Kevin Morby expounds on how the raw beauty of the Mountain Goats made making folk music seem both accessible and punk. Then Margaret Glaspy explains how Vic Chestnut's unflinching take on life and and Elliot Smith's use of metaphor influence her as a writer.

Lake Street Dive's Mark Olson found that Willie Nelson's version of "Song for You" helped him deal with these complexities of being a musician on the road and helped his art along the way. And Austin newcomer Jane Ellen Bryant describes how Shawn Colvin's "I Want It Back" is the perfect example of how to write, arrange and produce a song.

Thor Harris takes Elizabeth on a brief tour of progressive rock and gives a shout out to Yes and other stalwarts of the genre and describes what music inspired his new, hypnotic project, Thor And Friends. Then Grace London and Zoe Czarnecki from the Austin band Misimplicity describe how Elliot Smith and a bass concerto by Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf have helped them find their musical ways and climb musical mountains.

Blitzen Trapper’s Eric Early describes how his musical trajectory was permanently altered by R.E.M. and their breakout album “Out Of Time.” Then bandmate/drummer/actor Brian Koch tells a tale of his family who did very little to encourage his music and how he was inspired by hidden radios, friends with guitars and a young singer-songwriter with whom he now shares a stage.

The new season of This Song starts Wednesday, November 16th and it’s going to be a good one! Tegan and Sara, Andrew Bird, Paul Banks and RZA, Nathaniel Ratliff, Andrew WK and lots of other artists will talk about the songs that changed their lives and give you insight into their artistic process.

Paul Banks and RZA, aka Banks and Steelz, describe their shared love of the music of Leonard Cohen. Then Lizzo explains the powerful impact Lauryn Hill’s “Zion”, Radiohead’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” and the city of Minneapolis had on her music.

Alex Trimble of the Irish indie rock trio Two Door Cinema Club explains how Beck's “Midnight Vultures” album illustrated the concept of music-making without rules. Then Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek of the Brooklyn-based band Big Thief describe how “The Leanover” from Life Without Buildings and the work of Michael Hurley inspired them and lead them to approach their songwriting and musical performances from completely new directions.

El-P and Killer Mike from Run the Jewels start out talking about early influences (Prince's "Beautiful Ones" and Ice-T's "6 In The Morning”) and end up expressing their love and respect for Southern Rock, The Clash, Outlaw Country and early hip hop and rap. Then Sarah Castro and Matt Parmenter of the Austin-based Belcurve explain how Kathleen Edwards, PJ Harvey and Tom Waits helped them create their shared musical vocabulary.

Tegan and Sara give you insight into Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream, Phil Collins melodies, teenage bedrooms, finding self-identity, how to be the change and (for all of you songwriters) the secret to writing a hit pop song.

Jenn Wasner of Flock of Dimes and Wye Oak takes you through why Joni Mitchell's "Amelia" both comforts and terrifies her. And Lucy Dacus explains how the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" is a friendly ghost in her life, and how Prince's "I Would Die 4 You," helped expand her idea of how cool a song about God could be.

Stephen Bruner aka Thundercat describes how Stanley Clarke's "School Days" and Jaco Pastorius' self titled album expanded his view of what it means to play bass.

Chase Simpson and Josh Jove from the L.A. based rockers The Shelters describe how the simple yet dangerous feel of Link Wray's "Rumble," the live version of Tom Petty's "Learing to Fly" and the music of the Yardbirds shaped their sound.

Jim James’ second solo record is his most lyrically direct and overtly political work to date.

Singer T0mar Williams from the Austin soul band Tomar and the FC's talk about how singing Michael Jackson's "Ben"as a kid started him on a lifelong musical path. The the FC's drummer Paul Kresowik explains how Al Jackson Jr's drumming on Sam and Dave's "Soul Man," helped him understand what soul drumming was all about.

Ray describes how "My World" by Kid Cudi saved his life as a young teenager. The young artist then sends his own message of support and love to his hero, who has recently experienced some dark days.

