Over the past 40 years, Lou Barlow’s body of work–with bands like Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, and as a solo artist–has immensely impacted Joe’s life. Lou tells Joe about growing up in the chaotic 1970s; his early love of pop radio; the enormous influence the Ramones had on his life; hearing his early songs on college…
Dave Elitch returns for a bonus episode to discuss his new course, Staying Out of Your Own Way. At its best, learning to play an instrument can be the catalyst for self exploration. Joe and Dave share a curiosity about the nature of learning, and Dave–who has taught many of the best working drummers–talks about…
Steve Albini died yesterday, May 7, at the age of 61. Here’s Joe’s conversation with Steve from 2017. Originally intended to be a gag episode featuring Roland (the drum machine used in Steve’s band, Big Black), this turned into an earnest conversation documenting Steve’s evolution from sharp-witted provocateur to sharp-witted empath. With thousands of recordings…
King Coffey tells Joe about: growing up in a single-parent, Christian household; his 40+ year tenure with Butthole Surfers; his interest in Buddhism; and caring for his husband, who suffered from dementia.
Guy Picciotto’s work in Fugazi and Rites of Spring had an immeasurable impact on Joe’s life. As a producer, Guy has helped artists such as Blonde Redhead, Vic Chestnut, and The Blood Brothers reach new heights. In an uncharacterisically candid conversation, Guy tells Joe about his childhood, his artistic trajectory, and his most recent project…
For over thirty years, Jim White has been the drummer of choice for many of the most compelling songwriters working. Now, with assitance from producer Guy Picciotto, he’s created his first solo album, All Hits: Memories.
The latest incarnation of Built to Spill will undoubtedly be remembered as one of that band’s most potent lineups in its 30+ year career. Teresa Esguerra’s heavy groove and lyrical rhythmic conception are a crucial part of the equation. She tells Joe about Prism Bitch, Built to Spill, and her career as an occupational therapist.
The Trap Set is back, and so is Marnie Stern. Marnie burst onto the NYC rock scene in 2007–seemingly out of nowhere–with a unique blend of virtuosic guitar; surreal, beautifully yearning lyrcs; and a “sheets of sound” vocal delivery. Joe met Marnie in 2012 and toured with her behind Stern’s 2013 album, The Chronicles of…
Jeremiah Green, drummer for Modest Mouse, passed away 12/31/2022 of cancer. This is a re-post of our conversation from 2017. We at The Trap Set are sending love to Jeremiah’s family, bandmates, and many friends around the world.
Patricia Brennan is an improvisatory mallet percussionist who as been hailed as one of the instrument’s new leaders. As a sidewoman, she’s worked with artists such as Mary Halvorson, Matt Mitchell, and John Hollenbeck. Her solo debut, Maquishti, released by Valley of Search Records was included on the New York Times 10 best Jazz albums…
This week, we’re revisiting our 2017 conversation with the fantastic Viola Smith, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 107. We’ll be back next week with a new episode.
Over the last two decades, Nate Smith has emerged as one of his generation’s most innovative drummers. His unique style marries a deep, earthy sense of time with cerebral adventurousness. Nate has backed artists such as Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, and Brittany Howard; and in recent years he has come into his own as a…
Rick Allen’s driving, tuneful style propelled Def Leppard to massive popularity during the 80s and early 90s. The band recently released its twelfth studio album, Diamond Star Halos. Rick met with Joe in Beverly Hills to discuss his forty year career, and the life that informed it.
Mimi Parker–best known as drummer, vocalist, and co-founder of the band Low–passed away on November 5th after a battle with cancer. Here is Joe’s conversation with Mimi, originally released in June, 2017.
DH Peligro, best known as the drummer of Dead Kennedys, died in an accidental fall at his home in Los Angeles on 10/28/2022. Here is Joe’s conversation with DH, originally released in November, 2015.
