Shows
Song of the SoulWhere Sadie Wants to Be - Sadie Gustafson-ZookLast December, at the suggestion of Flamy Grant, I interviewed Sadie Gustafson-Zook, a winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival and New Leaf songwriting contests, so you know that she's among the shining lights of today's rising folk stars. Given my delight at getting to know Sadie and her music, it's astounding and lamentable that I promptly mislaid her recording, and I only recently brought it to light.
2025-06-2055 min
Get Up in the CoolEpisode 428: Sadie Gustafson-Zook (Old Time Fiddle and Songwriting)Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Sadie Gustafson-Zook! We recorded this in October in my home in Portland, OR.
Tunes in this episode:
Speed the Plow (3:13)
Tippin’ Back the Corn (Jordan Wankoff original) (17:13)
Gentle on my Mind (John Hartford original) (25:00)
Break the Ice (Sadie Gustafson-Zook original) (41:47)
Old Yeller Dog Come Trotting Through the Meeting House (52:20)
Bonus Track: Autumn’s Fragrance (Sadie Gustafson-Zook original)
Visit Sadie Gustafson-Zook’s website
Follow her on Instagram
Buy her music on Bandcamp
Support...
2024-11-0657 min
The Song Saloon | Songwriting, Live Performance, & New Music Discovery"Autumn's Fragrance" by Sadie Gustafson-ZookSend us a textIn this episode of the Song Saloon, Sadie Gustafson-Zook, a Boston-nurtured, Indiana-based jazzy folk musician, talks about her journey and inspirations behind her song 'Autumn's Fragrance.' We talk about her collaboration with other musicians, her views on the music communities in different cities, and her new EP, 'What I Pushed Below.' Sadie has a live show in LA at the Harmony Room on October 19th for you LA folks!Follow Sadie Gustafson-Zook for more music, and sign up for an online voice/songwriting/guitar lesson!!
2024-09-2542 min
Dear BalladeerFlowers Growing Out of Sh**: Making Art When The World is Falling Apart with Luke ConcannonS2E5: On this, the 5th episode of the second season (and perhaps the last- we’re taking a TBD break), I have the pleasure of talking with Luke Concannon, New England-based, Old England-grown singer-songwriter and community builder. We talk about spirituality, finding hope in the midst of turmoil, creativity, and meaning-making, framed around his song Coventry. Thanks to everyone who has been on the podcast and everyone who has listened! I’ve had fun, and I’m ready for a break :) Check out all the prior episodes at dearballadeer.captivate.fm/. Refer...
2024-06-101h 00
The Sundilla Radio HourThe Sundilla Radio Hour #580The Sundilla Radio Hour for the week of 06/03/2024 featuring: Sonya Cohen Cramer “Lowlands” You’ve Been a Friend to Me (1992 Rounder) 5:04 Humbird “Song for the Seeds” Right On (2024 Humbird) 3:21 Jake Blount “Once There Was No Sun” The New Faith (2022 Smithsonian Folkways) 4:21 Sadie Gustafson-Zook “Anyone” Where I Wanna Be (2024 Bridge & Key) 3:49 Crow and Gazelle “These Are the Days” As Above Now so Below (2024 Crow and Gazelle) 3:03 Kim Beggs “Steel and Wool” Steel and Wool (2022 Kim Beggs) 2:41 Dana Cooper “Song For Myself” The Ghost of Tucumcari (2024 Dana Cooper) 3:25 Kim Richey...
2024-06-1059 minThe Sundilla Radio HourThe Sundilla Radio Hour #578The Sundilla Radio Hour for the week of 05/20/2024 featuring: Damn Tall Buildings “My Baby” Sleeping Dogs (2022 Damn Tall Buildings) 4:18 Adeem the Artist “Rotations” Anniversary (2024 Four Quarters) 4:29 Katie Dahl “I Already Knew” Seven Stones (2023 Leaky Boat) 3:37 Ryan David Green “Off and Running” Single (2024 Ryan David Green) 3:21 Dana Cooper “Needless To Say” The Ghost of Tucumcari (2024 Dana Cooper) 3:09 Sunny War “Solitary Hero” My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall (2024 Oh Boy) 4:00 Sadie Gustafson-Zook “Break the Ice” Where I Wanna Be (2024 Bridge & Key) 4:16 Izzy Heltai “All of This Beauty” Single (20...
2024-05-2759 minDear BalladeerFriend break-ups, Pandemic & Climate Catastrophe with Naomi WestwaterS2E4: Naomi Westwater (they/she) is a singer-songwriter and culture curator from Eastern Massachusetts. In this episode we dive into the ways that cataclysmic nature events (like the covid-19 pandemic and climate change) intersect with relational upheaval, as we discuss a question from an immunocompromised person who is feeling isolated by their friends. This episode features Naomi’s recent release OBNTS (oh, but nothing’s the same), an ode to friendship breakups. Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S2E5 Playlis...
