Jonah Kagen has racked up over half a billion streams, scored a Billboard #1 hit with "God Needs the Devil," and sold out headline shows across the globe. But as he shares on Americana Curious, the commercial accolades didn't bring validation—they forced him to isolate, face his inner demons, and dig into his darkest songwriting yet.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Jonah joins host Ben Fanning (Zach Schultz couldn't join us for this one) to talk through:

• The #1 Hangover: Why chart success didn’t make his next record any easier, and why he views making music as a job of service rather than ego.
• Life on the Road: Totaling his truck, living nomadic in a modified Airstream studio, and recording in a stranger's front yard.
• Meeting Dave Matthews: How a custom guitar commission led to an intimate writer's round, tequila in pajamas, and an invitation to open at The Gorge.
• The New Album: The deeply personal, late-night creative marathons behind Eternity of Everything, and why the certainty of death scares him far less than love.
• Crowd Etiquette: The specific things fans need to start (and stop) doing at his high-energy live shows.

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Andrew Sa grew up obsessed with Patsy Cline. Today, he’s challenging one of country music’s oldest assumptions: who gets to belong.

The Chicago country artist’s debut album, American Rough, blends the sounds of classic country with deeply personal songs about love, masculinity, identity, and belonging. And Andrew isn’t asking permission to be part of the genre: “I’m not separate and I’m not different and I belong there.”

Andrew joins Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz to share the childhood story behind his connection to sad country songs, how Rufus Wainwright gave him “permission to have this dream,” and the unforgettable moment Lavender Country’s Patrick Haggerty grabbed him by the shoulders and told him, “I see you now.”

They also dig into the meaning behind American Rough, building bridges through music, where queer country fits within Americana, and Andrew’s upcoming opportunity to honor John Prine at the Chicago Theatre.

It’s a conversation about finding your voice, claiming your place, and why the best country music can make room for more stories...not fewer.

Chris Pierce was playing a corporate gig in a dark corner where nobody was listening when his phone rang. The caller represented Neil Young, and Neil wanted Chris to open his tour.

But Chris’s fight for music started decades earlier.

At 15, he suddenly lost his hearing. Surgery restored about 50% in one ear, and Chris made a choice that has defined his life and career: keep fighting for the thing he loves.

Chris joins Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz on Americana Curious to share that journey, along with the childhood experience that shaped the fighting spirit in his songs, the unforgettable Newport Folk Festival ovation that brought him to tears, and what he learned sharing stages with Neil Young, B.B. King, Seal and Steve Earle.

Chris also takes us inside his new album, Songs for the Heavy Hearted, including “First Day of School,” “A Soft Place to Land,” and the deeply personal story behind recording “Two Angels” with Steve Earle.

It’s a conversation about music, resilience, purpose, generosity, and refusing to surrender to fear.

Follow Americana Curious for more conversations with the artists, songwriters and unsung heroes shaping Americana music.

Newport Folk Festival is famous for the unexpected. You never quite know who might walk onstage.

This year, Dave Matthews made his first-ever Newport appearance, joining a long tradition of unforgettable surprises that has included James Taylor, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and more.

In this episode of Americana Curious, Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz pull back the curtain on what really happens at Newport Folk Festival—the surprise guests, spontaneous collaborations, intimate aftershows, and the community of music lovers that makes Newport unlike any other festival.

You'll hear what it was like when Dave Matthews suddenly appeared, why some of the world's biggest artists treat Newport differently, and why the festival sells out before a single artist is announced.

Plus, Ben and Zach share some of their favorite Newport moments and explain why the real magic may not be the artists onstage at all—it's the people who come back year after year.

Follow Americana Curious for more stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that make Americana music special.

How does a band from Hawaii become one of Americana's fastest-rising groups?

In this episode of Americana Curious, Ben Fanning sits down backstage with Twin Fin just before their sold-out show at Charleston's Pour House for a candid conversation about the unlikely journey that brought them here.

From Coast Guard careers and backyard jam sessions to building a loyal fan base across the country, the band shares how the spirit of aloha, deep friendships, and a passion for great songwriting have fueled their remarkable rise.

You'll hear:

• Why Hawaii—not Nashville—became the perfect place to build a band
• How Twin Fin grew from local shows to sold-out venues across America
• The sacrifices and risks behind pursuing music full time
• The story behind their album Songs I Never Wrote
• Why creating unforgettable live experiences matters more than anything else

Whether you're already a Twin Fin fan or discovering them for the first time, this conversation offers an authentic look at the people behind one of Americana's most exciting new bands.

Americana Curious explores the artists, stories, festivals, and traditions shaping today's Americana music scene through in-depth conversations with the musicians creating it

What happens after you've already achieved the dream?

