Inside the Outpost

We spoke with David Amlen and Meg Beattie Patrick as a preview for the upcoming DAVE & THE DIVAS show at Outpost in the Burbs. The show Freedom & Faith: Songs of Jenny Amlen and Elton John, will be March 1st in Montclair - an album release event for the group's FREEDOM album. It's a very special project that brings together core members of the Montclair music community, led by David Amlen in tribute to his late sister Jenny and her songs, that match remarkably well with Elton John's early compositions. The album and show feature a selection of incredible local singers - Julie Dobrow, Iris Schaffer Hall, Meg Patrick, Stacia Thiel, and Cecile Williams, as well as an all-star band. The episode features a preview of the title song ‘Freedom,' an anthemic song from Jenny that was the starting point for the project.

Half Waif, the indie-electronic-folk project led by Nandi Rose, returns to Montclair for a special homecoming show at Outpost in the Burbs on February 22nd. This marks the band's first full performance at the venue, following a mini-set at a “new bands” festival in 2016. Since then, Half Waif has released a string of acclaimed albums, including the latest, See You at the Maypole (2024). Ahead of the show, we spoke with Nandi Rose about the power of art, creativity, and nature in navigating life's challenges and transformations. Episode also features "Figurine" from the new album. 

The On a Winter's Night tour stopped at Outpost in the Burbs in January 2025, featuring Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, and Patty Larkin—longtime friends and veterans of the folk scene for over 40 years. Each artist brings their own songs and stories to this special tour, creating a unique and powerful blend of talent. In this episode, we chat with Lucy Kaplansky and Cliff Eberhardt before the show and share a live recording of "Wayfaring Stranger" featuring John Gorka on lead vocals.

Bruce Cockburn's journey has taken him from music school for jazz composition to top albums and radio hits over the years. Along the way he's remained a thoughtful performer and humanitarian, whose songs reflect a concern for indigenous people, the environment and an overall hopeful approach to life. Bruce came to Outpost in the Burbs in November 2024, and his expressive solo guitar and voice performance filled the room with perfect vibes for the times. We had a fascinating conversation ahead of the show, and this episode also features an exclusive live recording of his classic song ‘Night Train'.

Robyn Hitchcock stands as one of England's most iconic and inventive songwriters, a trailblazer in the alternative rock movement who continues to captivate with his wit and creativity. In this episode of Inside the Outpost, Robyn delves into his songwriting, his acclaimed memoir, and his exploration of the groundbreaking music and culture of 1967. Prepare for a characteristically wide-ranging conversation that spans from sneezes and orgasms to the nature of evil. Plus, don't miss an exclusive live performance of the rarely-heard gem, “One Day (It's Been Scheduled).”

Dubbed ‘the hottest Irish acoustic band on the planet' by the Irish Echo, Lúnasa effortlessly weaves traditional melodies with modern energy, creating a sound that moves both hearts and feet. In this episode, we chat with the band's Kevin Crawford ahead of their upcoming Irish Solstice celebration at Outpost in the Burbs. Kevin gives us a glimpse into Lúnasa's broad appeal to roots music lovers of all kinds. Plus, don't miss an exclusive unreleased recording of ‘A Kerry Christmas,' featuring the soulful vocals of Dave Curley, who'll join the band for the show. A must-listen for music fans of every stripe!

Irish singer-songwriter Pat Byrne has followed his musical journey from the green hills of Ireland to the hill country of Texas, evolving from a wedding singer to a celebrated artist crafting songs all his own. During his visit to the Outpost in October in support of Dar Williams, we had the chance to chat about his incredible path and the stories behind his music. This episode features an exclusive live recording of 'Mam's Song,' a new song also featured on Pat's upcoming live EP, plus a sneak peek at his surprising New Jersey connections!

