Curious Goldfish Podcast

Jason English
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Music Interviews
  • Every two weeks

Launching in 2024, the Curious Goldfish Brand is inspired by two episodes from the First Season of the Apple TV+ Series Ted Lasso. The “Goldfish” reference is about the importance of not dwelling on mistakes in life. In an early episode, Ted Lasso, the series’ namesake asks one of his players – after they were badly beaten in a play during training – what the happiest animal on earth is. The answer: A Goldfish, because it has a 10-second memory. Lasso encourages the player to forget the mistake and to not let it hinder his mindset. In other words, to “Be a Goldfish.” The “Curious” reference is born from another Season 1 episode where Ted finds himself in a dart match at a local Pub with a ruthless Football Club Owner. Lasso references a quote from Walt Whitman to “Be Curious, Not Judgmental.” So “Being a Goldfish” is a great start, but curiosity is an undervalued trait in today’s world. We don’t ask enough questions; we don’t inquire enough about each other and about life. So I want people to be “Curious Goldfish.” The initial premise of the podcast will center around my curiosity about music. I can’t sing. I don’t play a musical instrument, but I am inspired by artists who are vulnerable enough to put their thoughts down and then share them with the entire world. I’m curious about the songwriting process; I’m curious about a musician’s journey; I’m curious about the business of music; I’m curious about who or what inspires a sad song, a love song - and everything in between. Though the initial premise is music, we will likely spend time discussing and highlighting all-things Ted Lasso. In its three seasons, it inspired the host in so many ways (work, personal, relationships etc). The musical focus of the Curious Goldfish Podcast will center around up-and-coming artists primarily in rock, roots, folk, Country and Americana genres. Not every aspiring musician will earn $100 million from Spotify streaming like Taylor Swift. Our goal is to shine a light on those artists who have as few as 100 monthly listeners to those with more than 100,000. Their stories deserve to be heard because your music can inspire, and it’s time you had a chance to share them.

  1. 40 Years & Still Figuring It Out: A Chat With David Ryan Harris

    3 days ago

    40 Years & Still Figuring It Out: A Chat With David Ryan Harris

    David Ryan Harris on Craft Over Fame, Songwriting Prompts, and Debuting “Weekend Werewolves” | Curious GoldfishHost Jason English welcomes guitarist and songwriter David Ryan Harris at the 30A Songwriters Festival, praising his musicianship, quiet confidence, and generosity, and teasing a new song performance. Harris explains why 30A feels like a rare “work conference” with peers and why he prefers small, attentive audiences over stadium-scale connection, though he recounts playing Michigan’s “Big House” with Zach Bryan’s show. He discusses being driven by craft rather than fame, likening guitar and songwriting to puzzles, and describes weekly prompt-based writing (via Bob Schneider) as a deadline that keeps his inner critic at bay and sparks creative angles. Harris shares views on editing, songwriting “magic,” and cites songs “Still Be Loving You” (written for his mom’s birthday) and “Coldplay” as puzzle-like achievements, reflects on writing nuanced love songs about women, credits kindness to his mother, says deeper communication grew through sobriety/therapy, talks about producing (inspired by Rick Rubin), names upcoming work with Jennifer Lynn Simpson and Ana Bean, and closes by sharing his new song “Weekend Werewolves.”00:00 Writing Women Honestly 01:15 Podcast Intro and Guest Setup 03:26 New Year Banter at 30A 04:07 Why 30A Keeps Calling 04:39 Small Rooms Over Stadiums 05:51 Playing the Big House 07:29 Craft Over Fame Mindset 10:20 Song Prompts and Deadlines 15:35 Editing Versus Inspiration 17:40 Chasing the Magic Song 19:45 Coldplay Moment Chorus 21:16 Songs About Women 24:08 From Punk To Love Songs 25:13 Love And Male Anger 26:11 Mom Birthday Song 26:45 Learning Communication Sober 28:59 Artist Growth And Production 32:36 Curiosity And Motivation 28:58 Closing And Live Performance

