Joe Pug and Willie Watson

Joe Pug’s vivid, story-driven folk songs first caught listeners’ attention with his 2008 debut, Nation of Heat, whose opening track, “Hymn #101,” became an early calling card. His plaintive harmonica and sharply observed lyrics carry through albums including The Great Despiser and Windfall. In 2022, he revisited his debut as a full-band album featuring musicians from The Killers and My Morning Jacket. Pug also hosts The Working Songwriter podcast, speaking with fellow songwriters about their craft.