Pursuing the Muse is a podcast about songwriting and the creative process behind making music. It explores the different paths musicians take to turn ideas into finished songs. Through conversations and stories, it likely focuses on inspiration, craft, and the practical realities of being a songwriter. The show is hosted by Tom Compton and is aimed at listeners interested in how songs come together.
Episodes
Theo Kandel
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we're joined by singer songwriter Theo Kandel to talk about his wonderful new album, A Horse Named Friday. It is the follow up to his debut album Eating, Drinking and Being and Love and I'm happy to say there is no sophomore slump here. Stick around to hear how a stolen bowling ball sparked a ten-minute mockumentary film in addition to a great song. Le
Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse; today I’m catching up with Nick Dittmeier of Nick Dittmeier and the Saw Dusters, as well as, talking to bassist Shelley Anderson a bonafide Sawduster herself.Nick is a veteran of the show from season one who is currently on a "relentless" tour supporting his new album, Apparition, which has already taken the band from the Midwest to Europe and back again.Stick
Thomas Csorba
Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we sit down with Texas singer-songwriter Thomas Csorba. Based in Dallas, Csorba is a modern master of Americana who documents the emotional realities of domestic life and fatherhood on his brand new record, "Tender Country"Stay tuned as we discuss: Why his new album is already in my top four records of the year, his fascinating "Mirror versus W
Sophie Gault
Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse. Joining us today is Nashville’s Sophie Gault an east coast raised songwriter and guitarist celebrated for her aggressive playing style and a commitment to uncompromising honesty.Stay tuned as we discuss the single comment from her manager that redefined her sound, the eight-hour marathon session that captured lightning in a bottle, and why she considers the act o
Nathan Evans Fox
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we’re joined by Nathan Evans Fox, a musician whose brand of country blends Appalachian roots with deep empathy. Stay tuned as we discuss the raw emotion of Nathan becoming a father while losing his own in the same year. We’ll also explore his inventive "rewilding" of the banjo and hear all about his beautiful new album, Heirloom, out now, Pick it up toda
The Band of Heathens
Welcome again to Pursuing the Muse! Today we are joined by Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, the frontmen and primary songwriters of the Austin-based Band of Heathens, who are celebrating twenty years of making great music.Stick around to hear how their song craft has evolved over the years. Learn how Hurricane grew into a platinum monster. And find out which band member played linebacker in college.-----
Warner Hodges
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we feature Warner Hodges, an Americana pioneer who rose from childhood drumming in USO country bands to defining the cowpunk sound with Jason and the Scorchers. He's also played alongside Dan Baird and Homemade Sin, as well as, the Bluefields. Now he's fronting the Warner E Hodges Band and not missing a beat. In this episode, Warner reveals why his wife
Pert Near Sandstone
Today's guest is Nate Sipe, a founding member of the legendary Minnesota string band pert near Sandstone, who has been a staple of the Midwestern roots scene for over twenty years. As a multi-instrumentalist and co-curator of the Blue Ox Music Festival, Nate offers a unique look at the pipe dream of a lifelong career in music. In this episode, Nate reveals the origin of the band's name, di
Fr James Wallace
Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse! I’m your host, Tom ComptonToday, we are exploring the intersection of faith and melody with Father James Wallace. He's a native of Winnetka, Illinois and a trained canon lawyer, Father James serves as pastor in the archdiocese of Chicago and a professor at Mundelein SeminaryToday we'll be discussing how your favorite rock songs can be seen through a spiri
Dhammarato
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. This episode we're exploring bridging the world of music and the teachings of the Buddha. Our guest today is a retired Buddhist monk whose background includes being a college music major and a musician in the US Navy. His search for life's answers led him to the Thai Forest Buddhist tradition in the lineage of Bhikkhu Buddhadasa. In this episode, we'll rev
Henry Conlon
