The third annual Good Folk Fest increased its cachet this year by landing Daniel Johnston, an unlikely  folk-punk hero from Texas who was immortalized in the 2005 film, “The Devil and Daniel Johnston.” Scott Scarboro, the creative programming director at Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center, talks about landing Daniel, the uncommon creativity that distinguishes Good Folk from other fests, and why 2008 is the year of the ukulele.

This Saturday, Kentuckiana Blues Society celebrates its 20th anniversary with a show at Vernon Lanes in Butchertown. Society President Gary Sampson (pictured left) joins us to discuss the history of the nonprofit group, how its mission has changed over the years, and what projects and initiatives lie ahead. We also feature two tunes from the award-winning Nashville blues act The Beat Daddys, who perform at Saturday’s show.

Bored with rock, Neil Hulsewede turned to honky tonk on his solo debut, “Army of One.” Recorded by Jordan Forst of Adventure, Hulsewede has fashioned a collection of country-fied, warm-hearted introspection. Although dates are few and far between, Hulsewede says new year’s perhaps, might be when we see this set played live.

Henry Rollins is about as American as a punk can get, and in this interview with Mark R. Bacon, he explains why those of us on this chunk of land can’t ask for any better. Interviewed on — day of all days — Sept. 11, Rollins’ travels have given him a certain perspective other Americans could learn to adopt. He also talks about the assignment for U.S. troops, and why McCain might win the next presidential election, and why he hopes he’s wrong about that.

Villebillies are back with new, eclectic but not unfamiliar sound on From the Belly of the Beast. The band has since parted ways with Universal/Motown and undergone several departures from the group, but as Demi and Tuck explain, the project is by no means slowing down. They play at City Block Oct. 29 with tourmates Rehab, and have a handful of regional tour dates booked.

It doesn’t get much more defiant than F**k All Y’all Motherf**kers, the latest record from Lords. Singer, guitarist and engineer Chris Owens spoke with us before the band’s west coast tour this month. He discusses label troubles, the spine of the disc, and of record companies, the underground’s return to the underground, and the biggest mistakes bands make in the studio.

Playing the greatest hits of the 1700s is Louisville Celtic ensemble My Darling Asleep. The group started out playing together at the University of Louisville but has transitioned out of the university setting and is growing an audience thirsty for Irish and Celtic music. They play this weekend at The Belknap Fall Festival, and a free album release show at 6 p.m. Sunday at Brendan’s Pub in St. Matthews. Henry Austin and Marion Halliday join us.

Raised on a steady diet of timeless singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello, Ben Purdom has finally crafted an album of his own, Meets The Morning. Culled from hundreds of songs he’s written but not recorded, Meets is his debut and hits the streets on or about Oct. 12. He discusses open mics, the inspiration of Costello and deciding what song comes last on a record. myspace.com/benpurdommusic

Three years in the making, Lucky Pineapple’s new album, The Bubble Has Burst In Sky City, is fraught with wild interpretations, danceability and yes, progressive musical sense. Recorded in part at the famed Electrical Audio studio in Chicago, Bubble is released Friday, when the band plays a free in-store at ear X-tacy at 8 p.m. Friday and again at 9 p.m. at the Glassworks Rooftop.

Minnow’s new album is called Thirteen Wrongs, and they play tonight at Cahoots in the Highlands with Frontier(s) and Trophy Wives. Minnow is Carrie Neumayer, Doug Maxson, Rob Pennington and Becca Lindsay, and theirs is a brand of unabashed independent, politically charged rock reminiscent of the punk bands of yore, while pushing ever forward. Carrie and Doug talk about the origins of the group. More show and bio information is at myspace.com/minnowrock.

Old Wounds is the new album by Young Widows, the trio comprising Jeremy McMonigle, Nick Thieneman and Evan Patterson. Theirs is a sound steeped in post-rocks storide traditions with an eye toward forward-thinking, but wholly contained, experimentation. Evan Patterson discusses the making of Old Wounds, a combination of live and studio performances captured by Kurt Ballou (Converge), and the band’s fruitful band photo.

They are called Venus Trap, and their new album, The Key, has been released by Noise Pollution Records. They celebrate the release this Friday, Sept. 5 at Headliners Music Hall with The Shondes, Lucky Pineapple and Young Widows. Having been around since 2001, they discuss “The Key,” the drink named after them, and the relative influence of 8-track parties.

VHS or Beta has spent the better part of a year touring its latest release, Bring On The Comets. Guitarist and singer Craig Pfunder joins us in the LEO offices to talk about the band’s recent trip to Colombia, one of the more dangerous countries in the world, connecting with the audience from behind turntables, and who snores the loudest.

Formed from the ashes of hardcore band My Own Victim, Snake-Eyed Savior takes a more riff-friendly tack on its metal milieu.  The band plays Shooters on Distribution Drive this Saturday, and plans more demoing in the months to come for an upcoming release. Jason Williams, one of two guitarists, speaks with us. Hear three songs at myspace.com/snakeeyedsavior.

It took about 12 years, but Billy Petot and David Boston are finally flying their electro-folk flag. The two, along with Tim Stratman, Rob Wooten and Jeremy Irvin, have released a new album under the name Whistle Peak, and the group plays Aug. 25 at The Pink Door on Dundee Road in the Highlands. The group recently confirmed a slot at November’s Good Folk Fest in Louisville, where acclaimed singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston is scheduled to headline.

In the latest installment of the LEO Music ’Cast, Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog renewed its love affair with Louisville at Sunday night’s installment of the Forecastle Festival. Combining beachy harmonies and left-of-center rock swagger, the band’s new album, Fate, has landed. Known for its self-sufficient method of recording its albums, the group has opened for Wilco at Slugger Field and appeared at Louisville’s Lebowski Fest in 2007. Aaron Frank caught up with the band while they were stopped at a red light, and rather than hog-tie him to an oncoming bus, chatted for a bit. Copyright LEO Communications Inc. Sponsored by The Doo Wop Shop. All rights reserved.

When Method Man canceled his appearance at this year’s Forecasle Festival because of a scheduling conflict, fellow Wu Tang Clan member GZA stepped up to anchor the Friday night lineup. GZA, a.k.a The Genius, is a fan of conspiracy theories, and his album Liquid Swords still resonates as one of hip hop’s best records.

Led by 5-year-old Mabel Benzing, Snow Monster! has earned a following whose attraction to the kid’s electrorock style is part curiosity, part hankering for carefree fun. The new album, Ready In Seconds, is now available. Mabel and Dustin stop by to discuss the songcraft, as well as the youngster’s affection for all things “SpongeBob Squarepants” and Saint Etienne.

Heatwave 2008 is the newest mixtape from DJ Joe Dubb, aka Joey Wilkerson. With two “sides” — “The Party and The Coolout,” the release features a compilation of local hip hop and R&B artists, as well as artists from as far away as Canada. The longtime DJ talks about this new release, and his upcoming hip hop album, “Magnum Opus,”  due out later this year.

Pokey LaFarge’s new album is called Beat, Move & Shake, something the Normal, Ill., native has been doing since he was 17. A touring machine, LaFarge was once a member of the Hackensaw Boys before going solo with his energetic mix of blues, mountain and folk music. Beat, Move & Shake comes out July 18 on the St. Louis label Big Muddy Records, and Pokey appears at The Jug Band Jubilee at Iroquois Ampitheater in August.