“If we march into that village and we start trying to persecute people for using poison, something that's very illegal, nobody's going to talk to us. We're not going to find out where the poison came from. We're not going to be able to shut anything down. We should take the approach that people are using poison because they're desperate, because they see no other alternative.” – Andrew Stein Andrew Stein is a wildlife ecologist who spent the past 25 years studying human carnivore conflict from African wild dogs and lions in Kenya and Botswana to leopards and hyenas in Namibia. His work has long focused on finding ways for people and predators to coexist. He is the founder of CLAWS , an organization based in Botswana that's working at the intersection of cutting-edge wildlife research and community driven conservation. Since its start in 2014 and official launch as an NGO in 2020, CLAWS has been pioneering science-based, tech-forward strategies to reduce conflict between people and carnivores. By collaborating closely with local communities, especially traditional cattle herders, CLAWS supports both species conservation and rural livelihoods—making coexistence not just possible, but sustainable.…
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Spencer Thomas: Futurebirds Keyboardist Gets Real on The Joke of Life | Morse Code Podcast #207
Manage episode 452448701 series 3521512
Inhoud geleverd door long talks with big talents in music, film and writing. and Long talks with big talents in music. Alle podcastinhoud, inclusief afleveringen, afbeeldingen en podcastbeschrijvingen, wordt rechtstreeks geüpload en geleverd door long talks with big talents in music, film and writing. and Long talks with big talents in music of hun podcastplatformpartner. Als u denkt dat iemand uw auteursrechtelijk beschermde werk zonder uw toestemming gebruikt, kunt u het hier beschreven proces https://nl.player.fm/legal volgen.
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 Lenker house. Listen above, scroll down to watch on YouTube.
But for a few short texts, Spencer and I hadn’t met until he pulled up in front in front of my joint in East Nashville. He'd had a long drive so we took a walk around the block to catch up, break the ice and enjoy the perfect fall weather. Once we started talking we didn’t stop. It was almost incidental, turning the mics on.
We riffed on his early and present influences — Warren Zevon’s name is an appropriate drop here — as well as the reasoning behind his decision to move to Athens — Athens, Georgia — during the pandemic. When I asked Why not Nashville? we charged into a chapter on the plusses and minuses living in a talent hotspot. That he chose an independent incubation makes sense when you listen to his music. You can't make a record like The Joke of Life in Nashville.
Even though I’ve lived here almost two decades, my own formative years as an artist were spent well away from commercial centers (shout out to Bellingham, Washington) — great for cultivating an individual voice, but maybe you sell more records (or streams I guess) the closer you snuggle up to the money teat.
Whatever the metric, Spencer and I tend toward the being apart, which is probably why I enjoyed this conversation so much. There was a lot of dishing on favorite bands — Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Dawes — and a thruline of mutual revelry in the joy of making art for its own sake.
We got so carried away talking and listening that I nearly forgot to ask him to play my favorite song from his record, Little Gold. Glad to say we got it in there.
Spencer is having a real artistic moment. You get the feeling that — after ten years of trying stuff, making up songs alone and with kindred, looking for his own orbit in the music of the spheres, he’s finally hitting on something. Teetering on the fulcrum of his own invention. It felt good for me to catch him mid-stroke on an upward swing.
On this day of thanks I want to thank YOU for being part of this Morse Code Community. Ours is a motley collective and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you guys so much.
As Big Tech and Big Money and Bigness in general continue their march on our little patch of sacred humanity, I’m here for you, the artist. I have been in love my whole life with grouchy authors, unknown poets, quiet folksingers, radiant actors, the horse whisperers of culture, all, these fringey wonders who prioritize self-expression over self.
My purpose for Morse Code is to celebrate you, inspire you, encourage you to thrash around inside yourself and see what’s going on in there. The guests on this show are doing it. You can too.
Personally, whether I’m writing a song or a short story or making a film, I’m in the meaning business. And meaning isn’t something you find, once and for all. You discover a little bit more, every day. But only if you try.
If you get something out of the Morse Code Podcast, please like and subscribe on your favorite listening platform, follow us on IG, and if you have a sec, write us a five star review on apple podcasts. Anything you can do goes a long way to helping us bring this mission to more and more people. And if you’d like to become a paid subscriber, that would be wonderful too.
Whatever you do, we’ll keep showing up, week after week, to talk to these amazing talents and see what makes them glow so bright.
I wish you all the wonder of being alive. Thank you for being here.
-Korby
Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe
68 afleveringen
DelenManage episode 452448701 series 3521512
Inhoud geleverd door long talks with big talents in music, film and writing. and Long talks with big talents in music. Alle podcastinhoud, inclusief afleveringen, afbeeldingen en podcastbeschrijvingen, wordt rechtstreeks geüpload en geleverd door long talks with big talents in music, film and writing. and Long talks with big talents in music of hun podcastplatformpartner. Als u denkt dat iemand uw auteursrechtelijk beschermde werk zonder uw toestemming gebruikt, kunt u het hier beschreven proces https://nl.player.fm/legal volgen.
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 Lenker house. Listen above, scroll down to watch on YouTube.
But for a few short texts, Spencer and I hadn’t met until he pulled up in front in front of my joint in East Nashville. He'd had a long drive so we took a walk around the block to catch up, break the ice and enjoy the perfect fall weather. Once we started talking we didn’t stop. It was almost incidental, turning the mics on.
We riffed on his early and present influences — Warren Zevon’s name is an appropriate drop here — as well as the reasoning behind his decision to move to Athens — Athens, Georgia — during the pandemic. When I asked Why not Nashville? we charged into a chapter on the plusses and minuses living in a talent hotspot. That he chose an independent incubation makes sense when you listen to his music. You can't make a record like The Joke of Life in Nashville.
Even though I’ve lived here almost two decades, my own formative years as an artist were spent well away from commercial centers (shout out to Bellingham, Washington) — great for cultivating an individual voice, but maybe you sell more records (or streams I guess) the closer you snuggle up to the money teat.
Whatever the metric, Spencer and I tend toward the being apart, which is probably why I enjoyed this conversation so much. There was a lot of dishing on favorite bands — Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Dawes — and a thruline of mutual revelry in the joy of making art for its own sake.
We got so carried away talking and listening that I nearly forgot to ask him to play my favorite song from his record, Little Gold. Glad to say we got it in there.
Spencer is having a real artistic moment. You get the feeling that — after ten years of trying stuff, making up songs alone and with kindred, looking for his own orbit in the music of the spheres, he’s finally hitting on something. Teetering on the fulcrum of his own invention. It felt good for me to catch him mid-stroke on an upward swing.
On this day of thanks I want to thank YOU for being part of this Morse Code Community. Ours is a motley collective and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you guys so much.
As Big Tech and Big Money and Bigness in general continue their march on our little patch of sacred humanity, I’m here for you, the artist. I have been in love my whole life with grouchy authors, unknown poets, quiet folksingers, radiant actors, the horse whisperers of culture, all, these fringey wonders who prioritize self-expression over self.
My purpose for Morse Code is to celebrate you, inspire you, encourage you to thrash around inside yourself and see what’s going on in there. The guests on this show are doing it. You can too.
Personally, whether I’m writing a song or a short story or making a film, I’m in the meaning business. And meaning isn’t something you find, once and for all. You discover a little bit more, every day. But only if you try.
If you get something out of the Morse Code Podcast, please like and subscribe on your favorite listening platform, follow us on IG, and if you have a sec, write us a five star review on apple podcasts. Anything you can do goes a long way to helping us bring this mission to more and more people. And if you’d like to become a paid subscriber, that would be wonderful too.
Whatever you do, we’ll keep showing up, week after week, to talk to these amazing talents and see what makes them glow so bright.
I wish you all the wonder of being alive. Thank you for being here.
