Secretly Subversive Summer Sounds: New Tracks and Old Favorites with Nelson Gullett

Secretly Subversive Summer Sounds: New Tracks and Old Favorites with Nelson Gullett

Today, Nelson Gullett and Sloane Spencer get into one of the best parts of being a music fan: the stories that songs create along the way. The tracks we love often become tied to specific moments, memories, and people, and that’s exactly where this conversation starts. This episode moves between reconsidering nostalgia and new music discovery. We talk about the lasting emotional pull of music from The Jayhawks via Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman, while also shining a light on newer favorites from River Shook and Ismay. Along the way, our guests, a retired radio programmer and current radio host, bring plenty of insight, unexpected stories, and a few moments that might have you rethinking what makes a song stick with us. Whether you’ve spent years exploring Americana, live for indie rock discoveries, or are simply looking for your next favorite artist, there’s something here for you. We’ll share the records we can’t stop playing, celebrate a few overlooked gems, and dig into why certain songs keep finding their way back into our lives. If Yaz, R.E.M., and American Aquarium are all in your rotation, this episode is for you. Pour yourself a drink, settle in, and join us for a Pride Month conversation about music, memory, and the thrill of finding something you can’t wait to play again. Pin Our Tastemaker Playlists * Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/dive-bar-music-club-episode-11/pl.u-kv9lGXaue7DgM8] * Tidal [https://tidal.com/playlist/c777e6bc-e85f-4ef5-8505-ae40f49133f7] Focus Musicians for this Episode * Blue Mountain * Ismay (Avery Hillman) * The Jayhawks * River Shook * Vandoliers * Yaz/Yazoo Musicians, Bands, TV, Events, Record Labels, etc Mentioned * Aldous Harding * Amethyst Kiah * American Aquarium * Andrew Sa * The Americans * Americana Awards * AmericanaFest * Blake Tallent * Bloodkin * Bloodshot Records * Blue Highway * Blue Rodeo * Bob Dylan * Bob Mould * Cary Hudson * Chuck Mead * Dave Matthews Band * Dolly Parton * Dylan LeBlanc * Edery Bazzini * Fleetwood Mac * Gillian Welch * The Groove * Hardly Strictly Bluegrass * Hymn for Her * India Ramey * Indigo Girls * Iris DeMent * Jason Narducy * Jenni Rose * John Stirratt * Kathleen Edwards * Kevin Gordon * Laurie Stirratt * Lucinda Williams * Mandolin Orange/Watchhouse * M.J. Lenderman * Michael Shannon * Mightmare * Mike Mills * Mike and the Moonpies/Silverada * Mon Rovîa * Nancies.org * No Depression * Olivia Wolf * Otis Gibbs * Peter Buck * Phoebe Bridgers * Radiohead * Ralph Stanley * Ratboys * The Reckless Strangers * R.E.M. * Red and the Paper Flowers * Sara Bareilles * Sarah Shook and the Devil * Sarah Shook and the Disarmers * Scott Miller * S.G. Goodman * Sun Volt * Thomas Wolfe Auditorium * Trombone Shorty * Tyler Childers * U2 * Waxahatchee * Webb Wilder * WDVX * Wilco * WMOT * Wyatt Ellis * X * XM Cross Country VENUES & RECURRING EVENTS MENTIONED * 40 Watt Club * Blue Plate Special Performance Stage * Blue Plate Special * Record Store Day * Summer Nights Concert Series * Tennessee Shines * Yee-Haw Brewing Co. The Regulars in this Episode * Nelson Gullett [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-nelson-gullet-wdvx] * Sloane Spencer [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-sloane-spencer] Chapters * 00:00 - Introduction to the Dive Bar Music Club Podcast * 06:18 - The Jayhawks and Their Lasting Impact * 19:16 - Discovering New Music: River Shook and Ismay * 23:33 - The Influence of Music and Poetry on Songwriting * 34:49 - Discovering New Music: The Journey of Vandoliers * 45:50 - The Importance of Integrity in Music Recommended If You Like Dive Bar Music Club, 90s alt rock, emerging songwriters, touring songwriters, Americana music, live music shows, WDVX Radio, summer concert series, Webb Wilder, bluegrass artists, music playlists, eclectic music, indie music recommendations, music discovery, Nashville music scene, local music scene, new