We return from hiatus with Academy Award-winning filmmaker, author, and entrepreneur Questlove, in what Questlove calls, “the best, most open interview I’ve ever given in my life.” Joe and Questlove discuss mental health, race, religion, vulnerability, self love, the hip hop ethos (“Hustle, survive. Hustle, survive.”), J Dilla, and more!
After a pandemic-induced hiatus, The Trap Set is back for Episode 300. Following the tradition of our previous centennial episodes, Joe is interviewed by a former guest–this time Jon Wurster (Bob Mould, Superchunk, The Mountain Goats, The Best Show). We at The Trap Set would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of our…
On Saturday, April 30th, Gabe Serbian died one day shy of his 45th birthday. Here’s Joe’s 2016 conversation with Gabe. If you’re in a postion to help, please consider donating to Gabe’s family here: https://gofund.me/f39cf17d https://gofund.me/f39cf17dhttps://gofund.me/f39cf17d
The great Memphis-based drummer, Howard Grimes, died at the age of 80 last week. Here’s Joe’s 2015 conversation with Howard, a true original whose ingenious artistry will inspire generations to come.
Today’s guest is Hugo Burnham, drummer of Gang of Four. Formed in Leeds in 1976, Gang of Four was one of the most explosive and influential bands to emerge in the wake of the punk rock movement. Next month, Matador Records will release an exhaustive box set chronicling the band’s incredible output from 1977-1981. During…
This week’s guest is Cindy Blackman Santana, an artist of exceptional skill who–over the past four decades–has made compelling contributions to the worlds of improvised music and popular music alike. Her latest album, “Give the Drummer Some” is now available
We’re back from hiatus! Alan Braufman was a vital member of the New York Loft Jazz scene of the 1970s. His 1975 opus, Valley of Search, was re-issued in 2018, and his latest album, The Fire Still Burns, was released to rave reviews in 2020.
Joe speaks to Jesse Shreibman, drummer of Seattle band, Bell Witch.
Chris Frantz discusses Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, and his new memoir, Remain In Love. Also, make sure to check out Joe’s new album, Nite Creatures, streaming everywhere now!
Eric Slick talks about his jazz musician grandfather, his childhood in Philly, the residual scars from growing up “a fat kid”, his obsession with Mad Magazine, and how drumming opened up his world.
Joe talks to the multifaceted Alicia Bognanno about her career as the creative force behind Bully and as an audio engineer. Friend of the show, Mary Lattimorre, also stops by to discuss her new album.
Mixmaster Mike discusses his challenging childhood; his ascent to the top of the competitive DJ world; the development of his singular DJ style; joining the Beastie Boys; and his latest collaboration with Steve Jordan, Beat Odyssey 2020.
Steve Jordan is one of the most distinctive and prolific drummers in the history of recorded music. He is also an in-demand producer and record label proprietor. Join us for a 90-minute, life-spanning conversation with one of the all-time greats!