-Korby
Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe
68 afleveringen
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1 Will Kimbrough on John Prine, Jimmy Buffett, and the Real Life of a Working Musician | MCP #222 1:23:59
1:23:59 
Later Afspelen 
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukIn 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 work with Jimmy Buffett , Shemekia Copeland , and Todd Snider , Will offers a masterclass in musical longevity, humility, and hustle. A few of the stories and names he mentions reminded me of what I sometimes foolishly take for granted — namely my geographical proximity to musical greatness. For instance celebrated producer Jay Joyce has a studio not 50 hundred feet away from where I now sit, and in the other direction, three houses opposite, is Eric McConnell’s studio , the legendary location where was recorded my favorite album of all time, Todd Snider’s East Nashville Skyline. Incidentally, in the picture at top I am sitting across the table from that album’s producer. I was so excited I had to share the story of discovering that album in a CD listening station at Waterloo records in Austin in the closing moments of an otherwise very dismal experience, which was me playing SXSW in 2004. That album is why I moved to East Nashville, and why I live there still. Crazy but true. Back to Will. Kimbrough opens up about navigating the highs and lows of the industry—learning to trust a team, the freedom of doing things DIY, and how obligation can become an artist’s best creative ally. His career parallels a number of iconic Nashville personalities and institutions, like Mike Grimes (with whom Kimbrough formed the beloved trio the Bis-quits and signed to Prine’s Oh Boy Records ). Finally we get into his life-changing work with veterans through Songwriting with Soldiers and post-traumatic growth programs, and share a few stories about sobriety (his, mostly) and how he’s managed to steer clear of some of the darker potholes that might have otherwise claimed a career now well into in its fourth decade. And yes—there’s a live performance Kimbrough’s song “For the Life of Me,” with me in there on guitar. 00:00:00 "Desired Obligation" 00:01:08 Congrats on the Grammy Nom, Will 00:03:06 What caught your ear early on? 00:04:12 Seeing Bruce Springsteen on your 12th birthday 00:05:19 Riffing with Doyle at Grimey's about the power of earlier radio 00:06:18 The first thing Will did with an electric guitar 00:09:04 Constant Throughput makes you less precious 00:10:19 Riffing on Jay Joyce 00:11:51 Getting signed - "the shackles were on" 00:17:22 The collateral positives of getting signed 00:20:18 how to negotiate the tension between personal freedom and teamwork 00:23:11 Meeting Jimmy Buffett through Todd Snider 00:24:32 Trying to get dropped and forming the Bis-quits 00:26:49 Energy optimism and drive in finding a manager or launching a record 00:27:20 Why is it you make your best work when you're in a bad way? 00:28:48 Will's collective songwriting 00:31:31 Writing records with Todd Snider East Nashville Skyline and the Devil You Know 00:32:33 Korby's "East Nashville Skyline" story 00:35:54 The story about Todd Snider's fallout with Jimmy Buffett 00:38:00 Getting addicted to the school of Todd and Rodney Crowell and that crew 00:38:56 A version of the dream as expressed by Korby 00:39:55 Working with Shemekia Copeland 00:40:44 Warrior PATHH program 00:41:39 Wills Bob Dylan movie story 00:44:42 Setting up "For the Life of Me" live in studio 00:53:06 Will Kimbrough performs "For the Life of Me" 00:57:07 "Addicted to gratitude" 00:59:53 A story about John Prine's "Hello in there" 01:02:50 Are you melancholy or even-keeled? 01:05:41 How have you stayed open to the constant change? 01:07:30 Some notes on sobriety 01:12:27 That plato quote about everyone is fighting a hard battle 01:15:17 Talking about reading and writing 01:17:15 How a story about a song connects people 01:18:00 A story about writing with Jimmy Buffett Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Celia Gregory on the Future of Radio, Music Curation & Building Community | Morse Code Podcast #221 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 , the role of local radio in fostering music communities , and why she believes in giving underrepresented artists a voice . Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 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
1:11:28 Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk Leuk1:11:28
Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukJordie 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 reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of creative authenticity. Jordie shares candid insights on navigating the ever-evolving industry, the emotional and financial struggles of being a full-time musician, and how personal reinvention is key to staying inspired. From songwriting secrets to tour life stories plucked from his dozen plus years as a road-dogging tourbadour, this conversation is a must-watch for musicians, songwriters, and anyone who believes in the power of storytelling through music. 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:53 The contrast between outward appearances and inward reality 00:06:04 The concept behind "Tropical Depression" 00:08:14 The pandemic's impact on Jordie's mental health 00:10:10 How not being able to travel can increase anxiety 00:11:25 Jordie's decision to make his struggles with anxiety a part of his "official" album rollout 00:12:58 Korby's take on the podcast space as a reflection of culture's demaan for authenticity 00:14:43 Jumping on the authenticity train is also possibly inauthentic 00:16:01 Timeline of the album's creation and release 00:19:05 How did you finance your record Jordie? 00:20:32 Getting in and out of your own way as an artist 00:23:43 Korby's recollection of filming Jordie's video for "The Changing Weather" 00:23:59 The fundemental tension between confidence and its opposite 00:25:04 Getting pooped on as a new dad 00:26:17 Korby use of music as a means of trying to be loved 00:27:42 The imprtance of being in a good headspace to making art 00:30:12 Korby quotes Leonard Berstein's newborn baby quote 00:31:12 Dostoyevsky's claim that in order to make art you have to be both sensitive and in pain 00:33:11 Jordie's perspective on working in film and tv 00:36:04 The fraught romance of touring 00:38:01 The importance of low overhead to creative freedom 00:39:18 Jordie loves the improvised element of on stage banter 00:40:43 Jordie's advice to Korby about banter with a full band 00:42:55 A sudden glimpse into Korby's organizational efforts 00:44:03 The necessary discipline of a self-employed artist 00:48:20 Why Jordie got a shelter dog 00:51:13 The "42 Steps" of making the podcast 00:52:37 Jordie sets up "Empty Room" 00:53:42 Jordie and Korby perform "Empty Room" 00:58:03 A compliment and an inquiry 00:59:51 Jordie's current process for writing songs 01:01:35 Co-writing and trepidation 01:02:15 How Maya Angelou and John Prine write 01:02:56 More detail on Jordie's "waiting" approach to songwriting 01:05:11 What seperates those who create from those who don't 01:06:06 How Meet Me at the End of the World was written 01:07:53 The process of writing is more important than the end result 01:09:20 Suddenly Jordie and Korby are going to try to write one Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Shervin Lainez on Ambition vs. Expectation and The Hard Truth About Creative Success | MCP #219 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 see some of the most defining voices in modern music. If you've ever admired a striking image of Adele, Billie Eilish, St. Vincent, Tame Impala, or Orville Peck , chances are you’ve seen Shervin’s work. But what makes his photography so compelling isn’t just the technical execution—it’s his philosophy . Shervin doesn’t take pictures; he builds connections . He listens to an artist’s music, immerses himself in their world, and lets that inform the way he shoots. His style is adaptable—what he calls chameleon-like —but always true to the artist in front of his lens. As he describes in this conversation, his long years in the game have taught him that the real magic of photography isn’t about the perfect lighting setup or the ideal location. It’s about trust, energy, and presence . If he walks into a shoot anxious or distracted, the artist will mirror that. If he brings ease, they’ll meet him there. I met Shervin back in 2013 or so. I had a show at the Rockwood in NYC and some artist I respect had their photos done by this cool guy in the city. I wasn’t sure I could get him, but we figured out a place and in an hour I had a cache of photos I used for literal years . I mean, in addition to giving me something I could use and be proud of , he gave this awkward introvert a truly great experience. We talk about that experience and my perceptions of it. And, true story: after we taped this episode he shot a new round of photos for me, one of which is the main image I’m using across all my socials. A nice full circle moment. In this conversation, Shervin opens up about his relentless pursuit of his craft —the years he spent shooting for free, honing his skills by trial and error, refusing formal education, and pushing forward despite uncertainty. He breaks down the difference between ambition and expectation , explaining how wanting to grow as an artist is healthy, but expecting instant success can be toxic. His journey is a testament to the idea that success isn’t about demanding the next big opportunity—it’s about doing great work until the right people take notice . We also talk about mentorship, creative obsession, and the art of saying yes before you feel ready . Shervin shares why he never assisted another photographer, his feeling on “Can I pick your brain?” emails, and why his only real advice to young creatives is "just do it—over and over again" . If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, comparison, or the pressure to succeed on someone else’s timeline, this episode is for you. If you get something out of The Morse Code Podcast , please follow us on Apple Pods or Spotify or write a 5 star review or follow us on instagram or Tiktok or all of these things. See you next week! Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Eric Fortaleza's Pitch Meeting is the Most Dangerous Music in Nashville | MCP #219 1:17:05
