Welcome to "Chords of Curiosity," the newsletter extension of the Curious Goldfish Podcast. Curious Goldfish is a Music Podcast About More Than Music. Inspired by Ted Lasso.

Much like the podcast, the newsletter aims to go beneath the surface, exploring the deeper currents that shape us. The podcast often touches upon personal journeys through challenging experiences triggered by grief, heartbreak, addiction, and mental health challenges – themes we'll continue to explore thoughtfully in this space. In Chords of Curiosity, we want to highlight those inspiring stories, conversations, artists, and moments to fuel your own curiosity in your life, whether you are a music fan, a musician, or neither. We hope you peruse the highlights and get inspired by the amazing musicians we talk to every week. Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to the YouTube Channel for new content every week. We are also now available to watch on Spotify!

For Ocie and Wes Crowe, brotherhood is the engine that drives their nomadic life. Their music is an exploration of vulnerability and shared struggle, particularly in songs like "Brother Song." As Ocie explained to me, the track emerged from their close friendship, where they "held each other accountable and helped hold each other up and like keep each other encouraged." Their bond is a necessary counter to the loneliness of the road, a sentiment echoed by Wes who admits the career "does get lonely," but also "really filling" when shared with his brother. This mutual support is best captured in a story Ocie tells about a show where they played to an empty room, turning their mics around to sing to only each other. "I'm so glad that's a part ofFor this issue, our “Major Chord” is Brotherhood.

A musician’s journey is often framed as a solitary pursuit—a lone artist with a guitar and a story. But for many, the creative path is a shared one, built on the lifelong foundation of brotherhood. From the road-weary to the studio-bound, a special kind of bond fuels their art. It’s a connection rooted in shared history and unwavering support, one that becomes as integral to the music as the melody itself. The music of the Crowe Boys, the Delevantes, and the Nourallah Brothers exemplifies this powerful dynamic.

In the past few months, I’ve had the honor of talking to Ocie and Wes Crowe, Mike Delevante (of The Delevantes with brother Bob), and Salim Nourallah (of The Nourallahs with brother Faris). Each conversation was different because each artist/duo is different, and they are at each different stages of their music careers. Crowe Boys are in early days, buoyed by a viral hit video on TikTok and a growing following; while The Delevantes and Nourallahs are at the point where it’s all about legacy.

our story," he reflects, "and like so glad that we got to go through that together as brothers." This shared history of triumphs and tribulations forms the authentic core of their sound.

Further east, in Nashville, the Delevantes have built a career on a different, but equally strong, form of brotherhood. Mike Delevante describes the early days with his brother Bob, where they would "share duties and you have stuff to sort of bounce off each other." This collaborative spirit has endured, even as they’ve pursued separate creative endeavors. When Mike decided to record his first solo album, his brother’s support was immediate and unconditional. "He was super encouraging," Mike says. "He said, 'Yeah, you should go for it.'" It’s this deep-seated encouragement that allows each artist to evolve while still leaning on their shared past. As Mike puts it, his memories are all about "the relationships and how I think music is played better when you’re... with those people."

A similar sentiment echoes from Dallas songwriter and producer Salim Nourallah. The connection to his brother Faris is a key part of his musical identity, even though Faris stopped performing decades ago. Salim expresses a deep admiration for his brother's songwriting, believing his song “The Road” is a “masterwork.” More than just appreciation, Salim feels a duty to his brother’s legacy. "I feel like ‘The Road’ is just one of those songs like if I don't carry the torch then... no one will." As part of the “Farewell with Four” series on the Curious Goldfish Podcast, where artists tell me the four songs they want played at their funeral. “The Road,” is one of Salim’s four songs.

Now, thanks to new technology that allows him to separate vocals from old recordings, Salim is able to sing with his brother again for the first time in over 20 years. This act of creative resurrection honors a bond that began in the deserts of El Paso, where they were inseparable as children and now continues across time and distance.

From the shared burdens of the road to the quiet encouragement across separate careers, and the resurrection of forgotten recordings, brotherhood is a powerful and persistent theme in music. The bond between these artists isn’t a footnote to their talent—it’s the essence of it. It’s what gives them the strength to keep going, the humility to seek support, and the drive to carry a torch for another. Ultimately, the music they create is a direct extension of the deep, unbreakable connection they share.

— Jason English (Host of Curious Goldfish)

The Curious Goldfish Podcast helps put on a backyard concert series outside of Atlanta. It’s all about an evening with friends who share a love of music and who are interested in hearing great music from musicians with all the talent in the world. This past January, it was a little too cold to be outside, even in Atlanta, so we headed inside to a local Roswell pub and enjoyed songs from Nashville singer-songwriter Gina Venier.

One of my favorite things about this podcast is it truly is a passion, and I never know who’s going to say “yes” or “no” to my reaching out about a possible interview.

I reached out to Maya De Vitry in late summer of 2024, right before she headed west on a multi-month tour. I was going to be in Nashville for a retreat she was kind enough to meet up with me. The discussion covers the realities of being a musician, including the need to work other jobs like at Starbucks, which Maya notes is a common experience for many musicians in Nashville. She even details a great story about serving Sturgill Simpson in the drive-through. Maya has transitioned from working as a barista to producing records for other artists, a job she finds more focused than the monotonous work at Starbucks that allowed her to think about other things.

Maya also tells me about her musical journey, starting with The Stray Birds. She talks about the different creative processes behind her albums, noting that her solo career, while seemingly independent, has been the most collaborative period of her life, allowing her to work with different musicians. The episode concludes with her performing two songs: "Ribbon" and "Working Man."

Watch it here:

Vienna-based The Belgian Blue offers their debut EP, "Summer Sweeps,” which quickly caught the eye of Irish Music Legend Glen Hansard on a recent tour where the band opened and played alongside “The Swell Season.” Frontman Pádraig Mac Mahon’s lyrics, written in a Montana logging camp, give these 8 tracks an introspective feel. This international group blends indie rock with "New Wave Deep Americana," characterized by Mac Mahon's notably raw vocals. "Summer Sweeps" presents a textured take on rural and urban experiences, marking a distinct first statement from the band. Read more about it here and watch my conversation with them from the summer of 2024 when they were exploring the western US.