Episode 311: Boy Golden

Boy Golden is my guest on Roadcase this week!!  Liam Duncan, the brains at the heart of Boy Golden, is a Winnepeg–based artist whose uniquely insightful and thoroughly thought-provoking new album, Best of Our Possible Lives, has brought him critical acclaim and an Americana Awards nomination in the Best Emerging Artist category. Liam is a genuine and earnest student of the human bonds we all share and he talks to me about his life in terms of acceptance, free-will, empathy, and how these all combine to shape us into what we are and what we have the potential to become. This was a truly enlightening conversation that I can’t wait for you to hear.=================================Chapters:00:00 Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg03:50 -  Liam's latest tour update06:05 - The dynamics of touring with Kat and band development07:50 - Behind the recording of Best of Our Possible Lives and collaborating with LA-based producers09:27 - Inspiration drawn from philosophy and mythology in songwriting13:13 - Exploring the meaning of "possible lives" and existential reflections15:55 - Acceptance, gratitude, and the human condition17:18 - Empathy, kindness, and understanding others' backgrounds19:17 - The storytelling power of music and narrative art21:43 - Personal growth, recasting the past, and the hero's journey22:57 - Living in the present versus reflecting on history24:14 - Songwriting as a blend of experience, fiction, and emotion26:50 - Sharing stories through music: mythology and cultural myths27:55 - The influence of legendary artists and tenacity30:24 - The universality of storytelling across cultures30:56 - Reading and translating indigenous oral traditions31:28 - The importance of reading aloud and editing33:17 - The impact of spoken word versus written text35:35 - Experimental music, noise, and embracing abstraction37:18 - Listening: lyrics, groove, and the impact of musical delivery38:45 - How music rewards multiple listening levels39:50 - Liam’s Winnipeg roots and folk festival experiences41:51 - Returning home during the pandemic and local music scenes42:51 - When Liam knew he wanted to pursue music as a career43:41 - The songwriting floodgate opened post-breakup44:11 - The future of music careers amid touring costs45:29 - Producing music at home and the DIY spirit46:25 - Excitement for Telluride and bluegrass festivals47:43 - The magic of bluegrass and improvisation49:09 - Neil Francis, instrument exploration, and musical growth50:08 - Closing remarks on future plans and upcoming performances=================================For more information on Roadcase:https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.comOr contact Roadcase by email:  [email protected] theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer