WDIY NPR Radio: Carbon Leaf

Carbon Leaf lyricist and lead vocalist Barry Privett sat down with Neil Hever of WDIY, the Lehigh Valley’s NPR station, ahead of the band’s Allentown performance this summer.

The conversation traced Carbon Leaf’s journey from its beginnings in Richmond, Virginia, through the national breakthrough of “The Boxer” and the Top 5 AAA radio success of “Life Less Ordinary.” Barry also discussed the band’s decision to reclaim its independence and the lasting connection Carbon Leaf has built with listeners over more than three decades.

The interview also explored Time Is the Playground, Carbon Leaf’s 15th studio album, and its reflections on memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Barry shared the story behind “Backmask 1983,” a song that looks back on childhood curiosity, neighborhood mysteries, and the thrill of growing up in an era when the unexplained still felt possible.