Fr James Wallace

Nathan Evans Fox

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we’re joined by Nathan Evans Fox, a musician whose brand of country blends Appalachian roots with deep empathy.  Stay tuned as we discuss the raw emotion of Nathan becoming a father while losing his own in the same year. We’ll also explore his inventive "rewilding" of the banjo and hear all about his beautiful new album, Heirloom, out now, Pick it up today. ---------------------------------------- https://www.nathanevansfox.com/ https://instagram.com/nathan.evans.fox https://www.tiktok.com/@nathan.evans.fox https://nathanevansfox.substack.com/ ---------------------------------------- 00:00 – Intro and Theme 02:02 – Welcome: Nathan Evans Fox on the "exhaustion of dadhood" 02:44 – Introducing the new album, Heirloom 03:24 – The risk and vulnerability of autobiographical songwriting 04:11 – Vocal dynamics and the raw emotion of "I Know The End" 04:58 – The central theme: Becoming a father while losing a father 05:06 – Exploring personal, political, and systemic inheritances 06:00 – Making the album a literal heirloom through a structural "loop" 09:01 – The "nine-month panic attack" of bringing a child into the world 10:02 – Perspectival shifts from abstract "what ifs" to concrete history 10:59 – Biblical Jubilee and the hope for social liberation 13:05 – The Banjo: A tool for losing religion and marking cultural location 15:03 – Avoiding nostalgia and "stomp and holler hell" 16:18 – Inventive textures: Bowing, muting, and synth-style banjo 17:19 – The "cursed" noise solo on the track "Race Car" 18:21 – Banjo virtuosity vs. the "pocket and vibe" of songwriting 19:45 – The "Chris Knight" edge of the song "Meanness" 20:20 – Pushing creative boundaries and avoiding the "worship music" sound 22:12 – Collaborating with producer Zachary Hamilton 23:46 – A look at the contemporary Kentucky country scene 24:43 – Sequencing the record: A-sides, B-sides, and viral transitions 26:43 – "Thinking About Quitting": A scary cry for help 28:54 – "Sevendust": Insecticide as a metaphor for poisonous love 33:48 – Reimagining the nuclear family as a rehearsal space for solidarity 35:10 – The professional empath: Lessons from hospital chaplaincy 37:05 – When empathy isn't enough: The need for systemic solidarity 38:43 – Music as medicine and the "blue-collar" understanding of songs 40:24 – Metabolizing pain into agency and change 41:46 – Planting seeds and being "good compost" for the future 42:51 – Nurturing real hope vs. "the cheap shit" 44:52 – Upcoming tour dates and record release shows 45:47 – The "used car salesman" reality of the 2026 music industry 48:43 – Rewilding Country Music: Killing the monocrop of mainstream values 50:45 – Radicalizing the merch table with Zines and Okra seeds 55:47 – Musical influences: The AI-proof genius of Roger Miller 57:05 – Autobiographical boundaries and the influence of David Bazan 59:19 – The heartbreak of Wasted Love and the "composting" of a career 01:05:21 – Closing thoughts on authenticity and "no cosplay" country 01:07:04 – Outro and Contact Information

