This Song – KUTX

Molly Burch always knew she wanted to sing, but she just needed to find the right song. Hear how Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" has helped her find her way as a singer from the first time she heard it in middle school.

Local Natives Kelcey Ayer and Nik Ewing have been thinking a lot about how to balance darkness and light, art and activism. Listen as Kelcey describes how Fleetwood Mac's "Sara" is a "sad song that makes you feel good," and why he needs those kind of songs in his life. Then Nik Ewing explores why he's come to appreciate Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" in the past year, and how that song inspires him and others in the band to think expansively about their roles as artists.

Andrew Bird knew “For The Sake Of The Song” by Townes Van Zandt already, but when he re- listened to it recently he realized how much he related to the lyrics on a personal level. His conversation with Elizabeth touches on how much the song affected him, how it inspired him to write in a less encrypted manner and some of the downfalls of exposing his most intimate experiences in his work.

Ray describes how "My World" by Kid Cudi saved his life as a young teenager. The young artist then sends his own message of support and love to his hero, who has recently experienced some dark days.

Singer T0mar Williams from the Austin soul band Tomar and the FC's talk about how singing Michael Jackson's "Ben"as a kid started him on a lifelong musical path. The the FC's drummer Paul Kresowik explains how Al Jackson Jr's drumming on Sam and Dave's "Soul Man," helped him understand what soul drumming was all about.

Jim James’ explains why he melds his art and his politics and describes how how the work of artists like Gil Scott-Heron, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder showed him how to speak his mind in a poetic, musical and powerful way.

Chase Simpson and Josh Jove from the L.A. based rockers The Shelters describe how the simple yet dangerous feel of Link Wray's "Rumble," the live version of Tom Petty's "Learing to Fly" and the music of the Yardbirds shaped their sound.

Stephen Bruner aka Thundercat describes how Stanley Clark's "School Days" and Jaco Pastorius' self titled album expanded his view of what it means to play bass.

Jen Wasner of Flock of Dimes and Wye Oak takes you through why Joni Mitchell's "Amelia" both comforts and terrifies her. And Lucy Dacus explains how the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" is a friendly ghost in her life, and how Prince's "I Would Die 4 You," helped expand her idea of what song about God could do.

Tegan and Sara give you insight into Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream, Phil Collins melodies, teenage bedrooms, finding self-identity, how to be the change and (for all of you songwriters) the secret to writing a hit pop song.

El-P and Killer Mike from Run the Jewels start out talking about early influences (Prince's "Beautiful Ones" and Ice-T's "6 In The Morning”) and end up expressing their love and respect for Southern Rock, The Clash, Outlaw Country and early hip hop and rap. Then Sarah Castro and Matt Parmenter of the Austin-based Belcurve explain how their collaborations steer clear of the ordinary and how Kathleen Edwards, PJ Harvey and Tom Waits helped them create their shared musical vocabulary.

Alex Trimble of the Irish indie rock trio Two Door Cinema Club explains how Beck's “Midnight Vultures” album illustrated the concept of music-making without rules and in turn reinvigorated his songwriting. Then Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek of the Brooklyn-based band Big Thief describe how “The Leanover” from Life Without Buildings and the work of Michael Hurley inspired them and lead them to approach their songwriting and musical performances from completely new directions.

Paul Banks and RZA, aka Banks and Steelz, describe their shared love of the music of Leonard Cohen. Then Lizzo explains the powerful impact Lauryn Hill’s “Zion”, Radiohead’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” and the city of Minneapolis had on her music.

The new season of This Song starts Wednesday, November 16th and it’s going to be a good one! Tegan and Sara, Andrew Bird, Paul Banks and RZA, Nathaniel Ratliff, Andrew WK and lots of other artists will talk about the songs that changed their lives and give you insight into their artistic process.

Blitzen Trapper’s Eric Early describes how his musical trajectory was permanently altered by R.E.M. and their breakout album “Out Of Time.” Then bandmate/drummer/actor Brian Koch tells a tale of his family who did very little to encourage his music and how he was inspired by hidden radios, friends with guitars and a young singer-songwriter with whom he now shares a stage.