The Marinade with Jason Earle

Owen Burton is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Chicago who now calls Nashville home. He came to my attention by making one of my favorite records in a long time. Ovven is the name of the project. Gnawing at the Cord is the name of the album. We talk quite a bit about how the record came together, so I'll save that for the man himself to relay.

The story around all of this is worth mentioning. I covered Americanafest 2026 last month and got to see Ovven live at The Blue Room in Nashville. The Blue...

Eliot Bronson is a singer and songwriter from Baltimore, Maryland, who now makes his home in Atlanta, Georgia. His forthcoming Oliver Wood produced record Arrive will land on November 6, 2026, and y'all, it is an album we will return to for many years to come. Expert writing. Assuasive melodies. Expert performance. I've been a fan of Eliot's for years and this is by far my favorite of his albums. 

It is my pleasure to bring you my conversation with Eliot Bronson!

Support The Marinade on:

Patreon- http://patreon.com/marinadepodcast

Substack- https://s...

The Marinade is a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff. This is Jason's Journal reporting from Americanafest 2026.

We had a blast connecting with friends and seeing so many wonderful acts, including: Emily Scott Robinson, Rebecca Porter, Nathan Evans Fox (twice), and Swamp Dogg on Saturday. 

Special thanks to Bob Beatty for being such a good friend and welcoming us into his home. Follow Bob's work at: https://www.lo...

The Marinade is a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff. This is Jason's Journal reporting from Americanafest 2026.

We had a blast connecting with friends and seeing so many wonderful acts, including: Jeremy Ivey, Ovven, Brown Horse, and Drayton Farley on Friday night. 

Special thanks to Bob Beatty for being such a good friend and welcoming us into his home. Follow Bob's work at: https://www.longlivetheabb.com/

Elanor Moss is a singer and songwriter from the UK whose record The Knife, The Needle has been on constant rotation lately. This record is haunting and beautiful, lyrically rich and immersive. The Knife, The Needle has been more than just a good listen. It has provided a lens through which to process some big questions in my life. 

Follow The Marinade at: marinadepodcast.com

Support The Marinade on:

  -Substack: https://substack.com/@marinadepodcast

  -Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/marinadepodcast

Follow Elanor at: https://www.elanormoss.com/

Kevin Meehan and Amrita Ghosh of the band Ghost Peppers are our guests for Episode 220 of The Marinade. Amrita and Kevin met as professors at the University of Central Florida. The working relationship blossomed into a one-of-a-kind creative partnership. Ghost Peppers exists to bridge cultural divides and spread light. Their writing draws from multiple musical traditions and languages to create a potent cocktail that examines the human condition.

Their full length record No Borders was released in February of 2026. I have had the pleasure of seeing these songs live for a couple of years and am excited...

Amy Martin is a singer and songwriter from Virginia, who now makes her home in Colorado. Her latest record Bones is an introspective and emotionally satisfying success, and this conversation will give you a window into how she was able to create such a gorgeous piece of art. 

Y'all, I think this is one of those talks that folks will be referencing to me as their favorite Marinade episode for years to come. Amy and I connected in a serious way and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Follow Amy at: https://amymartinmusic.com/

Colin Halliburton is the lead singer and principal songwriter for the Kansas-based band The Roseline. His poetic storytelling has been in my life for about five years now when I got turned on to The Rosline's 2021 release Constancy. The bar was set high with that record, and I think they cleared it with their brand new record 86 Gumption. 

Y'all, Colin is a delight. I'm so grateful for the music he makes and for his time and energy. Everyone, it is my pleasure to bring, for the second time, my conversation with Colin Halliburton!

Support The M...

India Ramey is a singer and songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee, whose latest record Villain Era is a middle finger to the musical status quo told through the sonic lens of a spaghetti western. She told her producer Eric Corne she wanted the album to sound like Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn had risen from the grave to score a Quentin Tarantino film. Yeah, I know. Incredibly cool concept and they knocked it out of the park. If you haven't listened, give Villain Era a spin as soon as you finish this conversation.

Support The Marinade on...

Maya de Vitry is our guest for Episode 216 of The Marinade! Maya is a singer, songwriter, and producer whose latest record All My Faith is a lyrical and sonic triumph. All My Faith was recorded in real time, over three days, and without edits. The songs revel in the beauty of love, aging, and simple moments. They find comfort in simple acts of kindness. 