1:17:05 Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk Leuk1:17:05
Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukLet’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 who’s name is drawn from dozens of hopeful singer-songwriters. The catch - no one has heard the song, not the audience, and more importantly, not the band. “No chord charts, no pre-song run through,” says Pitch Meeting founder Eric Fortaleza. “We just go for it.” I’ve been to a few Pitch Meetings, and I count them among the most exciting musical experiences I’ve ever seen. Not only does the song somehow congeal around the band, but an arrangement seems to spring out of the ground like witched water — horn parts, a guitar solo, a bridge breakdown. I feel like you don’t believe me. It’s totally crazy. It all happens because of Eric Fortaleza , who has something of a gambler’s taste for musical thrills and guts to spare. To me, he represents a new crop of Nashville musician, something different from the guys you see down on broadway, hoping to move their way up the ranks of touring musicians to become what is the gold standard of the Nashville Cat — the A-List studio musician. That’s a laudable goal, to be sure, but in its application there’s a sense of reticence, a holding something in reserve, because “you never know who’s gonna be in the room.” People trying to get discovered may fire their flashiest tricks, but tricks are different from taking chances. Eric is ALL about taking chances. He came to Nashville from Sydney, Australia a couple months before the Pandemic. But he was born in the Phillipines. We talk alot about how being the child of immigrants had something to do with his inveterate hustle. We talk about alot of stuff in this episode. His unlikely but somehow inevitable move to Nashville after ten years on the Australian scene. Why he founded Pitch Meeting, what he likes about it, what’s next. At some point in the conversation, the studio door opened to the afternoon glare and in stepped Eric’s bandmate Owen Fader, who looks like and sings like a baby faced angel. They played a song together, which shifted the direction of the podcast moving forward. What do you think I mean? The Morse Code with Korby Lenker is a reader-supported publication. Support my music, writing and the Morse Code Podcast by becoming a free or paid subscriber. People like Eric are why I am doing this. He’s one of the more inspiring people I’ve met — like past guests Barry Dean and Steve Poltz — I’ve had on the podcast. Music isn’t some strategy for success or fame. It’s about lifting people up and inspiring them to want more from life. At least, that’s what it is for me, and it’s how I felt when the session was over and the Eric and Owen and gone off to do something else. Go see Pitch Meeting . Subscribe to us on Spotify . Become a paid subscriber if stuff like this means something to you. We’re doing it because life is short and we’ve a solemn obligation to live as big as we can! Alright get back out there and make something awesome. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Randa Takes Over. A Morse Code Podcast Valentine's Special | MCP #217 1:15:08
1:15:08 Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk Leuk1:15:08
Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukWhat 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 Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
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 and I are sharing a show next Saturday Feb 15 at the Five Spot in East Nashville. Grab your tickets . Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Bob Dylan is the Original Troll. Carl Anderson | MCP #215 1:12:37
1:12:37 Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk Leuk1:12:37
Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukCarl 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 Nashville maybe like seven years ago. The way he sings is like no one else. You have to hear it for yourself (in this episode, you will). I’m so excited he’s part of this show we’re doing in a few weeks, at the Five Spot in East Nashville. Saturday February 15th . Carl is sharing some music, as is next week’s guest, Abby Jane . Then I’ll play a set with my new band, and then we’re going to screen a world-premiere of the music video for my new song Meet Me at the End of the World, directed by MCP alum Mila Vilaplana . Throughout, Ryan Rado, who was on the pod a few weeks ago, is doing some live immersive painting. It’s gonna be a great night and I’m very excited. If you live in Nashville here is a link for tickets . I’ve started making a new effort here on the podcast, which is to insert chapters into the YouTube video. For you it makes it easier to see the contours and compartments of the conversation (see below). For me it requires I listen back through the entire talk, which makes me reflect on what we discussed and whether it was worth it. So I know what I’m saying when I say this was a truly insightful and dare I say FUN conversation with a person for whom art’s calling occupies a central position. Carl is serious about songmaking and unserious about its purpose. That is to say he holds the sacred cows lightly in his hand and only pets them when they ask. I am reminded that so much of the value in any conversation lay in its style , and not just its substance. We play a song together, his original, Separate Ways . Listen to the way he sings. Carl talks about what got him started on the creative path, his love for dancing, the pleasure of watching bad acting, Bob Dylan as the original troll, his in-and-out habit of fitness and its relationship to creativity, the strange and healthy beauty of having a job outside the industry. I share a little as well. What happened when I moved to Nashville twenty years ago. Why I burst into tears last week on my couch watching Fred Again’s Tiny Desk Concert. How being yourself gives everyone else permission to be themselves too. Carl Anderson is a real one of one. I hope this conversation makes you want to finish the song you’re working on. The Morse Code with Korby Lenker is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my music, writing and the Morse Code Podcast, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. 00:00:00 Introduction/ In praise of Rock Club Owners 00:04:27 In praise of Carl 00:06:00 Carl reflects on his approach to songwriting 00:07:27 Korby asks a weird question 00:08:22 A story about roommates and song analysis 00:09:27 How Carl got started songwriting 00:11:19 When you realize that music is something you can do too 00:12:01 Carl likes dancing 00:13:14 Songwriting is a serious pursuit 00:14:37 If you have musical talent you need to explore that 00:16:13 Beethoven can't write a song like John Prine 00:18:10 The new Bob Dylan movie and influence 00:21:27 "Last time I talked to you you were pretty sober" 00:24:21 Carl's take on health, fitness, and creativity 00:29:54 Why did you move to Nashville Carl? 00:35:23 Carl and Korby perform Separate Ways 00:39:32 The stigma of employment when you're young 00:43:02 Korby talks about his wake up call when he moved to Nashville 20 years ago 00:46:04 Korby describes why he's doing this podcast 00:46:36 Trying to not look too closely at what motivates you 00:49:05 Do you want your kids to be artists? 00:51:32 Fallow periods in the Life of an Artist 00:52:40 The wonderful Dick Cavett show 00:55:06 Watching cringe acting fascinates Carl 00:55:46 Bob Dylan was the original troll 00:58:10 "I'm not learning anything valuable here" 00:58:40 Korby talks about the collaborative nature of film 01:00:38 How Fred Again has inspired Korby in his novel 01:04:52 "I used to want to be famous, I still do" but connection now too 01:06:54 Korby and Carl reflect on meeting at the Bluebird 01:07:50 A new season of collaboration starting with Feb 15 show! 01:09:32 I am a very earnest person 01:11:33 We had to stop because Carl must drive to Virginia Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 MAIR Gets Personal: The Private Life of a Virtuosic She-Wizard | MCP #214 1:00:31
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukMAIR 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. If you’re into bluegrass, you might have caught her — playing as Mary Meyer — with her brothers in the Meyer Band , or on her Lick of the Day series, maybe you saw her on stage with Sister Sadie , or at Stagecoach or SXSW, or with Anna Graves opening for Stevie Nicks or Maren Morris. Her new project MAIR, showcases her effortless singing, soft touch and flair for a tone poem kind of songwriting not unlike Elliot Smith . See it for yourself — or hear it rather — when she plays her original song “You in the Morning” live. But first before we go deep on relationships, including her recent divorce and the rebirth that came out of that (I share a good bit on that topic as well), her upbringing as a homeschooled kid in Missouri, what’s going on inside her mind when she’s improvising, and the bold vision she has for her own ideal career in music. I’ve been following Mair since probably 2022. I’ve dug the way she makes music and how she balances her dual identities — as a player for whom any band or song benefits — with an absolute need to expressive herself her own way. This is a magic person. Enjoy the episode! Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Viral Sensation Tyler Merritt Talks Race, Humor, and his Inspiring New Book. MCP #213 1:05:30