Today’s guest is Sam Coomes, a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who is perhaps best known as one half of the duo, Quasi, a band he co-founded with Janet Weiss in 1993. Sam possesses a seemingly effortless sense of musicality and a gift for uniquely memorable melody. His lyrics are also fantastic…basically, he has all the…
This week’s guest is Doug “Cosmo” Clifford. Best known as drummer of Credence Clearwater Revival, Doug’s powerful, tuneful playing laid the foundation for countless rock n roll standards. In 1972, Doug released his solo debut, Cosmo. During the 80s, he began work on his second album, Magic Window. The album was shelved until Doug recently…
Today’s guest is Johanna Warren, author of haunting songs, beautifully sung with an ethereal yet rhythmically adventures delivery. Johanna and Joe met while working on the Netflix series, Midnight Gospel, on which she plays the singing voice of the Prisoner. She spoke to Joe in May from her home in rural Wales. Check out Johanna’s…
Though Spoon’s style has evolved radically over its 25 year existence, Jim Eno’s drumming has been consistently tasteful, disciplined, and compositionally clever. Aside from his work as a drummer, Jim owns the Austin-based studio, Public Hi-Fi, and has engineered and produced for artists such as !!!, Cornell Dupree, John Vanderslice, Alejandro Escovedo, Future Islands, and…
One of the most compelling artists to emerge in the past twenty years, Sharon Van Etten presents startlingly vulnerable songs with a sublimely confident, otherworldly vocal delivery. Click HERE to pre-order Joe’s LP, NITE CREATURES. All profits through the end of July will benefit The NAACP Legal Defense Fund. During the age of social distancing,…
Matt Barrick is an incredibly dynamic drummer adept at leading the listener through unexpected sonic adventure. Matt began his career with Jonathan Fire Eater, and–as a member of the Walkmen–was part of a new garden of New York bands at the turn of the millennium. He is the touring drummer for Fleet Foxes; and his…
Jim Keltner is one of the greatest and most prolific drummers to emerge during the age of recorded music; His discography–a spine running through the body of popular song. Over the course of the past fifty plus years, he’s made landmark recordings with Warren Zevon, Bobby Womack, Lucinda Williams, Leon Russell, John Lennon, Yoko Ono,…
Joe welcomes Angel Olsen, one of his favorite contemporary songwriters, to The Trap Set. During the age of social distancing, we’re recording remotely and releasing extra episodes.
We’ve taken the last few weeks off to make room for important social dialogue. We’re happy to return with a beautiful conversation with one of the all-time great drummers, Lenny White. Lenny first achieved international recognition for his contribution to Miles Davis’s landmark Bitches Brew album, and he continued to make history with artists such…
Today’s guest is Sahir Hanif, founder of tour production company Ghost Tech and of Masters of Maple, a drum manufacturer. Masters of Maple has teamed with MusiCares to create a limited run of their Trash Talk snare drums. All proceeds will benefit a Covid-19 fund specifically for musicians. More information can be found at MDrums.com.…
Today’s guest is Ryan Kattner, also known as Honus Honus, keyboardist, vocalist, and creative leader of the band Man Man. Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In Between, the band’s excellent, ambitious double double album, was released by Sub Pop on May 1.
Today’s guest is Jenn Wassner, a multi instrumentalist and singer who is one half of the duo Wye Oak. Jenn also creates solo work under the name Flock of Dimes and is a touring member of Bon Iver.
Today’s guest is Andy Stack, all multi instrumentalist and singer who is one half of the duo Wye Oak and who also releases solo material as Joyero. He has also collaborated with artists such as: Lambchop, Madeline Kenney, Helado Negro, and Shearwater.
In honor of the late, great Little Richard, here’s our 2017 conversation with Richard’s drummer and friend, Charles Connor.
Roger Manning, Jr. is keyboardist and founding member of bands such as Beatnik Beach, Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, and The Moog Cookbook. Roger’s latest band, The Lickerish Quartet, will release its first EP, “Threesome, Vol. 1”, later this Friday. During the age of social distancing, we’re recording remotely and releasing extra episodes.
Katie Crutchfield began making bedroom recordings as a teenager in her native Alabama. She began touring while still in high school and co-founded the band P.S. Eliot with her sister, Allison. Since 2012, Katie has released music as Waxahatchee. Waxahatchee’s latest album, Saint Cloud, was released in March to intense acclaim. During the age of…
In 1989, Mac McCaughan co-founded the band Superchunk and the label Merge Records, both of which are still thriving today. Mac and Joe discuss: composing for film, how Mac’s relationship with music has evolved over his lifetime; Mac’s songwriting process; balancing planning with flexibility; and–when it comes to promoting an album–where an artist’s responsibility ends…
Today the world lost, Tony Allen, the great genius that–along with Fela Kuti–created the style known as Afrobeat. We’re sharing Joe’s conversation with Tony from 2015. Tony Allen, RIP.
