Hardcore Troubadour

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Two hardcore kids nerding out about Steve Earle and all things country, folk, rock, and Americana. Join Tyler Short (Inclination, Constraint, LDB) and Brian Wallace (Perfect World, Halfacre Gunroom) as they journey through every Steve Earle album, with several twists, turns, and adjacent records along the way. If you like your music with a heavy dose of class consciousness, this is the podcast for you.

Tyler Short and Brian Wallace


    • Jun 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 46m AVG DURATION
    • 53 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Hardcore Troubadour

    The Saint of Yuma

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2025 111:20


    Join us as we take a look at the two records that book-ended Justin Townes Earle's short but incredible career: Yuma and The Saint of Lost Causes. "She'd talk about MississippiStill don't know how it isAny place could be worse than thisIt's hard to believe"

    JT

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 82:55


    Not an easy listen today, as we explore Steve's tribute to his son Justin Townes Earle. Also, being absolutely gigged out but loving every minute of it. Walk up the FDR with us, singing and clapping our hands.

    Ghosts of West Virginia

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 113:41


    This record from 2020 has some songs that belong in the American folk canon. Full stop. Join us as we talk about labor history, black lung, what they did/didn't teach us in school, Pope Francis, and Chuck Yeager arguing with teenagers on twitter. Don't wanna hear about the state of the economyFiscal reality, profit and lossNone of that matters once you're underground anywayDamn sure can't tell me nothin' 'bout cost

    Record Club with Nate Hardy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 118:47


    We're joined by our special guest Nate Hardy (Highway Eyes, Infinite Electric Tattoo) to hang out and discuss some excellent records by The Band, Wilco, and Richard Buckner. Also, alienating your friends by obsessing over guitar gear, being excited to see The Melvins, and making sure you get the good kind of brain damage.

    Without Getting Killed or Caught

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 124:18


    Join us as we discuss "Without Getting Killed or Caught," a fantastic documentary about the life of Guy Clark (and Susanna Clark and Townes Van Zandt). Also, Vinnie Stigma, Cincinnati Hardcore, Mahmoud Khalil, and a whole lot of doom with just a little slice of hope.

    Guy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 126:43


    Let's talk about Steve's tribute album for his friend and mentor, the incredible Guy Clark. Let's also talk about hardcore shows, caves, the National Park Service. Also, we must warn you that this episode contains PADDINGTON IN PERU SPOILERS.

    Honky Tonk Heroes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 130:39


    Join us as we discuss Waylon Jennings' outlaw country masterpiece, "Honky Tonk Heroes." It's been a good month of Sundays and a guitar ago.

    waylon jennings honky tonk heroes
    So You Wanna Be An Outlaw?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 135:28


    Waylon and Willie, Guy and Steve, phaser pedals and psy-ops. If you wanna be an outlaw you can never go home.

    Colvin and Earle

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 97:46


    Join us as we dig into Steve's 2016 collaboration with Shawn Colvin. Also: Saint Luigi, David Lee Roth's Sonrisa Salvaje, and infinite waves of ska.

    Three Kings

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 124:14


    We're back after a three month hiatus, and getting into the swing of things by digging into three classic records by three true Kings: Albert, B.B., and Freddie. Shout-out to Japan, shout-out to Tulsa, shout-out to taking matters into your own hands (with prior authorization, of course).

    Terraplane

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 103:14


    Terraplane is a blues record. We have mixed feelings about it, but it's got some bangers, and some true Southern Goth moments. Also, Japan, Mexico City, the pants are big again, and the most important question: Does Jesus have rizz?

    Live in Nashville 1995

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 113:07


    Steve Earle's comeback show in Nashville after the release of Train A Comin' was one for the ages, featuring guest appearances by Emmylou Harris and Bill Monroe, as well as a newly sober Steve sounding better than ever. Come for the music, stay for the JFK assassination conspiracy theories.

    The Low Highway

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 107:51


    We're excited to be back and digging into Steve's excellent 2013 release, The Low Highway. Come for the music, stay for making fun of JD Vance and getting all emotional about our sons and cats. When Chapo Trap House misses the easy layup, Hardcore Troubadour is here to grab that offensive rebound and slam it home.

    Hank & Holehan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 113:15


    We welcome our special guest Jeremy Holehan (Supertouch, Miracle Drug) to talk about growing up in Kentucky, chance encounters at shopping malls, and the inextricable links between country and hardcore. We also dive into some records by Willie Nelson, Hank III, and Colter Wall. There's a Manitoba Man behind the fillin' station store.

    I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 116:13


    Join us as we talk about an often overlooked gem from Steve's catalogue, I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive. Also, Tied Down Fest, baseball in London, terrible cops, and bringing back the draft. You know, the usuals. Yeah, I believe in God, and God ain't me.

