Welcome to Worktapes!
This is a podcast where we tear apart songs.
Why was the song written? What’s it about? What is the context and emotion behind it? Where were you at the time? What were you going through? How do lines come to you? What is the inspiration? How long did it take to write?
In each episode, we talk to a writer about one song they've writtenand listen to the original demo or work tape of that song.
Mat Kearney joins Worktapes for a second time and hopefully not the last. Known for his distinct blend of pop, folk, and hip-hop. His distinct sound has fostered hits like "Nothing Left Lose" and “Ships in the Night.” His music regularly appeared on the biggest TV Shows of the early to mid 2000s like Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs, and One Tree Hill. He's toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Train, Mutemath, Keane, and more. Collaborations with Trent Dabbs, Kate York, Paul Moak, Matthew Perryman Jones, Brooke and The Bluff and Micah Tawlks. In this episode we discuss the 20th Anniversary of his "Nothing Left To Lose" and get a live performance. We also hear an early worktape his newest release, "Big Man".
Check out Mat's first appearance on Worktapes in Episode 64
Find Mat Kearney -https://www.instagram.com/matkearney/
Listen to "Big Man" - https://lnk.dmsmusic.co/matkearney_bigman
Listen to "Nothing Left To Lose" - https://music.apple.com/us/album/nothing-left-to-lose/265279882?i=265280023
20th Anniversary Tour - https://www.matkearney.com/tour
This episode of Worktapes Podcast was produced by Brandon Carswell & Jonas Litton Hosted by Brandon Carswell
Filmed & Edited by Jonas Litton
Production assistant Khayman Williams
Recorded at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
https://www.instagram.com/worktapes_podcast/
*All songs used by permission
16 Sept 2025
Episode 69 - Stephen Day - Moonshine
Stephen Day is an accomplished singer/songwriter who has performed with the likes of Teddy Swims, Ben Rector & Stephen Sanchez. His catalogue has produced over 140 million streams, sync placements including Universal Pictures and is currently touring his latest record, “Gold Mine” produced by Micah Tawlks. In this episode of Worktapes we talk about a song he wrote called “Moonshine” and listen to the original worktape as we discuss it.
Find Stephen Day (https://stephenday.org/)
Listen to Moonshine (https://music.apple.com/us/album/moonshine-single/1833239221)
Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell (https://www.shauncarswell.com/)
This episode was filmed in Nashville, TN
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell (https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ufbHDVXVQjBbR6mzC7jn9?si=2I_A7d8nTrOxWAJ6Ewhfmw)& produced by Micah Tawlks (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5dlRq9LWpfSph7DY5YyGE4) - "Back To Us" (https://open.spotify.com/track/1BDbD5AsaMVqwETvjX8QcH?si=4c14ed51a2d34a20) Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**
28 Aug 2025
Episode 68 - Shelby Means - Streets of Boulder
Shelby Means is one of the foremost bassists in modern bluegrass. From her GRAMMY-winning work with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, to her travels with the GRAMMY-nominated band Della Mae, her career has spanned nearly two decades crossing more than 20 countries. She’s also an accomplished songwriter and vocalist, just released her first self tilted solo album this year. In episode 68 of Worktapes we discuss a song she wrote called, “Streets Of Boulder” and listen to the Worktape.
Find Shelby (https://www.shelbyleemeans.com/)
Listen to Streets Of Boulder (https://open.spotify.com/track/5GuKe6KcswTnTyT3RCfgbV?si=e7b1637af60140b1)
Worktapespodcast.com (https://worktapespodcast.com)
Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Brandon Carswell & Quinn Chowaniec
Additional Production Assistance by Jonas Litton
This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell (https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ufbHDVXVQjBbR6mzC7jn9?si=2I_A7d8nTrOxWAJ6Ewhfmw)& produced by Micah Tawlks (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5dlRq9LWpfSph7DY5YyGE4) - "Back To Us" (https://open.spotify.com/track/1BDbD5AsaMVqwETvjX8QcH?si=4c14ed51a2d34a20)
Cover Art by Mid Century Western (https://midcenturywestern.com)
Worktapes show logos designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**
Who has been a guest on Worktapes
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Natalie Hemby
Leeland Mooring
Jack Mooring
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
9,901
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 69 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
87
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
60
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