Josh Kaufman: Imperfect Folk Music & Backstage Snacks, ep. 293

Josh Kaufman: Imperfect Folk Music & Backstage Snacks, ep. 293

Author: The Bluegrass Situation January 23, 2025 Duration: 1:02:56

Multi-talented musician and producer Josh Kaufman is known for his work with Josh Ritter, The National, and his band Bonny Light Horseman. I've known Josh for many years, after meeting him in Pittsburgh while he was on tour with Dawn Landes. I felt instant friendship with him (and honestly with the entire Dawn Landes band that day). We haven't seen each other very much over the last 15 years, but since he left that impression on me I've always rooted for him in his career.

In our Basic Folk conversation, Josh shares anecdotes from his childhood, including memories of his journalist mother interviewing legendary musicians and the backstage snacks that left a lasting impression. He reflects on his early musical influences, the role of music in his family, and how his parents supported his passion for music from a young age. Then we dive into Josh's experiences playing in bands in New York City during his high school years and how those formative experiences shaped his relationship with music and the city itself.

As a producer, Josh discusses his approach to working with artists, emphasizing the importance of capturing the raw, live energy of a performance. He talks about his instrumental album, 'What Do the People in Your Head Say to Each Other,' and how embracing imperfection has become a central theme in his work. He also touches on his collaborations with notable musicians, including Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, and the impact of those experiences on his career. Josh Kaufman is the most sought out producer in roots music these days. Look out for him producing some great records in 2025 and beyond.

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: 367

Basic Folk
Podcast Episodes
The Mammals Do Not Want Your Old Farm Equipment, ep. 339 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:00
Mike and Ruth Merenda have been making music together as the Mammals since 2001, with a little break in 2008 to play as Mike & Ruthy. They've been back as the Mammals since 2017 with a couple of great albums, most recent…
Joe Henry & Mark Erelli Wanted to Hang Out, So We Let Them, ep. 338 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:22
Joe Henry has released 15 studio albums, apprenticed for legendary producer T Bone Burnett and, in turn, has produced many other musicians' albums on his own, including three GRAMMY Award-winning albums – for Solomon Bur…
Laurie Lewis' Bluegrass Love Letter to California, ep. 337 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:15
A foundational participant in the '70s Bay Area bluegrass scene, Laurie Lewis knows the power of collaboration. She's been a part of an ensemble in recent years that's called "Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands" with Laurie…
Great Lake Swimmers' Tony Dekker: Accidental Bandleader, ep. 335 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:40
Accidental bandleader and beloved Canadian Tony Dekker joins us to talk about Great Lake Swimmers' new album, 'Caught Light.' Tony is up to old tricks again, like recording in a remote and weird place (in a century-old f…
Mary Chapin Carpenter is the Woman in the Truck, ep. 334 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:52
Mary Chapin Carpenter's latest album, 'Personal History,' is as lush in production and color as the beautiful farmland she calls home in Virginia. Carpenter will often wake up early for sunrise walks with her dog, Angus,…
2025 Wrap-Up: Gals Chat, A Corn Cob, Alaska, and One Man, ep. 333 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:57
To send 2025 off into the great abyss, we have a sensational year-end Basic Folk roundtable featuring Lizzie's group chat: Kaïa Kater, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, and Isa Burke. It can feel so challenging to know which media you…
Madison Cunningham is Embarrassed All the Time. ep. 332 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:12
Our episode with Madison Cunningham was one of those all-time Basic Folk moments where a guest gets really deep really quickly. I'm so grateful to have had the chance to speak with this brilliant young torchbearer of the…
Frazey Ford Revisits the Subtle Grooves of 'Indian Ocean', ep. 331 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:19
Frazey Ford has always loved soul music. She fell in love with Otis Redding at age 11 and discovered people like Ann Peebles along the way, but it was Al Green that really knocked her out. She loved the layers, the expre…