Today’s guest is Julianna Barwick, an artist that employs electronics, voice, and loops to build warm and expansive planets of sound! During the age of social distancing, we’re recording remotely and releasing daily episodes.
Sean McGuinness is a brutal shredder with a heart of gold. He discusses falling in love with drums; his excellent band Pissed Jeans; operating Lunar Inn, a bar and restaurant in his native Philadelphia; and fatherhood!
Songwriter Johnathan Rice joins Joe to discuss: his upbringing in Virginia and Glasgow; the serious academic ambitions that resulted from being the first child of immigrants; abandoning those ambitions to pursue music; a fortuitous meeting with Dave Grohl in suburban Virginia; moving to New York and befriending songwriters such as Jesse Harris and Connor Oberst;…
Dot Wiggin co-founded The Shaggs, along with her sisters Betty and Helen, in 1968. As the band’s primary songwriter, she is the author of some of the most astonishingly unique, life-affirming music ever recorded. Dot discusses: forming the band at the behest of her father; her songwriting process; weekly performances at the town hall in…
Yo La Tengo’s Georgia Hubley joins Joe from Montauk, NY to discuss: her animator parents; her background in visual arts; her band-specific drumming style; and her strong sense of intuition.
Today’s guest is Duncan Trussell–comic, host of The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, and co-creator of the stunning new Netflix Series The Midnight Gospel. (Joe composed the score for the show!) Duncan and Joe discuss: meeting at just the right time; collaborating on the music for The Midnight Gospel; temporal neighbors; how certain childhood trauma can…
Joe shares “Dreams Wash Away”, the first song from his forthcoming album! You also can stream the song on a service of your choice here: lnk.to/DreamsWashAway Make sure to check out The Midnight Gospel, coming to Netflix on Monday, 4/20! “Dreams Wash Away” makes an appearance in the stunning season finale.
With a formal background in sound engineering, classical guitar, and composition–coupled with a deeply curious mind–Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith is the author of beautifully meditative, vast and vivid soundscapes. She and Joe discuss: how her independent study background prepared her for Berklee; how meditation made her a better listener; getting to know one’s subconscious mind; her…
Andrew Becker’s dexterous, explosive drumming first gained recognition when he played in Dischord band Medications. Since then, Andrew has created four solo albums under the Human Potential Moniker, including this year’s I’m Glad You’re Alive. He’s also an award-winning filmmaker, and proprietor of the label What Delicate. Joe and Andy have crossed paths in some…
From an early age, drummer Areif Sless-Kitain exhibited a stunning level of musical maturity and a distinctive creative voice. Joe witnessed this firsthand when he saw Areif perform with Regulator Watts in Milwaukee in 1996. Areif and Joe crossed paths a few years later, when Joe succeeded Areif in the DC band that later became…
Thor Harris is a percussionist known for his work with Swans, Bill Callahan, Rob Halverson, Devendra Banhart, and his own ensemble–Thor & Friends. Thor is also a sculptor, instrument builder, carpenter, and former TX gubernatorial candidate. Thor tells Joe about: being raised by an engineer and schoolteacher near Galveston, TX; studying drums in at Musicians…
Makaya McCraven is a drummer, composer, and producer whose innovative work draws a creative through-line between generations of seemingly disparate avant-garde movements. He tells Joe about: being raised by musician parents; why he initially resisted pursuing music as a profession; the difference between the “oral musical tradition” in which he was raised and the academic…
Sean Solomon tells Joe about: taking lessons with the late Richie Hass of Saccharine Trust; growing up with a musical father and uncle; his early affinity for drugs; turning his life around in the psych ward; the meditative benefits of guitar playing; the band dynamic of Moaning; and his career as an animator. Also, Rob…
