Episode 323: Newport Folk Festival Series Part 3 with Case Oats

In this final interview from Newport Folk Festival, I sat down with the awesome duo of Casey Gomez Walker and Spencer Tweedy, whose project, Case Oats, is one of my favorite alt-country Chicago bands.Casey and Spencer are a uniquely compelling duo — complementing each other’s talents — both personally and professionally. Case Oats’ most recent album, the critically acclaimed Last Missouri Exit, combines Casey’s keen literary background with Spencer’s knowledge of the craft of songwriting to create a truly groundbreaking album.Spencer, who of course comes from musical family and as he calls it, “a culture of belief,” talks to me about how his own belief in Casey’s ability and strengths pushed them further to even greater heights and allowed them to exceed their goals. This is an inspiring and informative interview with two super intriguing artists who embody a self-belief and fearlessness.=======================================00:00 - Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg03:40 - Introduction to Casey Oats and their origins in Chicago03:51 - Casey’s creative writing background impacts his songwriting04:21 - Transition from writing stories to making an album04:49 - How meeting Spencer encouraged continued music creation05:34 - The culture of belief in making art and its normalization06:30 - Spencer’s journey from unfamiliarity to making records07:12 - Writing songs from short stories and focusing on core truths08:05 - Spencer’s experience of working under pressure and saying yes09:36 - The quick turnaround for their album and embracing fearlessness10:23 - The humility and bravery involved in creative risks11:13 - The story behind "Last Missouri Exit" as a symbolic milestone11:57 - Touring in Europe and favorite venues and cities12:41 - Supporting and collaborating with other Chicago artists13:40 - Family influences, especially their parents' roles in music and industry14:57 - The importance of craft, dedication, and perseverance in songwriting16:19 - The power of expression and meaningful engagement in music17:18 - The significance of "Last Missouri Exit" as a record and personal symbol18:26 - The idea of writing a novel titled "Last Missouri Exit"20:14 - How Casey and Spencer met and began collaborating21:27 - Their early gigs at G Man and the evolution of their band22:25 - Touring highlights in Norway, Madrid, and the UK22:42 - The experience of sold-out shows and the feeling of achievement24:20 - The Chicago music scene’s supportive nature and emerging youth talent25:11 - The importance of community, collaboration, and nurturing future generations26:51 - Their advice on creativity, community, and staying true to oneself27:30 - Episode Wrap-Up with Host Josh Rosenberg=======================================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