Podcast 159: Sam Amidon

Sam Amidon is, quite simply, one of our favorite musicians. His
visionary music is mesmerizing, he somehow melds traditional
Appalachian folk with experimental music. On this week’s podcast,
we talk to Sam about his music-filled childhood (his parents
are folk singers Peter and Mary Alice Amidon) and his transition
from being a professional traditional fiddler to a groundbreaking
solo artist. 


Sam tells us about his discovery of avant-garde music and free
jazz, what it was like to get lessons from Leroy Jenkins and his
time in the indie band Stars Like Fleas. He also discusses his
collaboration with hero Bill Frisell (2014’s Lily-O), the energy
he finds in primitive field recordings, why he wore a kung fu
outfit to his first solo gig… and a lot more. Sam has had a
fascinating musical journey and he walks us through it all.


Sam’s 2017 Nonesuch album, The Following Mountain, is his
first recording to feature his own songs. We can’t recommend it
enough.


Audio note: There’s some cell phone distortion in the first ten
minutes of this call; it gets better as the conversation goes on.
Stick with it.


This episode is sponsored by Dying Breed Music and Retrofret
Vintage Guitars.

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