** Note Explicit Language in this Episode ** The Outpost hosted a great intimate performance with singer-songwriter Jill Sobule at the end of the Spring 2024 season at the stunning Van Vleck House and Gardens in Montclair. Known for her groundbreaking Top 20 hit, 'I Kissed a Girl'—the first openly queer-themed song to chart on Billboard—Jill shares stories from her career and delves into her latest creative adventure: Fck 7th Grade*, a bold, witty musical exploring adolescence and identity. This episode also includes an exclusive live performance of her reflective track, 'Strawberry Gloss,' now featured in the show.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with two legendary roots musicians, Robbie Fulks and Bill Kirchen, ahead of their electrifying joint performance at Outpost in the Burbs in April 2024. Robbie, a celebrated indie-country songwriter, and Bill, the iconic guitarist known for his work with Commander Cody and as a standout solo performer, share captivating stories from their storied careers. This episode also features exclusive live recordings from the concert, including Robbie's heartfelt ‘That's Where I'm From' and Bill's rollicking ‘Semi Truck.' Join us for an unforgettable conversation and performance, filled with wit, stellar musicianship, and the undeniable chemistry of two masters at work.

Montclair's own Nefesh Mountain are one of the most acclaimed new artists in the progresive bluegrass scene over the last few years - with a sound that weaves a beautiful diverse tapestry from a range of American roots music styles, from traditional bluegrass to Americana to beautiful folk. The band's Jewish heritage is just one part of that sound, with "Nefesh" being the Hebrew word for 'soul.' which shines through in their music. They've collaborated with master musicians including Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas, and will bring their incredible sound and musicianship to Outpost in the Burbs on Saturday April 20th. The band's driving forces Doni Zaslof and Eric Lindberg joined us for a preview of the concert, as well as a preview of their upcoming album, and the episode includes a clip of their version of the Allman Brothers' 'Revival' from the band's most recent release The Cabin Sessions. 

Acclaimed songwriter Mary Gauthier returns to Outpost in the Burbs on March 28th, along with Jaimee Harris. We spoke with Mary about the incredible work she's done through eleven albums, a lifetime of touring and songwriting, and her recent book Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting. Mary's approach leads with the heart - her empathy and compassion for her subjects shine through on songs like “Mercy Now” which we hear in the episode, and will likely hear at the concert as well.

February 23rd we'll present GROWIN' UP: AN EVENING OF TWO MUSICAL ONE-ACT MEMOIRS featuring New York singer-songwriters Matt Butler and Mike Montali (Fantastic Cat / Hollis Brown). Matt's performance RECKLESS SON tells the incredible story of his performances for the incarcerated; Mike's BALLAD OF A BORO KID is the story of his growing up in Queens. Both perforrmers are master storytellers and we spoke with them about the shows and their experiences, as well as musical influences including Bruce Springsteen and John Craigie. 

With 30+ albums and multiple classic songs under hls belt, singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III will bring his wry, touching songs and performance style to Outpost in the Burbs on 12/15/23. We spoke with Loudon about his wide-ranging career and songwriting view, working with his various family members, and what he sees as the most important part of what he does. Episode includes 'How Old is 75' from Loudon''s recent album LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT.

Roots and blues artists Marcia Ball and Tinsley Ellis have both had long careers as recording artists and live performers; in Spring 2023 they joined together with their Acoustic Songs and Stories tour. They stopped at Outpost in the Burbs on March 31st, and we spoke with both artists before the show. The podcast features an exclusive live recording of their version of the Chris Kenner classic 'Something You Got.'

Acclaimed author Warren Zanes launched his incredible new book DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE - THE MAKING OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S NEBRASKA with a powerful concert and reading, co-produced by Outpost in the Burbs and the Montclair Literary Festival in May 2023. A few days later Zanes held a discussion on the book with the Outpost's John Hammond at Watchung Books in Montclair. This podcast features that discussion in full, where Warren recounts his working directly with Springsteen to dig into the depths of his creativity and motivation that resulted in the unique NEBRASKA album release. In addition, we're glad to feature three live performances from the launch concert - Laura Cantrell's 'Used Cars,' James Maddock's 'Born in the USA (Nebraska Version),' and Steve Earle's 'State Trooper.'   The chat was recorded live at the bookstore in intimate surroundings - thanks to our ace podcast mixer John Paul Uva for cleaning up the room audio for your listening. And extra thanks to our friends at Watchung Booksellers and Montclair Literary Festival for partnering on these fascinating events.

Taylor Goldsmith, lead singer and songwriter of Dawes, heads to Outpost in the Burbs for a rare solo appearance on June 18th. We spoke with Taylor ahead of the show and discussed his range of musical styles and influences, as well as the history and future of his acclaimed band Dawes. Show includes a clip of "St. Augustine at Night" as a preview of what promises to be a special solo show.

