Show Notes
Melbourne, Australia-based guitarist Jacob Cole joins us this week to talk about his 2025 instrumental album 'Slow Gold' and so much more. We hear about his Cole's record-filled childhood, the guitar scene in Melbourne, recording in Tasmania (!), and his influences. It's an insightful chat with an artist we think you'll love. https://jacobcole1.bandcamp.com/album/slow-gold Read the poignant story Jacob's sister penned for the Guardian here: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/07/i-spoke-for-my-brother-when-he-was-too-afraid-to-answer-now-he-speaks-in-melodies-and-i-have-learned-to-listen Our new, 57th issue is now mailing. You can subscribe here to get it. Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026 at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. https://fretboardsummit.org We are brought to you by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order)
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More from The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast
This week, we're talking to Noah C. Lekas, one of the Fretboard Journal's longstanding contributors. Over the years, Noah has profiled a variety of subjects for our magazine's pages, from blues legend Hubert Sumlin to luthier Matt Eich of Mule Resophonics. Today, we're sharing this Colorado-based writer/musician's own journey, his near-fatal illness, the psychedelic therapy that helped save him, and the album that he just released to document the ordeal, 'Flowers of Perennial Dissent.' The spoken word and guitar project features guests such as Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) and folk artist Charlie Parr. All told, it's a deep chat about the human condition, finding your why, gratitude, and so much more. We hope you like it.
On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we meet Charlotte Cornfield, a Toronto-based singer-songwriter who recently released her sixth album, 'Hurts Like Hell.' The album was recorded live off the floor at Phil Weinrobe's studio in Brooklyn and features guitarists Adam Brisbin and El Kempner, guest vocals from Feist and Buck Meek, and lots more. We discussed Charlotte's writing process, how the different players left their stamp on this beautiful record, got the rundown on her one-pedal pedalboard, and more. https://charlottecornfield.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 61 is about to be mailed to all subscribers: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we are talking to Jim and Frank from Wood & Wire Fine Fretted Instruments, a recently opened Chicago-area guitar store celebrating high-end and boutique instruments. This may just be the most Fretboard Journal-ish guitar retailer on earth. https://woodandwire.net Jim Newcomb served as CEO of the Old Town School of Folk Music and is responsible for bringing the Fretboard Summit to Chicago. Frank Hamilton is a former student at the Galloup School and headed the repair shop at the recently closed Guitar Works from 1999-2004. Wood & Wire distinguishes itself with an inventory featuring bigger boutique brands like Collings, Huss & Dalton and Boucher alongside hand-picked luthier-built instruments from legends such as Jason Kostal, Tyler Wells, Paul Woolson and others. They are also carrying both high-end acoustics and electrics, vintage instruments, and select amps. During our chat, we talk about the origin of the store, their desire to make it a community hub, guitar design, and so much more. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
The great John Leventhal joins us once again to talk about the making of his new solo album, 'National Drift.' https://www.instagram.com/johnleventhal/ We talk about his recording process for the album, how the songs came to be, the guitars he's currently loving, the perils of compression and so much more. Watch John perform "The Old Improv" on our YouTube page: https://youtu.be/M-1JbpOEwVY Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
Frank Gross, founder of West Seattle's Thunder Road Guitars, joins us this week.