Podcast 542: John Craigie
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John Craigie, the acclaimed singer-songwriter known for his vintage-inspired album art and introspective, storytelling-driven music, reveals how his career was shaped by serendipity and a deep love for obscure 60s jazz records. Despite growing up in a musically quiet Los Angeles neighborhood, Craigie found his voice at UC Santa Cruz, where the vibrant folk and Americana scene ignited his passion for songwriting. He recounts how he taught himself guitar by emulating 90s rock bands before discovering Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell through a borrowed CD—an epiphany that redefined his musical identity. His journey from self-taught beginner to touring artist began with a bold, DIY approach: calling venues between Santa Cruz and Boulder to book gigs one at a time. What’s most striking is his commitment to artistic reinvention—using nylon-string guitars, drawing inspiration from forgotten Samba jazz album covers, and even launching a wildly popular Beatles tribute project born from a casual bet. Now, he’s expanding into orchestral arrangements with the Oregon Symphony, proving that his creative curiosity is as boundless as his discography. Craigie’s humor, often compared to Mitch Hedberg, isn’t just performance—it’s a survival mechanism honed from early shyness, a way to connect with audiences while staying grounded. His latest album, recorded in New Orleans and Astoria, reflects a deliberate aesthetic and sonic shift, inspired by a rare 60s jazz series with artwork by Olga Abizu.
Record your songs in a new way every album—Craigie uses nylon strings and vintage-inspired visuals to create distinct sonic and visual identities.
Your first gig doesn’t need to be perfect—Craigie booked his first tour by cold-calling venues between Santa Cruz and Boulder, one at a time.
A borrowed CD changed everything—his discovery of Bob Dylan’s 'Freewheeling' at 16 was a pivotal moment that inspired him to write full songs.
Humor is a tool, not a gimmick—Craigie’s stage banter stems from shyness and a desire to connect, not just entertain.
You don’t need permission to tour—Craigie started his career by assuming he could just call venues and book gigs, no agent or label required.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introducing John Craigie and the Fretboard Summit 2026
Jason Verlinde welcomes listeners to the Fretboard Journal podcast and announces the first artist for the 2026 Fretboard Summit: Antoine Boyer, a gypsy jazz virtuoso. He describes the event as a celebration of guitars, luthery, and music for all levels, held August 20–22, 2026, in Chicago.
John Craigie’s Vintage Aesthetic and Album Art Philosophy
“I think the first time I did it was this album, Masters of the Universe, which I was wanting to homage a lot of those kind of lounge, like 60s easy listening albums as almost like a misdirect, you know, for an album that I thought was more political and kind of like, you know, groove based and stuff.”
From Square LA to Santa Cruz: The Birth of a Musician
Craigie shares how he grew up in a musically quiet LA neighborhood with no guitar-playing family, discovering music through a friend’s guitar at 16. He recounts buying his first guitar at a pawn shop and later getting a Takamini acoustic at Guitar Center.
The Life-Changing CD: Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell
“I really liked it, especially Freewheeling was so easy. You know, I could pick those songs out and just to be able to have... There wasn't much music at that time. This is a little before Jewel. a little before Jack Johnson. But really, there just wasn't music on the radio that was just like a guy and a guitar.”
Santa Cruz: Where Music Finally Made Sense
Craigie describes UC Santa Cruz as a transformative environment where music was everywhere—campfires, open mics, and the local radio station K-Pig introduced him to Americana legends like John Prine and Lucinda Williams.
“It was totally by a random almost like a bet back in 2017. I've always been a Beatles nerd, like I'm a music nerd and the Beatles are a very easy band to be nerdy about.”
“I really liked it, especially Freewheeling was so easy. You know, I could pick those songs out and just to be able to have... There wasn't much music at that time. This is a little before Jewel. a little before Jack Johnson. But really, there just wasn't music on the radio that was just like a guy and a guitar.”
“I think the first time I did it was this album, Masters of the Universe, which I was wanting to homage a lot of those kind of lounge, like 60s easy listening albums as almost like a misdirect, you know, for an album that I thought was more political and kind of like, you know, groove based and stuff.”
Host
Guest
John Craigie
person
Jason Verlinde
person
UC Santa Cruz
organization
Jack Johnson
person
Bob Dylan
person
New Orleans
place
Astoria
place
Joni Mitchell
person
Mitch Hedberg
person
Gregory Allen Isakoff
person
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