Folk Songs With Sons Of Town Hall

Summary

All Of It: Episode Summary – "Folk Songs With Sons Of Town Hall"

Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Sons of Town Hall (David Berkeley and Ben Parker)
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Show Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, engaging thinkers, doers, makers, and creators in discussions about the what and why of their work. Hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, the show delves into the diverse cultural landscape of New York City through varied perspectives and storytelling.

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I. Introduction

Alison Stewart opens the episode by recapping her recent conversation with Eric Larson, author of The Demon of Unrest, a new Civil War history. Transitioning to the musical segment of their "Get Lit" event, she introduces the musical duo Sons of Town Hall, comprised of David Berkeley and Ben Parker. The duo also adopt the alter egos George Ulysses Brown and Josiah Chester Jones, portraying themselves as wayward Victorian troubadours. They have an upcoming album and a podcast that chronicles the adventures of their fictional personas.

Notable Quote:

"They have a forthcoming album out next year, as well as a podcast detailing the exploits of the fictional musical duo." — Alison Stewart [00:09]

II. Live Performance: "Wild Winds"

Sons of Town Hall deliver a captivating live performance of their original song "Wild Winds". The song narrates a tale of escaping turmoil and seeking solace away from home, embodying the duo's thematic focus on journey and identity.

Notable Lyrics:

"Wild winds blow, lo ya know, I've been sinking low
Wherever I wander, wherever I roam
Wild winds blow me far from home."
— David Berkeley [01:20]

III. Behind the Characters: Meeting and Background

Post-performance, Alison delves into the origins of the duo’s alter egos. Ben Parker humorously refers to their meeting story, initially portrayed as a pub fight in London over a woman, but clarifies the truth: they actually met about 20 years ago while touring together in the UK.

Notable Quote:

"The story goes that we met in a pub fight in London by the docks, fighting over a woman. The truth is that we met maybe 20 years ago touring on the roads of the UK, touring together." — Ben Parker [09:04]

IV. Songwriting Process and Character Development

The conversation shifts to the unique songwriting approach of Sons of Town Hall. They crafted a concept around their characters, George and Josiah, envisioning them as men escaping the ordinary world in a manner reminiscent of Don Quixote. This narrative framework facilitates the creation of songs that are deeply tied to their fictional adventures.

Notable Quote:

"We created this concept of two men who are escaping the realities of the ordinary world... once we created the concept and made these characters, it actually became sort of easy to write for them." — Ben Parker [09:32]

Eric Larson adds a personal dimension, expressing how the characters amplify aspects of himself he admires but hasn’t experienced.

Notable Quote:

"George is definitely that person. He's a rascal. He gets into scrapes... all of those things I would have loved to have done, but never have." — Eric Larson [10:03]

V. Introduction to Their Podcast: "Mad Men Cross the Water"

Ben Parker introduces their new podcast, "Mad Men Cross the Water", described as a blend of Dolly Parton's America with the surreal storytelling of Welcome to Night Vale and the musical artistry of Iron & Wine. The podcast is styled as radio theater, featuring high production values, including rich scores and sound effects. It’s hosted by a British actor who serves as an archivist, narrating the duo's long adventures and unveiling songs from their upcoming record.

Notable Quote:

"It's done in the style of radio theater... each episode is one of those long adventures and unveils one of the songs on our forthcoming record." — Ben Parker [10:37]

VI. Live Performance: "Louise"

The duo returns with another song, "Louise", a poignant narrative about love, regret, and the yearning for reconciliation. The song underscores the emotional depth and storytelling prowess of Sons of Town Hall.

Notable Lyrics:

"Louise, I'm knocking at your door
I want to hold you like before
Louise, I know that there is more."
— David Berkeley [12:24]

VII. Final Song: "The Line Between"

Before concluding, Sons of Town Hall perform "The Line Between", a reflective piece exploring themes of love, conflict, and the in-between spaces that define personal relationships.

Notable Lyrics:

"From dawn to dusk, sky and sea
The land between you and me."
— David Berkeley [15:59]

VIII. Conclusion

Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by thanking Sons of Town Hall and highlighting their live performances from the September "Get Lit with All Of It" book club event. She mentions the producers Jordan Lof and Simon Close, expressing appreciation for the listeners and signaling the end of the episode.

Notable Quote:

"That is all of it for today. I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you listening and I appreciate you. I will meet you back here next time." — Alison Stewart [16:26]

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Episode Highlights:

• Sons of Town Hall's Dual Identity: The duo's creation of fictional alter egos adds a rich narrative layer to their music, allowing for deeper storytelling and thematic exploration.

