Best Sharp Performances With The Best Musicians Podcasts (2025)

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Jessica Willis Fisher: The Courage to Begin Again | MCP #307 1:21:25

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6h ago1:21:25

1:21:25

I didn’t know much about Jessica Willis Fisher before she came over to the studio. I knew she was part of the family band The Willis Clan, and I knew something bad had happened — but I didn’t know the shape of it. Or what she’d done with the pieces. Turns out, she’s one of the most quietly courageous people I’ve ever sat across from. In this episod…

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Ryan Montbleau: The Gig is the Goal MCP #306 55:12

1d ago55:12

55:12

One thing I’ve noticed about lifers — artists who stay in the game past the shiny early years — is that they tend to carry this quiet steadiness. Northeat based singer-songwriter and band leader Ryan Montbleau is one of those people. He’s been making music professionally for over two decades, without a label, without a gimmick, and without (as he p…

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Short, Sharp, and Brilliant: Lessons from the Canadian Brass 16:49

1d ago16:49

16:49

In this episode of Intentional Musicianship Jeff Price reflects on an unforgettable evening with the world-renowned Canadian Brass at the Robinson Grand Perfroming Arts Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, a performance that showed what happens when mastery meets personality. This was epic. I was impressed how their legacy has been part of all the …

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Liam St. John: Sing Like It’s the Last Thing You’ll Ever Do | MCP #305 54:10

7d ago54:10

54:10

There’s a kind of artist who gets better the more they get broken open. Who wears the hard stuff — the heartbreak, the hangups, the spiritual confusion — like a second layer of skin. Liam St. John is one of those artists. You may have come across him recently via his viral single Dipped in Bleach, or maybe from his powerhouse audition on The Voice …

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Judy Blank: Make Your Own Break | MCP #304 1:00:01

16d ago1:00:01

1:00:01

There’s something I love about artists who don’t wait for permission. The ones who carry a crowbar so they can pry the tiny crack into a opening big enough to strut though. Judy Blank is one of those crowbar carryin types. Her latest ablum, “Big Mood” came out on tastemaker label Rounder Records this September. She grew up in the Netherlands, obses…

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The Best Band Ever… and Why My Friend Was Right 9:43

24d ago9:43

9:43

In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price reflects on a community band concert that delivered something rare, total alignment between promise and performance. After hearing a friend exclaim, "This is the best band ever!", Jeff unpacks why the Fairmont State University Community Symphonic Band's success went beyond great music. Their s…

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Sloe Jack: This Sh*t Talking Young Aussie Just Broke 500K Followers on Instagram | MCP #303 1:08:20

28d ago1:08:20

1:08:20

This conversation, like Sloe Jack himself, is going to offend some of you. In a little over 6 months the 23 year-old Australian-born, Nashville-based artist has amassed a huge following on Social Media, mostly for his outspoken takes on all the hot button social issues. Under the rubric of, as he describes it, “Common Sense”, Jack has thrown himsel…

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Play to Your Strengths: Why Doing Less Can Make Your Performance Stronger 7:07

1M ago7:07

7:07

In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price asks why musicians and educators try to do everything themselves, from programming to public speaking to marketing , often out of habit, not intention. In this episode, Jeff Price explores how to identify what truly adds value to your performance and what quietly drains your energy. Through re…

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Paul McDonald: Burn It Down, Build It Better | MCP #302 1:06:55

1M ago1:06:55

1:06:55

This week on The Morse Code Podcast, I sat down with Nashville artist Paul McDonald — someone I’ve known in the periphery for years, but never really talked with until now. We cover a lot of ground in this one, but the big arc is this: what happens after everything falls apart… and how you find your way back. Paul had it all — record deals, red car…

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Lera Lynn: The Art of Letting Go (And Starting Over Again) | MCP #301 1:04:03

2M ago1:04:03

1:04:03

By Korby Lenker and Lera Lynn

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Was It Worth It? ROI, Expected Value, and Transformation in Performance 20:58

2M ago20:58

20:58

Is all the effort really worth it? In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price explores how musicians and educators can evaluate the real return on investment (ROI) in performance—whether that investment is time, energy, money, or emotion. From expected value to lasting transformation, we unpack how intentional effort leads to exponenti…

