Joe Pug - Apple Podcasts

The Working Songwriter

The Working Songwriter

Joe Pug

3D AGO

Classic Episode: John Moreland

This episode originally aired on August 31, 2018. The Tulsa troubadour describes his transition from hardcore music to folk, how to put on a compelling live show solo, and staying inspired even when the creative process is painful.

56 min
JAN 23

Hayes Carll returns again

Our guest this week on The Working Songwriter hails from The Woodlands, Texas. Hayes Carll is a singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose sharp wit and plainspoken poetry first broke through with his 2002 debut, 'Flowers & Liquor.' That was followed by 2008's 'Trouble in Mind,' which delivered the hit "She Left Me for Jesus" and cemented his place among the genre's most distinctive voices. Carll has toured with artists like Old Crow Medicine Show, Todd Snider, and Alison Krauss and his songs have been covered by Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, and Kenny Chesney. He's recorded for Lost Highway, Dualtone, and Thirty Tigers and he's performed on stages from Newport Folk Festival to Austin City Limits and the Grand Ole Opry. 'Rolling Stone' praises his work for its "razor-sharp wit and lived-in warmth," while NPR notes his "keen eye for the human condition wrapped in disarming charm." 'American Songwriter' calls him "one of Americana's most reliable truth-tellers." Our show's most frequent guest pops by to discuss his latest album "We're Only Human" and finding a creative voice that's more true to himself. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

40 min
JAN 16

Classic Episode: Nicole Atkins

This episode originally aired on September 27, 2019. The Nashville via New Jersey vocalist and songwriter discusses the turn of the century anti-folk scene in NYC, her major label debut being derailed by legendary producer Rick Rubin, and sobriety.

59 min
11/21/2025

Remembering Todd Snider

The Bard of East Nashville passed away last week at the age of 59. We are re-airing his episode of the podcast which was originally published in March of 2020.

1h 1m
JAN 9

Evan Bartels

Our guest this week hails from Tobias, Nebraska, a town of about 100 people. Evan Bartels is a singer-songwriter who with his 2017 debut, 'The Devil, God & Me,' burst onto the national scene. More recently, Bartels has expanded his audience with the release of his EP, 'To Make You Cry,' recorded after relocating to Nashville and reflecting on a period of personal upheaval and renewal. Bartels has toured with American Aquarium, The White Buffalo, and John Moreland; he records for MCA/Universal; and he's performed at Mile of Music, AmericanaFest, and the C2C Festival. 'No Depression' calls him "a haunting new presence in Americana," while Americana Highways praises his "unvarnished, soul-bearing songwriting." 'Glide Magazine' notes his "ability to turn bruised experience into stark, resonant beauty." I caught up with Evan Bartels a few months ago for The Working Songwriter to hear about his musical journey so far. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

1 hr
12/17/2025

Remembering Joe Ely

The Texas music icon passed away this week. Ten years ago he was the inaugural guest of this podcast. It was so gracious of him to sit down for a show that was just starting. He was always generous with his time and attention to younger artists. Another devastating loss for American music. This episode originally aired on February 26, 2016.

1h 2m
12/05/2025

Dave Stewart

This legendary British songwriter and producer went multi-platinum with his band Eurythmics before embarking on a career that has included collaborations with Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, and many others.

1h 12m
10/28/2025

Ron Pope

This songwriter rose to prominence with the viral success of his single, "A Drop in the Ocean", and has navigated a flourishing career for the past two decades.

1h 3m
12/14/2024

Medium Build

Nicholas Carpenter is the creative force behind this band that hails from Alaska, which has toured with FINNEAS and Tyler Chiders, and recorded for Island Records.

52 min
03/29/2024

Alejandro Escovedo

The roots music icon joins our show to discuss his early punk years with The Nuns, touring with John Prine, and his latest album "Echo Dancing".

1h 9m
11/07/2025

Tami Neilson

This singer songwriter grew up playing in a family band in Canada before moving to New Zealand and beginning a career of her own. She has since shared the stage with Willie Nelson and Emmy Lou Harris, and built an audience all over the globe.

51 min
09/27/2024

Blitzen Trapper

Eric Earley is the songwriter behind this PNW roots music mainstay that has toured with Pavement, Drive By Truckers, Dawes and many others.

45 min
01/31/2025

Silverada

Mike Harmeier is the leader of this beloved Texas country music band that's been traveling the country and releasing records for nearly 18 years. They've appeared at ACL, Stagecoach, and the Grand Ole Opry.

56 min
08/15/2025

Mayday Parade

Derek Sanders is the creative force behind this highly influential emo band that has been blazing a trail in American music for the last two decades.

52 min
11/15/2024

Sadler Vaden

During a career that has featured stints with Drivn' and Cryin' and Jason Isbell's 400 Unit, this guitar hero has lately been spreading his wings with a critically acclaimed solo project.

1 hr
01/12/2024

Liz Longley

This native of Downingtown PA studied Berklee College of Music, moved to Nashville and promptly won the prestigious BMI John Lennon songwriting competition. ","resolvedBy":"manual","customThumbEnabled":false}" data-block-type="22">

41 min
10/10/2025

The Swell Season

The musical partnership of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova has captivated worldwide audiences, even earning them an Academy Award in 2007 for the song "Falling Slowly".

46 min
09/21/2024

Blind Pilot

Israel Nebecker is the the creative force behind this influential acoustic band from Astoria, OR. He stops by the show to discuss living in a tree house in their early years, recording with Tucker Martine, and finding inspiration after a significant hiatus between albums.

44 min
12/06/2024

Iain Matthews

This troubadour was a founding member of the legendary British folk group, Fairport Convention, and has gone on to have solo recording career that has spanned six decades.

59 min
11/01/2024

Kim Richey

This native of Ohio has carved out a 30 year career in Nashville with songs cut by Trisha Yearwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Radney Foster. And her sought-after voice has appeared on albums by Jason Isbell and Ryan Adams.

57 min

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