Rephonic
Artwork for Basic Folk
Folk Music
Music Industry
Rosanne Cash
The Wheel
Elise Leavy
Bob Hillman
Iron & Wine
Cindy Howes
John Leventhal
Inner Critic
Club Passim
New York
Rumble Strip Records
Motherhood
Divorce
Camp Fire
A Little Longer
Love and Loss
Lizzie No
Self-Care For Musicians

Basic Folk features honest conversations with folk musicians hosted by Cindy Howes and Lizzie No. We approach interviews with warmth, humor and insightful questions. Since 2018, this podcast has dignified under the radar roots musicians by providing a platform that they might not otherwise have. You’ll hear interviews from Three-time Grammy-winning guitar gods like Molly Tuttle, Haitian American f... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes368Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsPerforming ArtsMusicArts

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Artwork for Basic Folk

Latest Episodes

One of the things I [lizzie] really enjoyed about interviewing Toronto-born singer-songwriter Julian Taylor is his relationship with the truth. He has a really peaceful attitude towards learning and sharing new information. For example, at the beginn... more

YouTube

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 recently 'Touch Grass' Vol. 1 and Vo... more

YouTube

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 Burke, Carolina Chocolate Drops, ... more

YouTube

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 on fiddle, guitar, and vocals,... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Julian Taylor
Toronto-born singer-songwriter, Indigenous storyteller
Independent musician / Anthology Volume Two
Episode: Julian Taylor's Folk Evolution: From Misfit to Musical Storyteller, ep. 340
Mike Merenda
Member of The Mammals, singer, multi-instrumentalist
The Mammals
Episode: The Mammals Do Not Want Your Old Farm Equipment, ep. 339
Joe Henry
Guitarist and songwriter, prolific producer
Episode: Joe Henry & Mark Erelli Wanted to Hang Out, So We Let Them, ep. 338
Mark Erelli
Musician and songwriter, frequent collaborator
Episode: Joe Henry & Mark Erelli Wanted to Hang Out, So We Let Them, ep. 338
Laurie Lewis
Bluegrass Queen and musician, part of the 70s Bay Area bluegrass scene.
Musician
Episode: Laurie Lewis' Bluegrass Love Letter to California, ep. 337
Naomi Westwater
Boston-based musician and singer-songwriter
Episode: Naomi Westwater is Spiritually Creative, But Also Very Very Organized, ep. 336
Tony Dekker
Accidental bandleader and lead singer-songwriter of Great Lake Swimmers
Great Lake Swimmers
Episode: Great Lake Swimmers' Tony Dekker: Accidental Bandleader, ep. 335
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Singer-songwriter and musician
Independent artist
Episode: Mary Chapin Carpenter is the Woman in the Truck, ep. 334
Madison Cunningham
Singer-songwriter and musician known for her unique blend of folk and alternative music.
Forecast Records
Episode: Madison Cunningham is Embarrassed All the Time. ep. 332

Hosts

Cindy Howes
Host of Basic Folk with a long-running presence in roots music interviews and community-building conversations.
Lizzie No
Co-host bringing perspective on folk culture, collaboration, and artist community.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 112 ratings
  • Insightful, deep, and playful

    I adore Basic Folk’s interviews: the work that the hosts put into researching their guests and coming up with unique, interesting questions is apparent. I have become an avid listener, and I’m excited to discover more fascinating folk musicians through this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Velonwy
    United Statesa year ago
  • Kara Jackson

    Amazing episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mplsexistance
    United States2 years ago
  • Cindy’s interviews…

    …are as good as it gets - full of info and insight with a personal touch!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DJ John NY
    United States3 years ago
  • Episode 124

    Love this podcast. I did find the interviewer distracting with their “yeah”, “right”, “mhm” while listening, a lot of the time while the person is still finishing her thought

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EllalovesTrumpet
    Canada5 years ago
  • So freakin' good

    As a folk musician myself, I love Cindy's approach to these interviews. She seems to have a way of making the musician's interviewed very comfortable. She asks very interesting questions and I love love love her casual tone. Plus, she picks the best people to interview. Thank you Cindy for giving folk lovers some really fun behind the scenes yumminess to chew on.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tina Bobeana
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience notes the show offers long-form, candid storytelling beyond standard music interviews.
Listeners highlight the depth of conversations and the sense of musical community.
Some listeners mention the host's interviewing style as very engaging and approachable.
Guests consistently praise the host for homework, warmth, and insightful questions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Julian Taylor's Folk Evolution: From Misfit to Musical Storyteller, ep. 340
Q: What inspired the shift in your sound around The Ridge?
Taylor explains that focusing on lyric-driven writing helped broaden his sonic palette, enabling a more global reach while maintaining personal storytelling. He emphasizes that the record marked a transition toward a more expansive, globally resonant sound while staying true to his roots.
Laurie Lewis' Bluegrass Love Letter to California, ep. 337
Q: What does being in nature inspire you as an artist?
Nature has always fascinated me, and experiencing it deeply enriches my artistic expression.
Laurie Lewis' Bluegrass Love Letter to California, ep. 337
Q: How do you reflect on your dad's role in your musicality?
He both hindered and helped me, providing a lot of music exposure but also imposing his expectations.
Naomi Westwater is Spiritually Creative, But Also Very Very Organized, ep. 336
Q: What has your health journey taught you about how to advocate either for yourself or for others?
Naomi emphasizes self-trust and the need for patients to be the experts of their own bodies while navigating the medical system.
Madison Cunningham is Embarrassed All the Time. ep. 332
Q: How do you know when a song is finished?
Madison states she considers songs as being alive, and that they should be viewed as ever-evolving and not just complete pieces.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Basic Folk

What is Basic Folk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on intimate conversations with folk, bluegrass, and Americana artists, often featuring veterans and rising voices who explore collaboration, craft, resilience, and the evolving music landscape. Episodes frequently thread personal health, mentorship, community, and the tension between artistic integrity and industry pressures into wide-ranging discussions about process, inspiration, and living a creative life. A notable through-line is a commitment to representation and inclusion, with guests from diverse backgrounds shaping a broad, welcoming view of roots music. Listeners can expect thoughtful questions, warm humor, and deep dives into artistry, collaboration, and the realities of making music with purpose.

A standout qu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Basic Folk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Basic Folk:

1. The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast
2. Fresh Air
3. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
4. Life of the Record
5. Letters from an American

How many episodes of Basic Folk are there?

Basic Folk launched 7 years ago and published 368 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Basic Folk?

Recent guests on Basic Folk include:

1. Julian Taylor
2. Mike Merenda
3. Joe Henry
4. Mark Erelli
5. Laurie Lewis
6. Naomi Westwater
7. Tony Dekker
8. Mary Chapin Carpenter

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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