Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls reflect on their storied musical careers and cover topics from “Closer to Fine” in the Barbie movie, their latest album, and their non-profit Honor the Earth, which is dedicated to the survival of sustainable Native communities, Indigenous environmental justice, and green energy solutions.
English singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock of The Soft Boys talks about his long-standing career.
Robyn Hitchcock is one of England’s most enduring contemporary singer-songwriters. A surrealist poet, talented guitarist, cult artist and musician’s musician, Hitchcock is among alternative rock’s father figures. Since founding the art-rock band The Soft Boys in 1976, Robyn has recorded more than 20 albums and starred in “Storefront Hitchcock,” a concert film recorded in New York and directed by Jonathan Demme.
Rolling Stone said about Hitchcock’s self-titled 2017 album, “A gifted melodist, Hitchcock nests engaging lyrics in some of the most bracing, rainbow-hued pop this side of “Revolver.” He wrests inspiration not from ordinary life but from extraordinary imaginings.”
Grammy Award-winning rocker Jeff Tweedy talks about Wilco’s album “Ode to Joy.”
Jeff Tweedy is the Grammy Award-winning founding member and leader of the rock band Wilco. He is one of contemporary American music’s most accomplished songwriters, musicians and performers. Rolling Stone magazine cited Wilco’s 2002 album, “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” as the third best album of the decade. Since founding Wilco in 1994, Tweedy has toured solo, produced three albums for iconic soul and gospel singer Mavis Staples and written a memoir, “Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back).”
Four-time Grammy Award-winning musician Keb’ Mo’ discusses his album, “Oklahoma.”
Keb’ Mo’ has cultivated a reputation as a modern master of American roots music in the 25 years since the release of his debut album. After 14 albums, he is a musical force that defies typical genre labels. He has co-written with The Dixie Chicks and collaborated with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Natalie Cole and Lyle Lovett. His guitar playing inspired two instrument makers to name guitar models in his honor. Mo’s album, “Oklahoma,” addresses topics such as immigration, depression, pollution, love and female empowerment and features cameos, including Taj Mahal and Roseanne Cash.
Grammy winner Ani DiFranco discusses her memoir “No Walls and the Recurring Dream” and the independent spirit that infuses her music.
Singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco has been known as the “Little Folksinger” but her music has embraced punk, funk, hip hop, jazz, soul, electronica and even more distant sounds. Rejecting the major label system, she became one of the first artists to create her own record label, Righteous Babe Records, in 1990. Her collaborators have included everyone from Utah Phillips to legendary R&B saxophonist Maceo Parker to Prince. She has shared stages with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Kris Kristofferson, Greg Brown, Billy Bragg, Michael Franti, Chuck D. and many more. Her album “Binary” was released in June 2017 and her memoir “No Walls and the Recurring Dream” was released in 2019 by Viking Books.
Rock musician Alejandro Escovedo talks about his decades-long career and his 2018 album “The Crossing” that tells the tale of two boys, one from Mexico, one from Italy, who meet in Texas to chase their American rock and roll dreams.
Alejandro Escovedo is a Mexican-American rock musician with Texas roots. His career includes performing in the punk rock group The Nuns, and alternative country bands Rank and File and The True Believers. He has collaborated with Bruce Springsteen, John Cale, Los Lobos, Peter Buck & Scott McCaughey, Los Texmaniacs and Chuck Prophet. No Depression magazine declared him the Artist of the Decade.
Robert Rodriguez is a maverick filmmaker whose first film, “El Mariachi,” launched his legendary career with a budget of just $7,000. Rodriguez joins Evan to talk about some of his past work and his 2019 film, “Alita: Battle Angel.”
Robert Rodriguez has been a celebrated and innovative filmmaker for more than 25 years. The San Antonio native has directed films such as “El Mariachi,” “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn,” the “Spy Kids” and “Sin City” franchises and “Alita: Battle Angel,” a partnership with producer James Cameron. In 2013, Rodriguez ventured into television and launched his own cable TV channel, El Rey. He co-founded Troublemaker Studios, an Austin-based film production company, and leads the band Chingon with members of Del Castillo.
Bob Mould holds an iconic place in punk music history. Mould visits with Evan about his legendary career and his album “Sunshine Rock.”
Bob Mould is an American indie rock musician, part of the influential 1980s punk band Hüsker Dü and the 1990s band Sugar. Hüsker Dü was one of the first underground bands to sign with a major record label, and their eight albums inspired a generation of musicians. His biography, “See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody,” chronicles his story from a small town in New York to his later successes. His 2019 album is entitled “Sunshine Rock.”
Singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter discusses her prolific career as a musician, how the music industry has changed during her lifetime and the inspiration behind many of her songs and career decisions.
Mary Chapin Carpenter is a five-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter. Her 2018 album, “Sometimes Just the Sky,” celebrates her acclaimed 30-year recording career and features reimagined versions of one song from each of Carpenter’s twelve albums, plus one newly penned track. Over the course of her career, she has sold 14 million records, won two Country Music Association Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and is one of only 15 female members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Poet and activist Nikki Giovanni talks about her long career, writing process and reflects on the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007.
Nikki Giovanni is a poet, writer, activist and educator. Her works cover everything from race and social issues to children’s literature. She has received the Langston Hughes Medal, the Rosa Parks Woman of Courage Award, the NAACP Image Award, more than 20 honorary degrees from national colleges and universities and a Grammy nomination. In 2005, Oprah Winfrey named her one of the top 25 Living Legends. Her 2017 collection of poems is titled “A Good Cry.”
