The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Musician Brad Barr joins us this week to share the story of the Barr Brothers' 2025 album, Let It Hiss, and talk guitar.
Brad's guitar playing is uniquely shaped by world music sounds. For years now, Brad has been using a simple but effective trick to make drone/violin sounds on his guitar: Tie a piece of sewing thread on a guitar string near the bridge. The effect, inspired by the playing of Romanian violinist Nicolae Neascu of Taraf de Haidouks, is hauntingly beautiful.
He explains how he came about with the technique and where he wants to take it. We also chat about his 1951 Gibson J-45, the musicians from Mali who inspired him, and so much more.  
https://thebarrbrothers.com
https://www.instagram.com/thebarrbrothers

Join us at our 2026 Fretboard Summit in Chicago for three days of guitar demos, concerts, workshops and live podcasts with some of our favorite artists: https://fretboardsummit.org
This year's Summit has over 80 luthiers and brands showcasing their new and prototype gear! 2026 speakers include Josh Scott (JHS), Mark Stutman (Folkway Music), Chris Martin IV (Martin Guitars), Fender historian Terry Foster, and many other fretted instrument luminaries. 

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
 (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

On this week's podcast, we're mixing things up. Take a peek inside our brand new, 59th issue and hear an excerpt from our cover story with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Also, Fretboard Summit news, some of Jason's favorite stories, and more. 

Get the issue here: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/features/whats-inside-fretboard-journal-59/
Join us at our 2026 Fretboard Summit in Chicago for three days of guitar demos, concerts, workshops and podcast tapings with some of our favorite artists: https://fretboardsummit.org
This year's Summit has over 80 luthiers and brands showcasing their new and prototype gear! 

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
 (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

On this week's podcast, we're joined by Adam Dardeck and Andy Cambria of The Music Emporium. Founded in 1968 by Stu Cohen, The Music Emporium is one of the most successful retailers of boutique and vintage guitars in the world. The Lexington, Mass.-based store is sponsoring our 2026 Fretboard Summit and, thanks to their generous support, we're granting our first-ever scholarships to the guitar festival! 
To apply for the scholarship, go here. 

Follow The Music Emporium here.

We talk to Adam and Andy about the new program, the Summit, how The Music Emporium has evolved over the years, 2026 retail sales, the brands that they are loving right now, and more. Plus: Even more Summit updates.
Join us at our 2026 Fretboard Summit in Chicago for three days of guitar demos, concerts, workshops and podcast tapings with some of our favorite artists: https://fretboardsummit.org
This year's Summit has over 80 luthiers and brands showcasing their new and prototype gear! 

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
 (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Guitarist, composer and Berklee professor Lyle Brewer joins us this week.
We talk about his journey as a professional guitarist and educator, how he ended up teaching at Berklee (and what the students are listening to), his influences (from Pat Metheny to Andy Shauf), his love for nylon-string guitars, workshopping new music on the internet, and so much more.

Brewer has a ton of insights on composing, songwriting, the future of AI and music, and more. 
https://lylebrewermusic.net
Join us at our 2026 Fretboard Summit in Chicago for three days of guitar demos, concerts, workshops and podcast tapings with some of our favorite artists: https://fretboardsummit.org
This year's Summit has over 80 luthiers and brands showcasing their new and prototype gear! 

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
 (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we mix things up. 

Our very own Ryan Richter (https://www.instagram.com/misterrichter/) just wrapped up playing two of the most talked-about sets at Coachella backing Dijon and we wanted to hear all about it. We discuss the prep that went into Dijon's Coachella performances, the gear that Ryan used, and more.

Watch the whole interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zKatMHRKUgU

Ryan's solo albums can be found here: https://ryanrichter.bandcamp.com

Follow Ryan here: https://www.instagram.com/misterrichter/

Join us at our 2026 Fretboard Summit in Chicago for three days of guitar demos, concerts, workshops and podcast tapings with some of our favorite artists: https://fretboardsummit.org

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
 (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com