Episode 29 - Dustin Morris

Episode 29 is here and with it the start of a new year of Measured Voices. That's right, Measured Voices has been around for a full year, and I want to thank each and every one of you for coming along on this musical journey. If your friends have yet to discover the little podcast that could, won't you invite them along for the ride?

Year Two kicks off with a conversation with Dustin Morris, formerly of the band Edison. While Edison was based in the Denver area, with the band's breakup, Dustin made the decision to move a little further north, to Boise. We'll talk about what drew Dustin here.

We'll talk a bit about Edison and its demise, as well as touch on the idea that the band found success before it was really ready for it. Dustin also talks about some of the differences between Edison's music and the music he writes and performs now as a solo artist, as well as some of the physical challenges of being Edison's multi-instrumentalist.

Of course, we'll talk songwriting and about some of the freedom Dustin's found as a solo artist. Dustin talks about some of his musical and songwriting influences. Then, we talk about the Boise Music Project that Dustin helped launch after arriving in Boise - what it's about and what it hopes to achieve.

We'll touch on the changing landscape for independent musicians, Dustin's impressions of Boise's music scene, and common themes in his music. Dustin also shares three of his songs: "All That I Am," "Everything Is Magic," and "My Downfall."

In two weeks, episode 30 features a conversation with Nampa songwriter Brandon Thomas.

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Visit Dustin Morris' website.
Watch Dustin Morris on YouTube.
Follow the Boise Music Project on Facebook.


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Episode 20 - Naomi Psalm

It's the most wonderful time of the year! That's right, time for another episode!

Episode 20 features Naomi Psalm. Naomi sat down with me recently to talk about her music.

Along the way, Naomi and I talk about how she describes her music to others and listening to other songwriters and artists for ideas, inspirations, and approaches in her own music. Along the way, Naomi talks about her own approach to songwriting and the changes she has seen in Boise's music scene since arriving a decade ago.

We'll talk about why one song took Naomi five years to complete and about one woman's unexpectedly emotional response to another of Naomi's songs. We also discuss some possible directions Naomi would like to go with her music and talk about her hopes for getting back into the studio.

We wrap our conversation by talking about the changes in the music industry toward more release of singles versus full-length albums and the benefits of that for the independent artist. Plus, we talk a bit about Naomi's desire to do more co-writing.

Naomi performs three of her compositions: "Break My Fall," "Hole In The Carpet," and "Already Hit Send."

Follow Naomi Psalm on Facebook.
Listen to Naomi Psalm on ReverbNation.
Buy Naomi Psalm's music on CDBaby.

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Episode 010 - Part 1, Dan Costello

A short while back, I had the pleasure of sitting down for an in-depth conversation with longtime Boise singer-songwriter Dan Costello. The conversation was so good and so in-depth, I decided to split it into two parts.

In part one of my conversation with Dan, we talk in-depth about his approach to songwriting. Along the way, we slip into a discussion about cooking. Turns out it's the perfect metaphor for songwriting.

Dan talks about the themes he is drawn to in his writing and the artists who helped influence him along the way. He also discusses the effect marriage has had on his writing.

Dan and I talk about changes he's witnessed in the Boise musical scene, especially for younger performers and would-be performers. That seamlessly slides into a discussion about the importance of music education and the idea of music as language.

We revisit some advice Dan gave in a 2010 interview and talk about revision and the idea that it is better to write too much than to try later to add something. And we talk about Leonard Cohen's classic "Hallelujah" and its usefulness as a songwriting exercise.

Along the way, Dan performs a song he wrote for his own wedding and a song he wrote back during his days with the band Stella. Dan did not have his normal guitar with him, son the songs are performed on a carbon fiber Journey OF660 (link below).

Part two of my conversation with Dan will drop next Friday, August 3. (Note the change in schedule.) In it, we'll talk about the latest band project he's a part of and the differences for him between the solo and band performer dynamic. We'll also discuss his approach to playing guitar and his increased involvement with the Idaho Songwriters Association.