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Replicate to Elevate: The Only Proven Way for Success in Music 8:00

2M ago8:00

8:00

What if the fastest way to improve your music career wasn't more practice—but smarter modeling? In this short and focused episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price makes a bold claim: the most reliable path to success in music is to replicate those who've already succeeded. Whether it's stage presence, audience engagement, show structure, or …

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What Happens When Everything Changes Overnight? Jake Etheridge | MCP #229 1:06:41

4M ago1:06:41

1:06:41

Nashville artist Jake Etheridge shares how “Happy Ever After You,” written with wife Mackenzie Porter, went viral overnight—leading to a record deal, praise from John Mayer & Brandi Carlile, and a whole new chapter for Thelma and James. Plus, live music & Nashville stories. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/s…

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The best singer I've ever heard, live or otherwise | MCP #228 1:37:03

5M ago1:37:03

1:37:03

Korby talks with Clark Beckham about the highs and lows of American Idol, faith and expression, and what it means to stay the course as an artist. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribeBy Korby Lenker

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The Artist You Grow Into: Anna Vogelzang on Being a 'Lifer' | MCP #227 52:08

5M ago52:08

52:08

There’s a moment in this week’s episode where folksinger and creative lifer Anna Vogelzang says, “I needed someone to look at me and say: you’re still doing this.” I’ve been thinking about that. Because it’s not always easy to tell, is it? Whether we’re still in it. Whether it still matters. Whether we still matter. Anna’s someone I’ve admired for …

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Life After Del McCoury: Jason Carter’s Next Chapter MCP #226 1:01:27

5M ago1:01:27

1:01:27

“I lived the dream I had at nineteen. Now I’m trying to see what else is out there.”—Jason Carter For 33 years, Jason Carter was the fiddler for the Del McCoury Band—a role as iconic in bluegrass circles as it gets. He joined at nineteen, fresh out of Eastern Kentucky, and spent the next three decades on the road, backing one of the most revered vo…

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Erin Rae on Grief, Creativity & Letting Go of the Dreamland | MCP #225 1:07:09

6M ago1:07:09

1:07:09

Erin Rae is a Nashville singer-songwriter whose music blends introspective folk, vintage pop, and Americana into a sound both timeless and, I’d say, quietly radical. Raised in Jackson, Tennessee by musician parents, Erin was immersed as a kid in the language of song and storytelling. We talk about her early years in Nashville (she moved in her earl…

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Goldilocks and the Three Musicians: A Fable for Performers 14:30

6M ago14:30

14:30

Once upon a time, a listener named Goldilocks went out looking for the perfect concert. She didn't know exactly what she wanted—but she knew she'd feel it when it happened. First, she found a group that was technically perfect, but emotionally cold. Then, a performer who was all charm and chaos. Finally, a group that got it just right—not flawless,…

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Bronwyn Keith-Hynes on Fiddle Mastery, the Opry, and Finding Her Voice | Morse Code Podcast #224 46:14

7M ago46:14

46:14

Great conversation with bluegrass fiddler Bronwyn Keith-Hynes on her exploding career — from attending this year’s Grammys under the auspices of Molly Tuttle (in whose band Golden Highway she plays fiddle), to making her debut on the Grand Ole Opry last month, to a year chock full of tour dates and festivals playing under her own name. We talked ab…

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Don't Just Rehearse the Notes—Rehearse the Moment 5:06

7M ago5:06

5:06

Watch out, I am doing the edits in this short episode to learn a little bit. In this 5-minute episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price invites you to think differently about how you prepare for performance. It's not just about the music—it's about how you show up in the moment. You'll learn: Why mindset matters more than muscle memory How to…

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Leah Blevins on Finding Her Voice, Signing with Dan Auerbach, and Learning to Let Go | MCP #223 54:27

7M ago54:27

54:27

In this intimate episode of The Morse Code Podcast, host Korby Lenker sits down with rising Americana star Leah Blevins for a vulnerable, wise, and deeply human conversation about music, identity, and the winding path of the creative life. Leah opens up about her roots in Eastern Kentucky, her gospel-singing family, and the twin bond that shaped he…

