Mal Fleming

So there are a lot of websites from even just 15, 20 years ago that have just all vanished.

They're not around at all anymore.

And some of them used to be really popular.

They'd be something everyone talked about, the way people talk about TV shows or magazine articles.

So you have experienced it, seeing once-familiar culture disappear?

I mean, I don't know if an obscure college radio blog is worthy of the same preservation as an ancient folk song, though.

Oh, it's part of the job.

Apparently it assists with the transition.

I can imagine.

You mentioned growing up in the South, Tennessee, right?

Was that when you got interested in folk songs?

I definitely hear that.

I don't go out to see live music much, but when I have, it's always been the smaller, more intimate performances that have stuck with me.

Any particular favorites?

I really like this one artist, Basia Badalamenti.

I don't really know how to talk about music, but something about her voice is just so incredible and arresting.

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Her earlier work blends a lot of influences from traditional Sicilian music.

She's also a multi-instrumentalist.

She'll switch between guitar and flute and even what looks like an accordion.