Episode 97: Billy Strings

The guitarist returns to discuss his new album, ‘Renewal,’ and more.

By Team JamBase Sep 23, 2021 • 11:15 am PDT

Episode 97 of The JamBase Podcast, a partner of the Osiris Media Network, features the return of guitarist Billy Strings. JamBase’s Scott Bernstein spoke with the guitarist about his new album, Renewal, which arrives tomorrow Friday, September 24 through Rounder Records.

Scotty interviewed the guitarist, who shared “Tour Stories” during a 2018 appearance on the podcast, via a video call. Billy Strings was in Spokane, Washington for a rare day off before a recent show at Riverfront Pavilion.

Strings discussed writing the songs featured on Renewal and the process of recording the LP. Billy shared memories from songwriting sessions with the other members of his band and then talked about the role co-producer Jonathan Wilson had in making the follow-up to 2019’s Home. The guitarist dove into how the album was sequenced and the tough choices when it came to deciding what songs were included on the LP.

The Michigan-bred musician detailed the music he listens to before shows and on his fishing trips. Strings and Bernstein then chatted about the guests who contributed to Renewal, including his appreciation for fiddler John Mailander. Billy went on to discuss the evolution of the songs on the album in concert and why he chose to premiere most of the material during his Déjà Vu Experiment at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York back in February.

Talk then turned to Strings’ inclination for frequently adding new covers to his live repertoire and Billy’s social media presence. Eventually, the pair discussed the guitarist’s performances with Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann and how honored Strings was to put music to Robert Hunter’s “Thunder” lyrics.

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Stream Episode 97 of The JamBase Podcast via all major podcast services including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Google Podcast.