The Ear Hustle music episode returns! We catch up with some guys at San Quentin who are longing for love, and then, for the first time ever, we toss the mic to the ladies at the California Institution for Women.

Thanks to Judith Hill, Derek Barboza, Cassell Meadors, Tam Nguyen, Katrina Hovie, and Elysia Cossey for speaking to us and performing for this episode. Thanks also to Andrew “Boots” Hardy and John Eagan. And thanks to Rene Rogers and Scotty Almany at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

You can find out more about Musicambia here.

Find full versions of many songs from our music episodes here.

Illustration by Erik Maciel.

Each episode this season will feature new artwork by a different incarcerated artist. It’s part of a collaboration between Ear Hustle and the San Quentin Prison Arts Project, which is part of the William James Association (WJA) and is also supported by California's Arts in Corrections program.

Since 1977, the WJA has helped prepare participants for a successful return to their communities by building family connections, teaching social and communication skills, and giving students an opportunity to contribute. You can find out more about WJA here, and donate to help support its work here.

This episode features music by Antwan Williams, Eric Abercrombie, Rhashiyd Zinnamon, Fernando Arruda, and David Jassy.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson, Lt. Berry, and Warden Ron Broomfield at San Quentin, and to Lt. Newborg, Mr. Mumm, Acting Chief Deputy Lewis, and Acting Warden Core at CIW.

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

You can download the episode here and find the transcript here.

Episode 82: Wishful Thinking