What you will hear in this conversation is that Maya de Vitry the person is every bit as deep, charming, and intelligent as the songs she pens.

Support The Marinade on P...

John R. Miller is a singer and songwriter from West Virginia who is one of the most unique voices in American music. His latest record The Great Unkowning has been garnering high praise and is way up on our list for the best of 2026. The album is sixteen songs that clip along and cover a ton of ground. His live show is a masterclass in performance. And, as you will hear in this conversation, he is a hell of an interesting guy.

This episode is special for a few reasons, including a Marinade first. My dear friend a...

Nathan Evans Fox is a singer, songwriter, thinker, activist, and all around bad ass from North Carolina who is doing what I see as crucial work. We get into so many reasons why in this episode. His incredible record Heirloom, which is probably my favorite of the year. His must read Substack, which includes his anti-confederate book club. His advocacy for working class Appalachian folks. I am continually impressed by Nathan and am grateful for the time and energy he shared with us.

Support The Marinade on Patreon: http://patreon.com/marinadepodcast

Follow Nathan Evans...

Brian Cullman is an acclaimed musician and journalist from New York whose memoir How to Prepare For The Past: Travels in Music and Time is one of my favorite reads of the year. The book tells tales of encounters with big names like Nick Drake, Van Morrison, Chuck Berry, Big Joe Turner, Bo Diddley, George Martin, and more. But, the stories in these pages are deeply relatable and human. After just a few minutes talking to Brian, I realized why.

The Marinade is a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome...

Liam St. John is a rock n' roll singer and songwriter whose debut studio full length record Man of the North was released in September of 2025. He climbed out of some dark places to deliver this record. His voice grabs you by the throat and takes you on a ride through religious trauma, family dynamics, toughness, pain, and self-discovery. 

I keep coming back to this record, and I think this conversation will help you understand why.

Quick note: The first part of Liam's vocals did not record, so I'm dropping you off about fifteen minutes i...

The Marinade is a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff. This is Jason's Journal coming at you live from Bonnaroo 2026! Modest Mouse! Nat Myers! Clipse! Princess Amoolia Moolisa Bovina, PhD!

We are having a blast out here on The Farm and we are brining you with us. This is Jason's Journal from Sunday, 6/14/26. Stay tuned for more stories from the rest of the weekend!

Support The Marinade on...

The Marinade is a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff. This is Jason's Journal coming at you live from Bonnaroo 2026! Alabama Shakes! Kesha with Margo Price! Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist! Weird Al!

We are having a blast out here on The Farm and we are brining you with us. This is Jason's Journal from Saturday, 6/13/26. Stay tuned for more stories from the rest of the weekend!

Support...

The Marinade is a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff. This is Jason's Journal coming at you live from Bonnaroo 2026! Wet Leg! Wednesday! The Strokes! We are having a blast out here on The Farm and we are brining you with us. This is Jason's Journal from Friday, 6/12/26. Stay tuned for more stories from the rest of the weekend!

Support The Marinade on Patreon: http://patreon.com/marinadepodcast

The Marinade's fourth annual Grounded Summer Tour rolls on! I am on a road trip from Orlando, FL, to Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN, and beyond. The goal of these trips is to unwind, meet cool people, take in some great art, and reflect on life. On this episode I talk about setting intention for the trip and detaching from the outcome.

Stay tuned to The Marinade on the all of the socials so you don't miss any of the action. 

Support The Marinade on Patreon: https://patreon.com/marinadepodcast

This is a crossover episode with my friends Ben Montgomery and Wayne Fugate from Records Revisited! Records Revisited is a show that celebrates the magic of music. Each episode they have a distinguished guest - I emphasize distinguished as I have appeared seven (?) times - as of this writing. The group decides on an album to listen to and discuss and then rank the songs on the record from their favorite to least favorite. Then, they turn the mics on and go track by track to defend their rankings. I love those guys and their show so I jumped...

You Fuckers Figure It Out filmmaker Tommy Nickoloff is our guest for Episode 211 of The Marinade. Tommy grew up with legendary songwriter Jason Molina in Lorain, OH. 

In a strike of what we would call kismet married with genius, Nickoloff set out to make a film about his friend and the results are a must-watch for fans of Molina, film, music, or good stories.

