The High Note

Mike Savino, the brainchild and founder of Tall Tall Trees, is my guest on The High Note to chat about his most recent album "Stick To The Mystical, I" which was released Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 via Joyful Noise Recordings. We talk about his journey in music from being a metalhead to a deadhead to being classically trained in acoustic bass to creating his own instrument, the Banjotron 5000. In addition to the songwriting process on his most recent album with Josiah Wolf, also get into his musical influences and the album he recorded earlier this year with JD Pinkus, "Ponder Machine." Read my review of his most recent release on The High Note. See Tall Tall Trees on tour throughout October 2023 and get "Stick To The Mysical, I" at talltalltrees.com. Apologies for the slight audio interference and the delay in getting this episode out - hopefully, we exterminated all the technical bugs. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Podcasts. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Singing songs, surfing and sailing the seas of Web 3; is there anything Emily Faye can't do? I met the multi-talented British-based singer-songwriter at VeeCon 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she captivated a packed crowd with her song "Playstation" at Lucas Oil Stadium with Gala Music. During our conversation, we dive into her journey in web3, her inspiration, how her fiance Jay inspired "Playstation," her love of country music and surfing, and her ongoing series "5 Minute Song Friday." Follow Emily Faye on all social media platforms at @emilyfayemusic, where she shares updates about her music and announcements about her upcoming live shows and get her NFTs on Gala Music. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Valerie Ann is a Utah-based songwriter with a magical touch for creating children's music that appeals not only to the young ones but also to the adults who care for them and those in between. I met Valerie Ann at VeeCon this past year in Indianapolis, Indiana and thankfully, we re-connected just this past month. She's a talented songwriter and pioneer in the children's music industry, taking strides in the NFT music platform, Gala Music. In this episode, we discuss her songwriting process, how she manages to craft tunes that resonate with children and adults, her journey into the NFT music world, and her latest hit song, "Road Tripping." "Road Tripping" is a joyous anthem for all those who love an adventurous journey on the open road. It's available everywhere, and you can also check out its delightfully charming music video here. Be sure to follow Valerie Ann on Instagram and Twitter and see more of her NFTs on her Gala Music profile. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Podcasts. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Keller Williams and Steve Poltz are both accomplished singer-songwriters individually who together have performed a "Shut the Folk Up and Listen" series across America. They join me for a conversation about their careers, folk music and their run of shows. You can see them Friday, March 3 at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia, Saturday, March 4 at City Winery Philadelphia and Sunday, March 5 at City Winery New York City. They will each perform a set of music and then perform together. Keller Williams will return Friday, March 17 at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, New Jersey. You can also join them for BaHOOTenzie for a song school May 2-4 and a folk festival May 5-6, 2023 in Joshua Tree, California. "Outre Mer" by Garage A Trois is Keller's favorite soundtrack from a movie and this is Steve's second time on the podcast. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Podcasts. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Crys Matthews stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw her perform. Join me in a conversation with one of my favorite singer-songwriters about her songwriting process, her journey in music and how growing up as the daughter of a preacher influences her on stage. She is based in Washington D.C. and is currently on tour including stops Thursday, Feb. 9 at The Linda WAMC's Performing Arts Studio in Albany, NY, Saturday, Feb. 11 at Outpost in the Burbs in Montclair, New Jersey and she will be returning Sunday, March 26 at Joe's Pub in New York City. Her most recent album "Changemakers" is available everywhere including her website and you can subscribe to her Patreon. You can follow her on social media @CrysMatthews on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Mohsen Amini is probably the best concertina player you have ever heard. I met him as co-founder of the multi-award-winning Celtic trio Talisk, based out of his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. Amini talks about his adventures since we last spoke last at the 60th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival including his tour with Talisk and Ímar, jamming with his friends, getting ready for the band's performance at Celtic Connections in Glasgow and the 2023 Talisk world tour which includes stops in Philadelphia and New York City. See Talisk Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, Pennsylvania and Monday, Feb. 20 at City Winery in New York City and see all the band's tour dates here. Follow Mohsen Amini on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Perry Thompson is the president of the Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society based in Atlantic City, New Jersey whose mission is to preserve and promote Black music culture through education and experiences. He has held lectures in person at Stockton University featuring Reggie Reg from Cash Crew and singer and pianist Nina Simone as well as online seminars covering the legacies of Prince, Jimi Hendrix and Snoop Dogg. Follow the Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society is a nonprofit organization that accepts donations via check or money order to P.O. Box 7401 Atlantic City NJ 08404, or Cashapp $RBPSOC18 Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

