Graham Sharp is an award-winning musician from the Asheville-based Steep Canyon Rangers. He’s a principal songwriter and banjo player in that IBMA and Grammy winning band but he’s spent the last year working on a solo album, “Truer Picture” is a decidedly singer-songwriter affair with Graham playing guitar and banjo and singing more intimate songs. While the Steep Canyon Rangers were (along with everyone else) on hiatus, Graham took the opportunity to write and record this batch of songs. “Truer Picture” will be released on 7/9 but we got a preview of a few songs from this new collection. We started the segment off with the Rangers hit “Radio” and then the title cut from Grahams 2021 release.

Our conversation covers some of the early days while the band members were at UNC Chapel Hill, their work with Steve Martin, and their upcoming Artist in Residence role in this year’s Freshgrass Festival at Mass MOCA on September 24-26. Mostly our conversation centers on Graham’s songwriting and his inspirations including John Hartford. We talk about his local roots in Asheville NC including his neighbor Anya Hinkle whom he wrote and played on her new release. We finish the segment with Graham describing the origin of his new song, “My Neighborhood”.

Lisa Bastoni’s new album, “Backyard Birds” comes out on 6/25 but NineVoltHeart got some previews of this heartfelt intimate release yesterday. Late in 2019, Lisa released her amazing “How We Want To Live” album which reached number One on the Contemporary Folk Album charts. It was also a NineVoltHeart Top Nine for the Year. She’s been nominated for a Boston Music Award in 2019 and 2020 and won Grand Prize at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival.

“Backyard Birds” was recorded during our national “pause” this past year with her co-writer and producer Sean Staples who also joined her for our in-studio visit. Our setlist includes “Silver Line” from last years release. Lisa and Sean then played the first single from “Backyard Birds” called “Bring It On” which is a powerful mission statement which asks us all to leave our “baggage” behind, start fresh, be bold, and bring it on! The studio version of “Beautiful Girl” follows from “How We Want to Live”; a lovely song with a motherly touch. One of my favorite songs from the new disc is “Sorrow’s A String” which details a visit to a cherished grandparents home only to discover so much has changed. Lisa and Sean did a lovely live version with delicate mandolin touches from Staples. Another premiere of “Hidden in the Song” from the “Backyard Birds” CD followed by a live take of “Nearby” from “How We Want to Live” which concludes our charming visit.

Our conversation includes topics like upcoming gigs(!) at Pulaski Park in Northampton’s Summer Music Series on 7/9 as well as a live stream CD release party from Club Passim on 6/26. We talk about Lisa’s grandmother’s influence in her life and songs, the autobiographical nature of her songwriting, her hobby of visual art projects and of course, the songs. This batch of beautifully crafted, intimately recorded songs are charming, insightful and even (gasp) cheerfully upbeat! It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with Lisa and her work and it was a treat to have multi-instrumentalist Sean Staples to give his insight on this music which he co-write and produced. Give this set of music and interview a listen. You’ll be as charmed as I was sitting face to face.

Ryan Montbleau has a dozen albums to his credit; he’s been a real road dog warrior with 200 shows a year for almost two decades. He’s learned a lot; about songwriting, this crazy business and especially about himself. Our interview spans so many topics (and seven songs) but the main themes seem to be emotional growth and self-reflection. Ryan is a thoughtful guy with a lot to tell. His move to Burlington, Vt has paid dividends in his mental health and his song-writing. He’s finally got a home with some semblance of a family life. He’s also spent the most time being still, probably ever. We hear the results in his latest EP called “Wood” which will be followed by releases named for the other elements of “Fire”, “Water” and “Earth”.

Ryan performed all three of his newest, live in-studio (it’s been awhile since that happened) including “Ankles”, “Perfect” and “Outside Looking In”. In between, we got to chat about his songwriting process, his experience at Vt’s Guilford Sound, his weekly livestreams, and his upcoming shows in Pittsfield (5/8) and Hatfield (5/23).

We listened to four additional tunes from Ryan’s deep catalog including his collaboration with Tall Heights on “Helplessly Hoping”, the title cuts from earlier albums “I was Just Leaving” and “Ships in the Night” as well as “Songbird”.

It was fabulous to get an in-studio guest again and I’m so glad that it was Ryan Montbleau who couldn’t have been more thoughtful and genuine. Catch a show of his if you can.

Rick Faris has recorded his second solo release called “The Next Mountain” and plans to release it this summer. Rick was my guest on Nine Volt Heart to talk about the new release and his musical journey. He began as a member of the Faris Family Band at the age of seven on guitar. Taught by his father along with his brothers, the family band travelled widely and gave Rick a great introduction into this music “business”. When his brother Eddie was invited to join Ricky Skaggs’ band, opportunity knocked for Rick as well. The award-winning bluegrass outfit, Special Consensus, hired Rick to tour the world! Our conversation touches on this experience with Greg Cahill in Special C as a mentor and band leader. We talk about Rick’s decision to leave this bluegrass “juggernaut” to pursue his solo career. We also listen to a batch of songs from Rick’s first solo effort called “Breaking In Lonesome”. Our segment begins with a trio of songs from that album including “Stonemans Raid”, “If the Kansas River Can” and the title cut which is a barn burner!

