Episode 33 - Sam Bartlett

Contra Pulse

The intro and interstitial tracks from today’s episode are Green Table, Iris O’Norman and Rumblestrip from Sam’s 2004 album Evil Diane and Dance-a-Rama and Mick Good’s Waltz from his 2016 album Dance-a-Rama.

See the Contra Pulse website for transcripts and more. Or download the transcript directly.

And the Country Dance and Song Society for information about Contra and English country dance across the continent.

See and hear Sam Bartlett in action:

• Playing at the 2012 Dance Flurry with Notorious
• And with the Stringrays at Dance in the Desert, 2013
  • You can also check out the Stringrays’ website
• Here’s Sam playing banjo while Abby Ladin (his wife), tears up the floor with her old time flat footing (while singing, too! Woah!) at the Alabama Folk School in 2015
• Sam brings together community art and music making in a cranky show at Timber Ridge Camp in 2016
  • Check out lots more art by Sam here on his Tumblr
• Julie and Sam speak at length about the jaw harp, his first instrument. Hear Sam talk about the joys of jaw harp and play a tune at Contra Carnivale in 2009
• Can’t get enough Sam? Here’s another recent interview he did, which includes him playing a few tunes with his son Stefan!
• And of course check out all the goodies on his own personal website and YouTube channel!
• You definitely won’t want to miss the Stuntology playlist!

Some other people and topics mentioned in this interview:

• Pete Sutherland not only called the first contra dance Sam ever attended, but he got out on the floor to lead him through the dance when he lost his way. Did you know Pete has been interviewed on this podcast in a double episode (ep 19 and ep 20)!
• Here’s a great video from back in the day when Sam and Abby and a bunch of musicians and dancers performed with the dance company called “Rhythm in Shoes”