Follow Dan Costello on Facebook
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See Dan Costello on YouTube
Hear Dan Costello on ReverbNation
Visit Dan Costello's website
Journey Instruments OF660


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Episode 009 - Rachael Leigh

I recently sat down with Boise singer-songwriter Rachael Leigh. Over the course of our conversation, we covered a variety of topics, including her singing and writing influences (some of them are local, so you can also check them out). We also talked about how she would describe her singing and writing style.

In addition to singing and writing, Rachael also works full time and has two children to raise. We talked a bit about the challenges of juggling family, job, and music. (By the way, if you know any  good babysitters, Rachael may be interested.

Besides her solo work, Rachael is also part of the band No Relation, and she talks about how that came about. We wrap up by discussing the Boise music scene, her short term plans, and the briefly discuss the idea of songwriting and music as therapy.

Rachael was also kind enough to share three of her songs, including the first song she ever wrote.

Here are the pertinent links:

• Rachael Leigh on Facebook
• No Relation on Facebook

Remember, you can find Measured Voices on Facebook and also on Twitter. Send your questions, comments, and suggestions to measuredvoices@gmail.com.

Programming Note: Episodes 010 and 011 feature an in-depth conversation with long-time Boise singer-songwriter Dan Costello. These two episodes will also be posted one week apart (instead of the usual two). Look for part one to post July 27, with part two posting August 3. (Episode 012 will post either August 10 or August 17. That has yet to be determined.)

Episode 006 - Steve Eaton

Episode Six is here at last! In it, I sit down with the incomparable Steve Eaton for a nearly 60-minute conversation.

Steve opens up this episode with a performance of his song "The Bridge" and talks about how the song came about. From there, he discusses his desire these days to write songs that "mean something."

In this wide-ranging conversation, Steve touches on the lack of modern-day protest songs and on the ways in which religion and faith have changed since he was growing up.

Steve discusses some of the changes in the music industry and talks about how hard it is for musicians to make a living these days. He also shares the story of how The Carpenters came to record his song "All You Get From Love Is A Love Song."

From there, Steve discusses the positive aspects of being on a record label, his days on the Sandpiper Circuit, and he talks about the beginnings of and the future for the Idaho Songwriters Association, the group he co-founded nearly a decade ago.

Steve also shares his song "Where Do I Fit In?" and closes the episode with the title cut from his 1974 album, "Hey Mr. Dreamer."

Follow Steve Eaton on Facebook. You can also watch and listen to Steve's music on YouTube.

Episode Seven features music from and conversation with multi-instrumentalist Joseph L. Young.

Episode 005 - Fiona Luray

Boise singer-songwriter Fiona Luray is the focus of episode 005. She talks about her love of musicals growing up (with a side helping of jazz) and about her beginnings as a songwriter.

Along the way, she discusses her songwriting process and her songwriting influences. Fiona also talks about how the music scene in Boise has changed since she started out in 2010. And we talk about what Fiona would want with her if she was stranded on a desert island.

In-between, we talk about changes in her songwriting since her last album in 2012, and we discuss the progress on her third album, due out this year. Finally, Fiona talks about the one thing she'd like to do that she has not yet done. (Hint: It has to do with music.)

In this episode, Fiona shares three of her songs: "Birds," "Night Walker," and "Where Goes The Light" from her upcoming album.

Follow Fiona Luray on Facebook, listen to some of her music on Soundcloud (she's also on iTunes and Spotify, and keep track of upcoming performances.

Episode 004 - Red Light Challenge, Part 2

This time around, a continuation of my conversation with Sean and Kyle Luster of Red Light Challenge.

In this episode, the brothers talk about what it's like to be brothers performing together. We'll get their thoughts on the music scene and what it's like developing their craft in Boise as opposed to some better known music city, such as Austin, Los Angeles, or Nashville.


Sean and Kyle talk about the goals for the summer and also talk about their ideas about recording. They'll also talk about the importance of and their use of social media.

We discuss the evolution of their songwriting, their use of harmonies, and about how Hawaiian music influenced those harmonies without them even knowing. Finally, Sean and Kyle will talk about the development of the presence on stage and their rapport with their audiences.

I've also remixed episode three so as to improve the audio a bit. It has since be uploaded again

Follow Red Light Challenge on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and check out their web page.