music releases, music nerds, music interviews, music festivals, Dive Bar Music Club podcast, Americana music podcast, indie rock podcast, alternative country music, alt-country bands, Americana artists, music discovery podcast, new music recommendations, Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman, The Jayhawks, Rainy Day Music, Blue Mountain band, River Shook, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Ismay, Half Truth album, AmericanaFest, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, WDVX Radio, Blue Plate Special, Knoxville music scene, Webb Wilder, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Iris DeMent, Wilco, Son Volt, REM, Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Jason Narducy, Michael Shannon REM tour, Athens Georgia music, 40 Watt Club, Bloodshot Records, Vandoliers, Jenny Rose, American Aquarium, Kathleen Edwards, Tyler Childers, SG Goodman, Mon Rovîa, Ratboys, Amethyst Kiah, Wyatt Ellis, Dylan LeBlanc, indie folk music, roots music, bluegrass artists, singer-songwriter podcast, live music stories, music nostalgia, record collecting, Record Store Day, vinyl culture, music fandom, concert memories, underground music, independent artists, Southern music, Nashville music scene, Asheville concerts, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, folk music discussion, country rock, roots rock, music interviews, emerging artists, favorite albums, music recommendations 2026, best Americana albums, indie music discovery, alternative music culture, music nerd podcast, low-key high-taste music podcast

Not Another Cranky White Guy, Your Album Cover Sucks, and Pink Floyd vs Rolling Stones?

This week on Dive Bar Music Club, we dive into the eclectic songs we've been listening to lately, and how we find new music. We're kicking it off with Kim Ware's recent tour and the joy of discovering music that truly resonates with us. Chad Cochran pulls back the curtain on album cover art and reminds us of his mental health series, I Didn't Want to Tell You, at Woodyfest and Nelsonville Music Festival. Charles Hale brings his distinct perspective as a record store owner to new music from old bands, and as we explore the fine line between artistic expression and marketability in album art. So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s explore what we've been spinning on our playlists! PIN OUR TASTEMAKER PLAYLISTS * Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/dive-bar-music-club-episode-10/pl.u-2aoqGWbiqN2Kjg] * Tidal [https://tidal.com/playlist/68814525-fa24-4c2d-9334-94d5c3d7991a] MUSICIANS & BANDS MENTIONED * 6 String Drag (Rob Keller, Kenny Roby) * Aldous Harding * Mike D (Beastie Boys) * Clydie King * Jesca Hoop * Lily Miller * Mod Lang * Rolling Stones * Tiwayo * (Above on this episode's playlists) * * Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief) * Ben Nichols * Big Star * Big Thief * Black Keys * Black Pumas * Braid * Bob Dylan * The Cars * Damien Jurado * De La Soul * Detroit Cobras * Fiona Apple * J Phono 1 * Jerry Kee * John Harrison * Kathleen Edwards * Iron & Wine * Journey * Leith Ross * Leon Bridges * Lynyrd Skynyrd * Merry Clayton * Metz * Night Ranger * Paul McCartney * Phil Spector * Pink Floyd * Rainer Maria * Ray Charles * Sad Planets * Sam Beam * Scott Miller * Steely Dan * Superchunk * Tom Waits * V-Roys * Weird Nightmare * Woody Guthrie * XTC * Y'All'Re * Yum Yum Tree EVENTS, FESTIVALS, MEDIA & ORGANIZATIONS * Nelsonville Music Festival * New Orleans Jazz Fest * Record Store Day * Saturday Night Live * Theme Stock * Woody Guthrie Folk Festival VENUES, LABELS, STORES & PUBLICATIONS * 40 Watt Club * Blue Note Records * Driver 8 Records (Sign up for the vinyl record club here [https://driver8records.com/product/the-record-club-from-driver-8-records/].) * Nine Bullets music blog * Sub Pop PLACES MENTIONED * Athens, GA * Atlanta, GA * Austin, TX * Chapel Hill, NC * Charlotte, NC * Clemson, SC * Columbus, OH * Detroit, MI * Fort Collins, CO * New Orleans, LA * Okemah, OK * Paris, France * Wilmington, NC The Regulars in this Episode * Chad Cochran [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-chad-cochran-cowtownchad] * Charles Hale [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/charles-hale-driver-8-records-krfc-radio-fort-collins] * Sloane Spencer [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-sloane-spencer] * Kim Ware [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-kim-ware] Chapters * 00:00 - Introduction to the Dive Bar Music Club * 04:19 - Exploring New Tunes and Tour Tales * 10:48 - Navigating New Music Discovery * 17:40 - Discovering New Music * 23:46 - Exploring New Musical Influences * 32:24 - Exploring New Music Discoveries * 36:28 - The Discovery of Clyde King * 42:54 - Album Art and Creative Processes * 46:45 - The Art of Album Covers Recommended If You Like Dive Bar Music Club, music podcast, 90s alt rock, emerging songwriters, indie music recommendations, music discovery, live music performances, record store culture, music industry insights, singer-songwriter tours, album artwork design, music playlists, music trends, underground music scene, folk music, alternative music, music collaborations, music interviews, music nerds, new music releases, artist interviews, Dive Bar Music Club podcast, music discovery podcast, indie music recommendations, new music podcast, alternative music podcast, underground music scene, record store owner recommendations, finding new music, music nerd podcast, album cover art discussion, vinyl records, record collecting, independent musicians, singer songwriter podcast, touring musician stories, music festival photography, Nelsonville Music Festival, Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, record of the month club, Dryland Records, music algorithms, Spotify alternatives, Tidal music recommendations, NTS Radio, XMU radio, music curation, indie folk music, indie rock music, power pop revival, soul music recommendations, modern soul artists, French soul music, Tiwayo, Damien Jurado, Lily Miller, Jesca Hoop, Aldous Harding, Mod Lang, Six String Drag, Clydie King, Rolling Stones new music, Mike D solo project, Beastie Boys legacy, Ryan Adams problematic, Superchunk, Reiner Maria, Braid, Big Star influence, The Cars influence, The Kinks influence, XTC discussion, Fiona Apple comparisons, Leon Bridges fans, Black Pumas producer, Tom Waits connections, Iron and Wine collaboration, music blog culture, Nine Bullets music blog, Chapel Hill music scene, Athens Georgia music scene, Carolina music scene, Detroit rock bands, independent record labels, Sub Pop Records, album artwork design, vinyl culture, crate digging, hidden music gems, overlooked musicians, session singers, Clydie King background vocals, Bob Dylan collaborators, Phil Spector era musicians, Sweet Home Alabama background vocals, Exile on Main St discussion, music recommendation roundtable, best new indie music, music podcast for record collectors, discovering underground artists, favorite albums of the month, music fandom and nostalgia, classic rock debate, Pink Floyd discussion, Paul McCartney discussion, Saturday Night Live music guests, New Orleans Jazz Fest discussion, music discovery in the streaming era

Albino Skunk Music Festival with King Margo and Aaron Lee Tasjan

From backstage conversations to festival magic, Sloane Spencer dives headfirst into Albino Skunk Music Festival, a music fan's family reunion. While this marks the final spring edition of the beloved festival, the fall music weekends continue. Celebrate reinvention, community, and the evolving sound of Americana and roots music. This episode spotlights both legendary festival staples and exciting new voices, including breakout duo King Margo, who join Sloane backstage to talk about creative growth, finding their sound, and the thrill of releasing fresh music into the world. Then, singer-songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan opens up about the highs surrounding his latest album and the personal challenges shaping his journey through grief and sobriety, offering equal parts wisdom, honesty, and heart. