Joe Pernice

Joe Pernice

From The Working Songwriter by Joe Pug

May 29, 2026 · 56 min

About this episode

Joe Pernice discusses his musical journey and collaborations with various artists.

Our guest on the Working Songwriter this week hails originally from Boston, Massachusetts and now makes his home in Toronto. Joe Pernice got his musical start, though, in Northampton, MA. At the time, it was a hot bed of indie music creativity. His band the Scud Mountain Boys built a loyal following in the 1990s with a string of critically acclaimed releases. He’s recorded for Sub Pop, One Little Indian, Team Love, and New West Records. Over the years Pernice has collaborated with a variety of blue-chip songwriters such as Aimee Mann, Neko Case, Norman Blake (of Teenage Fanclub), Jimmy Webb, Rodney Crowell, and Jim White. He’s also a man of many talents; his novel It Feels So Good When I Stop was published by Penguin Books in 2009. NPR calls him “a workhorse of a songwriter who delivers hard truths with the softest of whispers.” Brooklyn Vegan declared, “Few songwriters today imbue frustration and anguish into the sweetest of melodies as Joe Pernice.” I got a chance to catch up with him a few months ago to hear about his musical journey so far. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

People in this episode

Host: Joe Pug

Guest: Joe Pernice

Topics covered

  • music
  • songwriting
  • indie music
  • collaboration
  • literature

Keywords

  • Joe Pernice
  • indie music
  • songwriter
  • collaboration
  • music history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sub Pop, One Little Indian, Team Love, New West Records, Penguin Books, NPR, Brooklyn Vegan

Books & works: It Feels So Good When I Stop

Places: Boston, Massachusetts, Toronto, Northampton, MA

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