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukQuick 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 the man: “The whole song is super melodic. Great lyrical imagery. Super solid song bro”. So, early reviews are promising! The single launch party and Korby full band show (!) is Saturday Feb 15 at the Five Spot in East Nashville at 6pm . My friends Abby Jane and Carl Anderson are joining me on the bill, and podcast alum Ryan Rado will be live painting. We’ll also be premiering the ridiculously ambitious music video we made for this new song of mine, directed by another MC podcast alum Mila Vilaplana . Ballroom dancing, a couple dozen costumed extras, a three-story tall LED lightwall made to look like a sunset in heaven, and a huge Viet Nam War protest set piece are some of the elements. We’re filming next week and I’ll be sharing behind the scenes clips and pics on my IG if you want to follow along. We’re announcing the show Tuesday but here is the early ticket link for my substackies. We are gonna sell out — don’t sleep on this :) And now back to our featured presentation~ Happy Publication Week to Tyler Merritt!! Tyler Merritt is an actor, musician, comedian, and activist behind The Tyler Merritt Project . Best known for his viral video “Before You Call the Cops” (seen now by more than 100 million people) and his bestselling debut I Take My Coffee Black , Jan 14th, 2025 just saw the publication of his second book, This Changes Everything : A Surprisingly Funny Story About Race, Cancer, Faith, and Other Things We Don’t Talk About. No less a pop culture icon than Jimmy Kimmel wrote the foreword for Coffee , but his new book (which as of two days ago is available everywhere) features a who’s who of admirers, reviewers and blurbers, including Trisha Yearwood , Joy Reid , Kristin Chenoweth , Heather Locklear , and about twenty more famous folks … Tyler is also a seasoned actor whose credits include Netflix's Outer Banks , the Disney series Falcon and the Winter Soldier , and A24’s upcoming feature film The Inspection . So, I don’t know how many threats that is, but it’s a lot. Awhile back, I read I Take My Coffee Black, pretty much in one sitting. I loved it. Full of humor — both self-deprecating and barbed — pathos, and hilarious anecdotes, like the time he busted out an improvised rap to avoid being forced into a gang — there are no shortage of surprising revelations, praise in equal parts for rap icons and musical theater, and warm-hearted descriptions of big personalities (his force-of-nature mom comes to mind). The man’s personal voice is so buoyant it basically floats on the page. Accordingly, this conversation was as wild a ride as the writing. Things got off to a rocky start (!) when Tyler reminded me he was still mad I didn’t book him for a role in Morse Code. But we hugged it out and jumped into a fast, substantive discussion, based in part on a few shared perspectives. For one, we are both children of the West. He’s from Nevada and I’m from Idaho. Having living here in the south for almost twenty years, I still retain much of the present-leaning-forward spirit of the west, and in reading Coffee , I felt Tyler had a similar perspective. The western half of America doesn’t care where you’re from. In that way it can be shallow and fatuous, but the south’s preoccupation with its past can be a real head-scratcher to someone not from here. There was so much in this conversation — about Counting Crows, the Nashville music scene, George Floyd, Tyler’s mom, the segregation that still exists in Nashville, how in some ways its more pronounced than in other southern cities. If you’re still reading this it’s probably because you know what a lovable, and loveably complicated person is Tyler Merritt. I hope you love this conversation and I hope it makes you buy his new book . PS I’m including a special exchange not included in the public pod as an exclusive for my Patreons . Up now . Last Week Redux. 10 minutes with Adam Ross Listen to Author and Editor in Chief of the Sewanee Review Adam Ross talk about the experience of writing a novel, and the sympathetic characters of Playworld , in an excerpt from the conversation we shared last week. Adam’s second novel Playworld is a mere week old, and continues its reign of praise and adulation on the literary circuit. Seems like everyone loves it, (including me). As the Morse Code Podcast YouTube Channel nears 500 subscribers, we’re going to include a 10 min highlight from each episode, going forward. We’re working hard to build a community around creators and their important, life-giving, world-saving work. You can thank us, encourage us, join us, by subscribing to to the MCP channel . Thank you and stay passionate. ~Korby Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Adam Ross and PLAYWORLD - the Novel Everyone is Talking About 1:21:08
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukPublished 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,” writes Vogue . The Washington Post croons: “The book is quote so good, it will give readers hope for the year ahead.” Everyone is in love with this novel. Here’s how it opens: “In the fall of 1980, when I was fourteen, a friend of my parents named Naomi Shah fell in love with me. She was thirty-six, a mother of two, and married to a wealthy man. Like so many things that happened to me that year, it didn’t seem strange at the time.” Set in New York, Ross’s bildungsroman (a pointy-headed word for “coming of age story”) follows a year in the unusual life of Griffin Hurt — a child actor, prep school 8th grader, aspiring wrestler and potential love interest of one Naomi Shah. What sets it apart from similarly ambitious romps, like Cloud Cuckoo Land , or A Gentleman in Moscow ? The sentences are better dancers, for one. And the world building is so delightfully specific. Picture a line of fourteen-year-old boys, silently lining up for a wrestling meet’s official weigh-in, some “hairy as fathers.” A minor character’s teeth are said to be “fantastic, separate unto him, like furniture in his mouth.” The Morse Code is a reader-supported publication. To support my writing, original music and this podcast, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you. But great language and an evocative setting — it’s not enough that a book entertain, or even wow. What sets Playworld apart is this: the pages are suffused with love, the great and complicated and imperfect love between people who themselves are, in spite of their shortcomings, vanities, or outright crimes, worthy of it. In this freewheeling conversation Adam and I discuss his approach to writing the novel, which I frame in the architect vs gardener approach. We talk about parenting in the 1980s versus now, and how Adam was careful not to allow Playworld to become the nostalgic celebration of yesteryear it might have otherwise been. We discussed one of the the themes: the tension many of us feel between filial loyalty and personal desire. And finally I asked him to read an excerpt from the book’s middle, one that gets at the complicated relationship between two of the story’s principle characters — Griffin and his dad — and also what makes Griffin’s particular feelings of deficit so painfully relatable. Somewhere in there, I, fumbling around for a question that might get under some of the dazzling technique, the funny flawed characters, the dramatic surprises, finally asked him what personal quest — if any — he was on in writing Playworld. “ I wanted to write something beautiful,” he said. I hope you enjoy this one — the book, and this conversation — as much as I did. ~korby Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
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 show up so I was left by myself. Not ideal but the show must go on so I thrashed around in front of God and everybody and after 3 hours I’d made a song. The bigger surprise was that the song rang true and I really loved it and have wanted to share it ever since. It’s a love song filled with wild emotion and exploding asteroids and an oblique reference to Melville (Moby Dick) and Steinbeck (The Pearl), shot through with bottomless thirst I equate with the feeling of being in love. The track was produced by Morse Code Podcast alum Anthony DaCosta and we’re shooting a very ambitious music video for it directed by another podcast alum, Mila Vilaplana . Powerhouse Randa Newman is producing it while somehow nursing Baby Zuzu to the delightfully chunky condition we find her in today (Zuzu not Randa). Meet Me at the End of the World drops February 14 and I’m playing a full-band release show Feb 15 at the 5 Spot in East Nashville . More info in the coming weeks. It’s been a while since I put some new music out. Cue feelings of excitement, and nervousness. Which is an appropriate segue to introduce this very special guest: Ryan Rado is a painter, musician, ontological coach, and host of the Make it Perfect Podcast . Don’t worry about it. I also had to look up what an ontological coach was. And to be honest, I didn’t do that until after taping our conversation, because I was moved by this conversation and wanted to know more about Ryan and his life and work. The way he was in the room, how he shared so freely, not only his creative philosophy but his battle — that might not be the right word — maybe relationship is better — with Tourette’s syndrome, made me want to dig into what he’s doing and why. Just how damn vulnerable he was and yet, firm. Is that the word? Enigmatic things are hard to put words to. I met Ryan at a screening of the Morse Code Pilot this summer. It was brief, but let me see if I can convey a little of the piquant nature of that exchange: see, I opened the evening by playing a few songs in the theater, just, totally acoustic no mics or PA. Which is my favorite way to perform or witness live music (there just aren’t many situations where it can work). I played a couple of of my songs — one of them, Northern Lights, got an audible sigh from somewhere on the left side of the room, a couple rows back. Hearing that gratified me like a baby on the boob. All I ever wanted to do was make somebody sigh okay? Not only did I take the compliment, but I noted that a grown ass man was publicly responding — audibly — to another grown ass man sharing his heart. Unusual. Also indicative of an integrated being. The Morse Code is a reader-supported publication and podcast. To