In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with the incredibly talented Carolyn Kendrick—singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and all-around creative powerhouse. We dive into her musical journey and influences and get the inside scoop on her upcoming album, Each Machine. Carolyn and I chat about how technology and AI are shaping the music industry, the essential role rhythm plays in songwriting, and the unique collaborative spirit of the fiddling community. She also opens up about her creative process, the concept behind her new album, and her experiences at Berklee’s American Roots program. This conversation is a deep dive into where traditional meets modern and how community shapes the arts.
Carolyn Kendrick is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, fiddler, guitarist, and producer. After many happy years on the road as a side musician, Kendrick has blossomed as a solo artist since issuing her debut EP, Tear Things Apart, in 2020. Heralded as “hauntingly lovely” (Paste Magazine), you won’t want to miss a Carolyn Kendrick live performance.
After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Kendrick crisscrossed the country with her former duo project, The Page Turners. She has shared the stage with beloved artists such as Darol Anger, Bruce Molsky, Aoife O’Donovan, Kaia Kater, Hannah Read, Margo Price, The Clements Brothers, and Jacksonport. She has played festivals such as Newport Folk Festival, Greyfox Bluegrass Festival, Savannah Music Festival, and won awards such as the Freshgrass ‘Best Duo’ Award, The Fletcher Bright Award, and was the Fall 2023 Composer In Residence at the University of the Pacific.
In addition to her songwriting career, Kendrick is active in the Bluegrass and Old-Time fiddle scene and produced and written music for the award-winning podcasts You’re Wrong About (Podcast of the Year, iHeart Radio) and You Are Good.
Her forthcoming album, Each Machine, is a collection of traditional and original political folk songs inspired by her time researching The Satanic Panic for the history podcast You’re Wrong About. These songs are modern, electric re-imaginings of hymns, murder ballads, pagan chanting, and even songs of devil-worship. The first single, The Devil’s Nine Questions, is available for pre-order now and will be released October 1st, 2024.
The full album, both physical + digital copies, as well as an accompanying zine of behind-the scenes photography and essays, will be released 12.6.24 on High Occulture Records.
To learn more about Carolyn, please visit carolynkendrick.com.
Thank you for tuning in! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com. And please spread the word about the show!
The theme song, "Playcation," was written by Mark Mundy.
What is The Bandwich Tapes?
The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast where host Brad Williams sits down with musicians for thoughtful conversations about the craft of making music.
Each episode explores the experiences, influences, and creative decisions that shape an artist’s work. From improvisation and songwriting to collaboration, recording, and life on the road, the conversations go beyond biography to focus on how music actually gets made.
Guests include instrumentalists, composers, songwriters, and producers from across the musical landscape. The tone is relaxed, curious, and musician-to-musician—an opportunity to hear artists reflect on their process, their collaborators, and the musical moments that have stayed with them.
Whether you're a seasoned musician, a die-hard music fan, or simply someone who loves a good story, The Bandwich Tapes has something for everyone. So, come along for the ride as we explore the magic of music and the incredible journeys of the people who bring it to life.