    40 min
  2. Blue-Collar Cowboy: A Chat with Matthias Lamparter

    3 days ago

    Blue-Collar Cowboy: A Chat with Matthias Lamparter

    Matthias Lamparter on 15 Seconds of Fame, Concrete Cowboy, and Building a Sustainable Music CareerIn this Curious Goldfish episode, host Jason English interviews Nashville musician Matthias Lamparter about the decade-long, self-funded path to his debut album, 15 Seconds of Fame, recorded with top players and Grammy-winning engineers and releasing June 10, 2026. Lamparter describes earlier failed recording attempts, why he resisted releasing low-quality work, and how the title reflects today’s short attention spans. They discuss the hustle of funding music through long cover sets, private events, and learning to entertain crowds, plus why he believes fans are built more through live shows than social media. Lamparter shares a pivotal experience playing four-hour sets, his “why not me?” mindset, the message behind his single “Concrete Cowboy,” and how past legal trouble and resourcefulness shaped his discipline and resilience.00:00 Long Set Reality Check 00:32 Podcast Intro and Guest Setup 02:15 Debut Album Ten Year Journey 03:40 Early Recording Attempts 06:32 Why 15 Seconds of Fame 09:55 Theme Why Not Me 11:29 Superfans and Live First Strategy 17:24 Learning the Bar and Fair Circuit 23:13 Concrete Cowboy Breakdown 26:04 Getting Jammed Up and Rebuilding 28:35 Where He Is Now and Gratitude 30:39 Curiosity Guitars and Engines 32:24 Wrap Up and Album Release Date

    33 min
  3. He's More Than a Clown in a Barrel: A Chat with Barrett Baber

    4 days ago

    He's More Than a Clown in a Barrel: A Chat with Barrett Baber

    Barrett Baber on Crittenden County, Songwriting Magic, the Grind in Nashville, and Keeping AI Out of LyricsSinger-songwriter Barrett Baber joins host Jason English on the Curious Goldfish podcast to discuss his 10-song album Crittenden County, inspired by his upbringing in Marion/West Memphis, Arkansas, near Memphis and the Mississippi River, and shaped by influences ranging from Memphis soul to ’90s rock. Baber shares how songs like “Clown in a Barrel” reflect loving something that hurts—often mirroring his relationship with the music business—and why he keeps showing up despite financial pressure from streaming economics. He explains his independent release strategy of issuing “double” singles, describes the “holy” magic of co-writing and studio sessions, and details the origins of songs like “Hurt Talking” and “West of Memphis.” Baber also recounts surviving a 1999 commercial plane crash, compares American Idol and The Voice, and draws a firm line against using AI to write lyrics or melodies while using it only as a production exploration tool.00:00 Chasing the Dream 01:06 Podcast Intro Setup 03:27 March Madness Weekend 05:03 Crittenden County Roots 10:33 River Delta Inspiration 13:35 Album Themes Grown Up 16:27 Clown in a Barrel Story 18:52 Showing Up Anyway 24:11 Indie Release Strategy 29:33 Songwriting Room Magic 35:16 Writer Block Breakthrough 35:51 West of Memphis Meaning 38:09 Big Rock Production 38:45 Songwriting Is Spiritual 40:16 Can Anyone Write Songs 42:08 Co Writing And Demos 44:09 Fireworks Gets Cut 47:30 Radio Pays Songwriters 49:23 Idol Versus The Voice 53:35 Plane Crash And Trauma 56:04 Toughness And Showing Up 59:53 AI Versus Human Art 01:05:34 AI Expands Genres 01:09:37 Curiosity And The Future01:13:35 Wrap Up And Farewell

    1hr 14min
  4. On the Precipice: A Chat with Certainly So

    4 days ago

    On the Precipice: A Chat with Certainly So

    Certainly So on Vulnerable Songwriting, Festival Prep, and Going All-In | Curious GoldfishJason English welcomes Certainly So (Colby, Tanner, Zach, and Chase) to Curious Goldfish, discussing the slow grind of independent music, balancing side jobs, and approaching the brink of going full-time. They reflect on meeting through Mississippi State and local jam sessions, Southern and church-band influences, and how their sound developed naturally, often leaning melancholy (once reflected in their former name, The Indigo). The band shares preparation for a major festival slot at Bourbon & Beyond, their evolving collaborative songwriting process (including a Joshua Tree writing trip), and why vulnerability tends to produce their strongest songs. They also talk about touring’s impact on dating and relationships, personal curiosities, and close with live takes of “Alabama Blues” and “Foreign Ties.”00:00 Chasing The Magic 00:36 Podcast Welcome 01:52 Meet Certainly So 03:46 Festival First Impressions 04:51 Bourbon And Beyond Prep 06:44 Artists They Want To See 07:35 How The Band Formed 09:13 Starkville Culture Stories 10:07 Southern Roots And Church Gigs 12:10 Songwriting Process And Next Release 16:12 Band Growth Milestones 17:07 Going Full Time 18:11 Festival Goals Ahead 18:45 Childhood Band Memories 21:11 Dating On The Road 23:26 Tour Life Reality Check 25:07 Curiosity Questions 29:22 Closing And Live Songs

