WORT 89.9FM Madison

Josh Harty

Rooted in the heartland and seasoned with the soul of Americana, Josh Harty joined the Friday 8 O'Clock Buzz for an in-studio interview and live performance ahead of his show at the North Street Cabaret tomorrow night--a venue that holds a special place for many people in the area. His songwriting reflects the landscapes of his North Dakota upbringing, capturing the essence of small-town life in Kindred, the allure of the open road, and the bittersweet symphony of love and loss. During the interview, Harty shared personal stories and insights into his creative process, offering a glimpse into the experiences that shape his evocative songwriting. As a torchbearer of Americana music, Harty’s lyrics carry the weight of lived experience, and his guitar melodies are steeped in tradition. Harty’s upcoming show at the North Street Cabaret promises to be an intimate evening of heartfelt tunes that will resonate with fans of folk and Americana. Image Credit: joshharty.com

Broadcast on:: 27 Sep 2024
Audio Format:: other

Hi I'm Andy Moore, your Friday host of 8 o'clock buzz. Thanks for spending your mornings with us. We love bringing you this blend of art and music and news and politics and more. In return, we ask that you spend a little to support this show and it's easy. Go to w-o-r-t-f-m-dot-org-slash-donate. It's a Friday o'clock buzz. I'm Andy Moore. It's time for a Friday Buzz Musician Chat. You may have noticed that we didn't have oncours picks this morning. That's because oncours on assignment in Toronto. However, we do have a show this week and we want to call your collective attention to and that's happening at the North Street Cabaret tomorrow night. That's when Josh Hardy and his band performed starting at what time? At 8 p.m. Josh Hardy joins us in the studio now. Welcome to the Friday Buzz Josh. Good morning Andy. Thank you for joining us here on the big birthday celebration. Glad to be here. I didn't bring doughnuts but I noticed that you had, I can't help but noticed what you just laid on the table there. Well, I made some apple crisp. We went to apple camp last week and we picked a bunch of apples and it was your birthday so I made this an apple crisp. Oh, that is so sweet. Thank you. We'll see it now. Maybe we'll wait till we get off here. The North Street Cabaret is kind of a special place for musicians and artists alike, isn't it? Oh, absolutely. I think it's a special place for artists and musicians and listeners. I think it's a beautiful place. What is it about the room in your opinion and tell it as a performer that makes it so unique? I don't know. There's some, when you walk in, there's just some kind of, I think if you go in there, you're there to hear the music. You're not there to socialize, you know, like it just has this ambiance about it that it's just about the music. It's about the art that you're about to watch. It really does feel like the time stands still for the expression that's going to take place. I know this next thing because I've heard you talk about it on stage and off your father played music. In fact, you played music together when you were growing up. But he was an influence in other ways, too, if I understand it. Tell us about him. Well, yeah, well, he was, he was a cop. He was, well, he was a small town, a small town peace officers, how he would rather have it described. He had a pistol that stayed in a lockbox under his bed. It was not in the car. There was, there was another police issue like rifle that he kept in the trunk. So he never, you know, he never had that. They wanted to repaint the police car at one point and he wouldn't let them, because in to do that, they weren't going to spring for the extra lettering. And so he wouldn't let wouldn't let them take off the part that said to serve and protect. Oh, wow. And he used to take me out with him on Saturday. What town was this Josh? It's called Kindred, North Dakota. Yeah. The town motto said, Kindred, where kindness is a way of life. Oh, and, but he would take me out copping with him. That's what we called it. And, and he said outside the bar, outside Dewey's tavern. And when people would come out and walk to their car, obviously, like not ready to be going to their car, he would give them right home, as opposed to writing them to take it, you know. So he was that kind of guy. He was just, he was just, you know, so I just, and he was a singer and a guitar player. He was a singer and a guitar player. Yeah, he was a great, he loved, he loved for, he loved Frankie Valley. He loved John Lennon. Wow. Yeah. Yeah, he was a good dude. Well, both the lived experience and the musical mixture of your background, it's as good of an entree as any. I want to be mindful of the clock and I do not want to miss the opportunity. If you'd be so kind to from Kindred to to sing a song for us this morning, would you set that song up and perform it for us? I would love to. I'm going to play a song that I wrote as part of the Steelbridge Song Festival. I wrote this song with Michael McKinnon and Max Siltoft, of course, with a lot of input from Pat McDonald. Yeah, this one is called Out of the Dark. Should I move this about there? I think you'll find somewhere in between. I will, we'll Scott you. All right. Paint me silver, paint me gold. Might look strong, but I'm afraid of the waters below. It's not as simple if you pick it apart. Because nothing looks the same when you watch from afar. Well, I'm adding in past which road will I take? Should I take credit or just keep casting the blame? It's difficult to make decisions when we're on the run. You can pray for pretty outcome or pray for what comes. Love is the only. Love is the only bridge. Love is the only bridge that leads you. [Music] Damn it, John. Oh, could lead to good lives. I failed to see how the rail and forces react. But under the rust I could use some repair, with no one watching it's easy enough to care. I have limits I might say, stealing my resolve. I'll trade it for peace one day. Love is the only. Love is the only bridge. Love is the only bridge that leads you. Love is the only. Love is the only bridge. Love is the only bridge that leads you. Out of the dark. Love is the only bridge that leads you. Out of the dark. Out of the dark. [Music] Mmm. It's pretty Josh. It's Josh Hardy singing live for this this morning on the Friday Buzz. Josh, in just a real quick 30 seconds, who else will be on stage with you tomorrow at North Drew Cabaret? Tomorrow night, Chris Aspen, Paulie Ryan, Steve Smith from Chicago, Nick Eberhardt from Chicago, and Rusty Lee on Keys. Oh, nice. That's a nice ensemble. Thanks so much for joining us on the Friday Buzz. Josh is going to play us out. He recently picked up sort of lap style Dobro-resophonic style slide guitar, and I asked him to play us through the next break. But before he does, 6'10" North Street on Madison, Near East Side is where North Street Cabaret is located. Coming up next day with us, we'll talk with a UW-Madison scholar whose research on meditation and its benefits is known around the world. Okay, Josh, will you play a little bit of that beautiful slide for us? Thank you. You're listening to WRTFM 89.90 Madison, whiskey, I'm sorry. It's 847. [Music]