The Band of Heathens

Welcome again to Pursuing the Muse! Today we are joined by Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, the frontmen and primary songwriters of the Austin-based Band of Heathens, who are celebrating twenty years of making great music. Stick around to hear how their song craft has evolved over the years. Learn how Hurricane grew into a platinum monster. And find out which band member played linebacker in college. ---------------------------------------- https://bandofheathens.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thebandofheathens https://www.instagram.com/bandofheathens https://www.patreon.com/bandofheathens ---------------------------------------- 00:00 - Theme and Intro 02:14 - Welcoming Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist 02:50 - Celebrating 20 Years: From the Momo’s Residency to Country Sides 04:22 - Improving the Craft: Dedication to Songwriting in Middle Age 05:27 - The "Problem Solving" Nature of the Songwriting Puzzle 07:02 - Waiting for Inspiration vs. The Discipline of Showing Up 09:15 - Keeping the Creative "Antenna" Up 11:44 - Inviting Inspiration: How Literature, Film, and Other Art Fuel Ideas 13:24 - Patterns of Creation: Starting with Titles, Guitar Hooks, or Stream of Consciousness 15:20 - Remote Collaboration and Trusting Each Other's Instincts 17:45 - Early Roots: The Original Lineup and the "Side Project" at Momo’s 19:51 - The Liberation of Shared Frontman Duties 21:45 - Common Aesthetics as the Key to Band Longevity 22:47 - The Legend of Colin Brooks: From Rocker to Fly Fishing Guide 24:47 - Full Circle Moments: Reconnecting on Stage with Old Friends 26:24 - The Good Time Supper Club: Building a Digital "Second Family" 27:41 - The Dartmouth Connection: Gordy and Trevor’s Past as College Football Players 28:51 - From the Gridiron to the Stage: Translating Linebacker Tenacity to Music 31:10 - Bull Riding Trivia: The Biblical and Texas Imagery of "Eight More Seconds" 32:33 - The Finishing School: Running a Private Creative Clubhouse in Austin 33:41 - BOH Records: The Business of Staying Independent 35:50 - Why They Turned Down Major Label Deals and Kept Their Rights 37:39 - "Hurricane": The Accidental Journey of a Platinum Monster 38:37 - Reinterpreting Levon Helm: Dark Themes and Gulf Coast Imagery 40:55 - The "Slow Burn": How "Hurricane" Went Viral Without Industry Muscle 42:27 - Hayes & The Heathens: Collaborating for the Pure Fun of It 47:22 - Learning Lyric Obsession and Word-Level Detail from Hayes Carll 51:25 - Simple Things: Capturing the Hard-Won Optimism of the Post-Pandemic Spirit 53:11 - "Sprints" and "Pods": The Strange Logistics of Recording During Lockdown 56:01 - The Narrative Arc of Country Sides: Mirroring the Band's 20-Year Journey 59:34 - Connecting with the Band: Patreon, Good Time Supper Club, and Social Media 01:00:58 - Outro & Closing Remarks

Warner Hodges

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we feature Warner Hodges, an Americana pioneer who rose from childhood drumming in USO country bands to defining the cowpunk sound with Jason and the Scorchers. He's also played alongside Dan Baird and Homemade Sin, as well as, the Bluefields. Now he's fronting the Warner E Hodges Band and not missing a beat. In this episode, Warner reveals why his wife actually hopes he dies out there on stage. The blunt advice he received from Dan Baird about the need for more guitar pedals, and the accidental and hilarious origin of the title to his new album, Absolutely. Pick that record up today! --------------------------------------------- https://warnerehodges.com/ https://www.instagram.com/warnerhodges/ https://www.facebook.com/warnerhodges Get the new album Absolutely here: https://warnerehodges.com/store --------------------------------------------- • 00:00:00 - Introduction and song clips • 00:02:02 - Tom Compton welcomes Warner Hodges to Pursuing the Muse • 00:02:28 - Transitioning from Sideman to Lead Frontman • 00:04:51 - "I Hope You Die Out There": Perspectives on Road Life • 00:05:41 - Early Musical Roots: Playing Drums in the Family Country Band • 00:08:55 - From Drums to Guitar: The Impact of Seeing AC/DC • 00:10:56 - Rehearsals vs. Pedals: Hard Truths from Dan Baird • 00:13:31 - The Attitude of Punk and the Impact of the Sex Pistols • 00:14:47 - Meeting Jason Ringenberg and Forming the Scorchers • 00:17:36 - Defining "Cowpunk" and "Volume-Based Americana" • 00:18:54 - Touring the Southeast with the Ramones and R.E.M. • 00:22:38 - Sobriety and Reclaiming the Gift of Music • 00:27:50 - The Evolution of Guitar Style and Nashville Chops • 00:32:14 - The Physics and History of the 360-Degree Guitar Flip • 00:35:13 - Connecting with the Georgia Satellites • 00:37:25 - Joining Homemade Sin and Performing Satellites Classics • 00:40:50 - "A Rock Band Inside a Jazz Head": Improvised Setlists • 00:43:31 - Producing "Rollercoaster" and Trusting Joe Blanton’s Ear • 00:45:29 - Collaborative Songwriting Dynamics • 00:50:41 - The "Absolutely" Album and the Supersuckers Connection • 00:53:27 - The Bluefields and Jimmy Page Aspirations • 00:56:13 - Outro and Closing Remark