We spoke with Zach Williams, Kanene Doheney Pipkin, and Brian Elmquist of The Lone Bellow in advance of their May 18th show at Outpost in the Burbs. The trio discussed their growth as a band and in their personal lives - and we got some secret production tips that went into their new album LOVE SONGS FOR LOSERS.

Singer-songwriter Willie Nile has been creating great albums and powerful concerts for over 40 years. We talked with Willie before his Outpost show in March 2023, covering his work and connections with so many artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, the Who and James Maddock. Features an exclusive live performance of the title song from his 2006 album "The Streets of New York."

Oscar nominated actress Amy Irving will debut her new BORN IN A TRUNK song project at Outpost in the Burbs with a special concert on March 4, 2023, backed by an 11-piece band. The project includes songs from throughout Amy's film career including songs from Honeysuckle Rose, Carrie, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. We spoke with Amy in advance of the show and are also including a preview of the song 'Why Don't You Do Right" - it's a fascinating discussion of theater, film, and music.

The Harlem Gospel Travelers brought their incredible, dynamic live set to Outpost in the Burbs in December 2022. John Hammond and Gail Prusslin spoke with the band's Ifedayo Gatling after the show. Podcast also includes an exclusive recording of the band's spirited medley of "Fight On" and "Hold Your Head Up."

Crys Matthews is a social justice songwriter, a changemaker, a 'poster child for intersectionality' and more. We spoke with her ahead of her February concert at Outpost in the Burbs, part of our New Voices and presented with LGBTQIA+ advocacy group Out Montclair.

We were honored to present a birthday tribute show to the great John Prine, organized by Joe D'Urso and featuring a range of great New York / New Jersey area performers. We spoke with Joe and Jake Thistle before the show, which includes the whole troupe's performance of "Paradise" from the show.

Carsie Blanton is a creative and energetic singer-songwriter who's been building an acclaimed independent career for over a decade. We spoke with Carsie before her recent show. Episode also includes an exclusive live recording of her song "Party at the End of the World."

We kick off our fourth season with an amazing show from guitarist / songwriter and recent Grammy winner Alex Cuba. A native of Cuba, Alex took his country's name on moving to Canada, where he's been over 20 years pursuing his own musical muse. His songs and playing are sublime and gorgeous, and his recent show at Outpost in the Burbs was recorded in the equally beautiful setting Van Vleck Gardens in Montclair.

Dar Wiliiams joined us in Fall '21 for her 6th show at the Outpost. In this interview she talks about her new album I'LL MEET YOU HERE, her history of touring and exploring communities, and where she sees things going from here. The episode features an exclusive live recording of "Little Town."

We were glad to welcome classic New Jersey alternative band The Bongos to Outpost in the Burbs to kick off our return fall 2021 season, with an outdoor concert at the Van Vleck House and Gardens. We spoke with the band's Richard Barone and James Mastro after the show - hear the interview plus an exclusive live version of "Numbers With Wings."

We talked with Pete & Maura Kennedy, longtime fixtures of the folk scene about their extensive musical history and all their current activities. For the Bob Dylan birthday tribute they performed an exclusive performance of "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts."

Another in our mini-season built around Bob Dylan's 80th Birthday - an in-depth interview with the great Bettye Lavette, including her powerful performance of Dylan's "Emotionally Yours."

The Outpost celebrates Bob Dylan's 80th Birthday with a special virtual tribute fundraising show, featuring a range of great artists interpreting Dylan's songs. We spoke with Emma Swift, who recently released her own tribute album BLONDE ON THE TRACKS, about Dylan's ongoing influence. Episode includes a clip of Emma's performance of "Visions of Johanna."

The Outpost's Gail Prusslin & Cindy Stagoff spoke with Chuck Prophet for his January concert. This episode features Chuck's thoughts on staying healthy on the road, working with his wife, and info on his new album in May 2020. Also a bonus shoutout for another podcast, the great Beach Boys tribute SAIL ON - and a live version of Chuck's "Summertime Thing."

