Nora Jane Struthers' "Bright Light, Long Drives, First Words" Track by Track, ep. 61

Nora Jane Struthers' "Bright Light, Long Drives, First Words" Track by Track, ep. 61

Author: The Bluegrass Situation March 12, 2020 Duration: 44:58

Nora Jane Struthers is back! We go track by track on her new album Bright Lights, Long Drives, First Words! The record was recorded while she was 8 months pregnant after a long struggle with infertility (see Basic Folk episode 4 for the whole incredible story). This album addresses the dichotomy between realizing her hard-earned dream and the tough realities of keeping her musical career alive (touring and all) in the wake of new motherhood. There are songs about finding home in your family, being too far away from friends and the song that Nora Jane claims is the best song she's ever wrote.

On this episode, she is kind enough to go through the album song by song and address different themes and styles. My favorite song on the album is an amazing track called "To Catch a Phoenix," which is super dramatic and very Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, Harry Potter. She actually breaks that metaphor down line by line and I'm sitting there listening to her with my jaw on the floor. It's cool.
 

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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
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