Contra Pulse

In October 2021, Contra Pulse hosted an online panel discussion as a part of the CDSS series common time. In this special event, Julie spoke with four of the contra dance greats –...

This episode, Julie sits down with clarinetist, saxophonist, and arranger Bill Tomczak. Bill plays for contra and English country dancing with The Latter Day Lizards, Campaign for ...

This episode, Julie speaks with renowned guitarist, pianist, mandolinist, and singer Keith Murphy. In their conversation, Keith explains how his early influences of Scottish music ...

Check out the the newest podcast from CDSS—From the Mic, with Mary Wesley! Host Mary Wesley interviews nationally-known dance caller, old-time musician, and flatfoot dancer Phil J...

This episode, Dave tells us all about his early years and how his journey as a fiddle player began on a spur of the moment whim. We explore his identity as a New England Style Fidd...

This episode, Julie sits down with fiddler Becky Tracy. Becky has been a defining presence in some of the most popular and innovative contra dance from New England —Wild Asparagus,...

This episode Julie sits down with Seattle musician Dave Bartley. They explore the myriad influences that have woven their way into Dave’s musical style and repertoire, and in his n...

This episode, Julie sits down with fiddler, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Ben Smith from the Mean Lids, and his musical alter-ego D.R. Shadow. Ben and Julie’s conversation to...

This episode, Julie sits down with West Coast dance pianist Anita Anderson They revisit Anita’s early musical experiences learning the chord organ where she grew up in Long Beach, ...

This episode, Julie sits down with fellow contra dance pianist and CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award recipient Sue Songer. In addition to playing piano Sue also plays fiddle, coordi...

This episode, Julie sits down with fiddler Amy Larkin of Falmouth, MA - a quintessential part of the New England contra dance scene playing in too many bands and musical groups to ...

Julie sits down with musician, composer, cartoonist, and stuntologist Sam Bartlett. As a musician Sam plays in the Irish and old-time American traditions on the tenor banjo, mandol...