• Story-Driven Songwriting: Their approach to songwriting through character development offers a unique listening experience that intertwines music with compelling narratives.

• Innovative Podcast Concept: Mad Men Cross the Water represents a fusion of musical and narrative art forms, promising an immersive experience for listeners who enjoy in-depth storytelling combined with music.

• Engaging Live Performances: The live renditions of "Wild Winds," "Louise," and "The Line Between" demonstrate the duo's musical versatility and ability to convey emotion through their artistry.

Overall Impression:

This episode of All Of It successfully showcases Sons of Town Hall's artistic vision and creative endeavors. Through a blend of live performances and insightful conversation, Alison Stewart provides listeners with an intimate look into the duo's world, highlighting their commitment to storytelling and cultural exploration.

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Additional Information:

• Upcoming Releases: Sons of Town Hall's new album is set to release next year, alongside their Mad Men Cross the Water podcast, with its first episodes launching on October 15th featuring two singles from the new record.

• Performance Venue: The live performances were part of the "Get Lit" event held at Cine Winery, emphasizing the duo's active engagement in the cultural scene.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions, performances, and insights from the "Folk Songs With Sons Of Town Hall" episode of All Of It, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.

Transcript

[Alison Stewart]

You're listening to all of it from wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. You've been listening to my conversation with Eric Larson, author of the new Civil War history the Demon of Unrest. So for the musical portion of our get lit event, we were lucky enough to find a duo that also drew on inspiration from 19th century history. Sons of Town hall are the duo of David Berkeley and Ben Parker. Or if you're inclined, you can refer to them by their names, George Ulysses Brown and Josiah Chester Jones, aliases they adopted in their act as wayward Victorian troubadours. They have a forthcoming album out next year, as well as a podcast detailing the exploits of the fictional musical duo. They had a show at Cine Winery the night of our get lit event, but luckily they were able to stop by for an interview and performance before they headed off to their concert. You'll hear that conversation in a minute. But first, here are Sons of Town hall with a special live performance of their song Wild Winds.

[David Berkeley]

I was born in the wake of war my daddy lost all he was fighting for but I never agreed with what he believed I cross the ocean as a stowaway you know the sea don't listen to the prayers you pray I was knuckle and bone when I washed ashore I'm the son of a butcher man the blood ran thick through both my father's hands I was always afraid when the work was through Mama said you better find your way I wish I could but I can't keep you safe there were tears in her eyes but I didn't cry I said blow wild winds blow loja know I've been sinking low wherever I wander, wherever I roam wild winds blow me far from home I kicked around for a year or two you know trouble slips through every crack in you if I had more to lose well that too would be gone I was running from the past I know I worked so hard but had nothing to show something needed to give I just couldn't go on I said no wild winds blow lo you know I've been sinking low wherever I wander, wherever I roam wild winds blow me far from home.

[Ben Parker]

Then.

[David Berkeley]

One night there was a change of fate at the old star pub by the dockside gate it's strange who you'll meet when you need it the most Looking back it's where it all began we crossed the ocean for another land and we heard a song through the salt and stars it went blow wild winds blow lo you know I've been sinking low wherever I wander, wherever I roam wild Winds blow me far from home Wild winds blow me far from home While winds blow me far from home thank you.

[Ben Parker]

Thank you so much. Do one now. That was actually taught to us by a man named Carl in a hayloft on a squash farm in Oklahoma.

[David Berkeley]

When the wind blows o the field Fields I'll be bound for Santa Fe I'm gonna lay my trowel and troubles down oh, the west pulls me away Broken promise Broken bottles piled up on the floor oh, to hold you in my arms once more I don't need your wages, man I don't need your worried mind All I need's the open road and my banjo I'll be fine Broken promise Broken bottles piled up on the floor oh, to hold you in my arms Once I'm gonna ride the rails Cross the rolling heels to the setting of the sun and we'll pass the whiskey round the fire until the morning comes Broken promise Broken bottles piled up on the floor I'm not the kind of man who stood Stays behind an open door oh, to hold you in my arms oh, to hold you in my arms oh, to hold you in my arms once more.

[Ben Parker]

David Allison.

[Alison Stewart]

How did George and Josiah meet? Who are they?

[Ben Parker]

I thought we explained that in the song. The story goes that we met in a pub fight in London by the docks, fighting over a woman. The truth is that we met maybe 20 years ago touring on the.

