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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 monthlyEpisodes372Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsMusicMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Basic Folk

Latest Episodes

Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, the Milk Carton Kids, are calling their latest album, 'Lost Cause Lover Fool,' "the one." They have finally figured out how to feel and sound like themselves with a broader sonic palette. They attribute that to shari... more

Matt Smith is a living legend with his unbelievable 30-year run at Club Passim, the historic folk venue nestled in a Harvard Square basement. Currently Managing Director at Passim, Matt is the most passionate music lover I know. He has used his platf... more

YouTube

Well, is this not an excuse to get the girlies together if we've ever heard one!? For our final live interview aboard Cayamo, we arranged a check-in with some of our favorite folks to talk about the state of Folk Music (and folk-adjacent music). Our ... more

YouTube

We are live at sea aboard Cayamo 2026 with Abraham Alexander & Kashus Culpepper! The pair had not met prior, but we found a couple of very cool parallels between them, so we decided to interview them together. Plus, we knew it would be more fun to ha... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Matt Smith
Managing Director, Club Passim
Club Passim
Episode: Club Passim's Matt Smith on 30 Years of Building Community, ep. 344
Jobi Riccio
Folk musician on stage, panelist
Episode: Folk State of the Union: Rissi Palmer, Rose Cousins, Kaïa Kater & Jobi Riccio Live on Cayamo, ep. 343
Rose Cousins
Folk musician on stage, panelist
Episode: Folk State of the Union: Rissi Palmer, Rose Cousins, Kaïa Kater & Jobi Riccio Live on Cayamo, ep. 343
Kaïa Kater
Folk/roots musician on stage, panelist
Episode: Folk State of the Union: Rissi Palmer, Rose Cousins, Kaïa Kater & Jobi Riccio Live on Cayamo, ep. 343
Abraham Alexander
Singer-songwriter based in Fort Worth, originally from Greece
Musician; collaborations with Leon Bridges, Adrian Quesada
Episode: Abraham Alexander & Kashus Culpepper: Handsome Club Convenes at Sea, ep. 342
Kashus Culpepper
Navy veteran, Alabama-bred guitarist and singer
Musician
Episode: Abraham Alexander & Kashus Culpepper: Handsome Club Convenes at Sea, ep. 342
Taylor Goldsmith
Member of Dawes
Dawes
Episode: Dawes Welcomes Inner Critic, Says "No, Thank You" To The Comment Section
Griffin Goldsmith
Member of Dawes
Dawes
Episode: Dawes Welcomes Inner Critic, Says "No, Thank You" To The Comment Section
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

Hosts

Cindy Howes
Host of Basic Folk
Lizzie No
Co-host of Basic Folk

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 comments highlight deep dives into artistry and mentorship themes.
Guests note the comfortable interview vibe and thoughtful probing.
Listeners praise the host's research and insightful questions.
Some listeners mention preferred pacing and natural banter while others note the host's conversational style can be polarizing at times.
Overall, the show is seen as a high-quality, engaging platform for contemporary folk.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Abraham Alexander & Kashus Culpepper: Handsome Club Convenes at Sea, ep. 342
Q: What is the role that beauty and handsomeness have played in your lives, and has it changed over time?
Both discuss confidence as the core of beauty, with handsomeness serving as a reflection of how they carry themselves and how they use their appearance to connect with audiences.
Abraham Alexander & Kashus Culpepper: Handsome Club Convenes at Sea, ep. 342
Q: Growing up, what did folk or country music mean to each of you, and how has that definition evolved over time?
Abraham emphasizes storytelling and his Greek-to-Texan journey shaping his sense of folk and country as narrative art; Kashus reflects on church roots, soul and gospel influences, and learning to embrace his voice through adversity.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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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?

A thoughtful, musician-focused interview series that centers folk, bluegrass, and Americana with warm, intimate conversations. Guests are seasoned and rising artists who discuss artistry, mentorship, collaboration, and the social responsibilities of making music, often weaving in personal stories about identity, resilience, and community. The show stands out for its deep-dive questions, genuine curiosity, and a commitment to highlighting underrepresented voices in the folk world, making it a go-to for listeners who want meaningful context around songs, careers, and cultural impact while staying accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

Where can I find podcast stats for Basic Folk?

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How many listeners does Basic Folk get?

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What are the audience demographics for Basic Folk?

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How many subscribers and views does Basic Folk have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Basic Folk has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Basic Folk are there?

Basic Folk launched 8 years ago and published 372 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Basic Folk?

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What guests have appeared on Basic Folk?

Recent guests on Basic Folk include:

1. Matt Smith
2. Jobi Riccio
3. Rose Cousins
4. Kaïa Kater
5. Abraham Alexander
6. Kashus Culpepper
7. Taylor Goldsmith
8. Griffin Goldsmith

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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