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

Music Artists Episodes

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.
Guest: Phil Haynes
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.
Guest: Daniel Ögren
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. 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.
Guest: Brendan Grey
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.
Guest: Susan Alcorn
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.
Guest: Kris Davis
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.
Jan. 4, 2024

Adam Rudolph: conjuring music’s global essence

The legendary percussionist discusses his musical philosophy, what he learned working with the likes of Yusef Lateef, and Timeless, his album with Hu: Vibrational.
Guest: Adam Rudolph
Dec. 28, 2023

Ibrahim Maalouf: a conversation on harmony, heritage, and hope

The trumpet virtuoso talks about his father's inspiration, the Middle East's influence on symphonic music, how Bach and Mozart were punks, and the ideas behind his album Capacity To Love.
Dec. 21, 2023

Roberto Di Gioia + Max Herre: Web Web’s experiments in electronic jazz

The two musicians talk about the creative process, Munich's musical lineage, and the outstanding sounds found on Web Web's album WEB MAX II.
Dec. 14, 2023

James McKeown: Hawksmoor’s kosmische hauntology

With albums like Telepathic Heights, the Bristolian electronic music producer explores themes of psychogeography and hidden worlds.
Nov. 30, 2023

Eric Hilton: from Thievery Corporation to Corazón Kintsugi

The prolific music producer talks about his influences, growing up in Washington, D.C., and his stunning collaborations with vocalist Natalia Clavier.
Guest: Eric Hilton
Nov. 23, 2023

Javon Jackson gives Peter Bradley's art a swinging soundtrack

The celebrated saxophonist talks about his place in the jazz tradition, playing with masters of the genre, and his soundtrack for the documentary With Peter Bradley.
Guest: Javon Jackson