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.

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https://www.nathanevansfox.com/

https://instagram.com/nathan.evans.fox

https://www.tiktok.com/@nathan.evans.fox

https://nathanevansfox.substack.com/

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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

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.

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https://bandofheathens.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thebandofheathens

https://www.instagram.com/bandofheathens

https://www.patreon.com/bandofheathens

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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

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!

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https://warnerehodges.com/

https://www.instagram.com/warnerhodges/

https://www.facebook.com/warnerhodges

Get the new album Absolutely here:

https://warnerehodges.com/store

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• 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

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.

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https://linktr.ee/pertnearsandstone

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• 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

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".

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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

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. This episode we're exploring bridging the world of music and the teachings of the Buddha. Our guest today is a retired Buddhist monk whose background includes being a college music major and a musician in the US Navy. His search for life's answers led him to the Thai Forest Buddhist tradition in the lineage of Bhikkhu Buddhadasa. In this episode, we'll reveal why stardom often creates more problems than it solves. We'll discover how complex music is built on simple repetition. And we'll learn why life can be better enjoyed once you put down the script that's handed to you.

This is part 1 of a 3 part exploration of the spirituality in music.

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DhammaratoDhamma

Dhammarato talk transcripts: https://dhammarato.com/

Discord community: https://discord.gg/cKjsU2Qp

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00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:56 – Welcome: Tom Compton welcomes retired monk Dhammarato

00:03:46 – Musical Roots: From playing for Red Skelton’s fans to studying fine arts at USC

00:05:18 – High Fidelity in the Navy: Recording in professional labs and transitioning toward computer science

00:08:04 – Searching for the Cure: Moving from clinical psychology to finding Goenka in India and Buddhadasa in Thailand

00:10:47 – The Retirement Hobby: Managing a global online sangha and publishing new books on the path

00:14:29 – Symptom Relief vs. Cure: Comparing modern psychotherapy to the Buddha’s actual solution for mental disease

00:15:50 – Defining the Dhamma: Prioritizing happiness in the present moment over future rewards

00:16:38 – The Illusion of Stardom: Why Hollywood success often leads to disaster rather than satisfaction

00:19:08 – Historical Hardships: Examining the difficult lives of legends like Mozart, Chopin, and Gershwin

00:20:43 – The Value of the Moment: Understanding that music's true worth exists only while it is being played

00:21:37 – Practicing the Mind vs. the Instrument: How a happy camper finds more joy in Chopsticks than a struggling pro finds in an Etude

00:25:45 – The Remorse of the Gambler: Analyzing how "loser's mentalities" and sadness dominate popular songwriting

00:27:57 – Uplifting the Tune: The need for more wholesome, celebratory music like "Joy to the World"

00:30:31 – Culture and Tone: How societal mentality, from post-war joy to modern rowdiness, reflects in musical genres

00:32:45 – Therapeutic Notes: Using songs like "Margaritaville" to own mistakes and develop a "Don't Worry, Be Happy" mindset

00:37:43 – The Simplicity of the One Thing: Debunking the Western "no pain, no gain" approach to meditation and sitting in pain

00:39:33 – Stripping the Infiltration: Moving past Hindu-influenced beliefs in reincarnation to live in one's own improved opinion of the world

00:41:01 – Shakespeare’s Stage: Putting down the "childhood script" to see the world as a hilarious comedy

00:43:11 – From Victim to Winner: Breaking the habit of dependency and victimhood to develop a "can-do" attitude

00:45:10 – Simple Success: Why finding inner happiness reduces the need for "shopaholic" behaviors and spending

00:46:25 – Looking for Love in Adulation: Nurturing oneself as a best friend rather than seeking validation from a crowd

00:48:38 – Finding the Sangha: Accessing Dhammarato’s 2,000+ videos and Discord community

00:54:19 – Success as a Mind State: How creating a habit of wholesome thoughts changes internal and external reality

00:57:41 – The Architecture of Sound: How Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony proves complexity is just repetition and variation of simplicity

01:01:01 – Defining Dharma: Understanding the "full body of everything" as the natural world

01:01:40 – Pursuing Openness: Re-envisioning "the Muse" as a flow of Dhamma through a prepared mind

01:05:04 – Outro: Closing remarks and final gratitude

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse; I’m your host, Tom Compton. Today, we’re joined by Henry Conlon, a Nashville-based artist originally from Long Island whose baritone voiced songs are helping him make a name for himself in the music world.

Stay tuned as we discuss surviving an ice storm, the whirlwind experience of recording full albums in just two days, and the real-life newspaper obituary that inspired his meticulously crafted song, "Flowers for Josephine".

Don’t go anywhere!

