For their debut album Bonny Light Horseman (Anais Mitchell, Eric Johnson, Josh Kaufman) — a supergroup that is ACTUALLY super — leaned heavily into a shared love of English folk music, updating sometimes centuries-old songs that still feel as relevant today as that did in an EXTREMELY pre-internet world. Wes Covey sits in this week as we explore why this music resonates still, the supreme power of teamwork, and how to talk about practically perfect albums, and more. 

On his latest album as Fruit Bats, Eric Johnson is looking back at dark times almost fondness, taking joy in the even the smallest of steps towards a brighter future that awaits.

Gold Past Life — his first LP on Merge Records — signifies the start of a new era for the lauded singer/songwriter. The end of the road he started out on with 2014’s EDJ, it’s songs are overflowing with harmonies, hooks, and, most importantly, heart. A life-affirming slice of pure pop perfection, it is Johnson’s finest work to date and one of the few albums you NEED to hear in 2019.

Since 2001, Fruit Bats' Eric Johnson has proven time and time again why he has become one of the 21st Century's most revered songwriters. After a brief "retirement" where he released music under his own name - 2014's excellent EDJ - Johnson has revived the Fruit Bats name and delivered Absolute Loser, one of the strongest and most personal albums of his career.

Before his recent show here in Washington, DC, Johnson stopped by the basement to talk about his new record, the worth of a name, almost two decades in the constantly shifting music industry, and much, much more.

Dig it. Dig it the most.