Episodes
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.
April 18, 2024
Kevin Sun: emotion, technique, and the language of jazz
The ever-active Brooklyn-based saxophonist joins us to discuss improvisation, honing compositions from the small stage, and his ambitious album project, The Depths of Memory.
April 11, 2024
Will Barnes: jazz impressions of the Welsh landscape
On the album Source of the Severn, an accomplished guitarist from Wales conveys the beauty of the British countryside with his jazz quartet and visual artist Erin Hughes.
April 4, 2024
Lucky Lo: Swedish pop music with a twist
The renowned alt-pop singer, songwriter, and producer explores the lush, heartfelt sound of her brilliant new album The Big Feel.
March 28, 2024
Chalk: a relentless and genre-busting band from Belfast
The Irish electronic/rock hybrid trio talk about their quick rise, how film school informs their DIY ethos, and their explosive new EP, Conditions II.
March 21, 2024
Sui Zhen: Sleepless at SXSW
The innovative Chinese-Malaysian-Australian artist discusses her role in confronting SXSW's controversies, tackling motherhood on tour, and her ambitious new song, "Sleepless."
March 14, 2024
Nic Dembling: recalling new wave New York with Comateens
The Comateens member — AKA Nic North and Nic West — chats about founding the '70s new wave/punk band with Ramona Jan and the artistic merits of a challenging time for New York City.
March 7, 2024
Phil Haynes: a renowned jazz drummer chases the masters
The 'modernist drumming artist' chats about his experiences in the New York jazz scene, the responsibilities of a sideman, and his enlightening new memoir, Chasing The Masters.
Feb. 29, 2024
Dave Wish (Music Will): The Kids Are Alright … With Music Education
The celebrated music education innovator discusses the origin and motivations behind Music Will and how the organization teaches thousands to love playing instruments.
Feb. 22, 2024
Daniel Ögren: Nordic Psychedelia & Global Beats
The prolific and genre-jumping Swedish music producer delves into his inspirations, processes, and exceptional work with bands like Dina Ögon.
Feb. 15, 2024
Mareike Wiening: 'Reveal' Offers Jazz Rhythms of Hope
The renowned jazz drummer speaks about technique, influences, and the all-star quintet behind her latest album, Reveal.
Feb. 8, 2024
Jonathan Shank of Terrapin Station Ent.: from Mickey Hart to Peppa Pig
The founder of Terrapin Station Entertainment talks about immersive entertainment, IP-branded event production, and hitting it off with Mickey Hart.
Feb. 1, 2024
Brendan Grey (Super Duty Tough Work): hip-hop's liberation through hedonism
Super Duty Tough Work, a potent live hip-hop combo from Winnipeg, delivers to the feet and mind on the album Paradigm Shift.
Jan. 25, 2024
Susan Alcorn: Nueva Canción on Pedal Steel
The exploratory pedal steel guitarist revisits a world of protest music on CANTO, her brilliant album with the ensemble Septeto del Sur.
Jan. 18, 2024
Kris Davis: defining jazz's vanguard
The innovative jazz pianist talks about her label, Pyroclastic Records, gender justice for composers, her connections to New York's improvisors scene, and recording an album at the Village Vanguard.
Jan. 11, 2024
Angelica Sanchez: jazz keys and nighttime creatures
The acclaimed composer, educator, and pianist talks about her musical journey and corralling a jazz nonet for the album Nighttime Creatures.