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse; I’m your host, Tom Compton. Today, we’re joined by Henry Conlon, a Nashville-based artist originally from Long Island whose baritone voiced songs are helping him make a name for himself in the music world.Stay tuned as we discuss surviving an ice storm, the whirlwind experience of recording full albums in just two days, and the real-life newspaper obituary that inspir
Jon Danforth
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse! Today, we are joined by a very special returning guest, Jon Danforth. An Arkansas native now living in Dallas, Jon is here to discuss his brand new LP, Natural State—a rootsy, nostalgic project six years in the making. Listen in as we discuss the 'bacon and birds' inspiration behind the lead single, how a 'weed bouquet' led to a life-changing confessio
Gatorwater
Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we’re joined by Gary Landess, frontman of the Chicago-based dirty blues rock quartet Gatorwater. Known for their slithering slide guitar and a rhythm section that thumps like a creature emerging from the swamp, the band recently released their heavy new album, Hydrophonic. In this episode, Gary reveals how a warped, unplayable guitar accidentally launched
Justin Warfield
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today, we are joined by the legendary Justin Warfield. From signing a solo deal at sixteen on Quincy Jones’s label to his global success with She Wants Revenge, Justin has spent thirty years navigating diverse genres. Stick around as we discuss how Beastie Boys made it safe for him to be a 'total weirdo' in early hip-hop, the 'perfect storm' involving
Mark Guarino
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. This go round we have Mark Guarino, a veteran journalist for the Washington Post and ABC News, and author of the award-winning music history book, Country and Midwestern. We discuss how Chicago’s role in country and folk history is like an independent research lab. While Nashville became the high-profile factory producing the finished "products" for the mass m
Brian Dunne
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. This week we’re diving into the wonderful new album, Clams Casino, with the artist who created it, Brian Dunne.Brian is a singer-songwriter based in New York. He’s known for combining rock and roll with raw, literate self-examination, and he is also a member of the supergroup Fantastic Cat.Stick around as Brian discusses the core conflict of his working-class characte
Elijah Johnston
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse. Today we welcome Atlanta musician Elijah Johnston, winner of the 2022 Vic Chesnutt Songwriter of the Year Award.His new album, Stupid Soul, blends lush Americana, power pop, and 90s alternative sounds, earning praise for its diversity. Elijah's most recent release is the holiday song "The Joy in Everything".Hear Elijah discuss how recording Stupid Soul bec
Gabe Lee
Today on Pursuing the Muse, we are in conversation with Nashville native, Gabe Lee!Gabe is an award-winning songwriter, recently named Saving Country Music’s 2023 Album of the Year winner for Drink The River. Known for crafting songs that blend country, folk, and rock, Lee is celebrated as a versatile performer and profound storyteller.Stay tuned to hear Gabe reveal the working title of his next a
Jon Nolan
Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse! Jon Nolan is back for his second appearance on the podcast. We are diving deep into his fantastic new album, Slow Cooker.Jon hails from Newmarket, New Hampshire, aka "Shoe Town". He is a seasoned musician, having co-fronted Say ZuZu with Cliff Murphy as well as taking the reigns with his own band, Good Company. Stay tuned as Jon reveals the raw, emotional
The Yayhoos
Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse. I’m Tom Compton, and today we’re talking the recent vinyl release of the Yayhoos two albums with half the members of the band: Terry Anderson and Eric Ambel. The Yayhoos are a roots-rock supergroup, featuring former Georgia Satellites frontman Dan Baird, Eric Ambel of The Del-Lords, Terry Anderson of the Olympic Ass Kickin Team and bassist extradoinaire Keith Chr
Buick Audra
Welcome back to Pursuing the Muse! I’m Tom Compton, and we are kicking off season four strong with a special guest, welcoming Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter, and producer Buick Audra. She's a Nashville resident, her fourth solo record, ADULT CHILD, is a strikingly personal concept album released in June 2025. She is also the guitarist and primary songwriter in the melodic heavy duo,
Season 3 Wrap Up
We're shutting down season three with a return of two of the season's great guests, Mike Delevante and Tim Fitzgerald. We're inventing a new genre of Chicago Nash Jazz Rock. Listen in for talk of singing harmonies, playing overseas, Hammond organs and all that AI can't replicate. The show notes have fact checked that Sha Na Na did perform at the Woodstock festival as claimed by