We talk about his biography, his songwriting process, and his stellar bands that he’s chosen for these “solo” releases. Our chat touches on his luthier work, his co-writing experiences with folks like Rick Lang and even his his weight loss goals! We finish with his discussion of the first single released from the upcoming release called “Deep River”.

Rick is an absolute joy to chat with and his stories are stellar. He’s humble about his accomplishments and talents but a quick listen to his songs tell the real story. He’s a fabulous singer and picker with strong genuine songs. I look forward to more music from this album and many more to come. Give our segment a listen.

Crys Matthews has been releasing albums and performing for years but her recent album, Changemakers, is a clear quantum leap in her songwriting craft. It could be that this uber-political songwriter just has more to work with in these last few years! This batch of songs takes on immigration issues, gun violence, racism, police brutality and the opioid crisis. While it is indeed unfortunate that these issues still haunt our nation, we can rely on musicians to give us perspectives to make us think. In Crys’ case, most of these songs leave us with something that we crave; hope! We can easily list societal ills without end but the process leaves us depressed or hopeless. This batch of songs portrays the circumstances as dire while offering optimism that we can work together to act in positive ways.

Our segment begins with two new songs, “Exactly Where You Are” and the title cut, “Changemakers” followed by a great intelligent conversation about her NC roots, her songwriting and of course, the issues that inspired these songs. We finish the segment with a powerful song “Call Them In” dedicated to civil rights icon John Lewis who died last July.

One of my favorite interviews with honest but powerful insights into these social issues and the songs that deal with them. Highly recommended.

Anya Hinkle has released a series of singles in anticipation of a full Summer album release. After her band, Tellico, disbanded during these past difficult months, she has worked with other stellar Asheville NC musicians to release some of her best music yet .Our segment begins with the Anya-penned Tellico song, “Courage in the Morning” followed by an instrumental called “Meditation:Beyond the Shores of Darkness.” This is Anya’s first attempt at an instrumental and it is a gorgeous piece featuring Duncan Wickel on cello and Julian Pinelli on fiddle.

Our conversation touches on the varied life experiences Anya has on her journey including her work as an ethnobotonist, a cyclist, her travels throughout Japan, and of course; this latest batch of songs. We talk about the genesis of her meditation piece as well as the stunning song, “What’s It Gonna Take” with Steep Canyon Ranger Graham Sharp. The song is beautifully enhanced by the sacred steel talents of Deshawn Hickman and vocals by Wendy Hickman; both from the Mt Airy NC area. The song was inspired by the horrific events around the George Floyd murder and the Summer Protests of 2020.

We talk about her project with fellow Asheville musician Dianne Gambrell which describes the challenge of living as a Black American in NC for her entire life. The song “Struggles” is a powerful testament to her family’s challenges facing racism and discrimination in Asheville.

It is clear that social justice issues remain on the minds and hearts of musicians and artists everywhere. It is my hope that music can deal with these important issues in ways that reach listeners hearts without dividing our minds. Anya Hinkle has released a powerful song in this vein and I applaud it’s success. Give the segment a listen. And watch for more powerful songs from this important artist.

LA based musician Chris Pierce has been at it for awhile, working independently for decades. His sound has ranged from soul and R&B to his take on “The American Soul Songbook” and most recently has written a “folk protest” album called “American Silence” out this Friday. We caught up with Chris in advance of the album release to talk about this batch of songs and the times that inspired them. While Chris Pierce has faced obstacles both physical (loss of hearing at fifteen) and social (he outlines examples of racial profiling); he is a supremely positive guy. Our conversation was inspiring to me in it’s optimism despite this past year which has exposed many of our Country’s weaknesses and unfilled promises.

We talked about the value of a good record collection at a young age, his chance meeting with the musician Seal, his collaboration with musician Sunny War. We didn’t even touch on his co-ownership of a wine label, Ledbetter Syrah, or his stage production, “Reverend Tall Tree”. A full creative life; peaking with a new release that has prompted NPR and Rolling Stone to proclaim his latest the “Protest Album of the Year”.

Chris Pierce told stories about performing with Sunny War as the duo, War and Pierce, as well as his recording in the famed Muscle Shoals recording studios with the legendary backing band. We hear his soulful vocals belt out “Many Rivers to Cross” from the “You’ve Got to Feel It” recorded in that Alabama iconic studio. We also hear his duet with Sunny War called “Amen” written in response to the deadly Charlottesville protest. We conclude with the title cut of his new album, “American Silence” where he exhorts those who are allies to act in solidarity and not simply “post a facebook comment” and remain in the background.

