Terrapin Crossroads Podcast

Indie folk legend Eric Johnson sits down for a wide ranging talk including growing into his songwriting, the trials and tribulations of being an eternal indie artist, darkness before the dawn, wisdom from nearly 30 years in music, playing in The Shins and Califone, managing expectations and seizing opportunity, being a lifelong deadhead, learning to let go, what producers do, and more. Check out Fruit Bats' latest album The Landfill on Merge Records and find them on tour NOW at www.fruitbatsmusic.com .

Snowboarding, surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, these are individualized pursuits, practiced in nature or natural settings. Humanity adapting and playing with whatever lays ahead, in it for the experience over some sense of personal glory. At their core these are improvisational activities, art forms all their own, and as such intersect seamlessly with music. Professional freeskier, artist, and filmmaker Chris Benchetler knows this. He lives this, and in doing so his art flows smoothly from one medium to the next. In his latest film, Mountains of the Moon, he has assembled a small army of lighting experts, laser operators, engineers, fellow artists, plus a murderer's row of style-forward adventure athletes from across a wide swath of mediums to explore the brilliantly psychedelic ley lines at the harmonic convergence of action, adventure, nature, and imagination. The result is a mind-bending visual experience unlike any other, all cut together and performed in homage to the free spirited sonic extemprozation of the Grateful Dead, who's music makes up the soundtrack. Chris and James discuss making a film this ambitious in this day and age, how he discovered the Dead and the role they play in his life, painting with Mickey Hart, what it takes to light up mountains, the pursuit of perfdection, being open to opportunity, and more.

Ruban Nielson isn't your average rock star, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra isn't your average rock band. Straddling punk, soul, indie rock and a heavy dose of funky, groovy psychedelia, UMO is your favorite band's favorite band. For all their live show's bombast, Ruban, the band's frontman and nucleus, is surprising soft spoken and thoughtful. We discuss what it's like to grow and evolve within your art and life, finding community amongst fans, why art is about the journey not the end product, AI and its role in music, his newfound love for the Grateful Dead and Phish, and how he's learning to be a fan again.

We talk to Vanity Fair Deputy Editor and lifelong Deadhead Claire Howarth on the future of journalism, AI, returning to the groove and writing about it, the most babalicious member of Phish, the surveilance state, jam band subreddits, shakedown nostalgia, and more. Check out her Phish MSG feature by clicking here .

Introducing the Terrapin Crossroads podcast. Crossroads features conversations with interesting people whose lives are influenced or inspired by the Grateful Dead or the community and culture that grew around them. Hosted by James Joiner , Crossroads' weekly conversations chart the ever-expanding influence of our favorite Bay Area band. Expect the unexpected via human stories across a variety of mediums including music, art, fashion, design, politics, and more. You don't have to be a Deadhead to appreciate these conversations but, fair warning, after a few episodes you may become one. This episode features legendary poster artist and illustrator Marq Spusta, who has worked with everyone from teh Black Crowes and Primus to Phish, Widespread Panic, and Dead and Co.