The Tonearm is putting a needle on the cultural wax. Check it out.

Writers Episodes

Dec. 19, 2024

Christoph Dallach: krautrock origins from schlager to synthesizers

The veteran music journalist joins the podcast to discuss his book Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock and how a disparate group of musicians shaped a distinctly German sound in the shadow of World War II.
Oct. 31, 2024

Erik Davis: the beatification of blotter art

The author and 'countercultural icon' discusses his latest book, Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium, which details a fascinating intersection between art and the illicit drug market.
Guest: Erik Davis
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.
Guest: Jeff Slate
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.
Guest: R.U. Sirius
Dec. 7, 2023

Diana Pasulka: a religious study of UFOs and nonhuman intelligences

With her books Encounters and American Cosmic, religious studies professor Diana Pasulka explores the modern edges of belief.
Nov. 16, 2023

Tea Krulos explores hidden subcultures in American society

The author grapples with the unknown and the extraordinary in his many books, which include Heroes In The Night, American Madness, and Monster Hunters.
Guest: Tea Krulos
Nov. 9, 2023

Benjamin Koppel plays jazz with a novelist's narrative

Saxophonist Benjamin Koppel talks about Perspective, his latest album with KCB Collective, and how his collaborators in jazz are part of a family.
Nov. 2, 2023

On Minimalism: Kerry O'Brien and William Robin in conversation

Authors and musicologists O'Brien and Robin discuss On Minimalism, their comprehensive book on the history of minimalist music.
Oct. 19, 2023

Seth Godin and The Song of Significance

The influential author, entrepreneur, and teacher digs into the empowering and empathic team-building themes of his latest book.
Guest: seth godin
Oct. 5, 2023

Gabriel Kennedy leads us into the Chapel Perilous

A deep dive into the life and thought crimes of Robert Anton Wilson, the subject of Gabriel Kennedy's forthcoming book.
Jan. 19, 2023

Michael Kuelker on The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Today, the spotlight shines on author and educator Michael Kuelker, here to talk about his recent book, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils On Record: A Narrative Discography . Michae is a teacher, writer, and reggae radio DJ in S…
Oct. 20, 2022

John Barry on Levon Helm

Writer John Barry joins us on the podcast to talk his new book, "Levon Helm: Rock, Roll & Ramble—The Inside Story of the Man, the Music and the Midnight Ramble." Ringo wrote the foreword, and Roger Waters, Graham Nash and Wa…
April 7, 2022

Harold Sherrick

Harold Sherrick visits to talk about his book "A Pigs Tale" which tells the story of one of the most famous bootleg labels, Trade Mark of Quality.
Feb. 11, 2022

Jeff Slate

Songwriter, SiriusXM Volume host, and music-writer, Jeff Slate tells the whole story of his spat with Paul Simon, talks about why the Clash are massively underrated, what music will be remembered in 200 years and more.
Guest: Jeff Slate
Sept. 9, 2021

Gabrielle Basha

Gabrielle joins LP to talk about her work at the Joseph Campbell Foundation and breaks down Joseph Campbell's influence on the modern world, philosophy, writing, film, etc.