Despite the fact that Chris has shared the stage with the likes of BB King, Al Green and Aaron Neville and toured the world with Seal, it’s my estimation that his most creative period has just begun. Listen to our conversation and you’ll agree that “American Silence” is a modern day master class in songwriting, no matter the genre.

Bluegrass Today calls Justin Moses “something of a bluegrass superman, playing all the instruments and singing all the parts and having performed with a who’s who of contemporary bluegrass bands”. Justin is a repeat winner of the IBMA Resonator Guitar/Dobro Player of the Year. His stints in bluegrass bands is jaw dropping, starting with Blue Moon Rising, Dan Tyminski Band, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Blue Highway, and the Gibson Brothers! These bands allowed Justin, who plays a half dozen instruments, to play on the Grand Old Opry. He also played on Grammy award winning albums and got to play with some of his musical heroes along the way.

Justin’s new release “Fall Like Rain” showcases those musical heroes including Del McCoury, Dan Tyminski, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Michael Cleveland, Jerry Douglas and Justin’s wife Sierra Hull! Our segment started with Shawn Lane from Blue Highway singing “Looking for a Place” and finishes with “Walking to Lebanon”; both from the new release. The disc is a diverse collection of instrumental burners like “Taxland” and “Locust Hill”. It also showcases songs written by Justin with some co-writing with Nashville’s best.

Our conversation touches on the new release, of course, but also topics as diverse as working with his wife Sierra Hull to baseball to Ken Burns’ “Country Music” series that Justin played in the house band. We talk about his future plans to tour as a duo with Sierra Hull and his resurrecting his dormant podcast “Cos Moses”.

Becky Buller has too many awards to keep track of. It seems that every year she finds a hugely successful collaboration to work on. She has a knack for bringing like minds together often resulting in a new addition to her expanding award cabinet/room! The International Bluegrass Music Association has recognized her at least 10 times for her songwriting, singing and fiddling with her own band or for the collaborations with others.

The Becky Buller Band has just released her sixth album called “Distance and Time” that contains this year’s IBMA Collaborative Award winning “The Barber’s Fiddle”. The song showcases a bevy of singers including Laurie Lewis, Shawn Camp, Jason Carter, Kati Penn and Sam Bush. If that isn’t enough, the tune features 18 fiddlers!!! In the same year, Becky Buller cowrote, with two of the “First Ladies of Bluegrass”; Alison Brown and Missy Raines, a new song for Special Consensus’ “Chicago Barn Dance”. The magic touch again; Song of the Year!

Our segment begins with “Southern Flavor” which features (a theme here!) a collaboration from the first generation of bluegrass players from Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys.! We follow that with the Song of the Year, “Chicago Barn Dance”. Of course, Becky gives us all the details of these projects as well as her work with “The First Ladies of Bluegrass” including award-winning instrumentalists Missy Raines, Alison Brown, Sierra Hull, and Molly Tuttle!

Our chat covers Becky’s early music years in Minnesota with her parent’s band “Prairie Grass” to writing songs for other bluegrass artists to record. We discuss the benefits and pitfalls of co-writing dozens of songs with others; especially virtually. Lots of other topics from “lockdown” family binge TV watching to “Anne of Green Gables”. Give the segment a listen in the link above. We finish with Becky’s hopeful introduction to another song from “Distance and Time” called “More Heart, Less Attack”.

Nine Volt Heart featured three new songs from the feminist folk quartet, Ruby Mack, from their upcoming release “Devil Told Me”. Emma Ayres and Zoe Young from Ruby Mack were my guests for this premier of the new material. We begin with the harmony-filled acapella “Breadwinner” which questions gender roles in society. As it turns out this song only points toward more of Emma’s songs regarding this theme.

The new album features on it’s cover an apple (presumably a Ruby Mack) and a serpent; representing the disc’s dominant themes of gender and expectations. The concept turns the story of Eve in the Garden of Eden on it’s axis, embracing the forbidden fruit from the “tree of knowledge of good and evil”. Instead of shame and “original sin”, these descendents of Eve want to spread the “new gospel’ of feminist empowerment. Gender roles are questioned and abandoned in these songs.

Our conversation covers these themes and more. We chronicle the origin story of these musicians and their experience of being “discovered” at a jam at GreyFox bluegrass festival. Our segment includes the songs “Odysseus” and “Milktooth”

Ruby Mack consists of Emma Ayres (vocals and guitar), Zoe Young (vocals and guitar) Abs Kahler (fiddle) and Abbie Duquette (bass uke).

They can be found at rubymackfolk.com and you can pre-save their upcoming single and album on Spotify.