Episode 45 of The JamBase Podcast features an interview with Eric D. Johnson of Fruit Bats. Johnson participated in a “Tour Stories” segment with JamBase’s Andy Kahn before a recent show at the Turf Club in St. Paul, Minnesota. The episode also features “The Rundown” of recent news from the world of live music and beyond.
The episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. Learn more about SiriusXM by visiting siriusxm.com/jambase.
Johnson’s “Tour Stories” segment was focused on two recent collaborations that took place at festivals this summer. Eric describes getting called upon to participate in the all-star “I Had A Song” performance at this year’s Newport Folk Festival. Johnson shared the stage with the legendary Judy Collins as well as James Mercer of The Shins, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes and others including Benmont Tench, Janet Weiss, Jason Isbell, John Stiratt and Chris Funk. The interview also touches on Johnson’s recently introduced new project Bonny Light Horseman that also features Josh Kaufman and Anaïs Mitchell. AK then asks EDJ about his experience at Pickathon and sitting-in with Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band. Johnson describes being onstage with the Grateful Dead bassist while singing the Dead classic “Candyman.” Eric recalls his interactions with Phil Lesh’s Grateful Dead band mate Bob Weir. Discussion of the new Fruit Bats album, Gold Past Life, which is out now on Merge Records, wraps up the entertaining interview.
The episode kicks off with AK and “The Rundown,” which again sadly begins with tragic news. Andy remembers guitarist Neal Casal who passed away last week at the age of 50. Casal’s cause of death was determined to be suicide. Neal and Andy met at Summer Camp this year for an interview that recently ran on The JamBase Podcast. AK recalls meeting Neal and the memorable exchanges they shared that afternoon. “The Rundown” also covers Phish‘s recent three-night stand at Dick’s Sporting Good Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The band’s ninth annual Labor Day Weekend visit to the soccer stadium outside Denver was AK’s first time attending a Dick’s run. The host gives his rundown of events over the weekend, calling out highlights from the shows. Finally, “The Rundown” wraps with note of recent collaborations between Dave Matthews Band and Warren Haynes and tour date announcements from Tool and The Disco Biscuits.
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