Today, an experimental three-part episode! First, Britt Walford returns to answer listener questions; then, we turn over the host seat to Britt as he interviews his friend–today’s guest–Emil Amos. Finally, Joe picks up where Britt leaves off for a life-spanning conversation with Emil. Emil is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter perhaps best known for his…
Meg Baird is drummer, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Meg her musical journey playing with her sister Laura in what would become known as The Baird Sisters. She moved to Philadelphia in 1995 and played in bands such as Espers, Heron Oblivian, and Watery Love. Beginning in 2007, Meg has released a stunning series of solo…
If you had to choose the catalog of just one Trap Set alumnus to listen to during quarantine, you could do no better than today’s guest, the incomparable Dave Mattacks! Dave made his recording debut in 1969 on Fairport Convention’s seminal album Liege & Lief. From this stunning statement onward, Dave’s unique brand of rhythmic…
Billy Conway joins Joe from his home in Montana to discuss: growing up in small-town Minnesota; attending Yale on a hockey scholarship; teaching in the inner city; how deliberate limitations informed his approach to playing with Morphine; how making a solo record shaped his approach to producing other artists; and how fighting advanced cancer has…
Guitarist and vocalist Kid Congo Powers has been a key member of several paradigm-shifting bands such as The Gun Club, The Cramps, and The Bad Seeds. Over the past fifteen years, he’s also led his own excellent band, Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds. Kid tells Joe about: growing up in a Chicano family…
Brian Chippendale is perhaps best known as the drummer and vocalist for the Providence duo, Lightning Bolt. A band perfectly suited to Chippendale’s singular gift for conjuring colorful and frenetic noisescapes. He is also a prolific visual artist and graphic novelist. Brian tells Joe about: his childhood in New York state and Pennsylvania; his long-lasting…
John Congleton and Joe first met 22 years ago in Denton, TX. John’s band, the pAper chAse shared a bill with Joe’s band at the time. In the intervening years, John has distinguished himself as one of the most innovative and in-demand producers of his generation, working with scores of artists such as: Sharon Van…
As U.S. Girls, Meg Remy has achieved an impressive songwriting balance between the familiar and the wholly unexpected. She joins Joe to discuss: why she is somewhat relieved that the global pandemic caused touring postponement; singing through an amp in her childhood garage; her first band; attending Catholic school; and the interesting predicament presented by…
Today’s guest is Britt Walford, perhaps best known as the drummer for Slint, a band he co-founded in Louisville in 1986. During its brief lifespan, Slint operated in relative obscurity; but the band’s music has proven to be a massive influence on subsequent generations–and previous generations alike. Even established legends such as Robert Plant have…
Joe is joined by Sylvan Esso to discuss: Elmer’s Glue mohawks, Corona anxiety, songwriting, existential dread, and slap bass! During the age of social distancing, we’re recording remotely and releasing new episodes of The Trap Set every day.
Joe and Torche’s Rick Smith first met when their respective bands shared a bill in Dallas, TX, in 2008. The two reconnected last year when Rick was in Los Angeles, touring behind Torche’s excellent new album, Admission. During the age of social distancing, we’re releasing new episodes every day.
Ben Gibbard is best known as the vocalist and guitarist of Death Cab for Cutie, and as co-founder of The Postal Service. Ben and Joe discuss: songwriting; the challenge of creative evolution; existential dread; and life in quarantine.
Armed with a background in orchestral percussion, hand drumming, and jazz studies, Andrya Ambro possesses a uniquely compositional drum set style and is a proud member of the Singing Drummer Club. A resident of New York City, Andrea tells Joe about how she is handling the current pandemic; growing up in Delaware; the influence her…
Billy Martin joins Joe to discuss: how his parents met at Radio City Music Hall (she–a Rockette, he–a musician); his childhood affinity for Jacques Cousteau; how going to the movies informed his inner world; some of his key mentors; the difference between dead music and live music; and why he considers himself an experimental artist.