receive new posts and support my songs, stories, podcast epiosdes and video essays, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I filed that nanosecond feeling away, and retrieved it the moment I opened an email from Ryan asking if I’d be interested in swapping guest tapings. I checked out his art and CV and it was clear this guy was exactly the kind of person I’m looking for in a guest — a person whose commitment to self-expression extends well beyond the act itself. As I read some interviews Ryan had given and learned more about how he came to paint, it was obvious to me that the lines between active expression and active living are, in Ryan’s court, blurred. What I’m trying to say is that this is one of the most interesting and moving conversations I’ve had on the podcast to date. Ryan’s transparency — with his past trauma, present joys, and his infectious desire to be fully himself — in what I might call a gladiatorial humility — was both challenging and moving. We looked at works of his art together, while he described not only what he was trying to achieve in them, but how they made him feel while looking at them in that moment. He talked about the Tourettes, even in realtime describing how hard was trying to resist the desire to lick the microphone while we talked. He got emotional talking about his young son’s ability to punch right to the center of his art with the tossed-off remark flung with the precision of a 4th century Ketana. If you think I’m trying to get you to listen to this episode, you’re right. Ryan is a special person. The goal of the Morse Code Podcast is to infected you with inspiration and bravery by presenting people who are inspiring and brave. It’s a simple goal and I hope it’s working. Listen to the episode and then look up Ontological Coach. That’s the order I did it in. Happy New Year. Big changes coming for all of us. Korby Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
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 bunch of other technical stuff I don't understand (like how to get substack to push the updated episode thumbnails to apple podcasts 🤬). But as to the intention? I'm 100% in. The podcast is evolving. I started doing it for one reason and now, that reason has changed. Next week we’re about to shift into high gear with a new slate of um pretty ambitious projects — music, film, writing — but in this moment of quiet early morning end-of-year darkness, I wanted to take stock in what I’m doing and why. In typically earnest Korby fashion, I hope my message brings some cheer, encouragement and vision. As always, thank you for being here with me. And if the Morse Code Podcast resonates with you, consider joining as a paid subscriber. Something else that would be helpful? Giving us a five star review on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify , or even writing a short review (on Apple ) saying why you like what we’re doing. That goes a long way, not only to helping build the pod, but it makes me and Jared and Randa feel nice. If you’re a patreon subscriber, I’m posting this video over there, but with a little more of the transparency, vulnerability that particular community fosters. There’s a particular question I’m asking over the patrons… I wish you guys all the meaning and music your heart can handle. Happy New Year. ~Korby Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Josh Plasse: Son of a Navy Seal Injects Discipline Into the Hollywood Game — with Fantastic Results | Morse Code Podcast #210 1:01:48
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukJosh 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 Howell , Annabeth Gish and Forrie J. Smith. Originally conceived as a television pilot, the script sold to a production house, who bobbled the project when the pandemic hit. Josh and his team then re-imagined it as a feature, raised the $2 million budget and set to work. The story of Ride’s ride — its inception, production and promotional effort — is worth the listen alone. It’s a lesson not only in imagination and fortitude, but the critical role strategic planning plays in translating an original story into a commercial success. Sometimes you need to exercise as much creativity on the promotional side of your project as you do the art itself. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Langhorne Slim: Finding the We in ‘We the People’ | Morse Code Podcast #209 1:08:35
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukLanghorne 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 planet earth in this our once and mysterious life. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Ozark’s Quinnlan Ashe on Growing as an Actor by Working Behind the Camera | Morse Code Podcast #208 1:23:52
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukQuinnlan 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 colleagues Katie Garrett and Annie Moore , where they revisit the films of their youths and see how they hold up. I love the show. It’s funny and topical and has the chemistry and confidence of confidants. Addition to being one of the on-mic talents, Quinn also engineers and produces each episode. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Spencer Thomas: Futurebirds Keyboardist Gets Real on The Joke of Life | Morse Code Podcast #207 1:10:59
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukSpencer 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 Lenker house. Listen above, scroll down to watch on YouTube. But for a few short texts, Spencer and I hadn’t met until he pulled up in front in front of my joint in East Nashville. He'd had a long drive so we took a walk around the block to catch up, break the ice and enjoy the perfect fall weather. Once we started talking we didn’t stop. It was almost incidental, turning the mics on. We riffed on his early and present influences — Warren Zevon ’s name is an appropriate drop here — as well as the reasoning behind his decision to move to Athens — Athens, Georgia — during the pandemic. When I asked Why not Nashville? we charged into a chapter on the plusses and minuses living in a talent hotspot. That he chose an independent incubation makes sense when you listen to his music. You can't make a record like The Joke of Life in Nashville. Even though I’ve lived here almost two decades, my own formative years as an artist were spent well away from commercial centers (shout out to Bellingham, Washington) — great for cultivating an individual voice, but maybe you sell more records (or streams I guess) the closer you snuggle up to the money teat. Whatever the metric, Spencer and I tend toward the being apart, which is probably why I enjoyed this conversation so much. There was a lot of dishing on favorite bands — Bruce Springsteen , Tom Petty , Dawes — and a thruline of mutual revelry in the joy of making art for its own sake. We got so carried away talking and listening that I nearly forgot to ask him to play my favorite song from his record, Little Gold . Glad to say we got it in there. Spencer is having a real artistic moment. You get the feeling that — after ten years of trying stuff, making up songs alone and with kindred, looking for his own orbit in the music of the spheres, he’s finally hitting on something. Teetering on the fulcrum of his own invention. It felt good for me to catch him mid-stroke on an upward swing. On this day of thanks I want to thank YOU for being part of this Morse Code Community. Ours is a motley collective and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you guys so much. As Big Tech and Big Money and Bigness in general continue their march on our little patch of sacred humanity, I’m here for you, the artist . I have been in love my whole life with grouchy authors, unknown poets, quiet folksingers, radiant actors, the horse whisperers of culture, all, these fringey wonders who prioritize self-expression over self. My purpose for Morse Code is to celebrate you, inspire you, encourage you to thrash around inside yourself and see what’s going on in there. The guests on this show are doing it. You can too. Personally, whether I’m writing a song or a short story or making a film, I’m in the meaning business. And meaning isn’t something you find, once and for all. You discover a little bit more, every day. But only if you try. If you get something out of the Morse Code Podcast, please like and subscribe on your favorite listening platform, follow us on IG , and if you have a sec, write us a five star review on apple podcasts . Anything you can do goes a long way to helping us bring this mission to more and more people. And if you’d like to become a paid subscriber, that would be wonderful too. Whatever you do, we’ll keep showing up, week after week, to talk to these amazing talents and see what makes them glow so bright. I wish you all the wonder of being alive. Thank you for being here. -Korby Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Steve Poltz Just Played the Greatest Show of His Life | Morse Code Podcast #206 1:38:46