Andrew Bird knew “For The Sake Of The Song” by Townes Van Zandt already, but when he re- listened to it recently he realized how much he related to the lyrics on a personal level. His conversation with Elizabeth touches on how much the song affected him, how it inspired him to write in a less encrypted manner and some of the downfalls of exposing his most intimate experiences in his work.

Local Natives Kelcey Ayer and Nik Ewing have been thinking a lot about how to balance darkness and light, art and activism.

Molly Burch always knew she wanted to sing, but she just needed to find the right song. Hear how Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" has helped her find her way as a singer from the first time she heard it in middle school.

Rhett Miller, lead singer and songwriter of Old 97's, explains how seeing a jewish lesbian folk singer named Phranc sing Bob Dylan's "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" helped him realize how music connects and saves us all.

Professional Partier Andrew W.K. explores one of the most deeply embedded songs in American culture -- The Star Spangled Banner. As he breaks down how this lyrically archaic a technically difficult song works as a stirring National Anthem, you may realize that you have your own connection to the song.

Austin’s Hardproof is extra special to us at Team This Song. Their song “Mahout” begins and ends every episode of our podcast so we consider them part of the family. They have just released their new record “Stinger” on Modern Outsider Records and when they came to KUTX to talk with Elizabeth about it, band members […]

Artists from past episodes of This Song come to the Live Music Capital of the World for one week of music-making magic during SXSW.

Team This Song is still processing SXSW, and we’ve decided to process with you.  Listen as the interviewers, editors, audio engineers and interns who make this show happen bring you their favorite sparkly festival moments from artists like Lizzo, Spoon, OJR, Temples, Cool Kids, Otis the Destroyer and 6lack. Listen to KUTX  On Air Host Jody Denberg’s […]

Britt Daniel and Alex Fischel talk with Elizabeth McQueen about from where they drew their inspiration for their new release “Hot Thoughts.” During the conversation they touch on Bruce Springsteen’s elevating sax solos, the guitar energy of The Wipers, Dr. Dre’s synth sounds and how audio — and not necessarily lyrics — can transmit powerful emotions.

Vickie Howell has been bringing knitting to the people since the early days of the internet. Hear how her roots in the DIY SoCal punk scene watching bands like Pennywise, Social Distortion and Bad Religion influenced her work with Austin Craft Mafia and continues to inspire her as she embarks on her new project -- "The Knit Show with Vickie Howell."

Alex Bleeker and Martin Courtney of Real Estate in depth look the quiet beauty of “Look At What The Light Did Now” by Little Wings (aka Kyle Field) and how their love and respect for the song and the artist who wrote it have inspired them both.

Anthony West from the alt-pop duo Oh Wonder explains how Death Cab for Cutie's "Plans" was responsible for changing and guiding both his and songwriting partner Josephine Vander Gucht’s writing styles. Listen and learn.

Sundara Karma's lead singer and songwriter Oscar Pollock describes how his new found love of Nick Drake's second record Bryter Later has been pushing his writing into more vulnerable and authentic territory. And drummer Haydn Evans delves into his enduring love for the Beach Boy's "Pet Sounds."

When Alex Maas from The Black Angels heard avant garde electronic pop band Silver Apples' first record in a bar in Cincinnati he had what he describes as a spiritual experience. Listen as he describes the effect that Silvers Apples had on The Black Angels music and how their new record "Death Song" has been an exercise in trying to understand the world we live in now.

Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot from the rock n' roll talk radio show Sound Opinions talk about "Walking on the Moon" by the Police, Patty Smith's "Gloria" and how music criticism is all about conversation and connection.

Could it be that listening to Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill" at age 9 headed Temples' James Bagshaw down a path that lead to recovering a lost PDA, school yard black market exchanges, revelations about the low fi aesthetic of the Strokes, a love of Frank Sinatra and a life of music? We'll let you decide.

Conor Oberst turns The Felice Brothers' "Jack at the Asylum" to help him make sense of his conflicted feelings about America.

