Back Catalog Listening Party

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Terry VanDeWalker -- founding member of beloved jam band The Big Wu. The drummer, singer and songwriter joins us from his home in Northfield, MN to revisit the band's 2002 album Spring Reverb. He talks about the unique sound of this record, captured by famed metal producer Bill Cutler and how it showcases the band's elaborate arrangements and tight harmonies.Featured Songs:Southern Energy Irregular Heartbeat Flatiron Suite Break of Day🔗 Show Notes:https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/302 🎉 Join the Party on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/backcataloglisteningparty

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with singer/songwriter Annie Gallup, who joins us from her home in Maine to revisit her 2015 album Ghost. She talks about revisiting her bluegrass roots, creating the ink and art for the album's handmade packaging and and the importance of venn diagrams to her songwriting.Featured Songs:Diamond Ring Ghost Town Kite West Memphis Arkansas Danny Barnes Battle of Brooklyn 🔗 Show Notes:https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/301🎉 Join the Party on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/backcataloglisteningparty

In this week's special encore episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo pay tribute to the late great Emmy-winning composer, violinist and mandolin player Peter Ostroushko by revisiting his iconic 1995 album Heart of the Heartland. They are joined by Peter’s longtime friends and collaborators pianist Richard Dworsky, guitarist Dean Magraw and former Red House Records president Eric Peltoniemi to share hilarious and heartfelt memories of Peter and the recording sessions.Recorded March 26, 2021.FEATURED SONGS1. Seattle (The Fantasy Reel)2. Prairie Sunrise3. Heart Of The Heartland4. Dakota Themes- Kasposia, Pioneer Waltz, Pigs Eye Reel5. Puppy Belly Dance🔗 Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/52/🎉 Join the Party on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/backcataloglisteningparty

In this week's special 300th episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with acclaimed singer, songwriter and novelist Josh Ritter who joined us from his home in Brooklyn to revisit his 2006 album The Animal Years, which was inspired by Voltaire, Mark Twain and everything happening around the Second Gulf War. He also talks about writing while running the back roads of Idaho, finding his voice in the pubs of Ireland and why editing is his favorite part of writing songs and stories. We also do a little show and tell with his very first merch item!Featured Songs:Best For The BestGirl In The WarMonster BalladsThin Blue Flame🔗 Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/300🎉 Join the Party on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/backcataloglisteningparty

In this special encore episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Kansas-based singer/songwriter Elexa Dawson who joined us with a special hometown brew from Radius Brewing to revisit her 2019 album Music Is Medicine, which won her a Native American Music Award for Best Country Recording. She talks about recording the album in one weekend in Taos, drawing from her Potawatomi roots, the magic of staghorn sumac and how integral singing has been to her mental health.Recorded November 10, 2023Featured SongsChangedHigh PlaceGlad We CameCircle SongHis Name🔗 Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/185🎉 Join the Party on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/backcataloglisteningparty

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with folk/rock favorite Catie Curtis, who joins us for lunch to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her album Long Night Moon. We talk about why this album has been such an important one in her life, how drums have shaped her music and ways she keeps these songs fresh and politically relevant decades later.Featured Songs:Passing ThroughWater and StonePeople Look AroundHey CaliforniaLong Night Moon🔗 Show Notes:https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/299🎉 Join the Party on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/backcataloglisteningparty

In this special encore episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with NPR Tiny Desk Contest winner, Broadway composer and disability rights activist Gaelynn Lea, who revisits her 2018 album Learning How to Stay. We talk about reincarnation, space odysseys and the similarities between recording engineers and therapists.Originally Recorded September 18, 2020.Featured Songs:Bound By A ThreadI See It TooThe Last Three FeetI WaitGrace And A Tender Hand🔗 Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/26🎉 Join the Party on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/backcataloglisteningparty

In this week's episode, Anthony Ihrig and Mother Banjo talk with Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer Seth Glier who joins us from his home in Western Massachusetts with dad snacks. He revisits his 2017 album Birds, shares the unique genesis of these songs and talks about creating musical space to grieve and crafting cinematic sounds with cutlery and other household objects.Featured Songs:BirdsLike I DoJustice For AllI'm Still Looking🔗 Show Notes: https://backcataloglisteningparty.com/298🎉 Join the Party on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/backcataloglisteningparty