Cindy Howes

1 week ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Cindy Howes |Lizzie No |Justin Hiltner

Originally from the village of Mutungo, Uganda (near the country’s capital of Kampala), Jon Muq‘s journey to his current life of touring with an Austin, Texas home-base has been unconventional. Onboard the Cayamo cruise earlier this year, we talked to Jon about his childhood experiences, including fetching water with friends and “We Are the World,” which was the first Western music he ever experienced.

2 weeks ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Cindy Howes |Lizzie No |Justin Hiltner

Basic Folk is making trouble at sea with Ani DiFranco and Carsie Blanton! Hosts Lizzie and Cindy had the opportunity to speak with the two like-minded radical songwriters aboard the 2025 edition of Cayamo, a roots music cruise. Our conversation kicks off with Ani sharing her transformative experience performing as Persephone in the Broadway show Hadestown, delving into the challenges of acting and the lessons learned from stepping outside her musical comfort zone.

3 weeks ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Cindy Howes |Justin Hiltner

The legendary Loudon Wainwright III, whose career has spanned over five decades, is known for his deeply personal songwriting and sharp wit – and oversharing. The patriarch of the Wainwright folk dynasty (which includes Rufus, Martha, their late mother Kate McGarrigle, as well as Lucy and her mother Suzzy Roche), Loudon reflects on the balance between oversharing and maintaining privacy in his music in this episode of Basic Folk.

4 weeks ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Cindy Howes |Justin Hiltner

Olivia Ellen Lloyd‘s latest album, Do It Myself, sees the West Virginia-born Brooklyn-based songwriter reflecting on the powerful imagery of water. She shares how it has been a source of grounding and calmness in her life, from childhood memories spent on the Potomac River to her current love for the ocean, these elements have shaped her artistic journey. In an interesting twist, it was her friends and family that pointed out that she’s always trying to get around water.

1 month ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Cindy Howes |Justin Hiltner

Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, has led an illustrious, sometimes mysterious career which has spanned decades and genres. Hailing from and still living in Lexington, Kentucky, in our Basic Folk conversation Will reflects on his journey from a young artist struggling to find his place in the music world to a seasoned musician who embraces collaboration and creativity.