DK Harrell
This week, Pursuing the Muse declares "The thrill is not gone" because we're thrilled to feature blues phenom D.K. Harrell.At just 27, this Award-winning guitarist and vocalist is recognized as a leading light of the younger generation of blues artists. His new Alligator Records debut album, Talkin' Heavy, showcases his powerful original songs and unique sound, cementing his place
Callum Kerr
This week, Pursuing the Muse is excited to feature Scottish-born, Texas-raised, and Nashville-based country singer-songwriter Callum Kerr. Beyond his music, Callum is an accomplished actor, having starred in 13 films and TV series, including hit Netflix shows like Virgin River and One Piece. He's just released his debut EP, 'Roots Under Me'.In our chat, Callum shares about his Grand Ol
Lucy Kaplansky
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse!Today, we're joined by Lucy Kaplansky, a New York folk singer-songwriter who took a detour as a psychologist, before returning to music with acclaimed solo albums and supergroups such as Cry Cry Cry.Lucy and I discuss her new career retrospective album, "The Lucy Story," her unique songwriting process, co-writing with her husband, and the emotional impact o
Jessica Willis Fisher
This week on Pursuing the Muse we're joined by the talented Jessica Willis Fisher.Jessica is a Nashville based singer-songwriter and fiddle player. She has an acclaimed new album out now called "Blooming" which is the follow up to her debut "Brand New Day". She is also the author of the powerful memoir, "Unspeakable", which chronicles the domestic abuse of her childhood
Larry McCray
Welcome to Pursuing the Muse! Today, we're excited to bring you an in-depth conversation with a true master of the blues, the legendary Larry McCray. Get ready to dive deep into his musical journey and the creative process behind his compelling new album.Larry McCray is an acclaimed American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, originally from Magnolia, Arkansas. He learned guitar from his
Dustin Lowman
Get ready for a deep dive into the mind of Dustin Lowman! In the latest episode of Pursuing the Muse, Tom Compton sits down with singer-songwriter Dustin Lowman to discuss his captivating album, "Invulnerable,".Dustin Lowman is a singer-songwriter residing in the greater New York City area, drawing inspiration from masters like Bob Dylan. He released his album "Invulnerable" in lat
Tim Fitzgerald
Pursuing the Muse is back. This episode, we're featuring jazz guitar virtuoso Tim Fitzgerald. Tim and Tom go way back, so Tom can vouch for the fact that Tim's journey is incredible. He transitioned from studying physics to music mastery, learning the rules and how to break them from Barry Harris and Rodney Jones. Tim's now a scholar of Wes Montgomery and has released the acclaimed 
Mike Delevante
In this episode we're fortunate to have Nashville musician Mike Delevante join us. His new album, September Days, is in contention for record of the year. It boasts a timeless quality with jangly 12 string electric guitars and it offers a deeply personal feel. Notably, this marks Mike's first album of entirely self-written songs. It's a significant solo debut after years of making musi
Eric Ambel
In this episode, host Tom Compton talks with Eric Ambel, who truly embodies the word versatile in his work as a musician, producer, and even venue owner at one point. Eric says his many musical roles enhance each other. With a career spanning decades, Eric Ambel was a founding member of iconic bands like Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Del Lords and the Yayhoos. 25 years ago, Eric co-founded Co
Jon Muq
Pursuing the Muse is back for season 3! In this episode, host Tom Compton sits down with singer-songwriter Jon Muq, whose debut album, Flying Away, was widely acclaimed. On Jon's journey from Uganda to Texas, Jon learned to craft vital, joyful songs that are very much needed in our world today. The discussion explores his new single "Hear My Voice" and the creation of his album, produc
Season Three Coming Soon
Announcement that Pursuing the Muse returns for season 3 starting on June 17th
Nancy Abrams
Nancy Abrams joins Pursuing the Muse this week to discuss the original music that she releases on her Substack, the Philosophical Cabaret. After a career in philosophy, law and as an author, she is devoting time to sharing her music in a cabaret format, to provoke and to invite discussion. Nancy shares great insights from her breadth of experience, on how she writes and the importance of music i
Scott Low
Scott Low comes on the podcast this week and talks about his take on songwriting. Scott, a true scholar of music, takes a deep dive on not just how he has evolved with various genres of music over the decades, but he also goes into how popular music has evolved over the last century.