[Eric Larson]

On the roads of the uk, touring together.

[Alison Stewart]

The songs have such a timeless feel to them. How do you go about writing them?

[Ben Parker]

Well, we created this concept of two men who are escaping the realities of the ordinary world, a little bit like Don Quixote, who believe in a different environment and reality than exists and travel the world by boat, as we explained. And once we kind of created the concept and made these characters, it actually became sort of easy to write for them. And in that place, you know, if you've ever written fiction, it can be a great way to write songs as well.

[Alison Stewart]

Ben, how do the characters add to the music?

[Eric Larson]

They certainly, for me, is like an amplification of all the things that I would love to be but can't be. And George is definitely that person. He's a rascal. He gets into scrapes. He hangs out for too long at bars late at night with women. You know, all of those things I would have loved to have done, but never have.

[Alison Stewart]

You're launching a podcast called Mad Men Cross the Water. The tagline is think Dolly Parton's America if it shared a tour bus with welcome to Night Vale and Iron and wine. So what's it about?

[Ben Parker]

So it's. First of all, it's done in the style of radio theater. The production value, we think, is very high. There's a beautiful score and sound effects. Think Garrison Keiller. That Kind of world. It's hosted by a British actor who's a friend of ours, and he's kind of our super fan archivist who spent his life studying our adventures. And each episode is one of those long adventures and unveils one of the songs on our forthcoming record. It's very immersive and we think it's pretty wild.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's hear some more songs.

[David Berkeley]

Yeah.

[Eric Larson]

This is a song about when two men fall in love with the same woman.

[David Berkeley]

In the early hours of morning way before the dawn I creak across the floorboards I pull my sweater on Then my boots get dark with dew drops I walk across the fence lying Louis. Louise, I'm looking for a sign Louise, I don't know if you're still mine. Yeah, it's been a lonely winter Snow up to the roof line I've been writing you a letter if only in my mind to say that I am sorry it's been like one long night Louise, you always made it bright Louise, let me try to make it right Louise, I'm knocking at your door I want to hold you like before Louise, I know that there is more. I've been batting down the hatches I've been harrowing the land you know I haven't touched the bottle or raised an angry hand I've been trying to read the Bible but I don't know all the words Louise, I wonder if you heard Louise, I hope you're still my girl Louise, I'm knocking at your door I wanna hold you like before Louise, I know that there is more Louise. The sun goes down, they say but it was me, I looked away Louise, take me back I swear I'll stay Louise, I'm knocking at your door I want to hold you like before Louise, I know that there is more Louise, I know that there is more Louise, I know that there is more.

[Ben Parker]

I think we have. Thank you. I think we have time for one more. Thank you so much, Allison, for having us. We are Sons of Town Hall. That was Louise. This next one is the line between from our first record, the Adventures of the Sons of Town hall and Mad Men Cross the Water. There's a little intro out now, but the first real episode comes out on October 15th with two singles from the new record. The first one we played, Wild Winds and a song called how to Build a Boat, which will be very informative for anyone who would like to do what we do.

[David Berkeley]

He was in a washtub and then he went to war? Hard to know how that could be? She was in the footlights then Crawling across the floor? I've been trying to trace the between sky and ground? Her and him then and now you and me.

[Alison Stewart]

That was Sons of Town hall with a live performance of their song the Line between, from our September Get Lit with all of it book club event. The producers of get lit are Jordan Lof and Simon Close. And that is all of it for today. I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you listening and I appreciate you. I will meet you back here next time.

[David Berkeley]

Out of all the questions, the hardest one is why? So we don't even ask. Just close your mouth and kiss me and time will pass us by? And you and I will last through thick and thin from dawn to dusk? Lose and win, you and me? Yeah, I was in the washtub and then I went to war? Hard to know how that could be? You were in the footlights and crawling across the floor and trying to trace the line between young and old? Love and warm green and gold? You and me? From dawn to dusk, sky and sea? The land between you and me? The land between you and me.

[Ira Flatow]

This is Ira Flato, host of Science Friday. For over 30 years, the science Friday team has been reporting high quality science and technology news, making science fun for curious people by covering everything from the outer reaches of space to the rapidly changing world of AI to the tiniest microbes in our bodies. Audiences trust our show because they know we're driven by a mission to inform and serve listeners first and foremost with important news they won't get anywhere else. And our sponsors benefit from that halo effect. For more information on becoming a sponsor, visit sponsorship.wnyc.org.