This season, we reached out to prior show guests to see how they’re doing during a year like no other. Catch our season closer with Sasha Elisabeth of Lotion Princess, who discusses life, love and moving forward.
Formative Tracks Episode 31-Tristan Welch /
Last year, we caught up with Virginia ambient guitarist Tristan Welch, who tells us how he’s continued performing during the pandemic and why he turns to My Bloody Valentine and Public Enemy for inspiration. To hear the music mentioned in this episode, visit our Spotify playlist.
Formative Tracks Episode 30- Catching Up With Jasmine Gillison /
This season, we reached out to prior show guests to see how they’re doing during a year like no other. Catch our conversation recorded earlier this year with Jasmine Gillison, who talks about how she’s managed to keep the music going and provides sneak peeks of some new songs.
Formative Tracks Episode 29-Philip Basnight (Broke Royals) /
Philip Basnight of rock outfit Broke Royals discusses the band’s “Alone, Together” series, as well as why he loves Jay-Z, Sleater-Kinney and the go-to tune with which to flood his band van, “Judy French.” (Photo credit: Aaro Keipi)
Formative Tracks Episode 28-Elijah Cruise /
Electropop/rock singer-songwriter and producer Elijah Cruise talks about how the pandemic upended his performance plans, and how he’s adjusting. Explore his love of The Postal Service and Dan Fogelberg, and hear the backstory behind his epic song “Where Did All My Friends Go?”
Formative Tracks Episode 27-Jahnel Daliya /
Virginia singer-songwriter Jahnel Daliya says the pandemic upended her plans for a tour and forced her to adjust to livestreaming, a format she’s not too keen on. “Sometimes you’ve just got to get out of your house.” The self-described “outdoor kid” picked up performance later in life and chats with us about TLC, Sam Cooke and how sleep paralysis influenced her music.
To hear the songs in this episode, visit the Formative Tracks Spotify playlist.
Formative Tracks Episode 26-Krista O'Connell /
In our first episode of Season 4, Virginia singer-songwriter Krista O’Connell talks about how she’s supporting fellow musicians during the pandemic, as well as how a panic attack during an early performance only made her more fearless. Oh, and there’s that howl you have to hear.
To hear the songs mentioned in this episode, visit the Formative Tracks Spotify playlist.
Formative Tracks Episode 25-Maryjo Mattea /
Singer-songwriter and member of many bands Maryjo Mattea sits down to talk shop and dig into her love of Death Cab. Hear full episode here.
Formative Tracks Episode 24-Grave Nature /
Christopher Mathews-Larsen, of solo post-rock/ambient project Grave Nature, chats about Swans, Brian Eno and Schubert. Hear full episode here.
Formative Tracks Episode 23-Jasmine Gillison /
Singer-songwriter Jasmine Gillison shares why she looks to Jewel, Nelly Furtado and George Gershwin for inspiration.
Formative Tracks Episode 22-Abby Rasheed /
Abby Rasheed, lead vocalist and songwriter for Abby Rasheed and The Sundry Collective, shares why she adores Vashti Bunyan and Of Montreal. Plus, learn how arguments amount broken appliances can lead to a stellar song.
Formative Tracks Episode 21-Dave Mohl /
Dave Mohl, guitarist and synth player for electro-pop foursome Mystery Friends, sits down to wax poetic about Oscar Peterson, Radiohead and Priests.
Formative Tracks Episode 20-Heather Mae /
In an extended-play episode, D.C. singer-songwriter Heather Mae discusses the roles mental illness, body-image issues and self-acceptance have played in her own music and the songs inspire her. To hear all of the music in this episode, visit the Spotify Formative Tracks playlist.
Formative Tracks Episode 19-Pearie Sol /
Virginia singer-songwriter Pearie Sol chats Keith Jarrett, The Cramps and Gary Numan, and explains why his website is so zany. To hear the complete episode, visit Mixcloud, and to hear the music in this episode, visit the Formative Tracks Spotify playlist.
Formative Tracks Episode 18-Caroline Weinroth /
Caroline Weinroth, pageant queen and frontwoman of retro trio Cinema Hearts, joins us to chat about Broadway, Mitski and why there aren’t more women in sound engineering. To hear the complete episode, visit Mixcloud, and to hear the songs featured on this episode, visit the Spotify Formative Tracks playlist.
Formative Tracks Episode 17-Integriti Reeves /
Jazz vocalist Integriti Reeves shares some big news, explains why she has a particular fondness for Joni Mitchell and gets a tad emotional about a Disney tune. To hear this complete episode, listen on Mixcloud. And to catch the songs in this episode, stream the Formative Tracks Spotify playlist.
Formative Tracks Episode 16-Justin Trawick /
In an extended-play episode, singer-songwriter Justin Trawick drops by Formative Tracks to chat about The Rolling Stones, Ani DiFranco and collaborating with Sen. Tim Kaine. To hear this complete episode, listen on Mixcloud. And catch the songs mentioned in this episode on the Formative Tracks Spotify playlist.
Formative Tracks Episode 15-Austin Blanton /
Austin Blanton, bassist for D.C. modern folk group Near Northeast, discusses Billy Bragg and Bjork, while providing a new method for listening to recordings. To hear the full episode, click here.
Formative Tracks Episode 14-Sasha Elisabeth /
Sasha Elisabeth, lead vocalist and songwriter for ethereal D.C. group Lotion Princess, talks Rilo Kiley, Bob Marley and the meaning behind her tattoo. To hear this complete episode, visit Mixcloud.
Formative Tracks Episode 13-Andrew Grossman /
Andrew Grossman, lead vocalist of D.C. folk-pop outfit The North Country, shares his love of They Might Be Giants and divulges his deepest thoughts on social media. To hear this complete episode, visit Mixcloud.