Pursuing the Muse

Tom Compton
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A podcast about songwriting and the paths musicians take to get songs created.

  1. Nathan Evans Fox

    ٢٩ مايو

    Nathan Evans Fox

    Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we’re joined by Nathan Evans Fox, a musician whose brand of country blends Appalachian roots with deep empathy.  Stay tuned as we discuss the raw emotion of Nathan becoming a father while losing his own in the same year. We’ll also explore his inventive "rewilding" of the banjo and hear all about his beautiful new album, Heirloom, out now, Pick it up today. ---------------------------------------- https://www.nathanevansfox.com/ https://instagram.com/nathan.evans.fox https://www.tiktok.com/@nathan.evans.fox https://nathanevansfox.substack.com/ ---------------------------------------- 00:00 – Intro and Theme 02:02 – Welcome: Nathan Evans Fox on the "exhaustion of dadhood" 02:44 – Introducing the new album, Heirloom 03:24 – The risk and vulnerability of autobiographical songwriting 04:11 – Vocal dynamics and the raw emotion of "I Know The End" 04:58 – The central theme: Becoming a father while losing a father 05:06 – Exploring personal, political, and systemic inheritances 06:00 – Making the album a literal heirloom through a structural "loop" 09:01 – The "nine-month panic attack" of bringing a child into the world 10:02 – Perspectival shifts from abstract "what ifs" to concrete history 10:59 – Biblical Jubilee and the hope for social liberation 13:05 – The Banjo: A tool for losing religion and marking cultural location 15:03 – Avoiding nostalgia and "stomp and holler hell" 16:18 – Inventive textures: Bowing, muting, and synth-style banjo 17:19 – The "cursed" noise solo on the track "Race Car" 18:21 – Banjo virtuosity vs. the "pocket and vibe" of songwriting 19:45 – The "Chris Knight" edge of the song "Meanness" 20:20 – Pushing creative boundaries and avoiding the "worship music" sound 22:12 – Collaborating with producer Zachary Hamilton 23:46 – A look at the contemporary Kentucky country scene 24:43 – Sequencing the record: A-sides, B-sides, and viral transitions 26:43 – "Thinking About Quitting": A scary cry for help 28:54 – "Sevendust": Insecticide as a metaphor for poisonous love 33:48 – Reimagining the nuclear family as a rehearsal space for solidarity 35:10 – The professional empath: Lessons from hospital chaplaincy 37:05 – When empathy isn't enough: The need for systemic solidarity 38:43 – Music as medicine and the "blue-collar" understanding of songs 40:24 – Metabolizing pain into agency and change 41:46 – Planting seeds and being "good compost" for the future 42:51 – Nurturing real hope vs. "the cheap shit" 44:52 – Upcoming tour dates and record release shows 45:47 – The "used car salesman" reality of the 2026 music industry 48:43 – Rewilding Country Music: Killing the monocrop of mainstream values 50:45 – Radicalizing the merch table with Zines and Okra seeds 55:47 – Musical influences: The AI-proof genius of Roger Miller 57:05 – Autobiographical boundaries and the influence of David Bazan 59:19 – The heartbreak of Wasted Love and the "composting" of a career 01:05:21 – Closing thoughts on authenticity and "no cosplay" country 01:07:04 – Outro and Contact Information

