Conversation with Hurdy Gurdy Player Anna Murphy & Drummer Merlin Sutter of the band Cellar Darling

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Anna Murphy and Merlin Sutter of the band Cellar Darling. The conversation was originally recorded in 2018 and now has remastered audio. The discussion covers many topics, including their musical journey, the impact of Stoic philosophy on their work, and personal reflections on overcoming adversity, creative expression, and coping with emotions. The episode delves into the band's songwriting processes, their thematic incorporation of Stoic ideas, particularly from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, and the personal and collective challenges they have faced. Murphy and Sutter also discuss the philosophical underpinnings of their songs like 'Hullabaloo,' 'Challenge,' 'The Hermit,' and their unique sound that blends folk and rock. The musicians share their thoughts on the balance between intense emotional experiences and rational thought, their inspirations, and the importance of self-reflection and connection. The conversation also highlights the therapeutic aspects of music and philosophy for dealing with life's uncertainties and hardships. -- Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Low-Cost Travel 00:48 Special Guest Announcement 01:44 Upcoming Events and Announcements 03:31 Cellar Darling's Musical Journey 04:46 Exploring Stoic Philosophy in Music 07:27 The Song 'Challenge' and Personal Struggles 14:16 The Hermit: Love of Solitude 17:38 Rebels: Challenging Society 23:19 Honoring the Dead: A Celebration of Life 24:00 Stoic Philosophy and Grief 25:30 Friendship and Time: Under the Oak Tree 26:23 The Prophet Song and Personal Connections 27:36 Creating Stories: Star Crusher and Beyond 29:28 The Elements: Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth 31:35 Avalanche: A Monotonous Mantra 33:04 Hedonia: A Fantasy World 34:32 The Essence of Stoicism and Art 40:45 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans -- Main website, including episode transcripts: https://hurdygurdytravelpodcast.com Referral links: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/ Join me for in-person meetups I host in Willow Grove, PA: https://www.meetup.com/phillymilesandpoints/ SubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdy-gurdy-travel SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8EcIcoNU1HK4KKhQtTkAWw Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast Google Play: https://www.play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/l5bmuntd4wpvtklvg42ejg42ejg4apiu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/HGTravelPodcast Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/justinvacula Copy and paste the podcast RSS feed -- http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss -- to listen on your favorite podcast-playing platform!