Jason Molina is one of my all-time favorite songwriters. Tommy coming into my life to talk about Molina was fate so far as I'm concerned. You fuckers listen and figure out w...

Shawn Camp is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Arkansas who now makes his home in Nashville. He has written songs for Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and many more. Written with Loretta Lynn. Played in Alan Jackson, Jerry Reed, and Trisha Yearwood's bands. He and Guy Clark unleashed the Sis Draper universe of songs on the world. 

My Gen X heart would be remiss if I didn't mention that he wrote "Two Pina Coladas," which Garth Brooks took to number one on the country charts, and "How Long Gone," which enjoyed the same fate in the hands o...

Paul Kelly is a bona fide legend. The singer and songwriter from Australia who has been writing and performing songs that dive deep into the human condition as well as anyone for over for decades. His song "How To Make Gravy" is so iconic it has spawned an unoffical holidy in Australia, Gravy Day, and a feature film starring Hugo Weaving. 

Kelly has written a memoir, racked up shelves worth of Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards, and is likely among your favorite songwriter's favorite songwriters. His latest album Seventy is a masterful collection of songs which i...

Jason Earle shares his experiences from Suwannee Spring Reunion 2026 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL.

Welcome to The Marinade, a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff.

This is a bonus episode in our Jason's Journal series. In addition to sharing conversations with creative people, we often cover live creative events and work to bring you in on the action.

On this...

Jason Earle shares his experiences from Suwannee Spring Reunion 2026 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL.

Welcome to The Marinade, a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff.

This is a bonus episode in our Jason's Journal series. In addition to sharing conversations with creative people, we often cover live creative events and work to bring you in on the action.

On this...

Jason Earle shares his experiences from Suwannee Spring Reunion 2026 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL.

Welcome to The Marinade, a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff.

This is a bonus episode in our Jason's Journal series. In addition to sharing conversations with creative people, we often cover live creative events and work to bring you in on the action.

On this...

Jano is one third of one of my favorite bands of all time The Wood Brothers. I have had the pleasure of seeing the band countless times and the honor of interviewing lead singer Oliver Wood on three separate occasions. The Wood Brothers are woven into the fabric of The Marinade and I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had to spread the word about their music.

Jano is also one half of Rix, the father/son duo with his dad Luther. Legacy Vol. 1 is available wherever you listen to music. The fusion of Jano and...

Welcome to The Marinade, a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff.

This is Episode 207 and our guest is Brian Dunne. Brian is a singer and songwriter from New York whose latest record Clams Casino was one of my favorites of 2025 and remains a constant companion. Rolling Stone called Clams Casino "an indie-rock, Paul Simon-evoking gem of a record." Yep. That's about right. 

Brian is an insightful guy and o...

The Marinade, a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff.

This is a bonus episode, and our guests are Rusty Ingley and Reid Hardman. Rusty and Reid are the brain trust behind what is probably my favorite festival anywhere- Orange Blossom Revue in Lake Wales, FL. Jenn Ross and I have covered it for five years in a row and counting. Each year reveals something new- new connections, new sounds, new...

Jonathan Bernstein is a senior research editor and writer at Rolling Stone. He has written for Oxford American, The Guardian, GQ, and the Village Voice. His book What Do You Do When You're Lonesome - The Authorized Biography of Justin Townes Earle is available now wherever you purchase books. Y'all, this conversation is at the intersection of so many of my interests- music, music journalism, books, mental health- just all the things. 

This book is for anyone who is a fan of Justin's music or just real, human stories about complicated people. Everyone, it is my honor t...

Meghan is a singer and songwriter based in Nashville whose mesmerizing vocals and masterful storytelling have kept me captivated since before our first conversation nearly eight years ago.

Her latest record Latecomer came out in September of 2025 and it is one of my favorites of the year. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Meghan as a friend over the years. This is a huge honor and I am so excited to bring you, for the second time, my conversation with Meghan Hayes.

https://meghanhayes.com/ for all things Meghan Hayes.

...

Seth Anderson is a singer and songwriter based in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. With a punk rock ethos, Seth melds folk and indie rock into a soothing sauce that feels like comfort food and that feeling comes through in our conversation. Seth's latest record These Exact Days, These Peaceful Nights is one of my favorites from 2025 and has been on heavy rotation since before its release. 

Follow The Marinade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinade_podcast/

Follow all things Seth Anderson at: https://www.sethandersonmusic.com/

Listen to The Marinade on:

S...

