The Trap Set with Joe Wong
About
Available on
Community
383 episodes
The latest incarnation of Built to Spill will undoubtedly be remembered as one of that band's most potent lineups in its 30+ year career. Teresa Esguerra's heavy groove and lyrical rhythmic conception are a crucial part of the equation. She tells Joe about Prism Bitch, Built to Spill, and her career as an occupational therapist.
The Trap Set is back, and so is Marnie Stern. Marnie burst onto the NYC rock scene in 2007--seemingly out of nowhere--with a unique blend of virtuosic guitar; surreal, beautifully yearning lyrcs; and a "sheets of sound" vocal delivery. Joe met Marnie in 2012 and toured with her behind Stern's 2013 album, The Chronicles of Marnia. It was on this tour that Joe conceived of the idea for The Trap Set. Shortly after the tour, Stern took a break from releasing original music and took a gig as the guitarist for the 8G Band--the house band for Late Night with Seth Meyers--a position she held for over eight years. Now back with a fantastic new album, The Comeback Kid, Marnie joins her old pal, Joe, to catch up!
Jeremiah Green, drummer for Modest Mouse, passed away 12/31/2022 of cancer. This is a re-post of our conversation from 2017. We at The Trap Set are sending love to Jeremiah's family, bandmates, and many friends around the world.
Patricia Brennan is an improvisatory mallet percussionist who as been hailed as one of the instrument's new leaders. As a sidewoman, she's worked with artists such as Mary Halvorson, Matt Mitchell, and John Hollenbeck. Her solo debut, Maquishti, released by Valley of Search Records was included on the New York Times 10 best Jazz albums of 2021. This conversation was recorded by phone last year during lockdown.
This week, we're revisiting our 2017 conversation with the fantastic Viola Smith, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 107. We'll be back next week with a new episode.
Over the last two decades, Nate Smith has emerged as one of his generation's most innovative drummers. His unique style marries a deep, earthy sense of time with cerebral adventurousness. Nate has backed artists such as Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, and Brittany Howard; and in recent years he has come into his own as a composer and bandleader. This episode was recorded during the summer of 2021, just before The Trap Set went on hiatus. Nate's story is more relevant than ever.
Rick Allen's driving, tuneful style propelled Def Leppard to massive popularity during the 80s and early 90s. The band recently released its twelfth studio album, Rick met with Joe in Beverly Hills to discuss his forty year career, and the life that informed it.
Mimi Parker--best known as drummer, vocalist, and co-founder of the band Low--passed away on November 5th after a battle with cancer. Here is Joe's conversation with Mimi, originally released in June, 2017.
DH Peligro, best known as the drummer of Dead Kennedys, died in an accidental fall at his home in Los Angeles on 10/28/2022. Here is Joe's conversation with DH, originally released in November, 2015.
We return from hiatus with Academy Award-winning filmmaker, author, and entrepreneur Questlove, in what Questlove calls, “the best, most open interview I’ve ever given in my life." Joe and Questlove discuss mental health, race, religion, vulnerability, self love, the hip hop ethos (“Hustle, survive. Hustle, survive.”), J Dilla, and more!
After a pandemic-induced hiatus, The Trap Set is back for Episode 300. Following the tradition of our previous centennial episodes, Joe is interviewed by a former guest--this time Jon Wurster (Bob Mould, Superchunk, The Mountain Goats, The Best Show). We at The Trap Set would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of our guests and you--our listeners--for over seven years of support. Creating this show has been a transcendent experience. Onward!
On Saturday, April 30th, Gabe Serbian died one day shy of his 45th birthday. Here's Joe's 2016 conversation with Gabe. If you're in a postion to help, please consider donating to Gabe's family here: https://gofund.me/f39cf17d https://gofund.me/f39cf17dhttps://gofund.me/f39cf17d
The great Memphis-based drummer, Howard Grimes, died at the age of 80 last week. Here's Joe's 2015 conversation with Howard, a true original whose ingenious artistry will inspire generations to come.
Today's guest is Hugo Burnham, drummer of Gang of Four. Formed in Leeds in 1976, Gang of Four was one of the most explosive and influential bands to emerge in the wake of the punk rock movement. Next month, Matador Records will release an exhaustive box set chronicling the band's incredible output from 1977-1981. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes.
This week's guest is Cindy Blackman Santana, an artist of exceptional skill who--over the past four decades--has made compelling contributions to the worlds of improvised music and popular music alike. Her latest album, "Give the Drummer Some" is now available
We're back from hiatus! Alan Braufman was a vital member of the New York Loft Jazz scene of the 1970s. His 1975 opus, Valley of Search, was re-issued in 2018, and his latest album, The Fire Still Burns, was released to rave reviews in 2020.