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  2. The Band of Heathens

    ٢٢ مايو

    The Band of Heathens

    Welcome again to Pursuing the Muse! Today we are joined by Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, the frontmen and primary songwriters of the Austin-based Band of Heathens, who are celebrating twenty years of making great music. Stick around to hear how their song craft has evolved over the years. Learn how Hurricane grew into a platinum monster. And find out which band member played linebacker in college. ---------------------------------------- https://bandofheathens.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thebandofheathens https://www.instagram.com/bandofheathens https://www.patreon.com/bandofheathens ---------------------------------------- 00:00 - Theme and Intro 02:14 - Welcoming Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist 02:50 - Celebrating 20 Years: From the Momo’s Residency to Country Sides 04:22 - Improving the Craft: Dedication to Songwriting in Middle Age 05:27 - The "Problem Solving" Nature of the Songwriting Puzzle 07:02 - Waiting for Inspiration vs. The Discipline of Showing Up 09:15 - Keeping the Creative "Antenna" Up 11:44 - Inviting Inspiration: How Literature, Film, and Other Art Fuel Ideas 13:24 - Patterns of Creation: Starting with Titles, Guitar Hooks, or Stream of Consciousness 15:20 - Remote Collaboration and Trusting Each Other's Instincts 17:45 - Early Roots: The Original Lineup and the "Side Project" at Momo’s 19:51 - The Liberation of Shared Frontman Duties 21:45 - Common Aesthetics as the Key to Band Longevity 22:47 - The Legend of Colin Brooks: From Rocker to Fly Fishing Guide 24:47 - Full Circle Moments: Reconnecting on Stage with Old Friends 26:24 - The Good Time Supper Club: Building a Digital "Second Family" 27:41 - The Dartmouth Connection: Gordy and Trevor’s Past as College Football Players 28:51 - From the Gridiron to the Stage: Translating Linebacker Tenacity to Music 31:10 - Bull Riding Trivia: The Biblical and Texas Imagery of "Eight More Seconds" 32:33 - The Finishing School: Running a Private Creative Clubhouse in Austin 33:41 - BOH Records: The Business of Staying Independent 35:50 - Why They Turned Down Major Label Deals and Kept Their Rights 37:39 - "Hurricane": The Accidental Journey of a Platinum Monster 38:37 - Reinterpreting Levon Helm: Dark Themes and Gulf Coast Imagery 40:55 - The "Slow Burn": How "Hurricane" Went Viral Without Industry Muscle 42:27 - Hayes & The Heathens: Collaborating for the Pure Fun of It 47:22 - Learning Lyric Obsession and Word-Level Detail from Hayes Carll 51:25 - Simple Things: Capturing the Hard-Won Optimism of the Post-Pandemic Spirit 53:11 - "Sprints" and "Pods": The Strange Logistics of Recording During Lockdown 56:01 - The Narrative Arc of Country Sides: Mirroring the Band's 20-Year Journey 59:34 - Connecting with the Band: Patreon, Good Time Supper Club, and Social Media 01:00:58 - Outro & Closing Remarks

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  3. Warner Hodges

    ١٧ أبريل

    Warner Hodges

    Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we feature Warner Hodges, an Americana pioneer who rose from childhood drumming in USO country bands to defining the cowpunk sound with Jason and the Scorchers. He's also played alongside Dan Baird and Homemade Sin, as well as, the Bluefields. Now he's fronting the Warner E Hodges Band and not missing a beat. In this episode, Warner reveals why his wife actually hopes he dies out there on stage. The blunt advice he received from Dan Baird about the need for more guitar pedals, and the accidental and hilarious origin of the title to his new album, Absolutely. Pick that record up today! --------------------------------------------- https://warnerehodges.com/ https://www.instagram.com/warnerhodges/ https://www.facebook.com/warnerhodges Get the new album Absolutely here: https://warnerehodges.com/store --------------------------------------------- • 00:00:00 - Introduction and song clips • 00:02:02 - Tom Compton welcomes Warner Hodges to Pursuing the Muse • 00:02:28 - Transitioning from Sideman to Lead Frontman • 00:04:51 - "I Hope You Die Out There": Perspectives on Road Life • 00:05:41 - Early Musical Roots: Playing Drums in the Family Country Band • 00:08:55 - From Drums to Guitar: The Impact of Seeing AC/DC • 00:10:56 - Rehearsals vs. Pedals: Hard Truths from Dan Baird • 00:13:31 - The Attitude of Punk and the Impact of the Sex Pistols • 00:14:47 - Meeting Jason Ringenberg and Forming the Scorchers • 00:17:36 - Defining "Cowpunk" and "Volume-Based Americana" • 00:18:54 - Touring the Southeast with the Ramones and R.E.M. • 00:22:38 - Sobriety and Reclaiming the Gift of Music • 00:27:50 - The Evolution of Guitar Style and Nashville Chops • 00:32:14 - The Physics and History of the 360-Degree Guitar Flip • 00:35:13 - Connecting with the Georgia Satellites • 00:37:25 - Joining Homemade Sin and Performing Satellites Classics • 00:40:50 - "A Rock Band Inside a Jazz Head": Improvised Setlists • 00:43:31 - Producing "Rollercoaster" and Trusting Joe Blanton’s Ear • 00:45:29 - Collaborative Songwriting Dynamics • 00:50:41 - The "Absolutely" Album and the Supersuckers Connection • 00:53:27 - The Bluefields and Jimmy Page Aspirations • 00:56:13 - Outro and Closing Remark

