Vance Gilbert on cancer, paying bills, and leaving space

All about "Esperanza," Aaron & Michael's new album

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the new Nathans & Ronstadt album, “Esperanza.” The title is a reference to the Spanish word for “hope.” This episode includes preview clips from songs on the album. Singles are beginning to drop, and the full album will be released in July 2026. Enjoy this sneak peak at “Esperanza”!

Connie Kaldor: All in the family

In part two of our conversation, Connie Kaldor talks about the experience of making music with her family; preparing her voice for shows; and the allure of writing songs about cars. The Boston Globe has described Connie Kaldor as, “a masterful performer, wildly funny one moment, deeply personal the next.” A three-time Juno Award winner, Connie is a member of the Order of Canada, a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal recipient, holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Regina, and is the first songwriter to receive a Western Literature Association Award of Merit.

Connie Kaldor on the power of live music

Connie Kaldor began her career in folk music as part of the Canadian wave alongside artists like Stan Rogers and Valdy. Armed with her enormous stage presence, her unforgettable melodies, and her emotional depth as a songwriter, she became a headline act on the festival circuit. She talks about touring with her family; what it’s like to cross the border from Canada into the United States in this day and age; and her 19th album, “Wide Open Spaces.” This is the first half of our conversation with Connie Kaldor.

What Vance Gilbert has learned from cancer

In part two of our conversation with Vance Gilbert, he discusses guitar techniques, plays a few songs, and talks about both the life lessons he’s learned from cancer, as well as how laughter has been a great medicine.

Vance Gilbert on cancer, paying bills, and leaving space

We were honored to speak with the great Vance Gilbert, a master songwriter, performer, and teacher whom we have long admired. He’s funny as heck, and it’s common to see him headlining folk festivals around the country as he cracks up his audience, makes them think, and leaves them moved. We cover the full range of emotion in this poignant conversation about his recent struggles with cancer, his origins moving from a violent home to homelessness, and how he made the transition from a young powerhouse singer-songwriter from Boston into a folk elder who knows how to say more with […]