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Roots Rednecks and Radicals

Will Houk- Alt Country, Indie, Folk

Explore the rebellious counterculture, hidden histories, and unexpected connections bridging the worlds of alt-country, indie rock, and punk music. Hosted by Will Houk, Roots, Rednecks, and Radicals is a music history podcast dedicated to the artists who subvert traditional genres and challenge the status quo. From deep dives into the working-class protest music of Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash to the modern, trailblazing sounds of Orville Peck, Brandi Carlile, Charley Crockett, and Billy Strings, this show traces the thin line between outlaw country grit and independent DIY punk ethics. Whether analyzing classic americana, underground folk, bluegrass, or riot grrrl anthems, we uncover the radical roots behind the music you love. New episodes drop regularly featuring exclusive artist interviews, music journalism, and curated track roundups. Hit follow to join the rebellion and discover how "redneck" and "radical" belong together.
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  • 36 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 13 min
  • English

Episodes 36

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  • #523
    Friday · 8 min

    IRON AND WINE, KATIE PRUITT (NOLAN TAYLOR), and MARGO CILKER are in the ROTATION!

    This week I wanted to bring you some artists that are a little on the folk side of things. Iron and Wine (Sam Beam) Katie Pruitt, and Margo Cilker all have fresh new music out and they are all incredible artists. Their styles are fairly similar and these songs I have for you this week are really special. Katie Pruitt is doing a duet with Nolan Taylor and their voices work really well together. I hope you dig it!

  • #524
    November 2 · 19 min

    WILLI CARLISLE has a new album out produced by TYLER CHILDERS!

    I got to interview Willi Carlisle a few years back and I think he's a really important artist. Part Beat poet, part country musician, the stories he's telling are pertinent to our times. I wanted to share this interview because he has a new album out produced by Tyler Childers that you should check out. I hope you dig it!

  • #522
    October 30 · 8 min

    IAN NOE, COLBY T. HELMS and JOHN R. MILLER are in the ROTATION!

    This week's rotation features three amazing singer songwriters. Ian Noe, Colby T. Helms, and John R. Miller all have new music out. Their songwriting is really stellar and I am really enjoying the music they are putting out in the world. It's a bit folk, a bit country, and kinda bluegrass as well. I love it, I hope you dig it too!

  • #521
    October 26 · 27 min

    COLBY T. HELMS Has Made ONE FOR THE LOSERS

    Colby T. Helms is a folk/bluegrass musician from Virginia. He's made a name for himself playing his songs on TikTok and Instagram and developed a following. He's a young guy, but his sound is rooted in the deep music culture of his region. I had him on the show to talk about his new album One For The Loser. I hope you dig it!

  • #520
    October 23 · 8 min

    RATBOYS TWIN TEMPLE and JAKE BLOUNT Are In The Rotation!

    I have three incredible artists lined up for you this week. Ratboys have a new indie folk album out. Twin Temple brings us the sounds of Satanic Doo-Wop. And Jake Blount has a stringband album that is stellar. I hope you dig it!

  • #519
    October 19 · 22 min

    CHARLIE PARR On His New Record ROOMING HOUSE

    Charlie Parr is an American folk/blues musician that has been making socially conscious music for decades. Known for his cutting lyricism, he embodies a style of folk that is not seen very often anymore. His style is rooted in the blues, but he's developed a sound all his own. His new album Rooming House is a brilliant look at the working class in America. He's on the show this week to talk about his new album.

  • #510
    October 18 · 11 min

    SHONEN KINFE Brings Their Style Of Japanese Punk To Reno.

    I was asked recently to do a concert review for the Japanese Punk Band Shonen Knife. They got their start back in 1981 and have been playing their Ramones infused punk rock for decades. In the early 1990s Kurt Cobain and Nirvana asked them to tour with the band, and that gave them some great exposure. I recently saw them with Men at Work and Toad the Wet Sprocket in Reno NV and it was a great show. I hope you dig this!

  • #518
    October 16 · 7 min

    BILLY STRINGS, RHIANNON GIDDENS, and WILLI CARLISLE are in The Rotation!

    Billy Strings, Rhiannon Giddens, and Willi Carlisle all have new music out. Willi's new album was produced by Tyler Childers and I feel like you can really hear the influence on this track. Billy Strings continues to kill it with his blend of bluegrass and psychedelic rock. Rhiannon Giddens just never seems to miss. Her new track is beautiful and haunting as usual. This week they are all in The Rotation!

