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.

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]

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.

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.

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.