BRAN NU is a rapper and artist based in South Jersey. He has been rhyming since he was in high school and is currently touring throughout the east coast. During a brief break in his touring schedule, we chat about his influences, his music career, his most recent tour and the projects he is currently most excited about. You can see him on the Full Blast Fall Tour featuring CL Smooth beginning Nov. 3, 2022. His mixtape "Total B.S." is available on Soundcloud and you can listen to his projects on YouTube. You can see all his projects via his Linktree and follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

Mike McKenna Jr. is a helluva singer-songwriter from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. He carries on the Canadiana folk music tradition in his songs his homespun lyrics with historical references and a warm voice. We talked Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022 at the 60th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival where he was a performer throughout the weekend. His latest album is "At The Edge of the World." He is showcasing Saturday, Nov. 5 at Nova Scotia Music Week at the Highland Arts Theatre in Sydney, Cape Breton, Thursday, Nov. 10 at The Carleton in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn in Cape Breton, Novia Scotia. Follow him on social media @mikemckennajr. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon.

South Korean shamanic folk-pop band ADG7 quickly became one of my favorite acts of the 60th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival - so much so that I, along with many, many others, saw the nine-piece band Saturday night and again Sunday morning. See all the show notes, links and photos here. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon. Photos by Justyna Smith.

My old friends from Talisk, concertina player Mohsen Amini and guitarist Graeme Armstrong return to The High Note podcast and bring along their new fiddle player Benedict Morris to chat about performing at the Philadelphia Folk Festival for the fourth year in a row, and the recording process for the latest Talisk album due out in February 2023. Get tickets to see Talisk Sunday, Feb. 19, 2022 at the Ardmore Music Hall. Learn more about Talisk and follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and Bandcamp. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul "Dawg" Dixon. Read the full show notes here: https://highnoteblog.com/episode-27-talis…ia-folk-festival/

It's been a while, friends! I dust off the microphone as I prepare for the 60th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival this weekend - Aug. 18-21, 2022 at the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, Pennsylvania. I run through the list of my can't miss performers including Emily Drinker, Talisk, American Acoustic: Punch Brothers, Watchhouse and Sarah Jarosz, Crys Matthews, Christine Lavin, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Tom Rush, Runa and Hiss Golden Messengers. I also mention some of my favorite crafters and vendors including the Upper Salford Volunteer Fire Company and the Lower Frederick Fire Company Pancake Break”fest.” Read my blog previewing the festival at HighNoteBlog.com. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go to social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Consider donating to The High Note here.

Steve Dawson is one of my favorite singer-songwriters. I first discovered him through the album "Funeral Bonsai Wedding" and I fell in love with the song "Ezra Pound and the Deep Wood River." He currently teaches songwriting at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. His latest solo album "At The Bottom Of A Canyon In The Branches Of A Tree" was released July 17 on Pravda Records. We discuss his journey in the music industry, his work with Stump The Host, Dolly Varden, Funeral Bonsai Wedding and why this latest solo album is so personal for him. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. If you like the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Paul Dixon wrote the theme song. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go to social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Consider donating to The High Note here. See full show notes with the videos we talk about on The High Note blog.

Ken Shiles and Cibon, two-thirds of the Atlantic City acoustic folk band Originaire join The High Note podcast for this episode, recorded Saturday, Jan. 25 at Ventnor Coffee. We chat about the band's debut EP "Off the Ship," set for release Feb. 21, 2020, their songwriting process including stories of overcoming addiction which is a central theme of the album, the South Jersey music scene and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Originaire will play an EP release show 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 at the Philadelphia Folksong Society. Get "Off The Ship," and see where Originaire is performing at OriginaireMusic.com and follow @originairemusic. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. If you like the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Paul Dixon wrote the theme song. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go to social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Consider donating to The High Note here.