  • #517
    October 12 · 5 min

    KACEY MUSGRAVES & INTOCABLE Just Made Texas Music History!

    Kacey Musgraves has released her first all Spanish song. She teamed up with the ultra-famous Mexican Tejano group Intocable for a new take on her song Uncertain TX. She recently had them on stage to perform the song live. It's a great blend of Country music and Mexican culture and I am here for it!

  • #515
    October 9 · 18 min

    Philly Punk Band ERASER Is On The Show Talking About Their New Album OPERATOR!

    Eraser is a punk band out of Philly. They just released a new album called Operator and I had a chance to chat with them about it at a show they played in Reno. They were at the Holland Project and we got a chance to talk before the show. Shout out to the openers that night, Rotten Heights, and Rotary Club. Also big thanks to the Holland Project for having me. I hope you dig the episode!

  • #516
    October 7 · 5 min

    Did TOM MORELLO Really Tell People To Not Vote?

    Recently Tom Morello did an interview where he revealed he did not vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. This has sparked some controversy online about voting and what we should be doing in the age of Trump. I think his views are much more nuanced than people are giving him credit for and we should be talking about that.

  • #514
    October 5 · 9 min

    BECK'S New Album RIDE LONESOME Is An Introspective Journey.

    Beck is know for his hits like Loser and Devi'ls Haricut but many people don't realize he's always made folksy, singer-songwriter music. This new album has him exploring those roots on a deep and introspective journey. It's equal parts folk, and country. I really love this album. I hope you dig it!

  • #513
    September 28 · 34 min

    Alex Orbison: Finishing a Lost Johnny Cash Song, Drumming for The Allman Betts Band, and His New Solo Album

    What happens when you discover a hidden 1960s love poem written by Johnny Cash? You put it to music. In this episode, we sit down with veteran drummer and songwriter Alex Orbison to discuss the release of his incredible debut solo album, Love And Loss. Alex takes us behind the scenes of his standout new track, "Let's Put It To Music," revealing how he collaborated with John Carter Cash at the historic Cash Cabin to finish a lost piece of country music history written for June Carter Cash. We also dive deep into his life on the road as the powerhouse drummer for The Allman Betts Band, exploring how he locks down the rhythm section for one of the premier roots and Southern rock outfits touring today. In this episode, you’ll discover: The incredible story behind turning an unreleased Johnny Cash poem into a brand-new song. What it's like recording at the legendary Cash Cabin with John Carter Cash. Alex's experiences stepping behind the kit to tour with The Allman Betts Band. The raw creative process and roots-rock influences behind his new solo album, Love And Loss. Stream Alex Orbison's latest music on all major platforms today!

  • #512
    September 25 · 14 min

    ORVILLE PECK'S New Album Mule Is Some Of His Best Work.

    Orville Peck has a new album out called Mule and it's really great. The sounds are sparse and contemplative. The songwriting ventures into territory he rarely explores. It has a collaboration with Emmylou Harris, Noah Cyrus, and Allison Russell. Let's take a look at this record!

  • #508
    September 7 · 9 min

    AARON LEE TASJAN'S New Album GET OVER IT UNDERDOG.

    Aaron Lee Tasjan is an artist I have a great deal of respect for. His songwriting is inspired by artists like his mentor Todd Snider. It's a great blend of folk, country and rock that explores areas often looked over. His new album is out and has some fantastic songs on it. I hope you dig it everybody!

  • #507
    August 31 · 18 min

    Nathan Evans Fox explores southern culture and history on his new album Heirloom.

    Nathan Evans Fox is an artist I've really been enjoying recently. He has a great songwriting approach, and his lyrics are exploring areas often looked over by other writers. I really appreciate his honesty and integrity, and his commitment to giving a voice to a perspective not often heard. Let's check out his new album Heirloom. I hope you dig it everybody!

  • #509
    August 28 · 15 min

    RIP Dolly Parton!

    Dolly was an absolute icon. Her music career spanned decades and she left us with a wealth of songs she wrote and will always be remembered for. Her legacy is bigger than just her music. People remember her for so many things from her foundation that focussed on literacy, to her embrace of marginalized people. This is an episode I did a few years ago and I wanted to share it with you all again in honor of her memory. I hope you dig it!

Showing 1–20 of 36 episodes