Our guest this week hails from Tobias, Nebraska, a town of about 100 people. Evan Bartels is a singer-songwriter who with his 2017 debut, 'The Devil, God & Me,' burst onto the national scene. More recently, Bartels has expanded his audience with the release of his EP, 'To Make You Cry,' recorded after relocating to Nashville and reflecting on a period of personal upheaval and renewal. 

Bartels has toured with American Aquarium, The White Buffalo, and John Moreland; he records for MCA/Universal; and he’s performed at Mile of Music, AmericanaFest, and the C2C Festival. 'No Depression' calls him “a haunting new presence in Americana,” while Americana Highways praises his “unvarnished, soul-bearing songwriting.” 'Glide Magazine' notes his “ability to turn bruised experience into stark, resonant beauty.” 

I caught up with Evan Bartels a few months ago for The Working Songwriter to hear about his musical journey so far.

This legendary British songwriter and producer went multi-platinum with his band Eurythmics before embarking on a career that has included collaborations with Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, and many others.

Originally hailing from the Pacific Northwest, this promising young songwriter played as a sideman in many other bands before stepping into the spotlight with his own records.  He's toured with Courtney Marie Andrews, Erin Rae, and many others.

Originally hailing from the Pacific Northwest, this promising young songwriter played as a sideman in many other bands before stepping into the spotlight with his own records.  He's toured with Courtney Marie Andrews, Erin Rae, and many others.

This songwriter has been at the vanguard of indie rock for three decades, best known for his projects Cursive and The Good Life.

This Grammy award winning producer, songwriter, and author joins the show to discuss his lengthy career that has included collaborations with The Civil Wars, Chris Cornell, and the Lone Bellow.

Shara Nova is the creative force behind this hugely influential indie pop solo project.  She as worked with Sufjan Stevens, David Byrne, and Laurie Anderson.

Diego Garcia is the guitar virtuoso and creative force behind this project that has toured the world, garnering acclaim and awards.

This songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has toured with Regina Spektor, of Montreal, and many others.  He's recorded for Joyful Noise records and has built a largely grassroots following all over the globe.

This songwriter from Nebraska has toured with Ron Pope and Tallest Man on Earth, in addition to recording for Fantasy Records.

Blake Christiana is the creative force behind this relentlessly touring band that has shared the stage with Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, and Allison Krauss.

During a career that has featured stints with Drivn' and Cryin' and Jason Isbell's 400 Unit, this guitar hero has lately been spreading his wings with a critically acclaimed solo project.

This native of Kentucky is an accomplished songwriter, cellist, and film scorer who has collaborated with Abigail Washburn, Bela Fleck and Jim James of My Morning Jacket.

This native of Ohio has carved out a 30 year career in Nashville with songs cut by Trisha Yearwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Radney Foster.  And her sought-after voice has appeared on albums by Jason Isbell and Ryan Adams.

This young rock group out of Los Angeles has played Coachella twice and toured with Interpol, Chicano Batman, and many others.

This native Californian moved to Nashville and went on to write songs recorded by Willie Nelson and Jessica Simpson.  She's collaborated with Dwight Yoakam, Vince Gill, and many more.

This drummer, songwriter, producer and filmmaker got his start by founding the North Mississippi All Stars with his brother Luther.  He has since gone onto a career that has encompassed Grammies, supergroups, and film scores.

Eric Earley is the songwriter behind this PNW roots music mainstay that has toured with Pavement, Drive By Truckers, Dawes and many others.

The folk supergroup composed of Anais Mitchell (Hadestown), Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats), and Josh Kauffman (Josh Ritter, Bob Weir), returns to the show to discuss their latest album which was recorded in a century-old pub in Cork County Ireland.

This Berklee College of Music grad discusses her years writing songs for other artists such as Demi Lovato, and her meteoric rise as an artist in her own right over the last five years.

This luminary of American roots music discusses his years on the road with Leftover Salmon, Great American Taxi, and The High Hawks.

This legendary musician and songwriter was integral to the Staxx Records sound, and has writing credits on "Green Onions" and "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay".

This legendary band from New England has toured with everyone from Phish to John Mayer to Dave Matthews Band.  They've experience underground success and Gold singles.  Their creative leader Ryan Miller stops by the show to discuss their long journey in music.

This Grammy award winning bluegrass band from North Carolina has been active for nearly a quarter century.  They stop by the show to discuss their years as a group, including their auspicious collaboration with the legendary comedian Steve Martin.

Monique Powell is the lead singer of this legendary ska punk band from Orange County CA, who have been blazing their on trail in music for three decades now.