The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Singer-songwriter Aoife O'Donovan joins us this week to talk about her gorgeous new album, Age of Apathy. We chat about her relocation to Florida, her writing process, working afar with producer Joe Henry, the comparisons she gets to Joni Mitchell, and much more. Aoife also hints at a forthcoming orchestral composition that we hope to hear soon. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars; Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope purchase); and the FJ's newest sponsor, BED|STÜ shoes (save 20% off with the code FRETXBS for a limited time). Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here and support all that we do, including our growing family of podcasts.

Guitarist Chris Eldridge joins us on this week's podcast to talk about Punch Brothers' new album, 'Hell on Church Street.' This project is like nothing else you've heard: a track-by-track reimagining of Tony Rice's essential 'Church Street Blues' solo album. During the course of our talk, Chris talks to us about the music - and life - lessons he learned from his time with Tony and why the band decided to tackle his influential album now. He also walks us through some of the arranging strategies they used on various tracks. It's a unique glimpse into how one of the world's most innovative acoustic ensembles ticks and we think you'll love it. This episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars; Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope purchase); and the FJ's newest sponsor, Bed-Stu shoes (save 20% off with the code FRETXBS for a limited time). Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here and support all that we do, including our growing family of podcasts.

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we pay tribute to banjo and bluegrass legend J. D. Crowe with his friend, student, and collaborator, Bill Evans. Crowe passed away on Christmas Eve, 2021, nearly a year, exactly, after the death of his friend and former bandmate, Tony Rice. Evans is a natural storyteller and educator and was slated to begin filming instruction videos with Crowe for Peghead Nation later this year. He talks about Crowe's impact on bluegrass, his unique style of banjo playing (and how it differed from that of Earl Scruggs), the unique interplay Crowe had with guitarist Tony Rice, and the importance of the 1975 album, 'J. D. Crowe and New South' album (Rounder Records 0044), featuring Crowe, Rice, Jerry Douglas, Ricky Skaggs, and Bobby Slone. It's an hour-long deep dive into what made one of the world's best banjo player's tick... and a great primer on the subtleties of bluegrass. Evans has graciously shared one of his Crowe lessons on Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com/news-reviews/breaking-news/j-d-crowes-enduring-influence/ This episode is sponsored by BED|STÜ (use the discount code FRETXBS to save 20% off for a limited time), Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% on their amazing software), and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Our 49th issue of the Fretboard Journal is now mailing, featuring John Reischman, John Sebastian, Dr. Molly Miller and more. Click here to learn more. Don't forget, beyond the magazine, the FJ now has an entire network of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording (and tube amps!): Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

*** Sorry for the occasional Zoom audio lag, but this interview was too good not to share. *** All the way in Valencia, Spain, we're talking to the one-and-only Nacho Baños. Baños is the guy behind Nacho Guitars, 'The Blackguard Book,' and the new 'Pinecaster Book.' https://pinecasterbook.com If you've ever watched Julian Lage perform on his "Nachcaster" and wondered just who made it, this episode is for you. We hear about Nacho's early infatuation with American music; how he began buying and selling instruments while attending college in Boston; and why, in 2003, he started writing what would become 'The Blackguard Book.' We learn about the production team behind Nacho Guitars and how he almost retired from guitarmaking when he (temporarily) couldn't source decent swamp ash. He also explains the reasoning behind 'The Pinecaster Book,' his most ambitious publishing project to date. The four-volume set goes beyond the printed page, with all new photographs and multimedia video showcasing the guitars mentioned in the book. This episode is sponsored by Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% on their amazing software) and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Don't forget, beyond the magazine, the FJ now has an entire network of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording (and tube amps!): Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

Heroes' Voices is a Bay Area-based non-profit with a simple mission: To inspire and connect veterans through the power of music and playing guitar. On this week's show, we talk to Larry Chung and Richard Harrell from Heroes' Voices about their unique, distinctly grassroots organization, the free guitars and music instruction they've been offering to veterans and the partnership they've created with Gryphon Stringed Instruments. We also hear from Jesse, one of many veterans participating in Heroes' Voices today. https://heroesvoices.org Happy holidays! This episode is sponsored by Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% on their amazing software) and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Don't forget, beyond the magazine, the FJ now has an entire network of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording (and tube amps!): Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

Jake Doan is a Salt Lake City-based professional skier best known for his park and backcountry ski segments, where he turns the mountains into his personal playground. But Doan also happens to be a rabid guitarist and a member of the Pickpockets, a Utah-based Newgrass band. He recently released a short ski film called Parallels where he merged his passions for skiing and playing music: He not only skied in the film, he performed and recorded its soundtrack. On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Doan about his bluegrass roots, the Collings OM he just picked up, the art of scoring and editing an action sports movie, and a lot more. It's a fun chat with a fellow guitar geek. Watch Parallels here. Support the Fretboard Journal and our podcasts by nabbing a subscription to our reader-supported magazine. This episode is sponsored by Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% on their amazing software) and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Don't forget, beyond the magazine, the FJ now has an entire network of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording (and tube amps!): Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