Matt Sharp and Joe gulped down thick, black coffee and hung out for well over two hours. We discussed: Matt’s itinerant childhood as the son of a government contractor; working with brilliant producers such as Ric Ocasek; how his first band–Weezer–willed themselves to success; working with Nick Zinner and Ronnie Vanucci on the new Rentals…
The legendary Billy Gibbons joins Joe to discuss: his love of Fugazi; studying percussion with Tito Puente; attending art school in Hollywood; Roky Erickson; his uncle, Cedric Gibbons, the most awarded art director in history; and why–after over 50 years as a band–it’s still a joy to play with ZZ Top.
Mike Bordin delivers trance inducing rhythmic patterns with earth-shattering power. This inimitable style places him in the pantheon of all-time great rock drummers. Mike and Joe discuss: Mike’s journalist grandfather who worked as editor of The Milwaukee Sentinel; how Mike and his childhood friend, legendary bassist Cliff Burton, began playing their respective instruments together; how…
Chad Clark’s parents were attorneys positioned at the vanguard of the civil rights movement, representing the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and James Baldwin. Ergo, Chad feels that–however lofty his ambitions–he’ll never impact the world to the same degree as his family. That said, his music is enormously impactful on the folks lucky…
Before attaining massive success with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea was a wild child, roaming the streets of Hollywood. He and Joe discuss: the unfamiliar vulnerability he faced when writing his excellent memoir Acid for the Children; the cathartic experience of translating traumatic memories to text; the spiritual connection between jazz and punk rock; the…
Cedric Bixler-Zavala is best known as the explosive vocalist for bands like The Mars Volta and At The Drive-In, but he is also an accomplished drummer. He and Joe discuss: a punk rock video arcade in El Paso, TX; drumming in punk band Foss with Beto O’Rourke; the unique story behind his surname; selling bootlegged…
Joan Wasser began her career as a session musician for artists like Elton John, Lou Reed, John Cale, and Sparklehorse. It wasn’t until she was in her 30s, that Joan began writing her own, highly-acclaimed material as Joan As Policewoman. She and Joe spend an hour discussing the songwriting process and how personal loss pushed…
Sean Tillmann and Joe met when Sean played in Joe’s basement in the late ’90s. Sean tells Joe about: his early love of community theater; the origins of his ambitious nature; creating his Har Mar Superstar alter ego; losing his way in LA; why he decided to get sober; and how a series of coloring…
For nearly 40 years, The Melvins have been an astounding live band and peerless in their prolific ability to create a consistently adventurous body of work–a musical universe unto itself. Buzz Osborne discusses: his childhood in WA; feeling comfortable around firearms; being too smart to enjoy school; writing his memoir; the discipline required to maintain…
Because many of you are on lockdown due to the Corona virus outbreak. We’re bringing you new episodes of The Trap Set every day for the foreseeable future. Today’s episode features the inimitable Meshell Ndegeocello. Meshell has charted a wildly adventurous artistic course over the past 30+ years, and throughout it all, she has retained…
Life has slowed down as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, so we’re using the extra time at home as an opportunity to create and release a new episode of The Trap Set everyday until further notice. We’ll record by phone, and–by necessity–experiment with a more raw and immediate production style. It’s our hope that…
Mike Post started out as a studio guitarist, recording on hits such as Sunny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe.” As a producer, he won a Grammy for “Classical Gas” in 1968 and worked with artists ranging from Sammy Davis Jr., to Dolly Parton (on her smash 9 to 5 album), to Van Halen. But…
Jeff Friedl drums with well-considered precision and a soulful groove. Jeff and Joe were born in the same year and discovered some interesting similarities in their respective life trajectories. Jeff discusses being raised in Tuscon by a visual artist and a pharmacist; how drumming kept him from making bad life choices; and how his life…
Jason Sutter is a consummate professional with a command of the craft of drumming that has allowed him to thrive in seemingly disparate situations ranging from Cher to Marilyn Manson. Jason grew up in upstate NY, but through a strange twist of fate, he and his cousin were friends with Joe’s next door neighbors in…
Creative polymath, Money Mark, visits The Trap Set to discuss: working as a carpenter at a film studio; why his parents’ bi-racial marriage forced them from their home state; occasionally sleeping in his car after attending LA punk shows; how touring with The Beastie Boys forced him to give up a job remodeling kitchens; his…
Hunt Sales discusses his itinerant childhood (his father was legendary comedian, Soupy Sales); being mentored by Shelly Manne; beginning his professional career at age eleven; overcoming addiction; and why he doesn’t have a desire to listen to legendary albums he made decades ago.
