Rephonic
Artwork for Basic Folk
Folk Music
Music Industry
Rosanne Cash
The Wheel
Elise Leavy
Bob Hillman
Iron & Wine
John Leventhal
Inner Critic
Cindy Howes
Club Passim
Motherhood
Rumble Strip Records
Divorce
New York
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes360Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsMusicArtsMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Basic Folk

Latest Episodes

To send 2025 off into the great abyss, we have a sensational year-end Basic Folk roundtable featuring Lizzie's group chat: Kaïa Kater, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, and Isa Burke. It can feel so challenging to know which media you can trust and whose takes you... more

Our episode with Madison Cunningham was one of those all-time Basic Folk moments where a guest gets really deep really quickly. I'm so grateful to have had the chance to speak with this brilliant young torchbearer of the folk tradition to celebrate t... more

YouTube

Frazey Ford has always loved soul music. She fell in love with Otis Redding at age 11 and discovered people like Ann Peebles along the way, but it was Al Green that really knocked her out. She loved the layers, the expression, and especially his voic... more

YouTube

In the eight years since The Barr Brothers last released an album, Andrew has been drumming with people like Feist, Mumford & Sons, and Broken Social Scene while Brad released a solo record and underwent incredible personal change. Brad made the huge... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Frazey Ford
Folk artist and musician known for her soulful sound
Independent artist
Episode: Frazey Ford Revisits the Subtle Grooves of 'Indian Ocean', ep. 331
David Wilcox
Asheville-based songwriter known for his reflective storytelling and music that emphasizes emotional healing
Episode: David Wilcox Can Heal Your Heart in Two Minutes, ep. 329
Kathleen Edwards
Beloved Americana singer-songwriter and author of the new album 'Billionaire'
Independent Musician
Episode: Kathleen Edwards: Making up for 30 Years of No Tears, ep. 328
Peter Rowan
Legendary Massachusetts-born California-based musician
Episode: Peter Rowan: The Bluegrass Buddha's Tex-Mex Roots, ep. 327
Rissi Palmer
Country singer songwriter and Color Me Country radio host
Episode: Rissi Palmer & Miko Marks: "Buckle Bunny," No Cringe, and My Black Country, ep. 326
Miko Marks
Americana country artist
Episode: Rissi Palmer & Miko Marks: "Buckle Bunny," No Cringe, and My Black Country, ep. 326
Paul Brady
Legendary Irish musician known for his contributions to traditional Irish music and songwriting.
Episode: Paul Brady on Tina Turner, Irish Music and Not Being Too Famous, ep. 324
Joe K. Walsh
Mandolinist and Berklee faculty member
Berklee College of Music
Episode: Everyone Has a Friend in Joe K. Walsh, ep. 323

Hosts

Cindy Howes
Host who brings warmth, humor, and insightful questions to conversations with folk musicians, emphasizing authentic storytelling and community connection.
Lizzie No
Co-host who engages in sincere conversations with musicians, highlighting emotional depth and the richness of folk narratives.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 111 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 States10 months 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
    Canada4 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.

Some critiques mention instances where the interview style can be distracting, but overall, the conversations are well-received and enlightening.
Listeners appreciate the depth and insight of the interviews, highlighting the hosts' thorough research and engaging questioning style.
Positive feedback notes the warmth and relatability of the hosts, making the musical discussion inviting for both avid fans and newcomers.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Madison Cunningham is Embarrassed All the Time. ep. 332
Q: What do you think it means to be a folk musician?
Madison admits she's never identified with the term folk, instead viewing it as an amalgamation of singer-songwriter styles.
Madison Cunningham is Embarrassed All the Time. ep. 332
Q: How do you reconcile your spiritual identity with being an artist?
Madison expresses that while she doesn't identify with a specific religion, she considers music spiritual and continues to seek meaning.
Madison Cunningham is Embarrassed All the Time. ep. 332
Q: Can you describe what it was like to watch your father and your grandmother play guitar as a kid?
Madison shares that it was her first experience surrounding inspiration, feeling passionate about music helped her connect with her family.
Frazey Ford Revisits the Subtle Grooves of 'Indian Ocean', ep. 331
Q: What impact did Teenie's passing have on you?
I felt honored that he held on to finish the record and I still feel very connected to him through our sessions.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Basic Folk

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

The podcast focuses on authentic and engaging conversations with a range of folk musicians, embracing the diverse narratives and artistry that often go unrecognized. It covers topics including personal journeys, creative processes, and the socio-cultural aspects of music, with a special emphasis on amplifying voices from marginalized communities, including Black, Brown, and Queer artists. Through warm and humorous interviews, the hosts create a space for artists to share their stories and experiences, ranging from their musical influences to the challenges they face in the industry. The commitment to exploring the richness of folk culture, combined with a desire to democratize the genre, makes this podcast a unique platform within the music... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Basic Folk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Basic Folk:

1. Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda
2. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
3. Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
4. The Interview
5. ReThinking

How many episodes of Basic Folk are there?

Basic Folk launched 7 years ago and published 360 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Basic Folk?

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What guests have appeared on Basic Folk?

Recent guests on Basic Folk include:

1. Madison Cunningham
2. Frazey Ford
3. David Wilcox
4. Kathleen Edwards
5. Peter Rowan
6. Rissi Palmer
7. Miko Marks
8. Paul Brady

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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