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  4. Pert Near Sandstone

    ٣ أبريل

    Pert Near Sandstone

    Today's guest is Nate Sipe, a founding member of the legendary Minnesota string band pert near Sandstone, who has been a staple of the Midwestern roots scene for over twenty years. As a multi-instrumentalist and co-curator of the Blue Ox Music Festival, Nate offers a unique look at the pipe dream of a lifelong career in music. In this episode, Nate reveals the origin of the band's name, discusses the urgent role of musicians as ambassadors for a traumatized Minneapolis, and shares how he stumbles into his best melodic hooks by simply noodling on new instruments. And much more. ----------------------------------------------------------- https://linktr.ee/pertnearsandstone ----------------------------------------------------------- • 00:00 - Theme and introduction • 01:59 - Tom welcomes Nate Sipe to Pursuing the Muse • 02:31 - Celebrating "Pert Near" 20 Years as a Band • 04:07 - Song Inspiration: "Pipe Dream" and Touring Realities • 06:14 - The Collaborative Songwriting and Studio Process • 08:28 - The Origin of the "Pert Near Sandstone" Band Name • 11:29 - Nate Sipe’s Journey as a Multi-Instrumentalist • 15:34 - Finding Hooks through "Noodling" and Stumbling • 18:08 - Recording "Shooting Star" with Family Heirlooms • 19:42 - "Grace": Addressing Homelessness and Urban Life • 22:23 - Reflections on the Minneapolis Community and Trauma • 25:24 - Being an "Ambassador" for Minneapolis on the Road • 29:26 - Curation and Origins of the Blue Ox Music Festival • 32:50 - The Growth and Vibe of the Blue Ox Community • 35:55 - Musical Influences: From Grunge to Leo Kottke • 41:32 - Composing for Theater and Film (Ishmael) • 48:17 - Upcoming Tours and the "Road to Blue Ox" • 51:30 - Insights from Hosting the Blue Ox Podcast • 55:08 - Blue Ox 2026 Logistics and Camping • 57:41 - Outro & Final Remarks

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  5. Fr James Wallace

    ٢٠ مارس

    Fr James Wallace

    Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse! I’m your host, Tom Compton Today, we are exploring the intersection of faith and melody with Father James Wallace. He's a native of Winnetka, Illinois and a trained canon lawyer, Father James serves as pastor in the archdiocese of Chicago and a professor at Mundelein Seminary Today we'll be discussing how your favorite rock songs can be seen through a spiritual lens, why explicitly contemporary christian songs can sometimes fall flat, and the ancient debate between Saint Augustine and Thomas Aquinas on whether music is a divine gift or a potential danger. Let’s jump on in or as James Hetfield might say, "jump in the fire". --------------------------------------------------------------------- 00:00:00 - Show introduction 00:02:06 - Intro: Tom Compton welcomes Father James Wallace 00:03:25 - Catholic Priesthood and Credentials 00:04:12 - Finding God in Secular Music 00:05:36 - Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Simple Man" as messenger 00:10:59 - Romantic Poetry and the Song of Songs 00:13:58 - Elvis Presley: Secular Love Songs for the Lord 00:15:27 - Bob Marley, the Trinity, and the Blessed Mother 00:18:37 - Saint Augustine’s "De Musica" 00:22:57 - Scriptural Roots of Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix 00:24:25 - Toby Keith’s "I Love This Bar" Church Metaphor 00:26:14 - Thomas Aquinas and the Danger of Music 00:27:32 - The Grateful Dead: Authenticity and Idolatry 00:32:07 - Silence, Rest, and the Journey to God 00:35:40 - Finding Spirituality in Metallica 00:41:03 - The Metallica Ticket Lottery and Mosh Pit 00:43:38 - Deepening the Worship Experience in the Mass 00:47:26 - Objectivity in Beauty and Modern Art 00:50:00 - Lyrical Quality and Judas Priest 00:51:52 - Final Reflections: Reminding us of the Good and Beautiful 00:53:06 - Outro