Like many children of the 90s, Ben Lee started a band that was inspired by artists such as Sonic Youth, The Breeders, and Sebadoh; but remarkably, that band–Noise Addict–quickly joined the ranks of its heroes. By the time Ben was 16, he was signed as a solo artist to the Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal Records;…
Josiah Wolf possesses a uniquely compositional drumming style, coupled with a gift for dynamic sensitivity. He tells Joe about Why?, a band he co-founded in 2004; his creative partnership with his brother; being raised by Jewish parents who led a Jesus-centric synagogue; becoming part of a creative community; his exercise routine; and shifting self awareness.
Steve Gorman’s natural sense of groove and knack for rhythmic hooks helped propel the Black Crowes to massive success. Over the course of a two hour conversation, Steve tells Joe about: growing up in Kentucky and Maryland; his love of Basketball; channeling obsessive-compulsive tendencies into rhythmic precision; his dysfunctional relationship with his former bandmates; the…
Janet Fucking Weiss! 2019 has been an eventful year for Janet Weiss. She left Sleater-Kinney after a twenty-four year run and soon after suffered a major car accident. Janet tells Joe about growing up in LA; discovering drumming in San Francisco; finding an artistic community in Portland; the creative dynamic of Quasi; the emotional vulnerability…
Anna Waronker was born into a storied music family, but–as a child–she dreamed of working at the post office or becoming an accountant. Her gift for angular melody and vivid lyricism led her to pursue the family trade after all. She tells Joe about: attending artsy alternative school Crossroads; recognizing her gift for songwriting; the…
Mary Lattimore deploys her classical harp training to construct immersive, improvisatory sound worlds. A relentless road warrior, she routinely spends over 200 days a year on tour, both as a band member and a solo artist. She visited Joe on a rare day off to discuss: falling out of moving cars; growing up with a…
Paddy Boom began his career in the 1980s New York punk scene. In the early 2000s, his metronomic groove helped launch Scissor Sisters to wild international success. But a series of tragedies derailed his life, ultimately leading him to get back in touch with his creative roots. Make sure to check out Paddy’s solo work,…
Chris Carrabba’s gift for melodic hooks and his sincere, vulnerable lyrical approach won him a devoted and durable fan base. He tells Joe about: growing up in a “wealth adjacent” environment; sleeping in Washington Square Park; how his music was informed by skateboarding; almost committing to a career as a teacher; leaving a band comprised…
Hugh Grundy’s catchy rhythmic hooks and swinging groove helped The Zombies become on of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time. He and Joe discuss: growing up in post-war England; how he almost wound up spending his life working at a bank; the fine line between hard work and luck as it…
Ali Koehler’s propulsive drumming paints vivid pictures with a deliberately minimalist palette, but–due partially to an abusive teacher–she has always had a difficult time identifying as a drummer. Ali tells Joe about growing up in New Jersey; school band; her talent for resolving interpersonal conflict; playing with Vivian Girls and Best Coast; working in clothing…
Joe met this week’s guest–Jimmy LaValle–on tour over twenty years ago. A lot has happened in the intervening time, and Jimmy catches Joe up on: the genesis and evolution of The Album Leaf; becoming a film composer; and raising a family. This conversation was a reminder of the magic that is felt on early tours…
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