Phillip Phillips captured America's heart by winning American Idol, releasing "Home"—the biggest-selling winner's single in the show's history—and touring alongside legends like John Mayer and Bruce Springsteen. But behind the success was a deeper journey: discovering that fame wasn't the finish line.

In this episode of Americana Curious, hosts Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz sit down with Phillip for one of his most candid conversations yet. He shares why Home didn't initially feel like his own song, how becoming an independent artist allowed him to reclaim his music, and why fatherhood has completely transformed the way he defines success.

Phillip also opens up about:

• The surprising truth behind recording "Home"
• Why owning his music became more important than chasing bigger fame
• Touring with John Mayer and sharing the stage with Bruce Springsteen
• How Dave Matthews shaped his unique guitar style
• Why he completely reimagines classic songs instead of simply covering them
• The balancing act of being an independent musician, husband, and father
• The stories behind his upcoming music, including songs inspired by his children

Whether you've followed Phillip since American Idol or are just discovering his music, this conversation is an inspiring reminder that sometimes the greatest success comes after redefining what success really means.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Phillip Phillips struggled to connect with "Home" at first

• How he reclaimed ownership of his biggest songs

• What touring with music legends taught him about performing

• Why family changed his career priorities forever

• How he's approaching songwriting differently than ever before

• What success means to him today

Chapters

00:00 – Intro

02:34 – Winning American Idol and the story behind "Home"

05:14 – The pressure after massive success

08:14 – Re-recording "Home" and owning his music

11:10 – Life as an independent artist

13:23 – Fatherhood changes everything

20:19 – Behind the scenes of American Idol

23:01 – The Masked Singer and reinventing songs

32:43 – Dave Matthews' influence

38:48 – Touring with John Mayer & Bruce Springsteen

43:00 – What success means today

🎙️ Subscribe to Americana Curious for authentic conversations with the artists shaping Americana, folk, roots, country, and independent music.

Do bigger venues create bigger experiences—or do they take us further away from the music?

In this episode of Americana Curious, Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz debate whether arenas have changed the live music experience for the worse and share the intimate venues that have left the biggest impression on them.

From Charleston's beloved Pour House and Nashville's legendary Robert's Western World to First Avenue in Minneapolis, Red Rocks, the Ryman Auditorium, and hidden gems you've probably never heard of, they explore why some venues create unforgettable nights while others simply host concerts.

Along the way, they share stories about seeing artists like John Prine, Brandi Carlile, Charlie Crockett, American Aquarium, Mount Joy, Hiss Golden Messenger, Mason Jennings, and many more—and explain why discovering music in small venues may be one of the best investments any music fan can make.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why small venues often create deeper connections between artists and audiences
• The independent venues every Americana fan should visit
• How outdoor venues transform the live music experience
• Bucket-list music destinations across America
• Why supporting local venues helps keep live music alive for future generations

Whether you're planning your next concert road trip or simply looking for your next favorite venue, this episode will inspire you to get closer to the music—and stay curious.

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How does an artist find a voice that feels unmistakably their own—and write songs that hold both hope and heartbreak at the same time?

In this episode of Americana Curious, hosts Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz sit down with MC Taylor, singer, songwriter, producer, and bandleader of Hiss Golden Messenger.

Across more than a dozen studio albums and a Grammy-nominated career, MC has become one of the defining voices in modern Americana. But finding that voice took years of searching, experimenting, and learning to trust his own instincts.

MC shares the story behind Hiss Golden Messenger, explains how fatherhood transformed both his songwriting and his leadership as an artist, and reflects on why his music explores spirit without offering easy answers. He also discusses the power of intimate live music, the importance of community, and why songs can communicate emotions that conversations often cannot.

Chapters:

00:00 - Why it took years to find his voice

02:05 - The turning point that led to Hiss Golden Messenger

03:34 - Finally creating the sound he'd been chasing

04:44 - The meaning behind the name Hiss Golden Messenger

06:56 - Why his music is about spirit—not religion

09:29 - Faith, hope, and rejecting beliefs used as weapons

10:41 - How he writes hopeful songs during difficult times

15:01 - The meaning behind I'm People

17:25 - Why music can say what conversations can't

19:48 - The punk shows that changed his life forever

22:43 - Why collaboration matters in Americana music

27:47 - How becoming a father helped him find his voice

32:23 - The questions driving his songwriting today

35:00 - The future of independent live music and house shows

39:23 - What legacy he hopes Hiss Golden Messenger leaves behind

Hiss Golden Messenger is the musical project of MC Taylor, whose blend of folk, rock, country, soul, and spiritual storytelling has earned a Grammy nomination and made him one of the most respected voices in Americana. Through more than a dozen acclaimed albums, he has built a career defined by authenticity, emotional depth, and a relentless commitment to creating timeless music.

Check out Hiss Golden Messenger's latest album, I'm People, and catch them on tour.

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