    37 min
  5. Shelly Fairchild's Waited Long Enough

    11 Jun

    Shelly Fairchild's Waited Long Enough

    Shelly Fairchild on Staying in the Queue, Recording at FAME, and Building an Independent CareerOn Curious Goldfish, host Jason English talks with Mississippi-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Shelly Fairchild about persevering through setbacks (“stay in the queue” and “buy the tree”), including losing a major label deal 20 years ago after being outed and forging an independent path since. Fairchild shares why it took a decade to make her new album, how a Kickstarter funded it, and why she recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals with producers Gary Nichols and Greg Beek, describing the studio’s historic energy and an accompanying documentary shoot. She compares the new record’s themes of home, loss, and identity to earlier albums, discusses songs like “End Up in Austin,” “Missin’ Mississippi,” and “Struggle,” and reflects on musical theater roots, touring as a backing vocalist, and writing high-volume sync music for TV/film—including navigating AI demo tools and changing music economics.00:00 Stay in the Queue01:05 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro01:51 Water Filter Cold Open03:34 Ten Years Between Albums05:16 Why Muscle Shoals and FAME10:26 The Magic of Muscle Shoals12:45 Themes and Storytelling Roots14:56 Finding Her Sound Over Time17:22 End Up in Austin Backstory20:00 More Songs and The Struggle23:11 Musical Theater Origins28:46 Business Lessons from Touring32:01 Stay in the Queue34:32 Whirlwind Tour Lessons35:39 Bus Driver Wakeup Call37:24 Two Decades in a Blur38:08 Making Money with Sync41:14 How Sync Writing Works44:44 AI and Demo Shortcuts47:52 Losing the Deal Coming Out51:00 Authenticity and Activism56:06 Curiosity and Distribution59:49 Tour Dates and Farewell

    1hr 1min
  6. 'Don't Chase the Chicken' - Jon Muq on Stress, Songwriting & His Incredible Journey

    10 Jun

    'Don't Chase the Chicken' - Jon Muq on Stress, Songwriting & His Incredible Journey

    Jon Muq on Captive Audiences, Culture Shock in Austin, and Writing Joyful Songs | Curious Goldfish (30A Songwriters Fest)At the 30A Songwriters Festival, host Jason English interviews Ugandan-born, Austin-based musician Jon Muq about his unusual path into music and life in the U.S. Jon describes learning English through singing, first to homeless children in Uganda and later as a cruise-ship performer building a 250+ song repertoire, plus how “We Are the World” sparked his belief his voice could “fit in a tune.” He recounts arriving in Austin for a refugee fundraiser during SXSW, navigating community and dating culture differences, and developing his English fluency through music. Jon discusses his debut English album "Flying Away," including writing “Butterflies,” his moment-driven songwriting approach for a second album, his philosophy of posting content without chasing metrics, and launching the Afrobeats-focused label/event project Shake It Africa, while reflecting on stress, authenticity, and the future of the music industry amid new technology.00:00 Wild Austin First Date01:06 Podcast Intro And Guest Setup03:10 30A Festival Vibes05:15 Back To Uganda After Years07:02 Music As Language Training08:04 Singing For Street Kids09:25 We Are The World Spark11:48 Cruise Ship Bootcamp13:23 Landing In Austin By Chance16:03 Finding Community In Austin16:55 Community and Offense17:26 Dating Culture Shock19:12 Connection Versus Work19:46 Visa and First Gigs20:24 Flying Away Album21:45 Butterflies Backstory23:05 Writing in the Moment25:28 Artist Mindset and Ambition26:57 Happy Songs and Stress28:44 Content Pressure and Identity30:34 Shake It Africa Plans32:07 Curiosity and Future Tech34:01 Runaway Live Performance

    38 min
  7. A Tattoo She Can't Remember Changed Her Life: A Chat with Caitlynne Curtis

