Ani Difranco talks with Joe Kendrick by phone ahead of her performance in Asheville, NC, about the state of consciousness and protest music, her work with Creative Allies and the music scene in her new home, New Orleans.

Charleston, SC six piece band The Explorers Club join host Joe Kendrick in a far-reaching conversation about their influences, making their new record The Grand Hotel, how technology plays a critical role in doing business, their love of vinyl records and much more.

The Explorers Club is a band that prizes great hardware and is meticulous about the recording process, and in this conversation with host Joe Kendrick, they get to talk about some of their ideal music gear and how plug & play is the antithesis to their approach.