their virtuosity and creativity. As we discuss in this episode of the Red Line Roots podcast, the song came together from finding pieces of songs in Rachel’s notebooks and Jame Joyce’s novel Ulysses. Intrigued? The entire record is beautiful, and we were so lucky to catch up with Rachel this summer about it.Listen to the episode for Rachel’s reflections on songwriting, on forming a new band, and find out which Bill Callahan song she added to our BEST SONG EVER playlist!Photo by Lindsay Straw

The Dead Tongues: It Doesn’t Have to BeI first heard one of Ryan Gustafson’s songs at the Phil Cook & Spirit Family Reunion Newport Aftershow in 2016, one of the most joyful musical experiences of my life. Ryan was playing in The Guitarheels, and played “Graveyard Fields,” one of the songs he’d written under the moniker The Dead Tongues. While playing with Hiss Golden Messenger on the Heart Like a Levee tour, Ryan released Unsung Passage, a truly beautiful record. This year, he released Dust, and I cannot recommend the album enough. The songs have so much space in them. They are both rich and spare, lyrically, and the band that Ryan assembled is loose and creative. We got to chat with Ryan ahead of his set at Newport Folk Festival on Friday, July 22. If you’re there, be at The Dead Tongues! And if you’re not, make sure you give Dust spin. interview by Ken Templetonphoto by Charlie Boss

The Kentucky Gentlemen: Love LanguageIt was such a pleasure to talk with Brandon and Derek Campbell, also known as The Kentucky Gentlemen. The twin brothers moved to Nashville in 2013 and started writing songs. Years of hard work are paying off, as they release their EP The Kentucky Gentlemen, Vol. 1. They’ve had videos featured on CMT and have been featured in showcases sponsored by The Black Opry, an organization dedicated to changing the fact that Black people have been overlooked in country music, as artists and as fans. The Black Opry Revue set at Newport Folk Festival on Saturday, July 23 is sure to be a highlight of the weekend. We spoke with the Campbell brothers ahead of their appearance at Newport and we can’t wait to see them live!Photo Credit: Laura Moll

Sarah McCombie describes herself and her husband, Austin, as “old souls.” They like old things, old people, and old songs. It’s no surprise then, that many of the songs on their new album, If You See Me Riding By, feel timeless. This record has kept me good company this spring, and it’s exciting that as of June 3, it’s out in the world for everyone to hear. We had a wonderful chat a couple of months back as Sarah and Austin braved the New Jersey Turnpike on a spring tour. Take a listen and check out the new record!Interview by Ken TempletonEdited by Brian Carroll

For episode 5 we catch up with Maya de Vitry. Maya recently released a brand new record titled "Violet Light". Its a beautifully collaborative collection of songs recorded during the pandemic. Two things that usually wouldn't be in the same sentence but Maya was able to find a way to craft a wonderful record around that sentiment.Check it out and get "Violet Light" today.https://www.mayadevitry.com/Interview by Brian CarrollEdited by Brian Carrollphoto by Laura Partain