For the last two years of this podcast, we've shared the stories of several musicians who have made the most of their COVID lockdown: Daniel Romano's wildly prolific recording streak; Mason Stoops' pivot to the visual arts; and Tristan Scroggins doing his best to tame the often-maligned tenor banjo. Today, we meet Duncan Price, a tireless guitar experimenter. Price lives on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he does setup and repair work for a mom-and-pop guitar store called Good Times Music. But during his off-hours, he's crafting some truly unique electric guitar experiments that blend single-string pickups, fretless necks, under-pickguard piezo pickups and more. Despite not having anything to sell or even a brand name, his Instagram posts have captured the attention of musicians-in-the-know on Instagram, who geek out on his posts, his music, and his latest tinkerings. One of those followers happens to be guitarist/producer Blake Mills, who ended up reaching out to Price and is now playing one of his early prototypes (and making some truly gorgeous music on it). On today's podcast, we hear about Price's background, the influence El Rayo-X's Bernie Larson had on him starting out, the quest he's on to make a great fretless-necked, infinite sustain guitar and more. Price also has been inspired by our Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast and talks about some of his recent amplifier builds, as well. This interview may be the first time you've heard about Price and his guitar creations, but it definitely won't be the last. I hope you enjoy getting to know him. Follow Duncan Price on Instagram and see what exactly we're talking about here. Support the Fretboard Journal and our podcasts by nabbing a subscription to our reader-supported magazine. This episode is sponsored by Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% on their amazing software) and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Don't forget, beyond the magazine, the FJ now has an entire network of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording (and tube amps!): Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

The always-entertaining Mike Squires (Couch Riffs) joins us to talk about his unique and hilarious project spawned from the Instagram era, #2 Record. The "record" - which clocks in at under three minutes - is a collection of brilliantly executed original songs... that are all 15 seconds or less. It's a recording that is equal parts writing exercise and social media commentary, but - most of all - it's filled with great (albeit quick) songs. "You get about 15 seconds of a [follower's] attention if you're lucky," he explains of the concept. "Why spend all that energy creating a product that will never be enjoyed? I'm going to cram it all into this 15 seconds of attention." Squires is a prolific creator and a talented musician who has played in the Long Winters, Nevada Bachelors, Harvey Danger, and Duff McKagan's Loaded. He is one the most tireless people we've ever met: A touring guitarist who holds down a day job; hosts, produces and edits Couch Riffs (a must-watch video series on YouTube and a podcast); and hosts the Golden Shower of Hits podcast. Mike's story is both funny and inspiring... we think you'll love it. https://themikesquires.bandcamp.com/album/2-record-digital-book-flexidisc https://www.couchriffs.com Support the Fretboard Journal and our podcasts by nabbing a subscription to our reader-supported magazine. Use the discount code SMALL to save on your order. This episode is sponsored by Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% on their amazing software) and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Don't forget, beyond the magazine, the FJ now has an entire network of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording (and tube amps!): Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

We wrap up Courtney Hartman's week-long podcast takeover by interviewing her from her new home in Wisconsin. Courtney describes the influences that led to her new album, Glade. We hear about the making of her new record, the unique studio she built on her family's Colorado farm, some of the gear (and guests) on the project and a lot more. This episode is sponsored by Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% on their amazing software) and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Courtney's website: https://www.courtneyhartman.com/home Album Stream Links: https://link.courtneyhartman.com/GLa Store: https://courtneyhartman.myshopify.com Bandcamp: https://courtneyhartman.bandcamp.com/album/glade Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/2jLbcCta4ORz1pnrSR24dj Don't forget, beyond the magazine, the FJ now has an entire network of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording (and tube amps!): Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.

To celebrate the release of Glade, the gorgeous new solo album from singer-songwriter and guitarist Courtney Hartman, we've handed her the keys to the Fretboard Journal Podcast. For the last week, Courtney has interviewed some of her favorite people in the fretted instrument world. For her latest installment, Courtney interviews Austen Hooks, best known for his Filmosound conversions and tube amp tech wizardry for Blake Mills and others. After hanging out at the first Fretboard Summit, Courtney also became an Austen Hooks amp owner. Courtney asks Austen about how got into repairing and building amplifiers, his design process, and how he repurposes industrial and military gear to have a second life making music. In a couple days, Jason will be back and talking to Courtney about her new album. In the meantime, check out Glade. Courtney recorded it on the Colorado farm where she grew up using an array of instruments and with some special guest cameos (including Gregory Alan Isakov). If you've only heard the bluegrass side of Courtney Hartman, you're in for a treat. Courtney's website: https://www.courtneyhartman.com/home Album Stream Links: https://link.courtneyhartman.com/GLa Store: https://courtneyhartman.myshopify.com Bandcamp: https://courtneyhartman.bandcamp.com/album/glade Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/2jLbcCta4ORz1pnrSR24dj Don't forget, beyond the magazine, the FJ now has an entire network of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home recording (and tube amps!): Luthier on Luthier; The Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording & Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.