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Ditch the Dirty Rotten No-Good Bad Perfectionism 7:46

7M ago7:46

7:46

This is an unproduced no edit "shorty." Are you treating your performance like brain surgery? Like one wrong note could end it all? Let's stop the madness—and ditch the dirty rotten no-good bad perfectionism. In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price calls out one of the biggest traps that can steal our joy as performers: the false eq…

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Will Kimbrough on John Prine, Jimmy Buffett, and the Real Life of a Working Musician | MCP #222 1:23:59

8M ago1:23:59

1:23:59

In this revealing episode of The MCP, I sit down with Grammy-nominated songwriter, guitarist, and Americana mainstay Will Kimbrough for a wide-ranging conversation on the hard truths and quiet joys of a life in music. From his early days as a 12 year old electric guitar player to getting signed to EMI, and then John Prine’s Oh Boy Records, to his w…

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The Art of the Pause – Owning Your Time and Space 8:19

8M ago8:19

8:19

This is an unproduced no edit "shorty." Why do audiences feel certain performances more deeply than others? It's not always about playing louder, faster, or with more notes. Sometimes, the most powerful moments happen in the silence. In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price explores The Art of the Pause—the subtle yet transformative …

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Celia Gregory on the Future of Radio, Music Curation & Building Community | Morse Code Podcast #221 46:25

8M ago46:25

46:25

What does human-curated radio mean in an era dominated by algorithms? In this episode of The Morse Code Podcast, I sit down with Celia Gregory from Nashville’s WNXP to talk about the power of radio, music discovery, and how real people—not algorithms—shape the sound of a city. Celia shares her journey from college radio DJ to morning host at WNXP, …

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Scoring the Moment: The Power of Background Music 14:39

8M ago14:39

14:39

Why do some musicians dismiss background music as unimportant, while others turn it into a meaningful career? The difference isn't in the notes they play—it's in how they frame the role and understand its impact. In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price challenges the idea that background music is just filler. Instead, he explores ho…

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What the Tornado Left Behind: Jordie Lane on Songwriting, Mental Health & Why Getting a Rescue Dog was His Smartest Move | MCP #220 1:11:28

8M ago1:11:28

1:11:28

Jordie Lane on Artistry, Resilience & Reinventing the Indie Music Scene. In this episode of The Morse Code Podcast, host Korby Lenker sits down with the Australian-born Nashville-residing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jordie Lane. Together they explore the raw realities of making a life in independent music, the necessity of artistic …

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Shervin Lainez on Ambition vs. Expectation and The Hard Truth About Creative Success | MCP #219 54:21

9M ago54:21

54:21

The first time I saw a portrait by Shervin Lainez, I felt like I was hearing the artist’s music through a photograph. There’s an intimacy in the image, a quiet buzz that goes deeper than just the artist’s face—it captures an essence. His work has graced the pages of Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and countless album covers, shaping the way we s…

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The 5 Whys: Unlocking Better Performances Through Critical Thinking 13:15

9M ago13:15

13:15

Why do some musicians struggle with the same challenges while others find ways to improve? The key might not be more practice—it might be asking the right questions. In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price explores how the 5 Whys Method—a powerful problem-solving tool used in business, healthcare, and engineering—can help musicians …

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Eric Fortaleza's Pitch Meeting is the Most Dangerous Music in Nashville | MCP #219 1:17:05

9M ago1:17:05

1:17:05

Let’s just begin by saying there is nothing in Nashville like Pitch Meeting, Eric Fortaleza’s weekly musical highwire act. Billed as “Nashville’s Best Writer’s Open Mic” the weekly show, which resumes this Tuesday February 25th features a powerhouse band of Nashville heavies (often of 10 or more players) whose job it is to back the any songwriter w…

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Randa Takes Over. A Morse Code Podcast Valentine's Special | MCP #217 1:15:08

