Episodes
Nov. 7, 2024
Christian McBride: jazz notes from the engine room
The universally acclaimed bassist, bandleader, artistic director, and prodigious collaborator joins the podcast to discuss his many ongoing projects, the evolution of jazz education, and how bass players are like baseball ca…
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.
Oct. 24, 2024
Josh Johnson: unusual objects and saxophone stories
The Los Angeles-based saxophonist, composer, and Grammy-winning producer discusses the creative philosophies and inspirations that led to his unique album, Unusual Object.
Oct. 17, 2024
Shawn Mativetsky: a tabla adventure through Temporal Waves
The renowned Canadian percussionist, tabla player, and educator discusses his lifelong embrace of Indian musical traditions and the fusion with synthesized textures that inspires his project Temporal Waves.
Oct. 10, 2024
Paul Stache: The Art of Running Smoke Jazz Club in NYC
With Smoke Jazz Club celebrating its 25th year, co-owner Paul Stache joins us to discuss the challenges and rewards of maintaining an essential venue for Manhattan's jazz community.
Oct. 3, 2024
Building Music Communities: thinking global & acting local
Author Shain Shapiro, trumpeter Thomas Marriot, and DJ collective Seattle House Mafia join the podcast to shed light on the past, present, and future states of local music scenes.
Sept. 26, 2024
Devin Gray: Most Definitely's solo drum universe
The innovative jazz drummer discusses the beautiful islands of Maine, approaching music with sincerity, his connection to Berlin, and experiments with solo percussion on the album Most Definitely.
Sept. 19, 2024
Brad Mindich: the art and craft of archiving stardom
The founder and CEO of Inveniem and Definitive Authentic talks about the importance of an artist's archive, the notion of pre-nostalgia, unexpected discoveries in lost boxes, and curating virtual museums for music's biggest …
Sept. 12, 2024
Andy McCluskey: kicking down fascist art with OMD
The Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark frontman chats about art movements, political treachery, Kraftwerk's impact, and the brilliant album Bauhaus Staircase.
Sept. 5, 2024
Gordon Grdina: the axe man cutting down borders
The JUNO Award-winning oud player and guitarist discusses the joy of partaking in a musical melting pot, the avant-garde scene in Vancouver, and his many projects, including recent albums with his ensemble The Marrow and dru…
Aug. 29, 2024
Steve Wynn: a music and memoir grand slam
The indie rock pioneer, known for his work with The Dream Syndicate and The Baseball Project, joins the podcast for a freewheeling conversation centered around his 'redemptive' new memoir, I Wouldn't Say It If It Wasn't True.
Aug. 22, 2024
Graham Reynolds: soundtrack virtuoso takes center stage
The Austin-based composer talks about scoring films for the likes of Richard Linklater, his process for juggling music projects, and bringing his latest release, Music For Prophet, to the concert stage.
Aug. 15, 2024
Satoko Fujii: composing beyond the jazz spirit
The acclaimed Japanese pianist, composer, and improviser discusses her incredibly prolific output, redefining jazz as a spirit rather than a style, and her recent recordings with the quartet Kaze and the Satoko Fujii Tokyo T…
Aug. 8, 2024
David J: unearthing tracks from the attic
The Bauhaus and Love and Rockets bassist chats with guest host Michael Donaldson about lighting candles, the magic(k) muse, touring with Jane's Addiction, and the album collecting his early demos, Tracks From The Attic.
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.