Songscapes Podcast: Eric Lichter of Dirt Floor Studio

Ep. 7: Eric Lichter - Bringing the Outdoors In through Dirt Floor Recording Studio

Tune in this week to hear singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and engineer Eric Lichter speak on the inspiration he draws from his ethereal Connecticut-based log cabin recording studio, Dirt Floor Records. Authenticity is the cornerstone of Lichter’s work, and he seeks to make music that reflects his wholehearted dedication to the craft. Find out what imperfections in a song mean to him, and how he has come to compare layered vocals and harmonies with a love of being outdoors - “because it’s kind of like heaven.” With influences from John Denver and Dan Fogelberg, all the way to the wood bees enveloping his studio and the Connecticut River beyond, Lichter is always trying to find ways to bring the outdoors into his music.

Find Eric at https://www.dirtfloorrecordingstudio.com/ or on Instagram at @dirtfloorrecording

• Host: Charles Coplin

• Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

• Editor: Harrison Goodale

• Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

• Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

• Eric Lichter Featured Music: “Lavender Swing”, “Drag”, and “You”

Songscapes Podcast: Courtney Hartman

Ep. 6: Courtney Hartman - Songwriting on a 500 Mile Walk

Award-winning folk guitarist, Courtney Hartman, joins us this week. Colorado-born and Wisconsin-based, she and Charles talk about her 500 mile pilgrimage on the Camino De Santiago in northern Spain and how that experience shaped her latest album, Ready Reckoner. Courtney talks about working with Mike Campbell, a member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and producing with Shahzad Ismaily, known for his work with Tom Waits. Our interview explores how nature plays a role in every song Courtney writes and her wish to shift our environmental perspective from “How can we do less harm?” to a more productive, “How can we do more good?”.

Find Courtney at https://www.courtneyhartman.com/ and on socials @courtneyhartman    

• Host: Charles Coplin

• Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

• Editor: Harrison Goodale

• Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

• Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

• Courtney Hartman Featured Music: “Won’t Be Satisfied”, “Too Much” and “Hollow”

Songscapes Podcast: Bridget Law of Elephant Revival out today!

Ep. 5: Bridget Law - Acro yoga with Michael Franti

Elephant Revival’s Bridget Law talks with us about her life as a fiddler, mother, music maker and mystic. She’s dedicated to using her talents to support sustainability efforts, and lifting the careers of women in music. Tune in to hear about her magic hot springs moment, and the physicality of being a fiddler - “It’s like your whole body is holding itself cross-eyed”. Host Charles and Bridget talk about her current music with Tierro Band, and fresh duos with fellow Elephant, Bonnie Paine. And of course you need to hear about the backstage encounters with Michael Franti!

Find Bridget at www.tierroband.com and @fiddlinbridget on social media.

Host: Charles Coplin

Producer: Sustain Music & Nature

Editor: Harrison Goodale

Media Researcher: Lindsay Johnson

Theme Music: Harrison Goodale

Bridget Law Featured Music: “Allurement” - Tierro Band, “Ancient Sea” and “Drop” by Elephant Revival

Songscapes Podcast: Ben Cosgrove Episode Out

Ep. 4: Ben Cosgrove - Utterly Disorienting and Totally Exhilarating 

Ben Cosgrove is a traveling pianist and instrumental songwriter inspired by landscape and sense of place. “It’s important to have my music tied to something bigger than itself,” explains Ben in this episode of Songscapes. Find out how Ben has translated his inspiration from topographical maps, wilderness and his backyard into music. Composing everywhere from the open ocean, to Glacier National Park, to the “wonders and terrors” of Kansas, this episode explores Ben’s creative expression of place. And he’s not the only composer that interprets nature - we also learn about like-minded nonprofit, Landscape Music. 

Find Ben at BenCosgrove.com and @bencosgrovemusic on social media. Check out Landscape Music at LandscapeMusic.org

KCSU Article: Sustain Music and Nature hosts hike-in concert series to ‘sustain’ the live music scene and carry the tune of resiliency for public lands

Thank you KCSU (Colorado State University’s radio channel) for the great story on Sagebrush Sessions!

“Sustain Music and Nature has played a crucial part in literally ‘sustaining’ the live music scene in Fort Collins through the Sagebrush Sessions and other projects. The nonprofit’s driving force is to have music be a voice for something that cannot speak for itself: the environment”

“If we want to see change, we all have to act responsibly on the planet. Musicians have to lead by example,” said Bridget Law. “Music can be used as a force for change both by witnessing the conscious actions of the musicians as well as hearing their messages through the music.”

Read here: http://kcsufm.com/2020/09/sustain-music-and-nature-hosts-hike-in-concert-series-to-sustain-the-live-music-scene-and-carry-the-tune-of-resiliency-for-public-lands/