Singer-songwriter Lilly Hiatt has an interesting way of working melodies and a down to earth way of telling stories about her life and about how she sees the world. All of her albums have cool, crunchy guitar parts that take folk songwriting to a new rockin' level. On her new album 'Forever,' Hiatt's diverse influences are woven into songs that touch on everything from relationships to anxiety and mental health to good old-fashioned rock & roll.

In our Basic Folk conversation, we talked about the lessons that Lilly learned growing up the daughter of legendary songwriter John Hiatt and what it meant to her to see her dad go through the ups and downs of the music business while having the humility and self belief to keep going. She also talks about how she thinks about herself as a performer – and how that's changed since the pandemic. Before the pandemic Hiatt had a couple of really big records ('Trinity Lane,' 2017 and 'Walking Proof,' 2020) that gained a lot of hype and attention. Once coronavirus hit, she had to sit in the house and ask the big questions like a lot of us did. She sat with the loneliness, alienation, and uncertainty.

You can hear in our interview just how much mutual respect and admiration we have for each other and how much belief we have in one another, not only as songwriters, but as women and as people who are in recovery. Very LYLAS vibes, lots of laughs.

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SiriusXM's folk radio programmer Mary Sue Twohy has not had a straight career path, but it's certainly been adventurous. Mary Sue, who is about to be inducted into the Folk DJ Hall of Fame, has held many different jobs over her life, most notably as a touring singer songwriter and as a beloved folk radio programmer, host and active community member. It all began in a vibrant musical and creative home in Aberdeen, New Jersey. With fond memories of family gatherings filled with guitars (and banjos!), laughter, and a distinctive 70s aesthetic, Mary Sue reflects on how her father's love for folk music has shaped her own artistic journey. We dive into how his favorite music, from Joan Baez to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, have resonated throughout her life.

As a seasoned musician and now a prominent figure in the radio world, Mary Sue discusses her transition from performing artist to radio programmer at SiriusXM (she currently manages The Village, the folk channel along with several other channels). She emphasizes the importance of connection in radio, both with the audience and the artists she showcases, highlighting how her background as a musician allows her to curate a unique listening experience. Her passion for folk music and her commitment to uplifting diverse voices within the genre shine through as she shares insights on compassion, community, and the healing power of music.

Throughout our conversation, Mary Sue's authenticity and warmth are evident as she navigates topics like her hobbies outside of music, the significance of compassion in her work, and her recent induction into the Folk DJ Hall of Fame. We also touch on her thoughts about the Bob Dylan movie and engage in a fun lightning round where she shares her favorite songs and memorable moments from her career.

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Although the ever-enigmatic Sam Moss is not a great swimmer, he named his latest album 'Swimming.' The folk singer with a gentle demeanor is back with thoughtful songs and captivating melodies. Hailing from New England, Sam has carved out a unique niche in the folk world, blending naturalistic themes with an introspective approach to songwriting. We explore how his New England roots continue to influence his music – despite his current residence being Virginia – and how his upbringing in a family of visual artists has shaped his artistic sensibilities.

Sam also talks about how movement and the natural world inspire his songwriting, if not with more oblique lyrics. We dig into his latest album 'Swimming,' where he boldly embraces more direct lyrical expressions; we discuss the balance between mood and narrative in his work, too. Our Basic Folk conversation touches on his journey from a shy young musician to a confident performer, as well, thanks in part to the encouragement of close friends like Jackson Emmer. He counts Emmer, who he played with in old-time duo The Howling Kettles, as one of his greatest inspirations for following his own creative arrow in music.

Elsewhere in the episode, we explore Sam's passion for woodworking, a skill he honed as a respite from musical burnout. He describes the satisfaction of crafting tangible objects and how this practice complements his musical endeavors. We also really dive into his feelings around the word "gentle," which is often used to describe his music and persona. He doesn't actually mind being known as a gentle person– in fact, he hopes people do find his music soft and tender and, in that gentleness, that they still leave feeling his songs' striking impact.

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