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  6. Dhammarato

    ١٣ مارس

    Dhammarato

    Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. This episode we're exploring bridging the world of music and the teachings of the Buddha. Our guest today is a retired Buddhist monk whose background includes being a college music major and a musician in the US Navy. His search for life's answers led him to the Thai Forest Buddhist tradition in the lineage of Bhikkhu Buddhadasa. In this episode, we'll reveal why stardom often creates more problems than it solves. We'll discover how complex music is built on simple repetition. And we'll learn why life can be better enjoyed once you put down the script that's handed to you. This is part 1 of a 3 part exploration of the spirituality in music.  ----------------------------------------------------- Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DhammaratoDhamma Dhammarato talk transcripts: https://dhammarato.com/ Discord community: https://discord.gg/cKjsU2Qp ----------------------------------------------------- 00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:56 – Welcome: Tom Compton welcomes retired monk Dhammarato 00:03:46 – Musical Roots: From playing for Red Skelton’s fans to studying fine arts at USC 00:05:18 – High Fidelity in the Navy: Recording in professional labs and transitioning toward computer science 00:08:04 – Searching for the Cure: Moving from clinical psychology to finding Goenka in India and Buddhadasa in Thailand 00:10:47 – The Retirement Hobby: Managing a global online sangha and publishing new books on the path 00:14:29 – Symptom Relief vs. Cure: Comparing modern psychotherapy to the Buddha’s actual solution for mental disease 00:15:50 – Defining the Dhamma: Prioritizing happiness in the present moment over future rewards 00:16:38 – The Illusion of Stardom: Why Hollywood success often leads to disaster rather than satisfaction 00:19:08 – Historical Hardships: Examining the difficult lives of legends like Mozart, Chopin, and Gershwin 00:20:43 – The Value of the Moment: Understanding that music's true worth exists only while it is being played 00:21:37 – Practicing the Mind vs. the Instrument: How a happy camper finds more joy in Chopsticks than a struggling pro finds in an Etude 00:25:45 – The Remorse of the Gambler: Analyzing how "loser's mentalities" and sadness dominate popular songwriting 00:27:57 – Uplifting the Tune: The need for more wholesome, celebratory music like "Joy to the World" 00:30:31 – Culture and Tone: How societal mentality, from post-war joy to modern rowdiness, reflects in musical genres 00:32:45 – Therapeutic Notes: Using songs like "Margaritaville" to own mistakes and develop a "Don't Worry, Be Happy" mindset 00:37:43 – The Simplicity of the One Thing: Debunking the Western "no pain, no gain" approach to meditation and sitting in pain 00:39:33 – Stripping the Infiltration: Moving past Hindu-influenced beliefs in reincarnation to live in one's own improved opinion of the world 00:41:01 – Shakespeare’s Stage: Putting down the "childhood script" to see the world as a hilarious comedy 00:43:11 – From Victim to Winner: Breaking the habit of dependency and victimhood to develop a "can-do" attitude 00:45:10 – Simple Success: Why finding inner happiness reduces the need for "shopaholic" behaviors and spending 00:46:25 – Looking for Love in Adulation: Nurturing oneself as a best friend rather than seeking validation from a crowd 00:48:38 – Finding the Sangha: Accessing Dhammarato’s 2,000+ videos and Discord community 00:54:19 – Success as a Mind State: How creating a habit of wholesome thoughts changes internal and external reality 00:57:41 – The Architecture of Sound: How Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony proves complexity is just repetition and variation of simplicity 01:01:01 – Defining Dharma: Understanding the "full body of everything" as the natural world 01:01:40 – Pursuing Openness: Re-envisioning "the Muse" as a flow of Dhamma through a prepared mind 01:05:04 – Outro: Closing remarks and final gratitude

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  7. Henry Conlon

    ٦ مارس

    Henry Conlon

    Welcome to Pursuing the Muse; I’m your host, Tom Compton. Today, we’re joined by Henry Conlon, a Nashville-based artist originally from Long Island whose baritone voiced songs are helping him make a name for himself in the music world. Stay tuned as we discuss surviving an ice storm, the whirlwind experience of recording full albums in just two days, and the real-life newspaper obituary that inspired his meticulously crafted song, "Flowers for Josephine".  Don’t go anywhere! ------------------------------------------------------------- https://henryconlonmusic.com/ https://instagram.com/henryconlonmusic https://www.facebook.com/henryconlon/ ------------------------------------------------------------- Pursuing the Muse: Henry Conlon Conversation Summary 00:00 – Intro 02:08 – Tom Compton welcomes Henry Conlon to Pursuing the Muse 02:21 – Surviving the Nashville Ice Storm 03:34 – Growing up on Long Island and the Northeast circuit 04:42 – Early musical beginnings: From piano to summer camp guitar 05:53 – The choice to write originals over covers 07:32 – Guitar style and influences: John Prine, The Replacements, and Bob Dylan 09:01 – Moving to Nashville: From Stella Blues to the Music City "graduating class" 11:15 – The Belmont University songwriting and music business experience 13:24 – Learning the recording process and the Nashville "Singles" culture 16:37 – A prolific 2025: Releasing 25 songs in 18 months 18:22 – Song spotlight: The "lonely poet" world of "Wild Dreams" 21:07 – Experimenting with tempo: Turning slow acoustic pieces into driving rock songs 25:02 – Writing without an instrument: Songcraft via voice memos and morning commutes 26:52 – The story arc of the American Wild record 29:52 – Defining the "American Wild": From the Utah desert to the musical frontier 32:23 – The Muse: Writing for his wife, Emily 34:45 – "Flowers for Josephine": Researching a 70-year Chicago love story 41:21 – Setting parameters vs. finding the "click" in songwriting 45:49 – Collaborating with producer Paul Ebersold 47:54 – Live-tracking methodology: Capturing the "human experience" in the studio 53:41 – Meeting Robert Earl Keen at a Nashville guitar store 56:41 – Life on the road: Opening for a legend across the country 01:00:09 – The Business Side: Wearing the hats of manager, booking agent, and roadie 01:03:48 – Where to find Henry Conlon and digital platforms 01:05:02 – Future goals: The 2026 record and upcoming live projects 01:06:33 – Outro & Closing Remarks

