Summary

This week, Amanda Miles, Sloane Spencer, and Kim Ware settle in for a deeper conversation about the music getting us through the mess of current American politics. We start by talking about the long history of music and creativity in protest movements, sparked by Ann Powers’ article about where all the protest songs have gone lately, and whether they’ve actually disappeared or just taken new forms.

From there, we trade the songs currently living on repeat in our headphones. A theme quickly emerges: comfort. The kind of music that steadies you when everything feels beyond us. Think the emotional pull of Jason Isbell, the warm, lived-in sound of Waxahatchee, and the storytelling power that artists like Tyler Childers and Courtney Marie Andrews bring to the table.

Along the way we talk about that tricky balance in our listening habits right now, when you want music that lets you feel the anger, but also something that softens the edges of the day.

Pour yourself something good, settle in, and join us for a thoughtful, easy-going conversation full of sharp observations, a few laughs, and plenty of appreciation for the songs helping us cope, reset, and stay connected.

Catch Our Tastemaker Playlists

1. Apple Music
2. Tidal

Bands Featured in Episode 4

1. Courtney Marie Andrews
2. Amanda Bergman
3. Tyler Childers
4. Jason Isbell
5. Dina Ogon
6. Waxahatchee

Venues and Festivals Mentioned

1. Fest, Gainesville, FL
2. Shoals Fest, Muscle Shoals, AL
3. The Cave, Chapel Hill, NC
4. Coca Cola Amphitheater, Birmingham, AL
5. Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC
6. Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
7. Radio Room, Greenville, SC
8. Red Rocks, Morrison, CO
9. Tribbles, Piedmont, SC

The Regulars

1. Amanda Miles
2. Sloane Spencer
3. Kim Ware

Musicians & More Also Mentioned in this Episode

1. The Ann Powers article about protest music
2. Healing Appalachia
3. Amanda Shires
4. Angel Olsen
5. David Childers
6. Dillon Fence
7. Drive-By Truckers
8. JPhono1
9. Michael Cera Palin
10. MJ Lenderman
11. Martha Davis (The Motels)
12. My Chemical Romance
13. Rage Against the Machine
14. Rickie Lee Jones
15. StereoLab
16. Tedeschi Trucks Band
17. Tift Merritt

indie music podcast, music nerd podcast, underground music podcast, music roundtable podcast, best new indie bands, independent music podcast, music discovery podcast, alternative music podcast, podcast for music lovers, dive bar music podcast, low key music podcast, deep cut music discussion, music tastemakers podcast, music festival discoveries, music zine culture, DIY music scene, touring musician stories, hidden gem bands, vinyl collector podcast, music conversations podcast,

, dive bar music club, 90s alt rock, emerging songwriters, indie americana music, protest music today, creativity in music, comfort music, vinyl records, music recommendations, Jason Isbell, Waxahachee, Tyler Childers, music playlists, live music experiences, female musicians, songwriting process, music festivals, music and mental health, southern roots music, music industry insights