Rhythms Magazine

Sarah Jarosz

Rhythms Editor Brian Wise talks to Sarah Jarosz, singer songwriter from Wimberley  Texas, who began her music career in her early teens playing at local festivals. Sarah released 4 solo albums before teaming up with Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek) and Aoife O’Donovan to form the trio I’m With her and release the album See You Around. They toured Australia last year.

Now Sarah has just released her fifth solo album - World on The Ground - recorded in New York City by renowned producer John Leventhal. The album was released worldwide on June 5.

Brian caught up with Sarah - who was in Nashville -  just a week after her 29th birthday to talk about her new album. All the music in the podcast comes from World On The Ground with the exception of 'Overland' from See You Around.

John Prine Tribute

Revered songwriter John Prine died on April 7, 2020, in Nashville, of complications from the coronavirus. He had been scheduled to appear at Bluesfest and at other concert dates but had pulled out of those commitments earlier in the year due to health issues. It would have been Prine's second visit in 15 months (after his acclaimed concerts last year came after a 26 year gap!).

Prine appeared on the cover of Rhythms in January 2019 and Brian Wise spoke to him in late 2018, having just seen him at a dazzling show at the City Winery in Nashville (see pic above) during the Americana Music Festival.

This interview also continues excerpts from some of Prine's best loved songs as well as selections from his most recent album, The Tree of Forgiveness (2018), which not only won a Grammy but was also the best selling album of his entire career!

Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi

Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi recently completed their first tour of Australia together, although it turned out to be an abbreviated visit due to the cancellation of their appearance at the Blue Mountains Folk Festival. However, they did appear at Womadelaide and the Port Fairy Folk Festival to great acclaim and we saw them give a final brilliant show at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday March 14. The day prior to this they spoke to Brian Wise and played several songs from their acclaimed album There Is No Other, released in 2019. (The song 'I'm On My Way' was nominated for a Grammy and, in September 2019, Giddens received the Legacy of Americana Award at the Americana Honors & Awards in Nashville).

 

Steve Poltz: In Conversation

During his recent tour of Australia, Canadian-born American-based singer-songwriter Steve Poltz joined Brian Wise in the studios of Triple R FM during Off The Record for a rollicking half hour or so of chat and performance. 

Thomas Zimny: making the Johnny Cash doco

Melbourne is deep into the 2019 International Film Festival and there are plenty of excellent music documentaries, including The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash, directed by Thomas Zimny - Brian Wise's guest in the this podcast - and made in collaboration with the Cash Estate.

Thom Zimny, has a number of award-winning documentaries and has also been working with Bruce Springsteen for the past 18 years. He directed Springsteen’s High Hopes, The Ties That Bind, the Grammy award-winning Wings For Wheels: The Making of Born to Run, and the Netflix-released Springsteen on Broadway. He also directed the 2018 documentary Elvis Presley: The Searcher.   

During our conversation Zimny will tell you about his latest project with Springsteen. Zimny has also edited episodes of David Simon’s acclaimed HBO series, The Wire, and helmed music videos for Bob Dylan, The Low Anthem and many others. 

 

Bluesfest Legends: Russell Morris, Richard Clapton & Joe Camilleri

In this triple header Brian Wise talks to three genuine Australian legends: Russell Morris, Richard Clapton and Joe Camilleri who performed on the first night of Bluesfest 2019 on the Jambalaya stage where the line-up included Arlo Guthrie and Mavis Staples with Russell, Richard and Joe following. Russell talks about his new album (and the 50th anniversary of 'The Real Thing'), Richard reveals a new secret project, and Joe discusses his 49th album and his 18th with the Black Sorrows.

Bluesfest 2019 - Fantastic Negrito

We continue our series of interviews recorded during Bluesfest 2019 with Oakland, California musician Fantastic Negrito - who has won two Grammy Awards in the Contemporary Blues Album category. I spoke to him backstage on the first night of Bluesfest 2019.

Bluesfest 2019 - Marcus King Band

We continue our series of interviews recorded during Bluesfest 2019 with songwriter, guitarist and bandleader Marcus king, who at just 23 years of age age has been performing for almost half his life. He joined Brian Wise with all the other members of his band at the Bay FM Q&A tent for a chat and a performance that you won’t want to miss.

Bluesfest 2019 - The War & Treaty

Michael & Tanya Trotter are The War & Treaty - a duo that is wowing audiences all around the world. They appeared in exclusive appearances at Bluesfest this year and received the same enthusiastic audience response that I have witnessed them get at the New Orleans Jazz Fest over the past two years. I spoke to them just after their very first Australian performance. 

Bluesfest 2019 - I'm With Her

The trio I'm With Her might be considered a bluegrass 'supergroup'. Sarah Jarosz, Sarah Watkins and Aoife O'Donovan have all had substantial careers in their own right or with other combinations. They joined Brian Wise in the Q&A tent at Bluesfest 2019.