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and spend some time where the songs are loud, the stories run deep, and music feels like home. Catch Our Tastemaker Playlists * Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/dive-bar-music-club-episode-9/pl.u-gxblNo7u35lq2o] * Tidal [https://tidal.com/playlist/4deb9970-9f1c-45cb-81be-1f30f0a46035] Musicians, Bands, Venues, and Festivals Mentioned * Aaron Lee Tasjan [https://www.aaronleetasjan.com/] * King Margo [https://www.kingmargo.com/] (Rachel Coats and Lucciana Costa) * Albino Skunk Music Festival [https://albinoskunk.com/] * Americana Fest * Buddy Miller * Darrell Scott * Dave Jacques * Drivin N Cryin * Gabe Lee * Hayley Williams * Jason Eady * Jen Gunderman * Jeff Sipe * Jimmy Bowland * John Fullbright * John Prine * Justin Amaral * Kevn Kinney * Kim Richey * Larkin Poe * Margaret Glaspy * Max Abrams * Procol Harum * Roger Alan Nichols * Sheryl Crow * SiriusXM Outlaw Country * Steve Dawson * Sturgill Simpson * Susan Werner * The Mavericks * The Wallflowers * Todd Snider * Tom Petty * Van Darien * Warren Zanes Chapters * 00:20 - Sloane Spencer: The Final Spring Edition of Skunk Fest * 01:16 - King Margo: Exploring New Sounds * 12:20 - Music and Inspiration: The Creative Process * 19:53 - Aaron Lee Tasjan: Navigating Grief and Creativity * 29:04 - The Journey of 'Science Friction' Recommended If You Like Albino Skunk Music Festival, Dive Bar Music Club podcast, Sloane Spencer, King Margo, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Americana music podcast, roots music festival, bluegrass music festival, indie music podcast, South Carolina music festival, live music interviews, backstage artist interview, Americana artists, folk music podcast, Red Dirt music, Texas country music, Jason Eady, Gabe Lee, Darrell Scott, Jeff Sipe, Nashville musicians, independent music artists, women in Americana music, King Margo new music, Waters Rise album, Game Over single, Tinfoil Profiteers, Roger Alan Nichols, Larkin Poe producer, music discovery podcast, singer songwriter interview, Aaron Lee Tasjan Get Over It Underdog, Science Friction song, SiriusXM Outlaw Country, independent musicians, touring musicians, music festival culture, live music community, East Nashville music scene, Americana Fest, music merch culture, indie record release, podcast for music nerds, low key high taste happy hour, festival backstage conversations, roots rock artists, folk Americana scene, Southern music podcast, emerging Americana artists, music storytelling podcast, dive bar music club, music festival, Albino Skunk Music Fest, South Carolina music festivals, Darrell Scott, King Margot, Jason Eady, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Americana music, music discovery, indie music, music interviews, festival experiences, songwriting process, artist collaborations, music promotion, live music, female musicians, music production, pre-order album Support to Tip Jar [https://divebarmusicclub.com/tip-jar]

Sad Songs Happy Hour, That Bar Is in Hell, Mental Health, and Disabled Joy

Amanda Miles and Chad Cochran bring sonically disparate, but thematically similar, music to Dive Bar Music Club. We end up with some deep conversation about taking care of our mental health and how that impacts the music community. The playlist moves through love, loss, and nostalgia. Amanda shares her latest Jason Isbell obsession, Chad leans into indie rock and some 90s throwbacks, and together we talk about how music becomes a lifeline during tough times. Amanda shares a bit about her progressive blindness, how it impacts her when going to see bands and venues lack accessibility, and teases an upcoming feature regarding her diagnosis in Bodies of Opinion. Catch Our Tastemaker Playlists * Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/dive-bar-music-club-episode-8/pl.u-jV895XDFldB5Py] * Tidal [https://tidal.com/playlist/ff17c719-0726-4622-96ef-a129ae0578fb] Bands and Musicians Featured in Episode 8 * Willow Avalon [https://www.willowavalonmusic.com/] w/ Jason Isbell [https://www.jasonisbell.com/] * Ella Langley [https://www.ellalangley.com/] * The Afghan Whigs [https://theafghanwhigs.com/] * Luke Combs [https://twia.lukecombs.com/] w/ Alison Krauss [https://alisonkrauss.com/] * Paul McCartney [https://www.paulmccartney.com/] * Arcwelder [https://www.arcwelderband.com/] Mental Health Resources If you need immediate support, call or text 988 in the USA for connection to a trained volunteer who can help. * NAMI [https://www.nami.org/] * Nuci's Space [nuci.org] * Your state occupational health or vocational rehabilitation office * Music Health Alliance [https://www.musichealthalliance.com/] * MusiCares [MusiCares.org] * Sims Foundation [https://simsfoundation.org/] * HAAM [https://www.myhaam.org/] (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians) The Regulars * Chad Cochran [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-chad-cochran-cowtownchad] * Amanda Miles [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-amanda-miles] * Sloane Spencer [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-sloane-spencer] Musicians, Venues, Events, and Themes Referenced in This Episode * Alan Jackson * Appalachian State University * Athens * Atlanta * Bodies of Opinion * Brian Lee Brown * Birmingham * Bowling Green * Chicago * Coca-Cola Amphitheater * Dave Grohl * David Byrne * Faith Hill * Garth Brooks * Jack White * Jim White * Laughing Hyenas * Live Nation * Linda Ronstadt * Luaka Bop * Madison Square Garden * Martina McBride * Minneapolis * Miranda Lambert * National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) * Nelsonville Music Festival * New Disabled South * Ohio * Okemah * Patrick Keeler * Raconteurs * Red Rocks Amphitheatre * Reba McEntire * Ringo Starr * Ryman Auditorium * Steve Albini * Tabernacle * Tedeschi Trucks Band * Them Crooked Vultures * Touch and Go Records * Topher Brown * Tyler Childers * Vince Gill * White Stripes * Woody Guthrie Folk Festival * Wynonna Judd Recommended If You Like dive bar music club, music podcast, 90s alt rock, emerging songwriters, Jason Isbell, Luke Combs, Alison Krauss, Ella Langley, mental health and music, concert photography, music festivals, country music scene, music recommendations, indie music, music accessibility, songwriter interviews, music playlists, music discussions, Americana music, music industry insights, Dive Bar Music Club podcast, music podcast 2026, indie music discussion, 90s alt rock nostalgia, indie rock playlist, Americana music podcast, country music deep dive, Jason Isbell fans, Willow Avalon Cardinal Sin, Luke Combs Alison Krauss duet, Ella Langley cover songs, Toby Keith cover reinterpretation, music and mental health, music as therapy, emotional connection to music, nostalgic music themes, love and loss songs, sad music playlist, songwriting and storytelling, emerging artists 2025, indie folk and synth folk, Icelandic folk music, live music culture, concert photography, music festivals 2026, backstage photography, touring musicians life, TikTok music discovery, viral music trends, album recommendations podcast, Paul McCartney new music, Afghan Whigs comeback, Arc Welder band, college rock revival, 90s music revival, alternative rock discussion, music community podcast, disabled joy and music, accessibility in live music venues, mental health in music industry, musicians mental health advocacy, music and identity, podcast music recommendations, discovering new artists, genre-blending playlists, music nerd culture

Record Store Day, Public Radio, and Music Loose Associations

We’re big fans of public radio and festivals for music discovery. Charles Hale and Nelson Gullett had a small world radio-meets-real-life Big Ears connection. Public radio keeps new music alive and thriving, even as the federal government slashed budgets and extremist subcultures try to wield power over art. Driver 8 Records gears up for Record Store Day and launches a vinyl record club. Sloane Spencer continues to float her musical loose associations, this time sharing, "If Randy Newman, Leon Russell, and Levon Helm hung out listening to the Beatles, this might be the song they wrote." So pour yourself something nice, slide into the booth, and get