After several years working behind the scenes, the legendary Raphael Saadiq returns to the spotlight to deliver his most personal, and compelling album to date. Jerry Lee (named after his brother who was an addict who died of AIDS) takes a profoundly human look at not just the consequences of addiction, but the underlying causes. Oppression comes in many forms in this world, and Saadiq explores that theme with compassion, an understanding of just how deeply all of us are connected, and a belief that it is only love that can save us in the end.

Austin, TX's Mike and The Moonpies have come a long way from playing the dancehalls of their native Texas. On their new LP, Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold, the quintet is leaving the honky-tonk behind and exploring the sounds of smoothed out 70's Country with the help of their friends the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Recorded at the famed Abbey Road Studios, Cheap Silver is bringing countrypolitan "back" in a big way, and the results are a timeless listen that is also one of the years best.  

WAMU's Bluegrass Country is on the chopping block and up for sale. Help save it, and by doing so, save a little bit of us all.

Bon Iver returns after a five year hiatus, and the results are polarizing. We're choosing sides in the war of 22, A Million.

Ever wonder how to make great, kinda weird, super-intellectual pop music that actually works? Louis Weeks has the answers that you seek. All of them.

Music has always been the lifeblood running through multi-instrumentalist Phil Cook's veins for as long as he can remember. In 2015 he fully dialed in to that guiding presence for the first time in his life, and the result was the magnificent Southland Mission. Mission mined a deep history of American gospel and blues to deliver songs of beauty, hope and rejuvenation, that didn't just honor what came before them, but weaved themselves into the very fabric of the rich tapestry of the culture that's at the root of our modern experience.

We (finally) caught up with Phil before his recent show here in Washington, DC to talk about his past, the music he loves, and how a goofy kid from Wisconsin found enlightenment at at an early age in the most unlikely of places.

This podcast can be the instrument to mend a broken heart or to straighten out your life through the sincere testimony of one righteous dude. A must!

This week on the podcast we’re checking in with multi-instrumentalist / producer Nick Sanborn. Hot on the heels of Sylvan Esso’s massive tour supporting their spectacular self-titled debut, Sanborn  is back with the EP Penumbra, his latest project under the name Made Of Oak. An atmospheric collection of rhythmic adventures that draw as much inspiration from the natural world as they do from the machines with which they were made, Penumbra soundtracks the smaller, quieter moments in life, then sends them crashing into the club. We talk to the Nick about the genesis of Penumbra, the magic of mystery in music, Kendrick Lamar and more in an inspiring and enlightening hour with one of music’s brightest and most forward thinking artists.  

PLUS! Phil Moore of Bowerbirds is back with his new project TUSHKA. A deft mix of electronic music, and R&B that straight up jams, “The Program”, is the first single off of his upcoming album is here, and ready to move you.

Your holiday week begins NOW on Episode 143 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!