Joe speaks to Jesse Shreibman, drummer of Seattle band, Bell Witch.
Chris Frantz discusses Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, and his new memoir, . Also, make sure to check out Joe's new album, , streaming everywhere now!
Eric Slick talks about his jazz musician grandfather, his childhood in Philly, the residual scars from growing up "a fat kid", his obsession with Mad Magazine, and how drumming opened up his world.
Joe talks to the multifaceted Alicia Bognanno about her career as the creative force behind Bully and as an audio engineer. Friend of the show, Mary Lattimorre, also stops by to discuss her new album.
Mixmaster Mike discusses his challenging childhood; his ascent to the top of the competitive DJ world; the development of his singular DJ style; joining the Beastie Boys; and his latest collaboration with Steve Jordan, .
Steve Jordan is one of the most distinctive and prolific drummers in the history of recorded music. He is also an in-demand producer and record label proprietor. Join us for a 90-minute, life-spanning conversation with one of the all-time greats!
Today's guest is Sam Coomes, a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who is perhaps best known as one half of the duo, Quasi, a band he co-founded with Janet Weiss in 1993. Sam possesses a seemingly effortless sense of musicality and a gift for uniquely memorable melody. His lyrics are also fantastic...basically, he has all the bases covered. Aside from his work with Quasi, Sam's played with a host of artists such as Built to Spill, The Go-Betweens, Jon Spencer, Heatmiser, Pink Mountain. Quasi recently released an incredible video for their song "Last Days of the Thin Blue Line Lie". Check it out here.
This week's guest is Doug "Cosmo" Clifford. Best known as drummer of Credence Clearwater Revival, Doug's powerful, tuneful playing laid the foundation for countless rock n roll standards. In 1972, Doug released his solo debut, Cosmo. During the 80s, he began work on his second album, Magic Window. The album was shelved until Doug recently discovered the long-forgotten tapes and finished the album. Magic Window is now available for streaming and purchase.
Today's guest is Johanna Warren, author of haunting songs, beautifully sung with an ethereal yet rhythmically adventures delivery. Johanna and Joe met while working on the Netflix series, Midnight Gospel, on which she plays the singing voice of the Prisoner. She spoke to Joe in May from her home in rural Wales. Check out Johanna's latest album, Chaotic Good, out now!
Though Spoon's style has evolved radically over its 25 year existence, Jim Eno's drumming has been consistently tasteful, disciplined, and compositionally clever. Aside from his work as a drummer, Jim owns the Austin-based studio, Public Hi-Fi, and has engineered and produced for artists such as !!!, Cornell Dupree, John Vanderslice, Alejandro Escovedo, Future Islands, and many others. When we spoke last month, I began by asking Jim if it's possible to safely run recording sessions during the pandemic. Spoon is re-issuing its catalog via Matador, beginning with early albums Telephono and Soft Effects, which will be re-released on Friday. You can pre-order Joe's album NITE CREATURES HERE. All profits through the end of July will be donated to The NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
One of the most compelling artists to emerge in the past twenty years, Sharon Van Etten presents startlingly vulnerable songs with a sublimely confident, otherworldly vocal delivery. Click HERE /joewong.bigcartel.com to pre-order Joe's LP, NITE CREATURES. All profits through the end of July will benefit The NAACP Legal Defense Fund. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes.
Matt Barrick is an incredibly dynamic drummer adept at leading the listener through unexpected sonic adventure. Matt began his career with Jonathan Fire Eater, and--as a member of the Walkmen--was part of a new garden of New York bands at the turn of the millennium. He is the touring drummer for Fleet Foxes; and his latest band, Muzz, is a collaboration with Paul Banks of Interpol and Josh Kaufman of Bonny Light Horseman. Muzz released its debut album last month on Matador. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes. Click HERE /joewong.bigcartel.com to pre-order Joe's solo debut, NITE CREATURES.
Jim Keltner is one of the greatest and most prolific drummers to emerge during the age of recorded music; His discography--a spine running through the body of popular song. Over the course of the past fifty plus years, he's made landmark recordings with Warren Zevon, Bobby Womack, Lucinda Williams, Leon Russell, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Harry Nillson, Rufus Wainwright, Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Randy Newman, Carly Simon, The Bee Gees, Jack Bruce, Steely Dan, Neil Diamond, Donovan, BB King, Jackson Brown, Dolly Parton, and Countless others. PRE-ORDER JOE'S LP "NITE CREATURES": HERE
Joe welcomes Angel Olsen, one of his favorite contemporary songwriters, to The Trap Set. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes.