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https://henryconlonmusic.com/

https://instagram.com/henryconlonmusic

https://www.facebook.com/henryconlon/

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Pursuing the Muse: Henry Conlon Conversation Summary

00:00 – Intro

02:08 – Tom Compton welcomes Henry Conlon to Pursuing the Muse

02:21 – Surviving the Nashville Ice Storm

03:34 – Growing up on Long Island and the Northeast circuit

04:42 – Early musical beginnings: From piano to summer camp guitar

05:53 – The choice to write originals over covers

07:32 – Guitar style and influences: John Prine, The Replacements, and Bob Dylan

09:01 – Moving to Nashville: From Stella Blues to the Music City "graduating class"

11:15 – The Belmont University songwriting and music business experience

13:24 – Learning the recording process and the Nashville "Singles" culture

16:37 – A prolific 2025: Releasing 25 songs in 18 months

18:22 – Song spotlight: The "lonely poet" world of "Wild Dreams"

21:07 – Experimenting with tempo: Turning slow acoustic pieces into driving rock songs

25:02 – Writing without an instrument: Songcraft via voice memos and morning commutes

26:52 – The story arc of the American Wild record

29:52 – Defining the "American Wild": From the Utah desert to the musical frontier

32:23 – The Muse: Writing for his wife, Emily

34:45 – "Flowers for Josephine": Researching a 70-year Chicago love story

41:21 – Setting parameters vs. finding the "click" in songwriting

45:49 – Collaborating with producer Paul Ebersold

47:54 – Live-tracking methodology: Capturing the "human experience" in the studio

53:41 – Meeting Robert Earl Keen at a Nashville guitar store

56:41 – Life on the road: Opening for a legend across the country

01:00:09 – The Business Side: Wearing the hats of manager, booking agent, and roadie

01:03:48 – Where to find Henry Conlon and digital platforms

01:05:02 – Future goals: The 2026 record and upcoming live projects

01:06:33 – Outro & Closing Remarks

Welcome to Pursuing the Muse! Today, we are joined by a very special returning guest, Jon Danforth. An Arkansas native now living in Dallas, Jon is here to discuss his brand new LP, Natural State—a rootsy, nostalgic project six years in the making. Listen in as we discuss the 'bacon and birds' inspiration behind the lead single, how a 'weed bouquet' led to a life-changing confession of love, and the chilling true event that inspired the record's darkest track. And much more!

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https://jondanforth.com

https://jondanforth.bandcamp.com/

https://instagram.com/jonmdanforth

https://www.facebook.com/jondanforthmusic/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5w771fPotpeDtoppQXCIo9?si=V3AwDOVyR06UuMEB4kwgsA

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0gS-JGFmiSV07te0wPQKoA

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• 00:00 – Intro and theme music.

• 01:51 – Tom Compton welcomes Jon Danforth back to the show.

• 00:02 – Discussion of Danforth’s third LP, Natural State.

• 02:50 – The six-year songwriting timeline and studio process.

• 04:00 – Exploring themes of nostalgia and calling back seasons of life.

• 04:54 – The double meaning behind the title Natural State.

• 05:54 – Track breakdown: "Kingfisher" and memories of Pinnacle Mountain.

• 07:00 – Recurring themes of slowing down and living in the moment.

• 07:54 – "Tall Grass": A slice-of-life song inspired by a Dallas backyard.

• 09:42 – "Rest of My Life": A semi-fictionalized story about Jon’s wife.

• 11:20 – "Eureka": Finding childlike wonder in Eureka Springs with his daughter.

• 14:45 – Incorporating new instruments: Banjo and Fiddle.

• 15:33 – The decision to chase a "folky, rootsy" record.

• 17:26 – "Hot Springs Blues": Healing waters and breakup songs.

• 19:12 – Creating an "old school saloon" vibe with piano and banjo.

• 20:07 – The history of the Ohio Club and Hot Springs gangsters.

• 20:51 – "Morgan Mountain": Co-writing with his sister, Amy.

• 22:38 – The German meaning of "Morgan" and themes of tomorrow.

• 23:47 – The challenges and learning curve of collaborative songwriting.

• 27:15 – Songwriting vs. Poetry.

• 28:17 – Lead Single: "Arkansas Sunrise" and capturing the "personal universal".

• 32:15 – The "Bacon and Birds" inspiration.

• 33:07 – "Two Rivers Park": A literal description of a "keeper moment".

• 34:08 – The story of the "weed bouquet".

• 35:44 – "Devil in the Den": A dark turn based on a true event.

• 36:45 – Balancing darkness and light in album sequencing.

• 38:43 – "The Springs": Spiritual transcendence and baptism imagery.

• 41:04 – Connecting physical healing waters to spiritual restoration.

• 42:07 – Discussion on the relationship between healing and escapism.

• 44:05 – Maintaining simplicity without becoming "corny".

• 47:28 – Rejecting the "commodity" of fast music for the "scenic route" of art.

• 50:09 – "Hunting" for the next project while releasing the current one.

• 52:16 – Natural State as a tribute to place.

• 54:06 – Jon Danforth: Unofficial ambassador for Arkansas Tourism.

• 57:23 – Memories of Bo’s Barbecue and local legends.

• 58:14 – Future plans for regional shows and touring.

• 59:11 – Outro: Where to find Jon Danforth and MySpace nostalgia