He is an avid fisherman and also has insights how songwriting and fishing have many similarities. He talks ab
Mike Felten
Mike Felten joins Pursuing the Muse to talk about his long career playing the Chicago music scene, playing his original brand of rock and roll with a folk and blues twist. He talks about starting out writing songs in his bedroom and growing from there. All while owning and operating multiple locations of Record Emporium in Chicago and Michigan.
Learn more about Mike at his official website...
Alice Peacock
Alice Peacock joins the show this week to talk about her career as a singer songwriter, how her creative process works and gives an update on what's coming down the pike. Alice has a joyous enthusiasm that is contagious. She has an amazing talent for writing songs that are smart, catchy and authentically vulnerable.
Learn more about Alice at...
https://www.alicepeacock.com/
https://www.ins
Joel Corelitz
Joel Corelitz joins the show this week. Joel is a composer and sound designer who has worked in the video game industry for over a decade. He has composed for major franchises like Halo and Mortal Kombat, in addition to voluminous indie game projects. Out of college Joel worked on commercials, as well as, installations for live events alongside prestigious firms such as Leviathan. Joel also wo
Jon Nolan
Jon Nolan, one of the co-frontmen of Say Zuzu, is here to kick off season two of Pursuing the Muse. Jon saw Say Zuzu rise on the 90's alt rock/country scene. In 2003 the band broke up and went their separate ways. Jon put out a few records as a solo artist. In 2019 New West Records approached the band about getting back together. And they did to great results with one of the best albums
Season Wrap and Terry Anderson reprise
We've made it to the end of season one of Pursuing the Muse. I invited Terry Anderson back on to help wrap things up. The timing was great because Terry has a new record out now, Got to Be Strong! It's so good! Get it at the Bandcamp link below.
This season has been a treat for me with all the insights I've gained from some of the best songwriters out there today. And I encourage
Nick Dittmeier
Nick Dittmeier joins the show to talk about his most recent records, how he got started writing songs, and what lies ahead without a 5 year plan. 6 months at best.
Check out Nick at:
https://nickdittmeier.com/
https://nickdittmeier.bandcamp.com/merch
Nathan Graham
Nathan Graham joins me on this episode of Pursuing the Muse. We talk about his fantastic new album "Saint of Second Chances". We delve into the story arc the record has. We discuss Nathan's range of influences including being influenced by movies. Nathan also reveals just how many voice memos he has on his phone.
Check out Nathan here:
https://www.nathangrahammusic.com/
https://na
Terry Anderson
Terry Anderson is this week's guest on Pursuing the Muse. Terry talks about how he got started from thwacking a belt on Muleskinner Blues as a boy to having top 40 hits that bring in royalty checks to this day. We talk about how his weird instrument tunings inspire songs, as well as how thinks about music 23 hours a day. The only thing Terry doesn't share is the name of the only box win
Steve Dawson
Steve Dawson is on this episode of "Pursuing the Muse". Steve talks about his career, his start writing songs, his experience teaching songwriting at the Old Town School of Folk Music, the songwriting book he co-authored "Take It to the Bridge", and he steps through one of the songs off his most recent album, "At the Bottom of a Canyon In the Branches of a Tree". Steve ha
Jon Danforth
Jon Danforth is here for episode 2 of Pursuing the Muse. We talk about Jon's songwriting process, how he came to love country music, the impact music has on culture, the wacky direction AI is going in music, and a whole slew of other stuff.
Check out Jon's music at:
https://jondanforth.com
https://jondanforth.bandcamp.com/
Social media: @jonmdanforth
Pursuing the Muse theme song by Joel
Andrew Bryant
Welcome to season one of Pursuing the Muse a podcast about songwriting. I'll be talking to musicians about what they do and how they do it with the craft of making songs.
Today, from just outside the Mississippi delta, I'm happy to bring you an interview with Andrew Bryant. He is a founding member of the Water Liars, as well as, an accomplished solo artist. His latest offering, "Pro
Season Introduction
Season One introduction episode for Pursuing the Muse
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