Music Inside Out

Series produced by Music Inside Out

Series image

Music Inside Out with Gwen Thompkins is a weekly, one-hour radio broadcast featuring the people of Louisiana who’ve devoted their lives to America’s music. What makes their music so varied and satisfying is the influence of other cultures — an ongoing dialogue with the rest of the United States and the world.

The interview series from Gwen Thompkins and the producers of Music Inside Out explores Louisiana music-makers. The series debut in 2012 featured Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Marcia Ball, Sonny Landreth, David Simon, the Zion Harmonizers and Shannon Powell.


Find out more about the program.

44 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
David Simon: I'm A Storyteller
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: David Simon, Credit: American Library Association
In Treme, Simon explored New Orleans’ viability as an expression of its culture. After the 2005 levee failure, keeping New Orleans cuisine and musi...

Bought by Radio New Zealand


  • Added: Apr 03, 2014
  • Length: 52:02
  • Purchases: 1
Allen Toussaint: Striking A Chord
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Allen Toussaint, Credit: © Glade Bilby II
Allen Toussaint says he’d rather let his piano do the talking. Lucky for us. Toussaint’s fingers have done the talking on song after song for more...

Bought by KCSM


  • Added: Apr 03, 2014
  • Length: 52:03
  • Purchases: 1
Sonny Landreth: How Not To Sound Awful
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Piece image
If you’ve never seen Sonny Landreth’s hands glide over the fret of his slide guitar, you should. It’s like watching someone touch the finest of sil...

Bought by KMUW


  • Added: Apr 03, 2014
  • Length: 52:02
  • Purchases: 1
Shannon Powell's Joyful Drums
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Piece image
The only thing more fun than talking to Shannon Powell is listening to him play. Powell is one of the most charismatic drummers to ever grace a sta...

  • Added: Apr 03, 2014
  • Length: 52:00
Marcia Ball: Make 'em Dance
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Piece image
Few piano players are as tall, glam and terrific as Marcia Ball. Born in Texas, raised in Louisiana and schooled in the dance halls and roadhouses ...

Bought by Prairie Public


  • Added: Apr 03, 2014
  • Length: 52:03
  • Purchases: 1
Zion Harmonizers: 'The Elder Statesmen of New Orleans Gospel'
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Piece image
Here's a great hour to run during the Easter season -- or during the New Orleans Jazz Fest. The Zion Harmonizers are rooted in the quartet singin...

Bought by KAAD-LP, WGBH Radio Boston, WNMU-FM, WNMU-FM, Radio New Zealand and more


  • Added: Apr 04, 2014
  • Length: 52:06
  • Purchases: 7
Rickie Lee Jones: The Other Side of Desire
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Rickie Lee Jones
Singer, songwriter and musician Rickie Lee Jones chats with host Gwen Thompkins about her life in music, moving to New Orleans, and her most recent...

Bought by Prairie Public


  • Added: Sep 03, 2015
  • Length: 52:03
  • Purchases: 1
Luke Winslow-King: Music So Good You'll Want to Slap the Guitar Player
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Luke Winslow King, Credit: Matt Robinson, Elephant Quilt Productions
New Orleans-based songwriter and guitarist Luke Winslow-King talks with host Gwen Thompkins about his life in music.

  • Added: Sep 10, 2015
  • Length: 52:03
The Children's Hour
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Piece image
The soundtrack of childhood.

  • Added: Sep 17, 2015
  • Length: 52:00
Sweet Crude
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Sweet Crude, Credit: Zack Smith
Keeping Louisiana French Alive

  • Added: Sep 24, 2015
  • Length: 52:00
Brass Bands
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Rebirth Brass Band, Credit: Mark H. Anbinder
featuring Matt Sakakeeny and the Rebirth Brass Band

Bought by KMUW


  • Added: Oct 02, 2015
  • Length: 51:59
  • Purchases: 1
George Porter Jr.
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: George Porter Jr.
The world renowned bassist, composer, bandleader and founding member of the Meters talks with Gwen about his life in music.

  • Added: Oct 15, 2015
  • Length: 52:00
Remembering Allen Toussaint (1938-2015)
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Allen Toussaint
Gwen Thompkins revisits past conversations with Allen Toussaint in celebration of his life and music.

Bought by Prairie Public and WYSO


  • Added: Nov 12, 2015
  • Length: 52:00
  • Purchases: 2
Fats Domino
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Fats Domino
The Founding Father of Rock and Roll

Bought by KCSM and KAZU Seaside, Calif.


  • Added: Oct 26, 2017
  • Length: 52:00
  • Purchases: 2
Dr. Michael White and His Mighty Clarinet
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Dr. Michael White, Credit: Derek Bridges
To Dr. Michael White, it's not just a clarinet, but a time machine. “I listened to Johnny Dodds’ recordings. I listened to Sidney Bechet. I listen...

Bought by KMUW


  • Added: Nov 09, 2017
  • Length: 52:12
  • Purchases: 1
Luke Spurr Allen: "Squawk and Squawk"
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Luke Spurr Allen B&W
Luke Spurr Allen has been a part of the New Orleans nightlife since leaving his hometown of Salinas, CA more than two decades ago, and his songs ar...

  • Added: Nov 16, 2017
  • Length: 52:00
PJ Morton: "It's All Love"
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Piece image
The most heavily traveled road in American music begins in black church congregations, (i.e., Baptist, AME, and Pentecostal, among others), and lea...

  • Added: Jan 27, 2018
  • Length: 51:59
Rebirth Brass Band: Feel Like Funkin' It Up
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Rebirth Brass Band
On this program, we talk about brass bands in general and the Rebirth Brass Band in particular. The music is loud and lovable, so turn it up.

  • Added: Mar 15, 2018
  • Length: 52:00
Erica Falls
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Erica Falls
She may have started 20 feet from stardom, but she’s gained a lot of ground in the meantime.

  • Added: Apr 18, 2018
  • Length: 52:00
Sylvan Esso
From: Music Inside Out
Series: Music Inside Out
Caption: Sylvan Esso
Sylvan Esso began as two people who couldn’t sit still. In 2013, the singing songwriter Amelia Meath and the performing producer Nick Sanborn were ...

  • Added: Aug 22, 2018
  • Length: 52:00