9M ago1:15:08

1:15:08

What happens when the interviewer becomes the guest? This episode of The Morse Code Podcast is a special one—Randa Newman, Korby's wife and creative partner, takes over the host seat to interview Korby in an intimate, revealing conversation about creativity, perseverance, and what it means to balance art with real life. Get full access to The Morse…

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Fearless in Five Minutes: Five Tips to Overcome Stage Anxiety 5:30

9M ago5:30

5:30

Why do some musicians step on stage with confidence, while others struggle with fear? It's not just about talent—it's about mindset. In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price five easy strategies to overcome stage anxiety and perform with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned performer or stepping onto the stage for the first time, th…

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"I Had to Renew My Contract With Myself." Abby Jane | MCP #216 57:41

9M ago57:41

57:41

Abby Jane is a singer and songwriter based in Nashville. Her debut EP “I Don’t Want to Pretend” has been the talk of the town, at least in the circles I trade in, since it dropped in October 2024. Everybody loves her fresh take on the craft of confessional songwriting, and the remarkable instrument through which she delivers those songs. Abby Jane …

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Bob Dylan is the Original Troll. Carl Anderson | MCP #215 1:12:37

10M ago1:12:37

1:12:37

Carl Anderson is a singer-songwriter from Virginia. His song swirls around like that plastic bag in the scene from American Beauty. A surprising unassuming clandestine charm that catches you unawares and then settles at your feet until the wind kicks up again. I have been a fan of his ever since we played a show together at the Bluebird in Nashvill…

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The Art of the Encore: Creating Unforgettable Moments 19:44

10M ago19:44

19:44

Why do audiences leave your performances not just satisfied, but inspired—eager to see you perform again? It's not just the music. It's the connection, the storytelling, and the moments you craft that leave an enduring impression. In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price dives into the art of the encore—a powerful tool that transform…

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MAIR Gets Personal: The Private Life of a Virtuosic She-Wizard | MCP #214 1:00:31

10M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

MAIR is a musical force of nature. Whether she’s playing mandolin, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, nylon string banjo, her sit-up-and-pay-attention virtuosity has made her an in-demand collaborator the industry over. She’s been touring since she was thirteen, which makes her an industry veteran even though she’s barely in her mid-twenties. …

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Viral Sensation Tyler Merritt Talks Race, Humor, and his Inspiring New Book. MCP #213 1:05:30

10M ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Quick note before the show - after taking almost 4 years off to produce the Morse Code TV Pilot, I’m about to release some new music. So so excited about this. The first single is called Meet Me at the End of the World. Its about reaching for love at all costs. I texted our guest Tyler Merritt the track after our interview last week and, to quote t…

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Good Enough: How Embracing Your Strengths Creates Lasting Impact 18:05

10M ago18:05

18:05

What does it mean to be "good enough"? It's not about perfection—it's about connection. Every performer, no matter their level, has something unique to offer. By embracing your strengths, preparing with intention, and leaning into what makes you special, you can create moments that resonate with your audience long after the performance ends. In thi…

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Adam Ross and PLAYWORLD - the Novel Everyone is Talking About 1:21:08

10M ago1:21:08

1:21:08

Published just two days ago, Adam Ross’ second novel, Playworld — some dozen-plus years in the making — is one of the best books I’ve read in the last five years. I’m not alone! Sources no less venerable than The New York Times, the LA Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, are all lining up to sing its praises. “Dazzling and endearing,”…

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Ryan Rado: Being Willing to Fail and Somehow Not Failing | Morse Code Podcast #211 58:44

11M ago58:44

58:44

Happy New Beginning! One quick important creative announcement: I have new music coming! Meet Me at the End of the World was written by me, live on a series I do called the East Nashville Songwriting Workshop, where I write a song live on the internet, start to finish. Usually it’s a co-write, but this particular time the scheduled guest didn’t sho…

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Customer Service vs. Customer Experience: Building Audience Engagement and Lasting Connections 24:20

11M ago24:20

24:20

Why do audiences come back to see you perform—not just once, but again and again? It's more than just the music. It's the connection you create, the way you engage, and how you make people feel like they're part of something special. In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price explores the difference between customer service—the specifi…

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a holiday message from Korby 8:43