Pert Near Sandstone

Today's guest is Nate Sipe, a founding member of the legendary Minnesota string band pert near Sandstone, who has been a staple of the Midwestern roots scene for over twenty years. As a multi-instrumentalist and co-curator of the Blue Ox Music Festival, Nate offers a unique look at the pipe dream of a lifelong career in music. In this episode, Nate reveals the origin of the band's name, discusses the urgent role of musicians as ambassadors for a traumatized Minneapolis, and shares how he stumbles into his best melodic hooks by simply noodling on new instruments. And much more. ----------------------------------------------------------- https://linktr.ee/pertnearsandstone ----------------------------------------------------------- • 00:00 - Theme and introduction • 01:59 - Tom welcomes Nate Sipe to Pursuing the Muse • 02:31 - Celebrating "Pert Near" 20 Years as a Band • 04:07 - Song Inspiration: "Pipe Dream" and Touring Realities • 06:14 - The Collaborative Songwriting and Studio Process • 08:28 - The Origin of the "Pert Near Sandstone" Band Name • 11:29 - Nate Sipe’s Journey as a Multi-Instrumentalist • 15:34 - Finding Hooks through "Noodling" and Stumbling • 18:08 - Recording "Shooting Star" with Family Heirlooms • 19:42 - "Grace": Addressing Homelessness and Urban Life • 22:23 - Reflections on the Minneapolis Community and Trauma • 25:24 - Being an "Ambassador" for Minneapolis on the Road • 29:26 - Curation and Origins of the Blue Ox Music Festival • 32:50 - The Growth and Vibe of the Blue Ox Community • 35:55 - Musical Influences: From Grunge to Leo Kottke • 41:32 - Composing for Theater and Film (Ishmael) • 48:17 - Upcoming Tours and the "Road to Blue Ox" • 51:30 - Insights from Hosting the Blue Ox Podcast • 55:08 - Blue Ox 2026 Logistics and Camping • 57:41 - Outro & Final Remarks

Fr James Wallace

Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse! I’m your host, Tom Compton Today, we are exploring the intersection of faith and melody with Father James Wallace. He's a native of Winnetka, Illinois and a trained canon lawyer, Father James serves as pastor in the archdiocese of Chicago and a professor at Mundelein Seminary Today we'll be discussing how your favorite rock songs can be seen through a spiritual lens, why explicitly contemporary christian songs can sometimes fall flat, and the ancient debate between Saint Augustine and Thomas Aquinas on whether music is a divine gift or a potential danger. Let’s jump on in or as James Hetfield might say, "jump in the fire". --------------------------------------------------------------------- 00:00:00 - Show introduction 00:02:06 - Intro: Tom Compton welcomes Father James Wallace 00:03:25 - Catholic Priesthood and Credentials 00:04:12 - Finding God in Secular Music 00:05:36 - Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Simple Man" as messenger 00:10:59 - Romantic Poetry and the Song of Songs 00:13:58 - Elvis Presley: Secular Love Songs for the Lord 00:15:27 - Bob Marley, the Trinity, and the Blessed Mother 00:18:37 - Saint Augustine’s "De Musica" 00:22:57 - Scriptural Roots of Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix 00:24:25 - Toby Keith’s "I Love This Bar" Church Metaphor 00:26:14 - Thomas Aquinas and the Danger of Music 00:27:32 - The Grateful Dead: Authenticity and Idolatry 00:32:07 - Silence, Rest, and the Journey to God 00:35:40 - Finding Spirituality in Metallica 00:41:03 - The Metallica Ticket Lottery and Mosh Pit 00:43:38 - Deepening the Worship Experience in the Mass 00:47:26 - Objectivity in Beauty and Modern Art 00:50:00 - Lyrical Quality and Judas Priest 00:51:52 - Final Reflections: Reminding us of the Good and Beautiful 00:53:06 - Outro