Intersectionality Matters! 73. The Sounds of Us
Dec 18, 2025
Join musician and historian Jake Blount, banjo player Amythyst Kiah, luthier Amanda Ewing, and racial justice educator Tim Wise as they explore the hidden contributions of Black artists to country and folk music. They delve into the African roots of the banjo and share personal stories of erasure in the music industry. The guests advocate for creating inclusive spaces for Black instrument makers and discuss how systemic exclusion often undermines rich musical traditions. Afrofuturism, collective action, and reclaiming narratives ignite a vibrant dialogue on heritage and visibility.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Black Roots Of Country Music
- Country, folk, and roots music are deeply rooted in African musical traditions, especially through instruments like the banjo and fiddle.
- Industry gatekeeping and cultural whitening have obscured Black origins and pushed Black artists to the margins.
Personal Discovery Of The Banjo's Origins
- Jake Blount describes discovering clawhammer banjo and learning it descended from African spike lutes.
- That realization connected him to his Chesapeake Bay family history and led him to ethnomusicology.
Finding No Black Instrument Makers
- Amanda Ewing recounts entering instrument making and discovering there were virtually no recorded Black instrument makers.
- That lack pushed her to reclaim and reweave a legacy of Black artisanship in luthiery.