Talisk is a Scottish Celtic band consisting of three incredible musicians, Mohsen Amini on concertina, fiddle player Hayley Keenan and guitarist Graeme Armstrong. They have accumulated multiple accolades across the United Kingdom. We met for a chat Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 at the 58th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival to talk about their music, the festival and Scotland, including our favorite football clubs. Talisk's second album, Beyond, was released October 2018 and the band is touring throughout North America including Sept. 27 at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City and Sept. 28 at the Philadelphia Folksong Society. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. If you like the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go to social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Consider donating to The High Note here.

Folk singer-songwriter Dave Gunning has a lot of passion. The pride of Pictou County is passionate about both his music and his hometown, particularly dedicating a decade to trying to clean up the Pictou County Pulp Mill, which is polluting the local beaches and waterways. We met after his "Wheel Decide" workshop Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 at the 58th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. We talked about playing upright bass on tour with Stompin' Tom Conners, our shared love of Stan Rogers, how the pollution from Northern Pulp Mill is impacting the wildlife and indigenous people in Pictou County and the festival. Find out more about this important cause at https://www.friendsofthenorthumberlandstrait.ca/ Gunning has released 12 albums; his most recent is "Up Against The Sky." His current tour will bring him throughout Canada in September. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. If you like the podcast, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go to social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Consider donating to The High Note here.

Singer-songwriter Steve Poltz is one very talented and interesting fella. From Halifax, Nova Scotia to San Diego, California, Poltz has blazed his own path toward the American dream. He was the frontman for the indie-rock band The Rugburns and co-wrote “You Were Meant For Me” with Jewel. His latest album, "Shine On" is available now and he is constantly touring around the world. We met at the 58th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival before his set on the Martin Guitar Main Stage Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 to talk about the festival, baseball, Catholic schools, writing songs with Jewel, getting sober and how to only do what you love. Here's him telling his incredible story of co-writing "You Were Meant For Me. Use promo code FolkFest19 at DrinkDBDelight.com for a special offer, we had the lemonade. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. If you like the podcast, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go to social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Consider donating to The High Note here.

Justyna and I review the Bush and Live with Our Lady Peace concert at the Etess Arena at Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City on the drive home. I 100 percent had a few New Belgium Voodoo Rangers, as you will hear, but this is a fun one. Gavin Rossdale ran past us and I'll drop the video on The High Note YouTube channel. Our Lady Peace stole the show, Live was loud! Watch the video from this podcast on The High Note YouTube channel. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. If you like the podcast, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go to social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Consider donating to The High Note here.

Dean Randazzo is a professional surfer, surfing instructor, surf shop owner, real estate agent and four-time cancer survivor. He is the first New Jersey competitor to qualify for the Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour. In 2001, at the height of his career, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He won the Garden State Grudge Match in 2002, and again in 2007. In 2004 Randazzo earned MVP at the X Games and won the Red Bull Icebreak. He is preparing to race a paddleboard 22.5 miles around Absecon Island in the 12th annual Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation Paddle For a Cause. We met at our favorite coffee shop, Ventnor Coffee, to talk about his start in surfing and growing up in Margate and Somers Point, New Jersey, competing against the best surfers in the world, recovering from cancer and his work with the community through the foundation. Learn more about the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation at TheDRCF.org and donate to the Paddle For A Cause at crowdrise.com/PFAC2019. Watch the video from this podcast on The High Note YouTube channel. Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. If you like the podcast, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go to social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Singer-songwriter Renée Wahl of Nashville, Tennessee joins me for this episode of The High Note podcast. We discuss her album "Cut to the Bone," released March 15, 2019 and our connections to Philadelphia and greater Pennsylvania. She's a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and went to school for physics before leading her current band Renée Wahl & The Sworn Secrets. Get "Cut to the Bone" at ReneeWahl.com, Apple Music, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify, Tidal and anywhere you listen to music. Follow Renee @ReneeWahl on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. In this episode, you'll hear the track, "Six Days Til Sunday," from "Cut to the Bone." Subscribe to The High Note podcast anywhere you subscribe to podcasts including iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play. If you like the podcast, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go to social media including Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.