WFUV's Take Five

It's not as if Tift Merritt had been playing it safe before, but when she found herself without a manager or a label last year, she decided to go full speed ahead. On her own dime and direction, Tift made one of her best albums yet. It's called 'Traveling Alone,' and it's a rich celebration of just that. Hear more about the journey and the new songs, as Tift talks with host Claudia Marshall at FUV.

The Alternate Side's Russ Borris talks with Swedish singer-songwriter The Tallest Man On Earth (a.k.a. Kristian Matsson) about his latest album, 'There's No Leaving Now.' The Tallest Man On Earth also performs live versions of his songs, 'Revelation Blues' and 'To Just Grow Away' in WFUV's Studio A.

Her mother is Jamaican, her father is Greek, and her music is an accomplished hybrid of soulful British folk. Meet Lianne La Havas, whose debut album, 'Is Your Love Big Enough?,' just came out this summer. It exhibits a quiet confidence that's something special when you consider that Lianne is only 23, and you can hear for yourself in her recent visit with FUV's Alisa Ali.

Patterson Hood isn't done for the day when he hangs up his hat as frontman for the southern rock outfit, Drive-By Truckers. Over the last 8 years, he's made a compelling and intimate solo career for himself, and he recently released a third great album, 'Heat Lightning Rumbles In The Distance' — which he recently spoke about with FUV's Darren DeVivo.

The sophisticated, atmospheric rock of Brooklyn's own Grizzly Bear has been causing swoons across indie-land for about 10 years now. After the albums 'Horn of Plenty,' 'Yellow House' and 'Veckatimest,' they top it off with the release of 'Shields,' and FUV's Eric Holland recently had a chance to talk with the guys about the new batch of songs.

Milo Greene: P.R. dude or awesome indie folk-pop band with lots of voices and big promise? You decide. In the meantime though, this maverick LA 5-piece has been receiving standing ovations on tour, and invitations to late-night TV. When you hear the songs of their self-titled debut album, you'll understand why—especially when they're performed live in this Studio A session with FUV's Alisa Ali.

The Alternate Side's Alisa Ali talks with the Canadian band Wintersleep about the making of its fifth full-length album, 'Hello Hum,' and about working with producer, Dave Fridmann.  Wintersleep also perform live versions of the new songs, 'Nothing Is Anything (Without You)' and 'In Came The Flood' in WFUV's Studio A.

FUV and host Eric Holland headed to Electric Lady Studios for an FUV Live show with this husband-and-wife duo from Charleston, South Carolina. Shovels & Rope takes inspiration from forebears like X and The Cramps, but they've got their own brand of folky cow-punk that's both raucous and tender. Their terrific debut album 'O' Be Joyful' recently came out, and we thought a live set was in order too.

From FUV's Russ Borris: 'When it was announced that Britt Daniel of Spoon, Dan Boeckner of Handsome Furs/Wolf Parade and Sam Brown of New Blood Turks were forming a new band, the first word that came to mind was 'supergroup.'  Not my mind, necessarily, but you get the idea.  'Supergroup' gives the impression of a bunch of musicians who are passing time between their regular gigs to play around a bit. A distraction, of sorts. Nothing could be further from the case with Divine Fits. When the band stopped by WFUV, we talked about the dreaded 'supergroup' moniker, the origins of the band and where they see this whole thing going.  Make no mistake: Divine Fits is no side project. This is a great new band with a great record, 'A Thing Called Divine Fits.'  Pretty great session, too.'

It's CMJ week in NYC and The Walkmen are on the long list of artists set to perform. Look back to the band's latest visit to FUV with host Eric Holland, featuring tunes from their seventh full-length album, 'Heaven.'

Oklahoma has given the world a long line of great songwriters, like Jimmy Webb, Leon Russell, and of course, Woody Guthrie. Now it also boasts John Fullbright, who actually hails from Woody's hometown. John has been performing his country-tinged songs for several years, but only just released his studio debut, called 'From The Ground Up.' It recently brought Fullbright to our studio for the first time, and you'll hear why this star is on the rise, in his conversation with FUV's John Platt.

The Alternate Side's Alisa Ali talks with Matthew E. White about his solo debut, 'Big Inner,' the current state of the music industry, and whether there is a place for spirituality in music.  White and his band also perform live versions of their songs, 'Big Love' and 'Steady Pace' in FUV's Studio A.

David Wax and Suz Slezak create a blend of Appalachian and Mexican folk styles that's exuberant, toe-tapping, and very much their own. As David Wax Museum, they bring that independent spirit to bear on their boisterous new album, 'Knock Knock Get Up,' and the energy gets even better live — as you'll hear in the band's recent visit with FUV's Claudia Marshall.

Seasoned alt-rocker Bob Mould looked back over this three-and-a-half decades on stage in his 2011 autobiography, 'See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody,' but he returns to his signature, power-trio sound on his new album, 'Silver Age.' On a recent visit to FUV with his band (Jason Narducy and Jon Wurster), Bob talked with host Darren DeVivo about struggles, self-expression, and the variety of projects that keep him satisfied. And, he turned up the volume to perform some paint-peeling live tunes too.

True, Ben Sollee is a talented cellist from Kentucky, but he's also a singer-songwriter who loves to knock down walls and build unique songs from the ground up. He's done just that with some great players, including Abigail Washburn and members of My Morning Jacket. That thoughtful yet adventurous approach is on full display on Ben's new album, 'Half-Made Man,' and in his recent conversation with FUV's Alisa Ali.