We were honored to present the opening night Light of Day Winterfest for 2020, the group’s 20th Anniversary series. Willie and James were both featured on the show, along with Joe D’Urso, Glen Burtnik and Bob Berger of the Weeklings, and Jill Hennessy. We spoke with them before the show, about their own backgrounds, and their work with the organization in their mission to help find the cure for Parkinson’s and related diseases. The episode features live versions of Willie Nile’s “The Crossing” (originally written for Martin Scorsese’s GANGS OF NEW YORK) and James Maddock’s “The Mathematician.”

The Weeklings brought their incredible Beatles Bash show, including 10-piece orchestra, to the Outpost in November. We spoke with the band's Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger - aka Lefty and Zeke Weekling - after their show, about the influence of the Beatles, as well as their new album 3 recorded at Abbey Road. Includes a live version of the band's "In the Moment."

We spoke with friend of the Outpost Warren Zanes about his new album production COME ON UP TO THE HOUSE: WOMEN SING WAITS. For this album Warren assembled an incredible collection of performers who each chose Tom Waits songs of special significance to them, and the result is a powerful, cinematic collection of songs. We talked with Warren about how the project came together, his own experiences meeting Tom Waits, and the direct emotional connection that comes through on the album – with the podcast featuring songs from Phoebe Bridgers, Patty Griffin, Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer, and more.

The Milk Carton Kids – Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale – brought their moving acoustic songs and dynamic duo performance to Outpost in the Burbs in December 2019. We spoke with them before the show for this episode of Inside the Outpost, and got the lowdown on their background, their current activities, and the latest on Kenneth’s production projects and Joey’s day job. Special bonus content this episode includes a fun quiz about Eagle Rock, CA vs Eagle Rock Reservation, NJ – and how easy it is to mix up Joe Purdy and Joe Pug. The podcast includes an exclusive live recording of the incredible “I Meant Every Word I Said,” the first song on their recent EP THE ONLY ONES. Thanks for listening!

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band brought their musical party to Montclair in Fall 2019, and we spoke with the band's Roger Lewis on the band's 40-year history, life in New Orleans, their collabs with Elvis Costello, Widespread Panic and more. Roger's been a working musician since age 14 and he has great stories on working with Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, Eddie Bo and more. A great night with killer music, and we hear the band's version of "Lil Liza Jane" - yeah you right!

For our NEW VOICES show this season, we were pleased to welcome Emily Duff and Scott Wolfson & Other Heroes for a co-bill of some great local area artists. We spoke with both artists before the show, and the episode includes live versions of "Walk of Shame" by Emily Duff and "Hole in the Head" from Scott Wolfson & Other Heroes.

Singer-songwriter Jeffrey Gaines has long been a valued performer with the Outpost in the Burbs community. He spoke with us about his history, his influences including Elvis Costello, David Bowie, and Peter Gabriel, and his new album ALRIGHT. Episode includes a live recording of his new song "Firefly Hollow."

We had a great chat with singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke before her recent show at Outpost in the Burbs in Fall 2019. She discussed her most recent release THE IMPOSTER as well as her music going back to her days with groundbreaking folk duo The Story. This includes an exclusive live recording of Jonatha’s song “Too Much Happiness,” recorded with her trio including performers Sean Driscoll and Jo Lawry. Thanks for listening!

Amy Rigby brought her trio (including her husband Wreckless Eric) to the Outpost for the spring season closing concert in a beautiful outdoor setting at Montclair’s Van Vleck House and Garden, and she spoke with us there about her music and upcoming book. The episode includes a live version of her beautiful song “The Summer of My Wasted Youth.” It takes an incredible community of volunteers who donate their time and expertise to produce the Outpost in the Burbs concert series, and as we close this first season of the podcast we want to acknowledge everyone’s commitment with the shows and our community service activities. Thanks everybody for listening and come see us at the Outpost! https://www.outpostintheburbs.org/

English prog-folk band STRAWBS came to Outpost in the Burbs as part of their 50th Anniversary tour in April 2019. This podcast includes an interview with Strawbs founder Dave Cousins, conducted in partnership with Montclair State University, as well as a chat with Outpost board member Al Mercuro, who originally brought the Strawbs to MSU in 1974! The concert included a powerful full performance of the band’s HERO AND HEROINE album; this podcast includes the live recording of the “Hero and Heroine” song from that performance.