2024-05-0650 minDear BalladeerLong Distance Relationships with Andrew PaulsS2E3: Andrew Pauls is many things and one of those is a success story for long-distance relationships. He is also a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, grant expert, and engaged community member in his town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. For this episode Andrew digs into his own life experience as we chat about a question regarding long distance relationships, and Andrew shares his song Can I Be Close To You. Andrew and I happened to be on tour so we got to record this episode live from the comfort of Andrew’s home office in Lancaster. Do you...
2024-04-0152 minDear BalladeerMoving Away From Family with Rachael KilgourS2E2: Second episode of the second season with the second Rachael of 2024 (that’s Rachael Kilgour)! In this intimate and in-person interview (recorded in the closet of our AirBnB at the Folk Alliance International conference) Rachael and I discuss the complexities of moving far away from one’s family (as framed by Rachael’s song “Ontario”). Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S2E2 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!
2024-03-0448 minDear BalladeerRunning Into Your Ex and Keeping Your Resolve with Rachel SumnerS2E1: We’re kicking off season 2 with a chat with Rachel Sumner! We get into a wide range of topics, from the creative flow to structuring a stand-up routine, to grounding techniques for when you run into an ex in public. This episode features Rachels’ new single “So What” off of her upcoming album “Heartless Things” (out May 10).Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S2E1 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!If you enjoyed this e...
2024-02-0555 minThe Sundilla Radio HourThe Sundilla Radio Hour #556The Sundilla Radio Hour for the week of 12/18/2023 featuring: Malcolm MacWatt North “Atlantic Summer” Settler (2021 Need To Know) 5:01 Sadie Gustafson-Zook “Lean In More” Sin of Certainty (2021 BGZ Sounds) 3:50 Jayme Stone “Drunken Hiccups” Jayme Stone’s Folklife (2017 Jayme Stone) 2:54 The Bombadils “Losing Track of Time” Dear Friend (2022 The Bombadils) 5:15 Our Native Daughters “I Knew I Could Fly” Songs of Our Native Daughters (2019 Smithsonian Folkways) 3:41 Last Year’s Man “Time Brings Change” Time Is a Sparrow (2022 Last Year’s Man) 3:21 Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears “Seasons Change” Just over the Ridge (2021 Lizzy Plotkin...
2023-12-2559 minDear BalladeerNot Being Heard, with Hallie SpoorS1E11: In our final episode of the season I have the pleasure of speaking with Brooklyn-based Hallie Spoor, coined “the Adele of Americana.” We answer question about wanting to be heard via Hallie’s song “Heart Like Thunder,” and take some detours along the way including conversations around being a cat-parent, making music videos with friends, and the difficulties of finding balance in life as a musician. Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E11 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this lette...
2023-12-041h 00Dear BalladeerFeeling Overwhelmed with Nina de VitryS1E10: In our 10th episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Nashville-based songwriter, Nina de Vitry, about how to deal with feeling overwhelmed. Nina gives great advice in person as well as in her songs, so we have a lovely time laying out some options for the letter-writer using Nina’s song “Being With Myself”Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E10 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!If you enjoyed this episode...
2023-11-061h 05The Sundilla Radio HourThe Sundilla Radio Hour #548The Sundilla Radio Hour for the week 10/23/2023 featuring: Dixon Darling “Arizona” Cat Dad (2021 Spirovox) 4:12 Darrell Scott “Red Bird” Old Cane Back Rocker (2023 HERE) 4:06 Abbie Gardner “Three Quarter Time” Dobrosinger (2022 Abbie Gardner) 4:03 Forest Sun “Love That Keeps on Trying” Hey Magnolia (2023 Forest Sun) 3:21 The Lonesome Ace Stringband “Praying for Rain” Try to Make It Fly (2023 Lonesome Ace Stringband) 3:30 The Rough & Tumble “Hard Times (You & Me)” Single (2022 Penny Jar Publishing) 3:12 The Rough & Tumble “Don’t Answer the Phone, Children (The Momo)” Be Good, Little Children: The Lullafrights, Vol. 1 (2020 The Rough & Tumbl...
2023-10-3059 minDear BalladeerTrying Something New (non-monogamy?!) with Corey Laitman (of Cloudbelly)S1E9: In this cozy October episode we chat with Corey Laitman (of the band Cloudbelly) about taking risks, overcoming fear, following your excitement, open communication, sex and non-monogamy, and more! We frame the conversation around the Cloudbelly song “Marrow” (which you can buy in CD form on Bandcamp). Resources:Shira Erlichman; In Surreal LifeAudre LordeAdrienne Maree BrownToko-pa TurnerMany Love: A Memoir of Polyamory and Finding Love(s) - Sophie Lucido JohnsonThe Ethical SlutPolysecureClementine MorriganDo you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experie...
2023-10-0259 minDear BalladeerMoving On with Kyle MorganS1E8: Welcome back from our one-month-long break! To usher you back into the DB world, enjoy our conversation with Brooklyn-based Kyle Morgan! In this conversation we cover the Dillsburg Farm Fair, the strife of being a youngest child, and the ways that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has taught Kyle about moving on. Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E8 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!If you enjoyed this episode, con...