Hear how a Ryan Adams' song, an Offspring record and a sped up version of Twisted Sisters' "Burn in Hell" led to the creation and the sound of The Strumbellas.

Austin Artist Michael Winningham on how Os Mutantes "A Mihna Menina" opened his mind to an expansive sonic world and influenced his latest project, Palo Duro.

Natalie and Elliot from Wild Belle describe how how crucial the audience is to their music and how both witnessing a Radiohead show and playing their own show in Mexico heightened their awareness of this important notion.

Matt the Electrician describes how seeing Michael Penn's video for "No Myth" changed his life and gave him the permission he needed to pursue a life in music

Austin’s Hardproof is extra special to us at Team This Song. Their song “Mahout” begins and ends every episode of our podcast so we consider them part of the family. They have just released their new record “Stinger” on Modern Outsider Records and when they came to KUTX to talk with Elizabeth about it, band members […]

JR JR  has been making catchy indie pop music for the better part of the decade.  But where did this hook-laden infectious music come from? Listen in as the band members recount how their experiences with live shows by The Grateful Dead, a mysterious glow at a Tonic concert, a case of Led Zeppelin misidentification, the love […]

Tycho's Scott Hansen describes how Boards of Canada's "ROYGBIV" helped him understand that his most effective form of expression was instrumental electronic music.

Shinyrib's Kevin Russell describes how "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas got him into soul music as a kid and explains his musical mission -- to dance and get the world to dance with him.

Brett Dennen describes the first time he heard Joni Mitchell's "All I Want" and explains how it revealed the kind of artist he would later strive to be.

Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore spend most of their lives on the road, both as members of Steve Earle’s band, The Dukes, and as the husband and wife duo, The Mastersons. Their discussion with Elizabeth touches on Daniel Lanios’ late night landscapes; the harmonies of Emmylou Harris, The Louvin Brothers and The Jayhawks and how one […]

There’s no denying that St. Paul and the Broken Bones are full of soul, and in this episode you get a little taste of where it all came from. From a cappella versions of “Amazing Grace”, to Otis Redding and Miles Davis, the Alabama-based bands depth of spirit is influenced by passionate, emotional music. “Being able […]

Matthew Sweet has been crafting pop gems since the 90's and his new record "Tomorrow Forever" is no exception. Listen as he explains how John Lennon's songwriting showed the kind of deeply personal yet expansive and experimental artist that he would later strive to be.

Karl Alvarez, bassist for the legendary punk rock band Descendents, describes how the Beach Boys "Help Me Rhonda" and L.A. Power Pop band The Last guided the band's early sound, and continues to influence them on their latest record "Hypercaffium Spazzinate."

Hear how Leonard Cohen’s measured and thoughtful poetry, the stream of consciousness lyrical prowess of Bob Dylan, and the rollicking tunes found on The Basement Tapes caused Nathaniel Rateliff and his longtime friend Joseph Pope III to find the balance between sharing songs of meaning and significance and just having a good time with friends.

Reggae Artist Collie Buddz explores the impact that Garnet Silk's Song "Watch Over Your Shoulders" had on his life and gives host Elizabeth McQueen a crash course in Soundclash, Dubplate & Conscious Reggae.

Hannah Joy, lead singer and songwriter of the Australian trio Middle Kids, talks about how Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac inspires her as a female artist and describes why she decided to transition from a solo piano based artist to a guitar playing leader of a band.

Psychedelic garage-rocker Ty Segall tells KUTX host Taylor Wallace how The Band’s “The Weight” influenced his songwriting and inspired the name of his new puppy

It's This Song's 100th Episode!!!! Host Elizabeth McQueen gets interviewed by her 8 year old daughter Lisel about how Rebecca Sugar's "Here Comes a Thought" from Steven Universe expanded her idea of what songs can do. Then Lisel explains to Elizabeth how "Peace and Love on the Planet Earth," also from Steven Universe, blows her mind and is helping her process big ideas like, Peace, War, Death and Birth.