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukSteve 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 Halifax, or trading verses with Jewel (whose hit song “ You Were Made for Me ” he co-wrote), or serenading Cayamo , Poltz is Poltz, full on and no exceptions. Hence the the superlative, announced each night, by the man himself: “This is the Greatest Show of My Life!” I shared a show with him once. Unsurprisingly, it was the same night I met Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak . We became friends. Weird things happen when Poltz is around. Besides Jewel, the East Nashville-based folksinger has cuts with dozens of artists — Billy Strings , Molly Tuttle , Deer Tick , Sierra Hull , Nicki Bluhm among them — as well as a collaboration with the Wood Brothers on his critically-acclaimed record Stardust and Satellites . We talk about early years in the California folk rock scene. Hilarity ensues. Steve recounts what a typical show at the Belly Up was like during the Rugburns’ heyday. Destroying stuff, making memories for everyone in the house except himself, since he was wasted. But we also explored more sensitive territory. Steve got clean more than fifteen years ago, after suffering a stroke onstage. We talk alot about that time, the before and after. I asked him how his motivations changed when he got clean. His answer is worth the listen alone. One thing about Steve Poltz is that he is better than just about anybody I know at making a person feel like he’s the center of the world. Time and again in this interview a few minutes would pass before I’d realize he was interviewing me. Somewhere in there we played a song together, Steve’s song Conveyor Belt . Steve played and sang and I did a harmony and even finagled a little solo into the deal. A sweet moment captured in the studio. This interview was the most fun I’ve had on the Morse Code Podcast so far. I hope you enjoy it. Please subscribe on whatever you’re listening to (or watching) and help us grow this spot. Or consider joining as a paid subscriber. Either way, thank you for being part of this community. This episode sponsored by Writerfest , a creative gathering for aspiring writers, published authors, screenwriters, poets, and songwriters in. Attendees enjoy keynote talks by the best book, song, and screenplay writers in the business as well as in-depth break-out sessions with professional editors, literary agents, filmmakers, and music industry insiders. Writerfest is happening Nov 22 and 23 . Find out more information on writerfestnashville.com The Morse Code is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Mila Vilaplana: The Young Director Revolutionizing Visual Storytelling | Morse Code Podcast #205 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 full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
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 and garnered praise from respected outlets like People Magazine , Entertainment Weekly and NPR , who lovingly dubbed them an ‘earnest and magnetic folk-pop [trio] built to shake the rafters.’ Zach got into songwriting after a personal tragedy —his wife, who was paralyzed in a horseback riding accident, inspired him to channel his grief into music. He’d been writing songs for a few years but the accident pushed him into bolder creative spaces and out into the NYC folk scene. Rockwood Music Hall, a mainstay of many an indie folk musician, played a key early role in Williams’ success. Initially performing as a solo artist, Williams eventually brought in Pipkin and Elmquist, both of whom shared a similar passion for Americana music and storytelling. The trio quickly became a tight-knit unit, blending their diverse influences into a distinctive sound that continues to turn heads a decade later. The Bellow moved to Nashville in 2016, made a bunch more records, and shortly after this taping, performed a live concert with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Zach and I sat down to talk about the evolution of his music and career, now in its second decade. Among the things I wanted to know was what he —at the outset of his creative journey — imagined a successful career to look like, versus what it eventually became. We touched on those early days, how the music scene has changed with the domination of Spotify and its ilk. He also played one live in the studio. If you’re feeling what we do, take a second to like and subscribe. It helps a lot. Thanks for listening! This episode of the Morse Code Podcast is sponsored by Writerfest , a creative gathering for aspiring writers, published authors, screenwriters, poets, and songwriters in Nashville. Attendees enjoy keynote talks by the best book, song, and screenplay writers in the business as well as in-depth break-out sessions with professional editors, literary agents, filmmakers, and music industry insiders. Writerfest is happening Nov 22 and 23 . Find out more information on writerfestnashville.com Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Yurina Yoshikawa: The Winner of the Southern Prize for Literature Finds Her Voice | Morse Code Podcast #203 1:01:33
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukYurina Yoshikawa is a writer, educator and Director of Education at The Porch Literary Collective here in Nashville. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic , NPR , Lit Hub , The Japan Times , The New Inquiry and this autumn she won the inaugural $25,000 Southern Prize for Literary Arts. Yurina is also a gifted musician, playing viola for the Nashville Philharmonic and serving on the board. You might think a cap with that many feathers would be a comfortable fit for the head it covers. Not always. Even with the prizes, Yurina battles that sense of not being in the club. I share that feeling, so we got into it — where it comes from, whether it’s true. That sense of apartness is one of the themes of her short story Dogwood , which she sent me in advance of our conversation. We broke down that piece, the inspiration behind it, and then we talked about the challenge she feels — as a mother, as an educator — of finding time to write. As someone who lives on the panic side of the writer’s need to create, I was surprised and impressed by Yurina’s light touch. She takes her time. At some point in the conversation I blurted “You strike me as a well-adjusted person!” I’m just not used to meeting creative people who are equal parts talented and sanguine. This episode of the Morse Code Podcast is sponsored by Writerfest , a creative gathering for aspiring writers, published authors, screenwriters, poets, and songwriters in Nashville. Attendees enjoy keynote talks by the best book, song, and screenplay writers in the business as well as in-depth break-out sessions with professional editors, literary agents, filmmakers, and music industry insiders. Writerfest is happening Nov 22 and 23 . Find out more information on writerfestnashville.com Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Walker Burroughs behind the spotlight: American Idol and Beyond | Morse Code Podcast #202 1:02:29
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukWalker Burroughs is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and piano player based in Nashville Tennessee. Best known as a top 8 finalist on American Idol , he toured nationally as the keyboard player in Bobby Bones’ band, and is presently playing shows with fellow Idol alum, season 8 winner Kris Allen . Walker is currently sponsored by Yomega Yo-Yos . Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Mason Mecartea: From Stranger Things to the #1 movie in America | Morse Code Podcast #201 1:02:28
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukMason Mecartea is an actor and director based in Nashville, best known for his role as Dan Shelter in Stranger Things , and Cole in Damien Leone's Terrifier 3 , which, as of this writing, is the #1 movie in the country. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Andi Marie Tillman: How Pam and Pawpaw went Viral and Took Instagram by Storm | MCP #146 1:15:57
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukOn the season finale of the Morse Code Podcast , I talk with actor, comedian, musician, and self-proclaimed recovering Pentecostal Andi Marie Tillman about… well a lot of things. When someone shows up for the taping with pointy ears dressed like she escaped from the Renaissance Faire, you know it’s going to be an interesting hour. If you haven’t caught Andi’s many viral improvs on Instagram and TikTok, I don’t know what your problem is. Her hilarious cast of characters — Pawpaw and Pam , Charlene and Nashferatu (there are loads more ) — do that basically impossible thing: they make you stop scrolling. And watch. And laugh. And then you’re forwarding it on to someone who repeats the process. That’s why she has has a third of a million followers on IG. I met Pam first, riffing her way through an IG reel. Heavy on the eyeshadow, smack-chewing gum, her mini-confessionals covered some broad territory — advice for staying married (“since everything that needs to be said has already got said”), reluctant gossip, candid admissions about candid emissions… The Morse Code is a reader-supported PODCAST. Help us bring these inspiring conversations with top shelf creatives to life by becoming a free or paid subscriber. I’m not from Appalachia but somehow I recognized the types: the pentecostal teenage preacher with the drawn-on mustache, bright-lipped Bethany, sage of the church of Jesus with Signs Following, who fondles the hedonic stones and spouts wisdom sloshed around like stolen water from the baptismal. These people are as lovable as they are funny. To see the extant of the impact they’ve had on Andi’s fans, you need only scroll the comments, which are sometimes as hilarious as the things the characters say. Like a lot people, I saw something special, and followed. So imagine when a few weeks later I met Andi in person at my local water hole in East Nashville, sipping a mocktail. I was surprised to find a thoughtful, quiet person, more inclined to listen than talk. Which is a lot when it’s me you’re listening to. A few weeks later she and her husband Brandon were in our front yard, playing songs around a campfire. We were neighbors and now we are riends. Life in East Nashville is like that. To me, Andi is a consummate theater kid, and while I have some weird inclination for the stage, I was always intimidated by the theater types: those outgoing folks who seem to reflect all the light that shines on them, and then some. For Andi, it was in the theater that she found her tribe, where she felt most at home. We open our conversation talking about that, about the earliest manifestations of Andi’s prodigious talent, and the unique way she’s gone about finding its outlet. Over the course of the hour we get into relationships, horror films, transgression and its increased difficulty in an age of tolerance, sobriety (and not-sobriety), and we even play a couple of Andi’s Joni-influenced originals. It was a joy to speak with someone so imaginative, and it was a fitting end to this wild first season of the Morse Code Podcast. Over the course of 46 episodes we’ve had musicians, actors, directors, writers, photographers, comedians — creatives, all. We’ve each got our own thing we’re doing, but what ties this cast of characters together is that all of us are answering the calls to our own creative path, and doing it the best we can in the constantly changing landscape that is modern life. We wish you, and us, luck. Be back for Season 2 in mid October! ~Korby Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Amber Autry: Turning Acting Improv into Stand-Up Magic | MCP #145 1:14:41