    9 Jun

    A Tattoo She Can't Remember Changed Her Life: A Chat with Caitlynne Curtis

    Caitlynne Curtis on ‘You Need Jesus’: Sobriety, Songwriting, Jonah’s Freestyle & the Pressure of Being the Life of the PartyHost Jason English welcomes Nashville artist Caitlynne Curtis to Curious Goldfish to discuss her new album You Need Jesus, her shift away from relying on TikTok for promotion, and plans for a May acoustic headlining tour selling physical CDs. Curtis explains the album’s mix of country and gospel elements, highlights tracks like “Devil You Made,” “Amen,” and “Life of the Party,” and shares how alcohol once helped her cope with attention until a Halloween 2024 blackout became a rock-bottom moment that led to sobriety, church, and reading the Bible. She also describes collaborating with Struggle Jennings, lessons from The X Factor about constant practice and growth, parallels between car sales and promoting music, and her son Jonah’s one-take freestyle feature on “Survivor,” emphasizing confidence and future goals.00:00 Party Persona Trap00:46 Podcast Welcome01:52 Meet Caitlynne Curtis03:25 Album Release Check In04:57 Promotion And TikTok06:18 Jonah And Viral Growth07:51 Tour Plans And CDs09:12 Acoustic Tour Origins10:57 Meaning Of You Need Jesus12:33 Halloween Rock Bottom14:09 Sobriety And Fan Connection16:29 Jonah On Survivor17:24 Freestyle Becomes a Song18:16 Parenting Jonah With Confidence20:41 X Factor Resilience Lessons23:52 Sales Skills and Self Belief25:05 Artist Mindset Today25:59 Life of the Party Meaning28:01 Amen and Second Chances28:58 You Need Jesus and Dating30:34 Curiosity Goals and Future32:50 Advice to Younger Self33:50 Closing Thanks and Farewell

    34 min
  8. Seventy is the New Forty for Dan Navarro

    9 Jun

    Seventy is the New Forty for Dan Navarro

    Dan Navarro on Saying Yes: Writing Pat Benatar’s “We Belong,” Voiceover Breakthroughs & Staying Curious at 72 Songwriter and voice actor Dan Navarro joins host Jason English at the 30A Songwriters Festival to discuss his “say yes” philosophy and how it shaped his 40+ year career. Navarro recounts nearly refusing to write “We Belong” during a feud with Eric Lowen, then co-writing it in 90 minutes before it became a long-running Pat Benatar hit that now drives most of his catalog income. He explains how saying yes to a small jingle session launched decades of union voice and singing work, including Family Guy and films like Coco, Encanto, and Puss ’n Boots, and why touring remains the income he can control. Navarro reflects on positivity, relationships behind songs on Horizon Line, plans for a Spanish-language album, concerns about streaming economics, and his curiosity about what’s next. 00:00  Say Yes Turning Point 00:48 Podcast Intro Dan Navarro 02:34 30A Festival Vibes 03:39 Touring Life After COVID 04:28 Friends In The Round 05:52 We Belong Bar Story06:57 Feud To Hit Song 10:24 Royalties Mailbox Money 12:40 Touring As Control 13:37 Worst Career Decisions 14:34 Advice Just Say Yes 15:05 Voiceover Breakthrough 16:13 Say Yes Voiceover Hustle 16:40 Anonymity Versus Fame 17:35 Soundalikes And Movie Rooms 18:18 Staying Positive In Your 70s 20:11 Horizon Line Breakup Songs 22:20 She Dreams In Music CoWrite 23:42 Spanish Album Next 24:40 50 Years In The Game 25:51 Streaming Royalties Reality 27:44 Curiosity About Whats Next 30:25 Live Performance Ordinary Days

    34 min
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About

Launching in 2024, the Curious Goldfish Brand is inspired by two episodes from the First Season of the Apple TV+ Series Ted Lasso. The “Goldfish” reference is about the importance of not dwelling on mistakes in life. In an early episode, Ted Lasso, the series’ namesake asks one of his players – after they were badly beaten in a play during training – what the happiest animal on earth is. The answer: A Goldfish, because it has a 10-second memory. Lasso encourages the player to forget the mistake and to not let it hinder his mindset. In other words, to “Be a Goldfish.” The “Curious” reference is born from another Season 1 episode where Ted finds himself in a dart match at a local Pub with a ruthless Football Club Owner. Lasso references a quote from Walt Whitman to “Be Curious, Not Judgmental.” So “Being a Goldfish” is a great start, but curiosity is an undervalued trait in today’s world. We don’t ask enough questions; we don’t inquire enough about each other and about life. So I want people to be “Curious Goldfish.” The initial premise of the podcast will center around my curiosity about music. I can’t sing. I don’t play a musical instrument, but I am inspired by artists who are vulnerable enough to put their thoughts down and then share them with the entire world. I’m curious about the songwriting process; I’m curious about a musician’s journey; I’m curious about the business of music; I’m curious about who or what inspires a sad song, a love song - and everything in between. Though the initial premise is music, we will likely spend time discussing and highlighting all-things Ted Lasso. In its three seasons, it inspired the host in so many ways (work, personal, relationships etc). The musical focus of the Curious Goldfish Podcast will center around up-and-coming artists primarily in rock, roots, folk, Country and Americana genres. Not every aspiring musician will earn $100 million from Spotify streaming like Taylor Swift. Our goal is to shine a light on those artists who have as few as 100 monthly listeners to those with more than 100,000. Their stories deserve to be heard because your music can inspire, and it’s time you had a chance to share them.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason English
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jason English
  • Show Website
    Curious Goldfish Podcast

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