2023-09-0458 minDear BalladeerSupporting friends while having boundaries with Siri Undlin (Humbird)S1E7: In this summery laughter-filled July episode, Minnesotan songsmith and writer Siri Undlin (also known as Humbird) and I alternate chatting and laughing. We discuss pulling all nighters while reading, gruesome fairytales, children who are more emotional evolved than adults, and a question from a letter-writer who is dealing with the tension of wanting to support a friend in need while still upholding their personal boundaries.References• “Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space” by Amanda Leduc• Geoguessr, the game• “Intimations” by Zadie SmithDo you have a...
2023-07-0350 minDear BalladeerSelf-Sabotage with Conor GarveyS1E6: In this month’s episode Conor Garvey offers his insight on self-sabotage! Garvey is a Maine-based songwriter, teacher, adventurer, facilitator of the human experience, and self-anointed expert in self-sabotage. We talk about the glory of camp, experiences of getting in our own way, avoiding it, and the importance of trusting our past selves.Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E6 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!If you enjoyed this...
2023-06-051h 04Dear BalladeerIn Love with Your Best Friend with Kimaya DiggsToday’s episode delves into the treacherous territory that is deciding whether or whether not to tell a friend that you are in love with them. To help us answer this question we have the pleasure of speaking with Western Mass indie-pop-folk staple, Kimaya Diggs. We also get some good insight from Kimaya’s song, “But I Do.” Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E5 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!If you enjo...
2023-05-0142 minDear BalladeerGender-affirming spicy sex with Heather MaeS1E4: Today we look at a letter from someone who’s hoping to spice up their sex life in a way that helps them explore their gender and sexuality as a queer non-binary person! We were lucky enough to be able to talk to alt-pop icon and queer, fat, poly activist Heather Mae about her song “In My Head,” (also featuring Crys Matthews) which tackles communication, letting go of shame, and more!Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E4 Playlist...
2023-04-031h 06Dear BalladeerWhere to be and What to do, with Alec SpiegelmanS1E3: Today we tackle the topic of where to live and what to do! When I consulted my songwriting peers seemingly everyone had written their own spin on the song. I’ve spent the last year writing songs on the topic so today we look at a few questions on the topic via an original song I co-wrote with Alec Spiegelman called “City Song/Where I Want To Be Found” (an unreleased bop!). On this episode we talk about Alec’s life trajectory, my recent moves, how we decide to make big life decisions, linguistics, science, and feelings. Do y...
2023-03-0649 minDear BalladeerLove Again? with Eleanor BucklandS1E2: Today we look at an age-old question: how to love again. Eleanor Buckland and I (Sadie Gustafson-Zook) dive into this question posed by a listener who recently moved, has been experiencing heartbreak, and wants to know how to move on and get into a meaningful relationship. This episode features Eleanor's song "You Don't Have to Know"! Follow Eleanor on instagram, buy her music, and learn more at her website!Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show!For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E2 Playlist, hand-selected songs t...
2023-02-061h 04Dear BalladeerCreative Dry Spells with Eliza EdensS1E1: Welcome to Dear Balladeer! In this inaugural episode of Dear Balladeer myself (Sadie Gustafson-Zook) and Eliza Edens discuss a letter about creative dry spells and grief. This episode features Eliza's song "Julia"! Follow Eliza on instagram, buy their music, and learn more at their website!Do you have a predicament? Submit it to the show! For a full-spectrum advice experience listen to the accompanying DB: S1E1 Playlist, hand-selected songs to pertain to this letter writer's predicament!If you enjoyed this episode, consider becoming a member of my Patreon page to...
2023-01-0247 min
Basic FolkAlec Spiegelman, ep. 108Alec Spiegelman has been making folk music weird for years. Recently, his partnership with Ana Egge has put him on the radar as one of the most creative producers for folk musicians, working with people like Taylor Ashton, David Wax Museum and Sadie Gustafson-Zook. He's a part of the innovative indie folk band, Cuddle Magic, who just released a record in 2020. Alec also found time during quarantine to release a solo album, which is filled with his signature charm and weirdness highlighted by brass and woodwinds. Alec's personality is very playful, which translates really well into his solo work...
2021-03-111h 07Basic FolkBasic Folk 84 - Laura CorteseThere is a lot going on with Sadie Gustafson-Zook. Raised in a supportive Mennonite community near Goshen, Indiana, Sadie was playing in her parents' folk band from the age of 6. Homeschooled until grade 5, she learned to channel her feelings through writing. After graduating from Goshen College, she moved to Boston in order to experience life outside of her community and to further her education. She recently completed a master's in Jazz voice at Longy School of Music in Boston. The way she incorporates Jazz brings a refreshing burst of energy into her original music.The songs on...
2021-02-1100 minBasic FolkSadie Gustafson-Zook, ep. 103There is a lot going on with Sadie Gustafson-Zook. Raised in a supportive Mennonite community near Goshen, Indiana, Sadie was playing in her parents' folk band from the age of 6. Homeschooled until grade 5, she learned to channel her feelings through writing. After graduating from Goshen College, she moved to Boston in order to experience life outside of her community and to further her education. She recently completed a master's in Jazz voice at Longy School of Music in Boston. The way she incorporates Jazz brings a refreshing burst of energy into her original music.The songs on...
2021-02-0455 min
2019-05-2200 min