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukI speak with a rising star in the comedy world, the hilarious and genuine Amber Autry . The before we taped I was in the audience at a sold-out set for Amber’s Summer/Fall residency at Zanie’s in Nashville. Her bits were so seamlessly interwoven with her improvised crowd work that the stitches were invisible — I couldn’t tell where the rehearsed part ended and the improv began. Randa and I laughed our asses off and I left with a feeling that I had just seen someone special. On this wide-ranging conversation with our first comedian on the podcast , Amber and I get into her origin story, which, perhaps unsurprisingly, begins in Chicago. She went through the Second City conservatory in improv and acting, but it was a chance encounter with a street musician that threw her into standup. Suddenly found herself at an open mic. Her very first try went well, likely because, as Amber puts it, “I was the only funny person in a lineup of sadboy singer-songwriters.” Comparisons between comedy and music aren’t always obvious, but as someone who has played a thousand shows, I have strong opinions about how to put one on. We talk about the similarities and differences between a comedian’s set and the between-song banter of the performing songwriter. In my playbook, every moment onstage counts, and in someways the time between songs is even more important than the songs themselves, because it’s in those moments that you really connect with an audience, or don’t. I ask how she got so good at crowd work. Unsurprisingly the answer is, practice. Or as Amber puts it, “a willingness to embarrass yourself over and over as you get more comfortable with just having real conversation with audience members and trusting the funny will come.” The Morse Code is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. She talks about the value of watching bad comedy, how it can be as instructive as its excellent counterpart. I relate to this in terms of movies and books: how when you watch something that’s boring or sad ordull or off the mark in some way, it gives you an opportunity to reflect on why that is. There’s a connection here to that old saying, “everyone is a teacher.” Somewhere toward the end we figure out we were both raised in the church, and talk about the good and bad of that experience. From there its a short leap to the subject of therapy, and here Amber shares her surprisingly beautiful strategy for maintaining sanity in an extremely difficult industry. It has something to do with treating yourself like a someone whose well-being you’re in charge of… but you should listen to Amber share the unique, practical application of that slippery approach. By way of comparison I share a little of my own background and spiritual journey. There was a long stretch of my life where I was sitting with a buddhist lineage, an experience which culminated with an extended session at a silent retreat at a Vippasana Center in rural Washington. I tell a little about that experience, the hilarity of it and the breakthrough that happened, the gift that resulted, which has helped me ever since. This conversation is a good representation of why I do this podcast. Amber is a bright light in the world. Getting to talk with her had the effect of cracking open my own heart, seeing what was inside — the soft the squishy the scared, and somewhere down in there, the funny. Go see Amber, she’s touring constantly! Find Amber Autry: Website https://www.amberautrycomedy.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amberautrycomedy/ Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Derek Dienner: How to Make and sell a Multi-Million Dollar Movie, Indie Style | MCP #144 1:05:11
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukOn the latest episode of the Morse Code Podcast I speak with Emmy-nominated filmmaker Derek Dienner on his wild journey producing the independently-funded feature film — “ Brave the Dark ” starring Jared Harris ( Mad Men , Chernobyl ) — surviving cancer in his 30s, and staying motivated in a highly unpredictable industry. Derek and I met at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. He’d recently finished his first feature film and was in the process of finding a distribution partner to help him release it. Randa and I were there for a similar reason, but on the TV side, with Morse Code . In an industry of ravenous self-seekers, I was struck by Derek’s unusual combination of earnest sincerity and restless determination. He was looking for a solution to his own problem, yes, but he was also interested in mine. Actually interested. In a way, we were driven by a similar need — to tell a story as close to our actual lives as possible. In my case it’s the world of the indie-folksinger. In his, it was Stan Deen , a widely-loved teacher and philanthropist from Derek’s neck of the woods, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Like the protagonist from, Stand and Deliver, Deen had an extraordinary impact on generations of young people in the area. It was from this well of love and regard that a script was born, led by Deen’s adopted son, Nathan. Derek got involved, and raised an crazy amount of money by reaching out to people in the Lancaster area, setting up meetings over coffee, getting the backers one cup at a time. People don’t really understand how long it takes to make a movie. It’s years of your life — toiling through constant uncertainty, navigating the seeming-impossible challenges that appear from nowhere. A lot of folks never finish. Understandable why. It’s just really hard. We talk about the passion that fueled his process, and the belief that sustained him. Honestly I didn’t know how this episode would go because it was my first with a producer-type. But the time passed faster than I wished and our conversation left me bursting with vim and vigor. It had something to do with Derek’s open-hearted enthusiasm, combined with the refreshing transparency of a passionate filmmaker very much on the front lines of indie filmmaking. I believe! Find Derek: Website : https://makefilms.cc/about/derek-dienner/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/derekdienner/ Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Natalya Kay: When the Girl Next Door is Suddenly Playing the Hollywood Bowl with Paul McCartney | MCP #143 54:27
Natalya Kay is a fiddler in the Irish tradition and a key member of Celtic super group Gaelic Storm. She and I met in the spring of 2020 when she moved into the house next door to mine in East Nashville. I think the first time we jammed was at a party in my front yard. I remember thinking two things about that encounter. One was, Man this girl can really play! The other was, being shocked to hear her say she had no interest in any kind of career as a professional musician. That seems like a long time ago now. This year she played countless festivals with Gaelic Storm, stadium shows with the Zac Brown Band, and a few weeks ago she was at the Hollywood Bowl sharing the stage with Harrison Ford, Jackson Brown and Brandi Carlile. Afterward, she got props from none other than Sir Paul McCartney. Natalya’s meteoric rise has been the result not of an unrelenting determination, but her genuine talent and as she describes here, a consistent decision to walk through whatever door that opened, despite the chorus of self-doubt ringing in her ears. In the course of this lively conversation we come back to the theme of insecurity - a part of every artist’s experience - and of resisting the temptation to let it win. Natalya laughingly describes the moment when she got the call from Gaelic Storm, the gig that ultimately changed her life. She tried to talk them out of the audition, saying she wasn’t a good fit, she didn’t have any experience. They insisted, she acquiesced. Now she’s on the road traveling the world. The Morse Code is a reader-supported publication! To support the podcast, writing, and music, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. As a quiet homeschooled girl from rural Maine, she describes the irony of feeling absolutely at home on stage with GS, how she feels like it’s the most natural thing in the world, being up there in front of all those people, fiddling away. Speaking of, I ask her about a few of the approaches specific to the tradition of Irish fiddling, the rolls for one. She demonstrates how she does it, right there at the table. It will be interesting to anyone who loves or even has a passing attraction to Irish music. Natalya breaks down the technique and shows how it affects the play of the overall tune. I loved seeing that. No player am I in the Irish way, but I do have something of a background in bluegrass and old-time music, and there’s enough of a language shared that I felt I might back Natalya on her performance of Cliffs of Moher, a popular Irish jig which, being in 6/8 time, requires a completely different approach than the 4/4 of its American cousin. I did my best to stay out of the way and let Natalya’s playing shine, a performance that alone was worth the listen. I hope you enjoy this conversation with a truly fresh voice in Irish Music. Find Natalya: Website Instagram Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Alex Wong: An Artist I Admire Challenges Me on the Privilege of Non-Engagement | MCP #142 1:10:22
