Adventures in Americana presents Smouse in the House

I went to the Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge in Minneapolis to connect with this up-and-coming Minnesota duo about the origins of their act, their ties to the region's music community, and what they're looking forward to at the upcoming Amerigrass festival. You can hear Dellwood's intriguing modern indie take on old-time music  on October 7: They're one of 7 acts performing at Amerigrass, a one-day festiva...

The beauty of local music is the ability to witness new artists grow, and I feel so honored to have an opportunity to follow the rapid and organic development of Molly Brandt, a truly authentic artist finding her voice and place in our community. Nestled in Lowry Hill on one of the coldest evenings of the year, we discuss her burgeoning songwriting skills, experiencing a dream come to fruition by recently opening for the Cactus Blo...

Ellen Stanley, aka Mother Banjo, and Ben Cook-Feltz are such pillars in our music community, both supporting artists through promotion, live shows, and making music accessible to as many people as possible. Seated downstairs in their home, you can feel the passion they carry in songwriting. It’s a tangible experience where they can pull from places in their past, expressing their experiences in visual ways. Ellen and Ben are also b...

Possibly my favorite beginning to any of our podcast episodes, I walked right into a magical off-the-cuff song about pancakes performed by Lamar, aka Geoffrey Lamar Wilson, and his young child playing a cardboard guitar. Surrounded by books and photos of his kids, we chatted about that first spark of joy playing music as a child in the family basement with his dad’s band, how his move to New York influenced his songwriting, and how...

If you close your eyes and listen to Sister Species, you’ll be able to imagine the home of Emily Kastrul – sprawling plants, DIY home improvements, the gentle give of a wood floor, and a trove of local art surrounding the home. Each song connects to the environment, such as how the Mississippi River and Emily’s backyard garden find their way into the lyrics. An emotionally intelligent songwriter, Emily discusses her process and the...

Iowan native Tracey Blake is an enigma to country music. His R&B swagger, admiration for Prince, and student of the Minneapolis sound is a combination that doesn’t immediately make you imagine country music. But in that multifaceted skill set comes an authentic voice that feels all his own. We discuss the ironic importance of the Mississippi by his home, along with how he decides where a song can succeed the most. Oftentimes th...

Walking into Sarah Morris’ bathroom was a surreal experience. The minty green bathroom has been home to so many artists and friends that we had to record the podcast there. Sarah is an avid supporter and angel to our music community with hosting videos all over her home. We discussed her experience living in Nashville and how the move back to Minnesota opened up her songwriting skills. Sarah doesn’t waste the page with unnecessary ...

Tucked into the green room underneath the bustle of Turf Club in St. Paul, it’s easy to see why so many people connect to Charlie Parr. Humble, smart, and keen on life, Charlie exudes an aura of approachability and camaraderie. His love for songwriting and the creative process feels simple, but what comes out in the end is a complex wave of emotions and past memories. In this episode, we chat about two of his new songs and how grie...

Oftentimes I discover a kinship with musicians that align with my own past. Due to his involvement in the music community here in the Twin Cities, I immediately felt that kinship with Max Markin. He ran a music label and actively networks with other local artists as the host of a songwriter showcase series at Palmer’s. Creatively, Max writes intriguing stories for different projects and maintains an openness and respect for art and...

You won’t meet a more dedicated musician and songwriter than Lonesome Dan Kase. He’s a historian of his genre, a pillar in the scene, and the kindest gentleman.  Recently, I sat down with Kase to discuss his craft, learn about old-timey music playing styles, where he caught the bug, and how influential his music research seeps into his own writing. In this episode, we present two exclusive live performances recorded in his home. Da...

Having known Josh Cleveland for over 10 years, recording this podcast at his home felt extremely comfortable. His humor, wit, and detail in songwriting are instantly present in our conversation. Together, we dive into his evolution as a songwriter, along with exploring his magical home with a long history of music creation. There’s heartfelt warmth in the emotions and stories Josh tells in his songs, and his south Minneapolis neigh...

Because environment heavily influences art, there is a clear through-line to his home of Prescott, Wisconsin. Growing up in a small town, feeling connected to the community, and yet wanting to move on and expand your opportunities–there's a part of everyone that can relate to Sam DuBois and his songwriting. Sam’s is an authentic voice that struggles in pursuit of his passions, a struggle many of us can all identify with and ro...

My recent visit with Jake La Botz provided yet another strong example of why sitting in someone’s home can uncover deeper and more personal conversations and connections. In this episode, we explore how an artist’s environment can impact the creative process, something Jake’s encountered during his time living in Rochester, Minnesota. You’ll get to hear his trademark wit and humor, but he also takes a  contemplative approach in his...