This week: Bible translations, conspiracy theories, and the power of silence. Robbie and Matte from Nana Grizol join to talk about their cover of “Blues in Dallas” and karaoke. Buy Nana Grizol’s cover of “Blues in Dallas” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Pre-order the full cover album on vinyl. We’re doing our first live show in Chicago on May 30th! See John, Joseph, and a special guest live at Thalia Hall. Tickets available now...

John and Joseph discuss radio signals in Texas, Chaucer, and the origin of the phrase “I only listen to the Mountain Goats.” Andrew Bird joins to talk about what drew him to “Distant Stations.” Buy Andrew Bird’s cover of “Distant Stations” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Buy the full cover album digitally or on vinyl today. I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats t-shirts and tote bags now available. Learn more about John...

“Jeff Davis County Blues” is a song with a particular meaning to Joseph's life. Julian Koster of The Music Tapes and The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) joins to share his dream-inspired cover. Buy Julian Koster’s cover of “Jeff Davis County Blues” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Pre-order the full cover album on vinyl. I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats t-shirts and tote bags now available. Learn more about John...

John and Joseph discuss why simple songs have to be perfect and how our experience of a place will always be subjective. Amanda Palmer joins to talk about feeling compelled to finish books and recording her cover of "The Mess Inside" in an empty greenhouse. Buy Amanda Palmer’s cover of “The Mess Inside” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Buy the full cover album digitally or on vinyl today. Amanda Palmer's video for “The Mess...

John and Joseph are back at basement mattress headquarters to talk about their artistic influences and the meaning of home. Eliza Rickman and Jherek Bischoff join to talk about their cover of “Riches and Wonders.” Buy Eliza Rickman and Jherek Bischoff’s cover of “Riches and Wonders” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Buy the full cover album digitally or on vinyl today. I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats t-shirts and tote bags...

This week, John and Joseph look up some stuff on the Mountain Goats wiki and then ease into a discussion of “Pink and Blue.” Kristine Leschper from Mothers joins to talk about their approach to covering the song. Buy Mothers’ cover of “Pink and Blue” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Buy the full cover album digitally or on vinyl today. Learn more about John Darnielle’s two novels here. Listen to more music by the Mountain...

John and Joseph discuss artistic restraints, Silver Age Latin, and why theaters should stop producing Shakespeare. Dessa joins to talk about and premiere her cover of “Balance.” Buy Dessa’s cover of “Balance” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Buy the full cover album digitally or on vinyl today. Learn more about John Darnielle’s two novels here. Listen to more music by the Mountain Goats, including their latest album Goths,...

Craig Finn, lead singer of The Hold Steady and solo artist, joins to talk Catholicism, music stands, and KISS. Buy Craig Finn’s cover of “Fault Lines” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Buy the full cover album digitally or on vinyl today. Learn more about John Darnielle’s two novels here. Listen to more music by the Mountain Goats, including their latest album Goths, here. Check out Joseph Fink’s other shows, Welcome to Night...

Erin McKeown, incredible songwriter and former tourmate to both John and Joseph, joins to talk technique, showtunes, and how songwriting is like baseball. Buy Erin McKeown’s cover of “Jenny” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Buy the full cover album digitally or on vinyl today. Learn more about John Darnielle’s two novels here. Listen to more music by the Mountain Goats, including their latest album Goths, here. Check out...

“Color in Your Cheeks” is a song about immigration, refugees, and welcoming—the simple act of saying “You are not from here, but we’re glad you’re here now.” It seemed like a good year to talk about that. Featuring guests Eno Williams and Max Grunhard (Ibibio Sound Machine) and Mac McCaughan (Superchunk, co-founder of Merge Records). Buy Ibibio Sound Machine’s cover of “Color in Your Cheeks” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the...

Subjects covered: Choosing what music to put in your body, mandatory minimum sentences, and what the desert does to artists. Plus Kym Register of Loamlands joins to talk about the local Durham scene and how to tell diverse stories. Premiering a new cover by Loamlands. Buy Loamlands’ cover of “Fall of the Star High School Running Back” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the artist and the show! Buy the full cover album digitally or on vinyl today. Learn...

John Darnielle and Joseph Fink discuss the role in their lives of art, faith, and satan with John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars and the upcoming Turtles All The Way Down. And we learn why making the job of creating art more difficult can sometimes make the art itself better. Premiering a new cover by Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! Buy Laura Jane Grace’s cover of “The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton” on iTunes, Bandcamp, or wherever you buy digital music. It supports both the...

I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats is about what it means to be an artist, a fan, and, as many people are, both at once. It finds Welcome to Night Vale creator Joseph Fink in conversation with one of his heroes, John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats. Season One explores the stories behind the album All Hail West Texas, one song at a time. In each episode, John, Joseph, and special guests discuss storytelling, current events, and the art and artists that inspire them — and debut a new cover of...