ready for a mix of good stories and the kind of musical rabbit holes you’ll be glad you fell into. Catch Our Tastemaker Playlists * Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/dive-bar-music-club-episode-7/pl.u-jV8957LuldB5Py] * Tidal [https://tidal.com/playlist/4ecaedec-8b7f-4d29-9160-54ef8e748a00] Bands Featured in Episode 7 * Flea [https://www.flea333.com/] * Jesse Ed Davis [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Ed_Davis] * Kathleen Edwards [https://www.kathleenedwards.com/] * Kruangbin [https://khruangbin.bandcamp.com/] * Leon Bridges [https://khruangbin.bandcamp.com/album/texas-sun] * The Montvales [https://www.themontvales.com/] * Neko Case [https://nekocase.com/] * Silver Skylarks [https://eastwoodmusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/silver-skylarks-the-number-one-set-and-sound] * Yagody [https://yagody.org/en/#intro] Support Your Local Public Radio Station * WDVX [https://wdvx.com/support/] * KRFC [https://www.krfcfm.org/] Record Store Day [https://recordstoreday.com/] & Driver 8 Records' Record Club * Driver 8 Records [https://driver8records.com/product/the-record-club-from-driver-8-records/] The Regulars * Nelson Gullett [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-nelson-gullet-wdvx] * Charles Hale [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/charles-hale-driver-8-records-krfc-radio-fort-collins] * Sloane Spencer [https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/dive-bar-music-club-sloane-spencer] Musicians, Festivals, Venues, and Events Mentioned in this Episode * Albert King * Amelia Day * Anna Butters * Angine de Poitrine * Arlo Guthrie * Barley's Knoxville * Black Pumas * Blind Boys of Alabama * Bloodshot Bill * Bob Dylan * Brennan Wedl * Bugs Bunny * Butch Hancock * Carolina Chocolate Drops * Charles Mingus * Charlie Snider * Chris Stapleton * Chris Thile * Christopher Paul Stelling * Colin Cripps * Driver 8 Records * Dr. John * Duane Allman * Grant Alden * Grateful Dead * Gwenifer Raymond * Haley Heynderickx * International Anthem * Jason Isbell * Jeff Parker * Jimmy Dale Gilmore * John Lennon * Kaoru Watanabe * Kasey Musgraves * Katie Crutchfield * Ken Pomeroy * Leon Russell * Levon Helm * Lucinda Williams * Market Square, Knoxville, TN * Michael Stipe * MJ Lenderman * Nick Cave * No Depression * Nonesuch Records * Peter Buck * R.E.M. * Randy Newman * Red Hot Chili Peppers * Richard Thompson * Smoking Dave and the Primo Dopes * Sturgill Simpson * Taj Mahal * The Beatles * The SteelDrivers * Todd Snider * Tom Petty * Thom Yorke * Tortoise * Big Ears Festival * Thirty Tigers * Tyler Childers * Waxahatchee * WDVX * WREK * KRFC * Wu Fei Recommended If You Like dive bar music club podcast, music discovery podcast, public radio music, indie music podcast, alternative rock discussion, 90s alt rock fans, eclectic music playlist, underground music scene, college radio influence, music nerd community, songwriter interviews podcast, record store culture, vinyl collecting community, record store day events, independent record stores, emerging artists spotlight, live music festivals USA, Big Ears Festival Knoxville, Americana music scene, folk and bluegrass artists, experimental music performances, Ukrainian folk band modern, jazz fusion discussion, Flea trumpet album, avant garde jazz artists, Kathleen Edwards music, Americana singer songwriter, Waxahatchee influence, indie folk duos, music recommendations podcast, album deep dives, music storytelling songs, public radio funding importance, listener supported radio, music community building, local music scenes USA, Texas indie soul music, Khruangbin style vibes, Leon Bridges collaboration, new music discovery 2026, public radio music discovery, Dive Bar Music Club, 90s alt rock, Knoxville music festival, Big Ears Festival, emerging touring songwriters, eclectic music, music playlists, public radio funding, local music scene, music obsession, record store culture, independent radio stations, music community, music recommendations, exploration of new music, artist interviews, vinyl records, music nerds, music events