Music Artists Episodes
Aug. 1, 2024
Ches Smith & Shara Lunon: dismantling musical conventions
Drummer Ches Smith and vocalist Shara Lunon join the podcast to discuss improvisation vs. jamming, punk's connection to jazz, and the process behind the extraordinary album Laugh Ash.
July 25, 2024
Live at The Royal Room: improvisation in music and life
Lawrence Peryer joins James Falzone and his Division Ensemble for conversations and performances that shed light on the art of improvisation.
July 18, 2024
Riccardo La Foresta: drumming without drumming
The Italian sound artist & percussionist details the origin and methodology of the Drummophone and the process behind his sonic collaboration with emptyset's James Ginzburg.
July 11, 2024
Janek van Laak: drumming up a circle of madness
The prolific Berlin-based drummer and producer talks about the magic of John Bonham, why humor is essential, the rhythms of India, and the process of recording his debut album, Circle of Madness.
July 4, 2024
Bill Anschell: unearthing jazz's improbable solutions
'The hardest working piano man in Seattle' talks about the state of jazz music, his prog-rock influences, and the tasteful fusion of electronics on his latest album.
June 27, 2024
Ruiqi Wang: subduing the silence with vocal improvisation
Evocative vocals, string-laced arrangements, and sublime jazz instrumentation form the experimental fabric of Ruiqi Wang's stunning album, Subduing The Silence.
June 20, 2024
Paul Chastain: The Small Square's big sounds
The famed musician and songwriter discusses the definition of power pop, his days with Velvet Crush, and his exciting transcontinental band, The Small Square.
June 13, 2024
Jeff Slate: tales from a rock 'n' roll troubadour
The storied musician, songwriter, and music journalist talks about recording his album The Last Day of Summer during the pandemic, his approach to interviewing artists, and his friendships with some of his musical heroes.
June 6, 2024
Katie Ernst: bass notes and murder ballads
The prolific Chicago-based bass player and improvisor discusses her many projects—including Twin Talk, Wayfaring, and Edith Judith—and her role in inspiring the next generation of musicians.
May 30, 2024
James Falzone: joyful noise from the pain stick
The acclaimed clarinetist, improviser, and educator discusses his influences, music education, the nature of sound, and deconstructing the murder ballad in the duo Wayfaring.
May 23, 2024
Francesco Crosara: jazz journeys from Rome to Seattle
The acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and educator discusses his formative years in Italy, the vibrant jazz scene in the Pacific Northwest, and the rotating combos found on his excellent album, Circular Motion.
May 16, 2024
Kavita Shah: embracing the saudade of Cape Verde
The award-winning vocalist, composer, ethnomusicology researcher, and educator discusses the musical journey that landed her in Cape Verde.
May 9, 2024
R.U. Sirius: inside the mind of a cyberdelic shaman
In our special 200th episode, the former editor of the seminal magazine Mondo 2000 opens up about his musical activities, how his view of technology has changed, and his enduring curiosity about the chaos all around us.
May 2, 2024
Markus Reuter: recording music across space and time
A fascinating discussion with the acclaimed German multi-instrumentalist about wrangling technology through constraints, how process differs from experimentation, and his time-jumping collaboration with Stefano Castagna, Sea…
April 25, 2024
Hainbach: crafting soundscapes from forgotten relics
Experimental musician, YouTube personality, and excavator of rare, electronic sound-making artifacts — Hainbach delivers a fascinating look into his prolific musical activities.