Call & Response Sonos

“What could be possible in the future when it comes to our artists? What is possible when it comes to us looking at each other? What can be possible when we shun a scarcity mindset? When we say this table is big enough for all of us? No, f**k that. Let's build a new table where everyone has a full plate, because we understand that when we create, we are able to feed.” In this final episode of our mid-season special at Newport festival, Adia leaves us with a poem. Keep your heart and your ears wide open for Season 2 of Call & Response, coming September 9th.

On Saturday at Newport, Allison Russell convened a super group of BIPOC performers to take the stage lead by the legendary Chaka Khan. The very next morning, we recorded this conversation. “It's not going to take anything away from you to let us in,” says Allison. “I wanted everyone to be able to see and hear and feel this majesty, this diversity, these expansive, intensely individual artists.” In this equally expansive conversation, Adia and Allison explore what it means to create collectively, for artists to lift each other up, and what it could look like if the music industry did the same.

“Sometimes the best thing to do is to listen and to not speak. Listening is where you're going to grow.” In this second episode of our mid-season special taped live at Newport Folk Festival, Adia catches up with her longtime friend, collaborator, and country music star Margo Price. Adia and Margo discuss how Margo has come to embody a radical honesty; both in her music and speaking out on what needs to change in the Nashville music scene. They talk about Margo’s love of Tina Turner and what it means to give credit to Black artists.

“Americana and roots music has become too complacent. What we need now is to shake ourselves from feeling comfortable and start looking at the world around us.” We’re back for a mid-season special series recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, and in this episode, Adia sits down with Newport’s Director, Jay Sweet to dig into the Black roots of folk music. The two explore how Newport can serve as a platform for uncomfortable conversations so that it can grow and evolve with the expanding landscape of folk music, and what the festival’s return means for the artists and audiences it calls family.

In the last episode of this season of Call & Response, Adia sits down with GRAMMY award winning singer and song-writer Brandi Carlile. In her recent memoir, Broken Horses, Carlile guides readers on a journey through the history of her many selves. She has collaborated with Elton John, dueted with Dolly Parton and churned out powerful songs about queer love and motherhood. But in this conversation, Adia and Brandi talk through how personal challenges can actually become the greatest teachers. And in this week’s playlist, we’re listening to women who’re paving the way for the future of country music in Nashville. For the playlist of songs curated for this week's episode, visit www.mixcloud.com/sonos.

The blues can’t be defined by a set of chord progressions. It’s a philosophy, it is catharsis, it is taking something painful, and turning it into art. In this episode, Adia sits down with blues scholar and poet Caroline Randall Williams. Together they redefine the blues, and talk about what American culture can learn from its music. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode visit http://bit.ly/cr-carolinewilliams.