Pursuing the Muse

Tom Compton
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. Warner Hodges

    APR 17

    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

    58 min
  2. Pert Near Sandstone

    APR 3

    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

    58 min
  3. Fr James Wallace

    MAR 20

    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

    53 min
  4. Dhammarato

    MAR 13

    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

    1h 6m
  5. Henry Conlon

    MAR 6

    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

    1h 7m
  6. Jon Danforth

    FEB 13

    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

    1h 1m
  7. Gatorwater

    FEB 6

    Gatorwater

    Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we’re joined by Gary Landess, frontman of the Chicago-based dirty blues rock quartet Gatorwater. Known for their slithering slide guitar and a rhythm section that thumps like a creature emerging from the swamp, the band recently released their heavy new album, Hydrophonic. In this episode, Gary reveals how a warped, unplayable guitar accidentally launched his signature slide style, the mystery of the real-life "Illinois Cowboy" and his spurs, and the family racing boat legacy that inspired the track "Ora Hula Ballroom". And much more... ------------------------------------------------------ https://www.instagram.com/gatorwaterband https://www.facebook.com/gatorwaterg/ https://gatorwater.bandcamp.com/ ------------------------------------------------------ • 00:00 - Intro • 02:02 - Welcoming Gary Landess, frontman of Gatorwater. • 02:27 - Hydrophonic release • 02:58 - The "Old New" Album • 04:15 - Shirk Studios: • 05:17 - Potions and Elixirs • 08:03 - Independent Release Strategy • 09:40 - Banking Music • 11:54 - Meet the Band: bassist Donovan Foote, harmonica Peter Beck, and drummer Olivia Beatty. • 13:23 - Collaborative Songwriting • 16:54 - Vocals and "Growls" • 22:36 - AI and the Future • 23:35 - The "Titanic Green" Resonator • 27:39 - Baritone Experimentation • 30:23 - From Drums to Guitar • 34:24 - "Faking It Till You Make It" • 39:25 - Musical Gateways • 42:25 - Defining the Sound • 43:54 - Modern Influence • 47:53 - "Illinois Cowboy" • 50:31 - "Ora Hula Ballroom" • 58:00 - Streaming Realities • 58:40 - Tales from Phyllis’ • 59:40 - Outro & Contact Info

    1 hr
  8. Justin Warfield

    JAN 30

    Justin Warfield

    Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we are joined by the legendary Justin Warfield. From signing a solo deal at sixteen on Quincy Jones’s label to his global success with She Wants Revenge, Justin has spent thirty years navigating diverse genres.  Stick around as we discuss how Beastie Boys made it safe for him to be a 'total weirdo' in early hip-hop, the 'perfect storm' involving Lady Gaga that gave his hit 'Tear You Apart' a massive second life, and the 'Willy Wonka' factory experience of the 90s London music scene. Justin has a new album out called "Deathrock Devotionals" under the band name Warfield.  ------------------------------------------------ https://www.justinwarfield.com https://instagram.com/justinwarfield https://linktr.ee/justinwarfield https://justinwarfield.bandcamp.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_fKiWxtJFNyf0pXQc1vK_w https://cleopatrarecords.bandcamp.com/album/deathrock-devotionals ------------------------------------------------ • 00:00:00 - Intro • 00:02:44 - Starting at 16 accidental career and mentorship in composition. • 00:03:41 - The Quincy Jones Connection • 00:04:51 - Architect of Trip-Hop? • 00:07:09 - "Nashville Skyline" Meets Hip-Hop • 00:09:04 - Freedom to be a "Weirdo" • 00:10:20 - The "Perfect Storm" of 1988/89 • 00:13:29 - Transition to London • 00:14:18 - Willy Wonka’s Factory • 00:16:19 - Cycle of Mentorship • 00:19:25 - Alternative Evolution • 00:21:18 - "Growing Up in Public" • 00:22:17 - Birth of She Wants Revenge • 00:26:37 - A 20-Year Partnership • 00:27:51 - How Lady Gaga personally championed "Tear You Apart" for American Horror Story. • 00:28:44 - The WARFIELD Project • 00:32:43 - Solo Autonomy: creative freedom of recording alone versus the collaborative • 00:34:59 - "All the Fun" Mission Statement • 00:38:06 - Songwriting Deep Dive: Reworking "If the World Starts Crashing Down Tonight" • 00:41:35 - Trusting First Instincts • 00:44:31 - Collaborative Process: How Thomas Froggatt and Spencer Rollins add "curveballs" • 00:48:15 - Live Interpretation • 00:49:08 - Mixtape Generation • 00:50:25 - Vulnerability in "A Love So Bold" • 00:52:23 - Looking Ahead • 00:54:23 - Outro & Contact: Instagram and Bandsintown

    57 min
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out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Compton
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Pursuing the Muse