Red Dirt band The Great Divide came out with a new album in 2022, titled Providence. It was the first album of new, original songs by the original lineup in 20 years. The band returned to Stillwater in 2023 with an additional member of the band, Bryce Conway, who prompted the latest release. In this episode, hear Mike McClure, JJ Lester, and Kelley Green talk about what it was like going into the studio for their latest album, playing concerts in Stillwater, and why they prefer being called the "uncles" of the Red Dirt scene ..read more

This is Songwriters & Tour Riders, a music podcast from KOSU hosted by Matthew Viriyapah. Folksinger Willi Carlisle is not a native of the Arkansas Ozarks. But it's a place that he fell in love with. He has a new album out titled 'Critterland,' partially about trying to find community there and how he tries to share that with people who come to listen to his music. In this episode, hear Carlisle talk about the album, moving to Arkansas, and his favorite Oklahoma story ..read more

This is Songwriters & Tour Riders, a music podcast from KOSU hosted by Matthew Viriyapah. Tulsa's King Cabbage Brass Band is bringing a taste of the Mardi Gras iconic sound to Oklahoma. They released their self-titled album last October and are playing with acclaimed New Orleans outfit, the Soul Rebels, on Thursday, Feb. 1 at Beer City Music Hall in Oklahoma City. In this episode, hear founder Gregory Fallis talk about the culture of Mardi Gras and New Orleans brass band music, and starting his own brass band in Tulsa ..read more

This is Songwriters & Tour Riders, a music podcast from KOSU hosted by Matthew Viriyapah. Punk band Skating Polly has released a double LP titled Chaos County Line. The band is made up of siblings, Kelli and Kurtis Mayo and Peyton Bighorse. After five years, Kelli Mayo said that they wanted to "walk to the separate corner of the map on all of our influences." In this episode, hear Kelli talk about writing a double album, and how after years of being in a band with her siblings, they're getting more honest with their lyrics ..read more

Kyle Bradley was raised in Piedmont, Oklahoma. But his alter-ego, Thunder Jackson, was born in Los Angeles, California, after years of playing in smoky bars and busking since he was a teenager. He released his debut self-titled album in 2020, but after its release he said that music wasn't making sense to him anymore. It wasn't until he moved back to Oklahoma where he found the inspiration to create again. He released an EP titled Take Me Back last fall and is working on new music while splitting his time between L.A. and Oklahoma. In this episode, hear Thunder Jackson talk about how his fathe ..read more

The Lone Bellow's latest album is titled Love Songs for Losers and was recorded in Roy Orbison's former home. Matthew talked with singer Zach Williams just before they started their first tour of 2023, which fell right around the 10-year anniversary of the release of their debut album. In this episode, hear Williams talk about producing their own album, going back on tour, and what it was like recording in Roy Orbison's former home ..read more

Lone Bellow's lead singer and guitarist, Zach Williams spoke with Matthew Viriyapah just before they started their first tour of 2023. Their latest album is titled 'Love Songs for Losers' and was recorded in Roy Orbison's former home. KOSU’s Matthew Viriyapah talked with singer Zach Williams around the 10-year anniversary of the release of their debut album ..read more

Folk music duo Companion released their debut album Second Day of Spring in May 2022. Companion is made up of twins, Jo and Sophia Babb, who were raised in Oklahoma, and have been performing together since they were at least 15 years old. In Oklahoma, they performed primarily under the name The Annie Oakley but after moving to Colorado, they felt ready for a fresh start musically. The title track draws from a feeling they both had to start anew. In a new place, they were surrounded by new people and the natural scenery of Colorado. In this episode, hear them talk about drawing inspiration from ..read more

North Carolina country artist Sarah Shook & The Disarmers released their latest album, Nightroamer, in February. In this episode, hear Sarah talk about being LGTBQ in country music, getting sober, and the first time they met a non-binary person ..read more

Norman Music Festival is returning this week after two years of a pandemic-spurred hiatus. The festival brings hundreds of musicians and thousands of fans to the city of Norman, Oklahoma. Shari Jackson is the executive director of Norman Music Alliance, the organization that throws the free festival that Jackson calls the 'best annual party in the state.' Listen to hear her talk about the festival's impact, what the last two years have been like, and how an all-volunteer board put together this year's festival in 90 days ..read more