Dawes Welcomes Inner Critic, Says "No, Thank You" To The Comment Section

Dawes Welcomes Inner Critic, Says "No, Thank You" To The Comment Section

Author: The Bluegrass Situation April 16, 2026 Duration: 56:22
We are so excited to kick off our Interviews at Sea series with DAWES! We had the chance to talk to brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith aboard Cayamo: A Journey Through Song during their 18th voyage in March 2026 in front of a packed audience. The guys have been performing as Dawes since 2009, but the band has been a duo since their 2024 album, 'Oh Brother.' The Goldsmiths have been singing and playing together their whole lives inspired by their musician father, Lenny Goldsmith, who toured as the lead singer of Tower of Power in the 1980s. Taylor was never told it was hard to play guitar or sing, so he just did it. He always knew he wanted to be a professional musician. We talk about the ways his musical career turned out as not quite what he had expected. We also touch on how their singing has evolved over the course of their lives together. Both Taylor and Griff are fathers, so of course we asked about the freedom that comes with priorities changing in their lives and careers – as well as what toys they may have regretted ever letting their kids have. One thing following Dawes around for the past year is the aftermath of the January 2025 Eaton Fire in Los Angeles. Both brothers and their parents suffered immense loss due to the flames sweeping through Altadena, destroying thousands of homes and causing over 30 deaths. Griffin's son was born two weeks after the fire, a month early. Dawes became the musical face of the disaster with an emotional performance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' and opening the GRAMMYs with Randy Newman’s “I Love LA” with a veritable supergroup: Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, St. Vincent, and John Legend. The brothers get into what the experience taught them about healing and reaching a place where this tragedy does not define them. We hear a bit about Taylor's love of collecting first editions and his fear of the comment section and we wrap up with a fun "Which One?" lightning round. Thanks to Dawes! Follow Basic Folk on social media: https://basicfolk.bio.link/ Sign up for Basic Folk's newsletter: https://bit.ly/basicfolknews Help produce Basic Folk by contributing: https://basicfolk.com/donate/ Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

There's a certain magic that happens when musicians are given the space to talk not just about their craft, but about the life that feeds it. That's the heart of Basic Folk, a series of conversations that feel more like catching up with an old friend than a formal interview. Hosts Cindy Howes and Lizzie No bring a genuine curiosity and easy warmth to each episode, creating an environment where artists often share stories and insights they might not elsewhere. Since 2018, this podcast has carved out a vital niche, actively seeking to honor and platform the incredible, sometimes under-the-radar, voices within the roots music world. You'll find a beautifully diverse tapestry of sound and experience here, from technical wizards and Grammy-winners like Molly Tuttle to culturally pivotal figures like Leyla McCalla, all united by their connection to folk music's expansive tradition. Produced by The Bluegrass Situation, each episode digs into the personal journeys, creative struggles, and quiet triumphs that shape the music. It’s less about celebrity and more about substance, offering listeners a chance to intimately understand the people behind the songs. Tune in for thoughtful, humorous and deeply human dialogues that remind you why folk music, in all its forms, remains a powerful force for storytelling and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Basic Folk
Podcast Episodes
Lutalo: Hip Hop Roots and Folk Future(s), ep. 292 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:22
In 2024, Vermont's Lutalo (they/them) released their debut album, The Academy. In this episode of Basic Folk, they share the profound influence of their father, whose deep love for artistry and creativity laid the founda…
Jerry Douglas: From Steel Mills to Dobro Thrills, ep. 291 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:50
Jerry Douglas is widely regarded as the best Dobro player in the world. Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, and James Taylor are counted among his many collaborators and his four-decade career has earned him 16 GRAMMY Awards…
Basic Folk: An Official Bluegrass Situation Production [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:06
Basic Folk features honest conversations with folk musicians hosted by Cindy Howes and Lizzie No. We approach interviews with warmth, humor and insightful questions. Since 2018, this podcast has dignified under the radar…
Year-End Reflections with Cindy & Lizzie: A Wild 2024 Ride, ep. 290 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:13
It's 2024 recap time on Basic Folk! Cindy & Lizzie dive into a most special year-end reflection, featuring highlights from our honest conversations with folk musicians. We revisit THE top episode of the year, Anna Tivel…
Becca Stevens on Grief, Spiritual Co-Writing and Connection, ep. 288 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:17
I (lizzie) first came across Becca Stevens via her collaboration with string group The Attica Quartet. Her new album, Maple to Paper, is really different from her previous releases. If you think you know everything that…
Twisted Pines' Kathleen Parks Secret Polka Past, ep. 287 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:48
Hot off the heels of Twisted Pines' latest release, Love Your Mind, Kathleen Parks is here to dig into her uncelebrated polka origins. Daughter of renowned trumpetist Eric Parks, the younger Parks grew up in New York's H…
The Sound of Women's Voices: A Shorty Bonus on a Weird Ass Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:34
I woke up today and my wife told me the news. I went for a walk in the woods and found myself thinking about We Shall Overcome and singing it by myself surrounded by fallen leaves and pine trees. I put on Dawn Landes’ ne…