    Bryan Hartley Industries

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 118:40


    Join us as we welcome a very special guest from Memphis, Tennessee, the one and only Bryan Hartley. We discuss the joys of touring, North Mississippi geography, and how if they call your show an after-party, no one is gonna come. We also dig into some excellent records by Dwight Yoakam, Kathleen Edwards, and Mississippi's own Andrew Bryant. Hey hey, we all wanna fall in love.

    Waiting Around To Die

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 112:11


    We're talking Townes (Van Zandt) again this week, but this time through his own records and not Steve's interpretations. Also: old man shows, college, and Marian apparitions. So shake the dust off of your wings and the sleep out of your eyes.

    Townes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 97:55


    We're back, after a very brief hiatus, to discuss Steve's 2009 tribute to Townes Van Zandt. RIP Townes. RIP Eddie Sutton. Please lay off the string scratches this time, Tom Morello.

    Leaves of Grass

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 83:10


    Join us as we discuss Leaves of Grass, the Walt Whitman-inspired 2009 film starring Edward Norton (twice) and Steve Earle playing a mean dude from Oklahoma. You have a spiritual objection to monofilament?

    Washington Square Serenade (Live from New York City)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 113:50


    Tyler and Brian are together in Brooklyn to talk about Steve's move to New York and the first album he put out after crossing the Hudson, Washington Square Serenade. Just three Southern boys who dream of nights in NYC.

    Shame Ain't Worth As Much As You Think. Let It Go. (The Wire Part III)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 106:03


    Join us for the third (and final) part of our deep dive on The Wire. For Walon, for Bubs, for folks in recovery everywhere. And if this little detour hasn't been your thing, don't worry, we'll be back to nerding out about Steve's music on the next episode.

    It's Baltimore, Gentlemen. The Gods Will Not Save You (The Wire Part II)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 129:33


    We continue our deep dive into The Wire, covering Season 3 and most of Season 4. Rest In Power, Michael K. Williams.

    Getting Clean's The Easy Part. Now Comes Life (The Wire, Part I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 113:54


    Speaking about his character Walon, Steve Earle said, "“In The Wire I played a redneck recovering addict. It didn't require any acting.” The last thing the world needs is two more middle aged white dudes talking about The Wire, but it's still the best, and Steve was in it, so come take a walk in the garden with us.

    Down By The Green River Where Paradise Lay

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 113:24


    Our friend Jessee Kowalski (Meantime, Jessee William) joins us to kick off 2024, where we talk more about the connections between country and hardcore and explore records by John Prine, Blue Rodeo, and Orville Peck. Also, Winnipeg is in Manitoba, NOT Alberta, Brian.

    The Revolution Starts Now

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 102:06


    It's 2004. Join us as we drive up and down I-55 listening to Steve and Janeane Garofalo get us amped up about what would surely be the most important election of our lifetimes. Right?

    Live From Austin, TX

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2023 101:38


    "You outta work? You hungry? Eat your Nissan." Come for the ode to Brian's 1985 Mercury Topaz. Stay for Steve and the Dukes on Austin City Limits in 1986.

    Just An American Boy, Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 121:03


    "Back home, I have been accused of being unpatriotic, which doesn't bother me very much. Mainly because I'm reasonably sure that my definition of patriotism and the definition of my accusers are pretty far apart."

    Just An American Boy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 118:13


    Join us as we discuss the 2003 documentary, "Just An American Boy," that covers Steve's 2002 tour with the Dukes, the right-wing media's bad faith interpretation of "John Walker's Blues," and Steve's anti-death penalty activism, among other things. This man can house a whole Philly cheesesteak and a soda and then walk on stage and play for two hours like it was nothing.

    Jerusalem

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 132:44


    This is the record that put Steve in the crosshairs of the post-9/11 right wing outrage machine. Wild that this is the week we're talking about it, but we swear it just happened this way. Join us as we dream about a day when there are no barricades, no wire or no walls, and we can wash all this blood from our hands.

    Together at the Bluebird Cafe

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 81:22


    On September 3rd, 1995, three of the best to ever do it got together in a small room south of Downtown Nashville and played some songs. We are lucky that it was recorded for posterity. Join Steve, Townes, and Guy as we thank the folks who take care of our teeth, especially those of us who can't afford dental insurance. You can floss while you listen.

    Sidetracks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 101:17


    This week we're diving into Sidetracks, a compilation of covers, soundtrack songs, and other often overlooked material that contains some real gems. And also some dirt. To the FBI agent assigned to listen to this podcast - hello. “Lay off the needle drugs. The only dope worth shooting is Richard Nixon.” -Abbie Hoffman

    Damn Sure Not Suffering From A Lack of Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 83:00


    Let's watch a little-known-but-really-cool Dutch documentary together, exploring Steve's pathway to sobriety and life in Nashville. Don't cut too much off of that bonsai.

    Transcendental Blues

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 110:45


    Join us as we pay tribute to the incredible activist, singer, and truth-teller, Sinéad O'Connor, before diving into Steve's ninth studio album, Transcendental Blues. Candles on the altar, penny in your shoe.