Chris Otepka of Troubled Hubble. Troubled Hubble is a new-to-me band that just reissued their wonderful 2005 album Making Beds in a Burning House. This conversation came about because of Jim Hanke whose work on his podcast Vinyl Emergency is an inspiration to me and The Marinade. When Jim speaks, I listen and I am so glad I did. Troubled Hubble is one of those bands that would have been among my favorites had they graced my ears at the time of Making Beds in a Burning House's release. A great sense of melody. A little nerdy. A band that...

Jason Earle recaps day one of Orange Blossom Revue festival 2025 featuring Improvement Movement, The Steeldrivers, and the all mighty Drive-by Truckers.

The Marinade is a free-flowing conversation about the creative process with creative people. Each episode we welcome musicians, actors, comedians, authors, visual artists, filmmakers- anyone who creates art to talk about how and why we make stuff.

This is a bonus episode in our Jason's Journal series. In addition to sharing conversations with creative people, we often cover live creative events and work to bring you in on the action.

This is Episode 202 and our guest is Joelton Mayfield. Joelton is a singer and songwriter from small-town central Texas who's now based in Nashville, TN. Last year, Joelton toured with John Moreland, the Mountain Goats, Susto, Parker Millsap, and others. This year he played with Steve Earle and went on to release one of my favorite records of the year called Crowd Pleaser.

Joelton can flat write. This album covers a ton of emotional ground and leaves the listener thrilled and wanting more.

Kirby Baby is the nom de plume of Kirby Brown, a singer and songwriter who is going through a huge transition with his latest release Inside Man. Inside Man a collection of existential musings with a blend of indie rock that is a huge pivot from the Americana songs Kirby has been known for. 

This record was the medicine I didn't know I needed and it is an honor to bring you my conversation with Kirby Baby.

Listen On:

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/7aDUHCiq15zLGN0V0vK0aq?si=97d98d036b...

Evan Barber is a singer and songwriter from Southwest Georgia, who grew up playing southern rock and jam band songs with his best friends. His most recent record Until The Thunder is a personal collection of roots music that finds Barber painting pictures of life and love in The South. 

I caught up with Evan via Zoom after becoming inspired by his live set at the legendary historic Grant's Lounge in downtown Macon, GA, earlier this year. This is a true Marinade Universe episode as you will hear in the conversation.

The Marinade a free-flowing c...

Will Payne Harrison is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, photographer, videographer, and all around good dude originally from Louisiana who now makes his home in Nashville, TN. His latest record Stll Feelin' The Payne is out now. Y'all, I have known Will for years and this is a long overdue conversation. It is such a pleasure to bring you, my conversation with Will Payne Harrison.

Listen on:

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dwmhE4YHqraT04hwATRzP?si=e6ba1e648af24dbb

Apple Podcasts- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marinade-with-jason-earle/id1281080492?i=1000728146657

Cooper Kenward is a singer, songwriter, filmmaker, and all around interesting guy who makes his home in California. His new record haha, now I'm sad will be released on August 29, 2025 and it is a gorgeous ride of an album. We caught up via video call recently to talk about the making of that record, our mutual love of vinyl, loss, existence, and so much more! Everyone, it is my honor to bring you, my conversation with Cooper Kenward.

Listen on:

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YPhWIVs8QYipNGyMlnL1S?si=de8a53a36f394ee7<...

Jesse Daniel Edwards is a songwriter from California who now makes his home in Nashville. Edwards has lived an incredible life. He has gone from growing up without television or internet, to leaving home at 16, to tour managing for the likes of Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams, and Morrissey(!) and making unique, fascinating records. This year he has released not one, not two, but three wonderful collections of songs- two EPs and a full length. I highly recommend all three.

This conversation went in so many different directions, y'all. I am grateful for Jesse as a thought partner...

Chris Margolin is a singer, songwriter, educator, father, and husband from the Pacific Northwest. The man is an inspiration. Middle school teacher by day, rock n' roller by night- Chris has been educating the youth of America for over twenty years and moving crowds by night for thirty.

Despite a demanding day job, and the responsibilities of having a family, he maintains a prolific recording schedule that includes his latest wonderful offering David St., which finds Margolin and his band the Contraband collaborating to touch on country, grunge, 90s pop, and so much more goodness! 

T...