11M ago8:43

8:43

The end of the year is a good time to take a step back and think about what you're doing and why. Among my various (well, three) enterprises, I've been doing the Morse Code Podcast for more than a year - more than 60 full length episodes and 200+ videos. Proud of Jared and Randa and me and what we’ve achieved! I'm still figuring out the SEO and a b…

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Josh Plasse: Son of a Navy Seal Injects Discipline Into the Hollywood Game — with Fantastic Results | Morse Code Podcast #210 1:01:48

11M ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Josh Plasse is an actor, producer and published author. The son of a Navy Seal, he’s appeared in more than 50 episodes of network television, including iCarly, Grey’s Anatomy and The Baxters. His first novel, Dust, drops February 4, 2025 on Resolve Editions. In 2022, Josh co-wrote, produced, and acted in the feature film Ride, starring C. Thomas Ho…

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Inspired by Excellence: Lessons to Replicate from a Winter Gala 20:59

11M ago20:59

20:59

In this episode of Intentional Musicianship, Jeff Price reflects on a heartwarming Winter Gala performance by the West Virginia Univeristy Choir program that exemplifies the power of storytelling, seamless transitions, and thoughtful programming. Drawing inspiration from this holiday concert, Jeff explores how musicians can create immersive and mem…

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Langhorne Slim: Finding the We in ‘We the People’ | Morse Code Podcast #209 1:08:35

11M ago1:08:35

1:08:35

Langhorne Slim is a singer-songwriter based in East Nashville. His new single “We the People (F*** the Man)” is a jubilant reminder to cast a wary eye on our supposed political overlords and instead focus on those things that make a society a place worth living in: loving our neighbors, looking each other in the eye, being *actually* alive on plane…

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Ozark’s Quinnlan Ashe on Growing as an Actor by Working Behind the Camera | Morse Code Podcast #208 1:23:52

12M ago1:23:52

1:23:52

Quinnlan Ashe is an actor, producer and podcaster based in Nashville, Tennessee. Among her credits are Ozark, I Want You Back, Chicago Fire, Brockmire *and* she played Lia in our own award-winning pilot, Morse Code, for which this podcast is named. Quinn's latest project is called Re-Wined. It's a podcast she hosts with friends and industry colleag…

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Spencer Thomas: Futurebirds Keyboardist Gets Real on The Joke of Life | Morse Code Podcast #207 1:10:59

12M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Spencer Thomas is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Athens, Georgia. He also plays keys for the beloved cosmic jamericana touring band Futurebirds. His new record, The Joke of Life, is shot through with contributions from members of My Morning Jacket, Drive-By Truckers, Futurebirds annd — it’s been getting a lot of play at the …

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Steve Poltz Just Played the Greatest Show of His Life | Morse Code Podcast #206 1:38:46

12M ago1:38:46

1:38:46

Steve Poltz is a… a.. what is he? In the man’s own words, “I’m just a weirdo, a freak, a bon vivant, a rounder, a rabble rouser, a workaholic, a people pleaser, an idiot and a grateful kid who ran away and joined the circus.” Most of us know Poltz as one of the most charismatic live folksingers working today. Whether he’s playing little club in Hal…

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Mila Vilaplana: The Young Director Revolutionizing Visual Storytelling | Morse Code Podcast #205 50:22

1y ago50:22

50:22

Mila Vilaplana is a film director, producer, and founder of Dipsomania, a production house focused on the creation of visually arresting psychologically-driven narratives. Originally from Cuba, Mila's work has received critical acclaim and film fest buzz for its bold Giallo-inspired imagery and unconventional approach to cinematic storytelling. Get…

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The Lone Bellow's Zach Williams on Music, Success, and Surprises | Morse Code Podcast #204 58:24

1y ago58:24

58:24

Zach Williams is the founding member and frontman for The Lone Bellow, an Americana Folk featuring Zach, Kanene Donehey Pipkin and Brian Elmquist. Best known for their powerhouse vocals and emotive blend of folk, country, and soul, the storied trio exploded onto the scene in 2014 with their self-titled debut, which made a bunch of end-of-year lists…