    Without Getting Killed or Caught

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2023 92:42


    Join us as we welcome another special guest, friend of the pod and Louisville hardcore legend Scott Keeling, to hang out and discuss some of our favorite records by Guy Clark, Tré Burt, and Drive-By Truckers. Rock and roll means well but it can't help telling young boys lies.

    The Mountain

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2023 101:02


    Join us as we explore The Mountain, where Steve teams up with the Del McCoury Band and makes it sound like he's been playing bluegrass since he came out of the womb. Let's keep singing, just as long as our luck and our lungs hold out.

    Tom Petty Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2023 115:36


    For all of us who still can't get through "Wildflowers" without tearing up. Whether your day is a diamond or a rock, I hope you'll spend part of it with us.

    Tom Petty Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2023 91:25


    We're back, with a tribute to one of the greatest songwriters to ever live, Mr. Thomas Earl Petty. We picked six albums from his massive discography, and dive into three of them here. Remember, even the losers get lucky sometimes. Also, time is most definitely a flat circle.

    El Corazon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 101:51


    Let's talk about a record that AP writers called "one of the top 10 best pop albums of the 90s." Right up there with Dr. Dre, Beck, Lauryn Hill, and Portishead. Come on, let's go. This ain't Louisiana. Your mama won't know.

    To Hell and Back

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 85:19


    On June 25th, 1996, Steve Earle played a show at the Cold Creek Correctional Facility in West Tennessee, as a condition of his parole. In addition to making a killer live recording, MTV was also on-hand to make a mini-documentary, that included lots of great footage of Steve and the Dukes, and also quite a bit of standard-issue court-mandated war on drugs carceral state nonsense. Come for the tunes, stay for the prison abolition.

    Tears Don't Matter Much

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 92:53


    This week we are joined by our good friend, Tom Sheehan (Indecision, Most Precious Blood, Axe To Grind Podcast), who was gracious enough to come hang with us and talk about some of our favorite records. Come hang out as we dig into some classics from Lucero, Emmylou Harris, and Sturgill Simpson, and learn about how a Brooklyn boy came to have such great taste in country music.

    I Feel Alright

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 91:20


    We're back with a dive into "I Feel Alright," Steve's first record of all new material since his early 90's "vacation." Come stand with us at hell's door with a bad attitude and a .44

    Heartworn Highways

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 107:07


    Join us as we discuss the 1976 documentary "Heartworn Highways" and ask the tough questions: Was Riley Gale a Townes Van Zandt fan? Is David Allan Coe a poseur? Will we get off this LA freeway without getting killed or caught?

    townes van zandt heartworn highways
    Train A' Comin'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2023 100:06


    While it doesn't feel quite right to call this a "comeback album," it was in many ways. Steve is back, he's sober, and he's got an arsenal of great songs that he wrote back in the 70s, along with a few new ones and some covers. Join us as we fight for no country but die for good pay.

    Shut Up And Die Like An Aviator

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2023 117:48


    This often overlooked and underappreciated live record marks the conclusion of this important phase of Steve Earle's career that began with Guitar Town. Some people say his voice sounds "rough" on this one, as if that's a bad thing. Anyway, sit back and read up on the KanehsatĂ :ke Resistance (aka Oka Crisis), because it's 1990 and we're heading up to Canada.

    The Hard Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2023 133:29


    Join us as we examine The Hard Way, Steve's last studio album before he went on "vacation" for a few years. This record has never gotten the shine it deserves, so we hope y'all love and appreciate it as much as we do. There are those that break and bend. We're the other kind.

    At The Corner of Thunder Road and Nowhere Road (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 127:15


    Part 2 of our journey with The Boss. I guess there's just a meanness in this world.

    At The Corner of Thunder Road and Nowhere Road (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 87:11


    A slight detour this week as we begin our deep dive into Bruce Springsteen's 3rd through 7th studio albums (we'll explain), what they mean to us, and as always, their connections to Steve Earle. This is Part 1 of 2. Listen to it while you walk these empty rooms looking for something to blame.

    Copperhead Road

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2023 118:13


    Keep your bedroll dry and join us this week as we dive into Steve's third studio album, the heavy hitter, Copperhead Road. If you ain't impressed yet, tell us what you want to hear.

    Early Tracks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 72:39


    In an alternate universe, Steve Earle might have just been a rockabilly dude. Be glad that we don't actually live in that universe. Still, Steve's pre-Guitar Town material from the early 1980s deserves a listen, especially if you're a nerd like us.

    steve earle guitar town
    Exit Zero

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2022 87:35


    We continue down the Nowhere Road this week with an exploration of Exit Zero, Steve Earle's second studio album. This one's for everybody who ain't ever satisfied.

    steve earle exit zero
    Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 85:52


    We told you there would be a few detours, right? Join Tyler and Brian and Del and Neal as we explore the 1987 classic, "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." And yes, there is a Steve Earle connection here, we promise. It's the holidays, you're probably traveling, and this is the perfect travel movie. Just take my socks out of the sink if you're gonna brush your teeth, alright?

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