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  8. Jon Danforth

    ١٣ فبراير

    Jon Danforth

    Welcome to Pursuing the Muse! Today, we are joined by a very special returning guest, Jon Danforth. An Arkansas native now living in Dallas, Jon is here to discuss his brand new LP, Natural State—a rootsy, nostalgic project six years in the making. Listen in as we discuss the 'bacon and birds' inspiration behind the lead single, how a 'weed bouquet' led to a life-changing confession of love, and the chilling true event that inspired the record's darkest track. And much more! --------------------------------------------- https://jondanforth.com https://jondanforth.bandcamp.com/  https://instagram.com/jonmdanforth https://www.facebook.com/jondanforthmusic/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/5w771fPotpeDtoppQXCIo9?si=V3AwDOVyR06UuMEB4kwgsA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0gS-JGFmiSV07te0wPQKoA --------------------------------------------- • 00:00 – Intro and theme music. • 01:51 – Tom Compton welcomes Jon Danforth back to the show. • 00:02 – Discussion of Danforth’s third LP, Natural State. • 02:50 – The six-year songwriting timeline and studio process. • 04:00 – Exploring themes of nostalgia and calling back seasons of life. • 04:54 – The double meaning behind the title Natural State. • 05:54 – Track breakdown: "Kingfisher" and memories of Pinnacle Mountain. • 07:00 – Recurring themes of slowing down and living in the moment. • 07:54 – "Tall Grass": A slice-of-life song inspired by a Dallas backyard. • 09:42 – "Rest of My Life": A semi-fictionalized story about Jon’s wife. • 11:20 – "Eureka": Finding childlike wonder in Eureka Springs with his daughter. • 14:45 – Incorporating new instruments: Banjo and Fiddle. • 15:33 – The decision to chase a "folky, rootsy" record. • 17:26 – "Hot Springs Blues": Healing waters and breakup songs. • 19:12 – Creating an "old school saloon" vibe with piano and banjo. • 20:07 – The history of the Ohio Club and Hot Springs gangsters. • 20:51 – "Morgan Mountain": Co-writing with his sister, Amy. • 22:38 – The German meaning of "Morgan" and themes of tomorrow. • 23:47 – The challenges and learning curve of collaborative songwriting. • 27:15 – Songwriting vs. Poetry. • 28:17 – Lead Single: "Arkansas Sunrise" and capturing the "personal universal". • 32:15 – The "Bacon and Birds" inspiration. • 33:07 – "Two Rivers Park": A literal description of a "keeper moment". • 34:08 – The story of the "weed bouquet". • 35:44 – "Devil in the Den": A dark turn based on a true event. • 36:45 – Balancing darkness and light in album sequencing. • 38:43 – "The Springs": Spiritual transcendence and baptism imagery. • 41:04 – Connecting physical healing waters to spiritual restoration. • 42:07 – Discussion on the relationship between healing and escapism. • 44:05 – Maintaining simplicity without becoming "corny". • 47:28 – Rejecting the "commodity" of fast music for the "scenic route" of art. • 50:09 – "Hunting" for the next project while releasing the current one. • 52:16 – Natural State as a tribute to place. • 54:06 – Jon Danforth: Unofficial ambassador for Arkansas Tourism. • 57:23 – Memories of Bo’s Barbecue and local legends. • 58:14 – Future plans for regional shows and touring. • 59:11 – Outro: Where to find Jon Danforth and MySpace nostalgia

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A podcast about songwriting and the paths musicians take to get songs created.

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    Tom Compton
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    Pursuing the Muse