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukI speak with Latin GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, producer, artist, activist, chef and friend Alex Wong about his lifelong evolution as an indie music maker and meaning seeker. Whether writing and performing his own award-winning songs or producing albums for such luminaries as Vienna Teng and Delta Rae , Alex has always pushed his work beyond conventional ideas of what it means to be an artist. I would even say Alex is one of the most authentically integrated creatives I know. Everything he does is absolutely Alex Wong . To wit, in 2023 he launched The Permission Parties , a multi-sensory experience where each track from his upcoming album Permission is paired with a Chinese-inspired dish that shares a common emotion. I attended an earlier iteration of the Permission party series and can attest to both the delicious food and to Alex’s ability to create syntheses of meaning by combining his personal past and his creative present. It’s always interesting to me to learn why someone wants to write songs, especially songs in the genre loosely called Folk music but which to me means those written from a personal point of view (as opposed to songs expressly created for commercial appeal). We talk about what got Alex into folk and how the twists and turns of his multi-hyphenate career brought him to East Nashville. The last third of this episode features a challenging, maybe even difficult conversation in which Alex and I get into our different approaches to the cultural problems our time. Here is the backstory: In March of 2023 there was a mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, where a trans person killed three children and three adults. You remember. Like everyone else, I was shocked and saddened by the murders and so a few days later I joined several thousand of my neighbors at a vigil downtown. I was disappointed in the ceremony, which to me was a lot less about honoring those poor kids and their families and more about using the opportunity to advance a political agenda. I thought it was tasteless and said so in a short piece posted on Instagram . Alex challenged me in a private exchange. That’s the backstory. The Morse Code is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I brought it up in the podcast. It was hard for me to talk about, and I think for Alex too, but it was respectful and ultimately productive and I hope it inspires more such discussions in the future. It was the most political conversation I’ve hosted on the Morse Code Podcast and it made me reflect me on my conscious decision to stay away from political topics, not only on the podcast, but in my work generally. I wonder if that choice is the right one. On one hand, it’s basic to my personality, this desire to bring people together with my writing and music and to point at what we have in common, what you might call the universalities of being human: falling in love, out of love, being afraid to do something and then doing it anyway, getting old, the crazy mystery that is being alive, that stuff. I’m drawn to novels and songs and artists who are similarly concerned. I’ve always been that way, starting with my college days in Bellingham Washington with my bluegrass band The Barbed Wire Cutters when I would look out from the stage and see loggers and college kid protestor types sipping beers and dancing, enjoying themselves together. It felt like a momentary truce in a protracted war, and one that sowed hope that a future resolution was possible. Division is the inevitable byproduct of political discussion. Most people don’t seem to mind that, and instead are happy to charge headlong into the us versus them framing of every issue under the sun, from gun control to abortion to free speech to trans issues to the opening ceremonies at the Olympics, with the result that we all very nearly hate each other. So I think, why add my timid voice to the screaming match? What good would it do? But there’s another side to that argument, which is maybe best phrased by Plato. “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.” Its an injunction to participate in a field of battle anathema to my very being. I don’t enjoy arguing and I am not one of those people who needs to be right. I just want to be left alone to do my own thing. But that is perhaps cowardly of me. In fact I spend a lot of my free time listening to different arguments on every controversial issue out there, trying to understand both sides of the argument as best I can so that my judgment might be as sound as possible. But I do so privately, for my own sake. Call it part of a lifelong effort to work out my own salvation in fear and trembling. But maybe that’s a coward’s quest. I think about that. I notice people who put themselves forward for a truth they believe in and I see how they are pilloried and ostracized and ridiculed. Who would want to do that with their one and only life? Answer: people who are called to do it and for whom not speaking up would be the greater sin. I think about what that would look like to join those actors and agitators, and the prospect is an unhappy one. But maybe I should think again. Maybe a nuanced voice is needed. Ugh. It makes me very uncomfortable to write that. Which is probably a clue. To bring it back to Alex and to this podcast, maybe there’s a way forward to engage the issues of our time that would be genuinely productive. This conversation is an example of that possibility, and hope. Interspersed with this discussion Alex and I play two songs, one he wrote for his daughter and one he wrote for the Palestine people. Find Alex:Website: https://alexwongsounds.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexwongsounds The Morse Code is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
With some artists the creative spark doesn’t stop just because the guitar gets put down. That’s Annie Williams . Anyone who knows her would say the same. From her self-built straw bale house to her hand-sewn performance costumes to her deeply personal songs, the muse follows her everywhere she goes, and does its best to keep up. She just released her debut album, Visitor , seven years and one lifetime in the making. Produced with Bill Reynolds of Band of Horses , it’s at once playful and fresh and, like Annie, pretty damn original. The cover of the record is a photograph of the artist jumping through a ring of fire on her motorcycle. The fire was real, the ring was homemade. The Morse Code is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this thought-provoking conversation we talk about some of the more notable moments in a career nosing into its twentieth year, like, say, her arrival in Nashville. She was living in Wyoming and a touring christian hip hop group saw her play and invited her to roll with them back to Tennessee. I mean of course. We discuss how her decision to break away from her small business designing handmade bags dovetailed unexpectedly with her first publishing deal, and how that led to sync licenses on several TV shows. And you might be hard pressed to get her to admit it, but Annie is an actor, and a good one. She was approached to star in the film A Funeral for Lightning directed by Emily Kai Bock , which premiered at TIFF and went on to win the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film at the LA Film Festival . Like many of her opportunities, it was gifted, not sought. There’s a word for people like Annie Williams and that word is autodidact. She teaches herself to do things and then she does those things at her own speed in a sort of secret dance with the world around her. Its an orchestration of energy, at once mysterious and inevitable. There’s so much I won’t tell you about, so you can discover it yourself. I guess I should say she plays an unreleased song live in the studio. Emily. Listen: I hope you take a moment to listen to or watch episode #141 of the Morse Code Podcast. It’s a good one. Find Annie: Website: https://annie-williams.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/anniewilliams___ The Morse Code is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
1 Spencer Glover: A Disney Director’s advice to the Young and Hopeful | MCP #140 1:01:11
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Later Afspelen Later Afspelen Lijsten Vind ik leuk LeukI speak with director Spencer Glover about his experience with Disney as a participant in their coveted Launchpad program. Selected from more than 2000 applicants, the longtime Nashville filmmaker spent a year in the incubator, honing his skills under the auspices of industry execs. The experience culminated in his Disney directorial debut BLACK BELTS , a coming of age Kung Fu story you can watch right now on Disney+ . Black Belts went on to win a 2024 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Series. Prior to the Launchpad experience Spencer created several films focused on stories that blend genre elements and grounded emotional characters. We met somewhere around 2018 when I was working on the web series version of Morse Code and he had just finished his award-winning film Message Read . We talk about the launchpad experience, what was good and bad about it, and discuss the phenomenon known as “industry brain” — how in wake of that extraordinary opportunity Spencer has had to learn to resist the temptation to write or direct what the market says it currently wants. We wax a bit nostalgic for the big budget films we both enjoyed as kids and then Spencer offers his perspective on whether it’s necessary to move to LA to elevate your film career. He himself moved for the Launchpad gig with his partner Kariss and has since stayed. Finally we talked about the importance of spending your young years as freely as possible. In that context I share a couple stories from my early twenties, including the time I drove my VW Bus to the end of an unmarked dirt road in southern Utah, hiked eleven miles into the canyon and spent 5 days and nights in the with nothing but a gallon of water and five oranges. Oh to be young. Find Spencer: Website: https://spencerglover.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spenceglover.mov/ Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe…
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