One of most prolific, gifted, kind hearted, and gentle people you'll ever meet - oh and she has an angelic voice, May Erlewine joined me at Grove Studios to talk about her career and newest album 'What It Takes.' I've been wanting to put her in the spotlight pretty much since I started doing the podcast back in 2020. I feel like there is more we could have done to show the uninitiated the wonderful world of May, but I hope this glimpse gives you the spark to explore more.

Songs written by May Erlewine:

My Speed

Down To This

Love and Desire

Nothing But Love

Find out more about May Erlewine:

https://www.mayerlewine.com/

Find out more about Acoustic Alternatives

https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Grove Studios deserves and award. Find more about them here:

https://grovestudios.space/

15 years after her debut EP, Ann Arbor, MI area musician Abigail Stauffer has finally released her 4th full length record. Delayed by a pandemic and the distance her collaborator Dave Haughey (aka Dave the Cellist), the newest release doesn't fit neatly into a musical category, but rather is an extension of the genre bending folk on her previous releases. Abigail opens up in this conversation about her past and present for Acoustic Alternatives.

Songs written by Abigail Stauffer, except where noted:

Alone To Dream

Pulling Teeth (co-written with Dave Haughey)

Wanderer (co-written with Dave Haughey)

Blanket

More about Abigail: http://abigailstauffer.com/

Support Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Grove Studios is the best! https://grovestudios.space/

Boston area singer/songwriter/storyteller/delightful human Hayley Reardon joined me for a conversation in Grove Studios on April 23, 2025. She's been on my radar for over a decade, but this was our first chance to meet and talk.

Songs written by Hayley Reardon:

Enough Is Everything

Good News

Bone Dance

The Little Sadness

More info on Hayley: https://www.hayleyreardon.com/

More info on Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

More info on Grove Studios: https://grovestudios.space/

Portland, OR based duo Fox & Bones joined me and gave me a peek into their world. They also played a couple new songs (including one, as of the time of publishing this, unreleased).

Meet Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort on this episode of Acoustic Alternatives.

Songs written by Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort

"Ain't Giving Up Tonight"

"Strange and Wonderous Place"

"Long Time Honey"

"The Borderline"

More about Fox & Bones: https://foxandbones.com/

More about all things Acoustic Alternatives, including how to support me on Patreon https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Eternal love and gratitude to Grove Studios: https://grovestudios.space/

It's been a decade since I last visited with this gifted vocalist. He's certainly had some great experiences since we last spoke. His voice and songwriting have only gotten better. Let me introduce you to, if you don't already know him, Greer , South Carolina's Noah Guthrie.

Including performances of:

Root Down (written by Noah Guthrie, Joy Williams and Bobby Hamrick)

Only Light I Need (written by Noah Guthrie, Adam Roth & Tim Bruns)

Choose to Love You (written by Noah Guthrie)

Follow Noah Guthrie: https://www.noahguthrie.com/

Join my Patreon page and/or hear other Acoustic Alternatives related things: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Nothing happens without Grove Studios: https://grovestudios.space/

Kyle Joe has previously visited the podcast under the name Kyle Rasche of Chain of Lakes

Kyle has been through some life changes and a name change since the last visit to Grove Studios. Learn more about what he's been up to and hear some music from his new release Take It Easy including the premiere of the extra verses for his song "Michigan Man"

All songs written by Kyle Joe (Rasche)

"Take It Easy"

"Line of Work"

"Knots"

"Michigan Man"

See/Hear our previous session together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4PzKjV3X0Y

Explore Kyle's website: https://kylejoemusic.com/

Learn more about Acoustic Alternatives and how to support what I am doing: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

None of this happens without the support of Grove Studios

https://grovestudios.space/

Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe made his second visit to Grove Studios on 2-16-25. A new Verve Pipe album is ready for release and a lot has happened in his life since we last visited in October of 2021.

One of my favorite songwriters has done it again with another collection of songs that utilize words that paint vivid pictures. Join us for a chat and learn more about the man behind the songs and hear new music before it's released.

All songs written by Brian Vander Ark and Channing Lee

"Hollow Bones"

"Easy Way Out"

"Dust"

Find out more about Brian and/or The Verve Pipe at his websites:

https://www.thevervepipe.com/

https://www.brianvanderark.com/

Learn more about all things Acoustic Alternatives here: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

And huuuuuge thanks to Grove Studios. Booking information here:

https://grovestudios.space/

I really enjoyed this conversation and was really disappointed with myself for not double checking both of my audio recording sources. The first 4 minutes of audio you hear are being captured from the microphone on my laptop as opposed to the direct source I expected to use. The backup audio from the mixer in front of me....well, I failed to launch it at the beginning of the session, so it kicks in around the 4 minute mark. He said so many great things in the first 4 minutes that I am kicking myself.

But I think this conversation with the award winning musician and vocalist, known for his work with We Banjo 3, is worth putting up with crappy audio for 4 minutes.

Songs you'll hear:

Feel It (Written By David Howley)

Chapter 1 (Written By David Howley)

Haven (Written By David Howley, Martin Howley, Fergal Scahill, Enda Scahill, Kiana June Weber)

Mary & The Soldier (Traditional)

Find more information about David Howley HERE

More about Acoustic Alternatives HERE

More about the fabulous Grove Studios HERE