The Trap Set with Joe Wong
386 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 645 ratingsEach Episode, Joe Wong speaks to a different musician about life.
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Episodes
306: Teresa Esguerra (Prism Bitch, Built to Spill)
January 17, 2024 07:41 - 50 minutes - 57.5 MBThe 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.
305: Marnie Stern
January 10, 2024 04:57 - 59 minutes - 67.7 MBThe 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 th...
RIP: Jeremiah Green
January 01, 2023 21:59 - 35 minutes - 49 MBJeremiah 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.
304: Patricia Brennan
December 07, 2022 03:38 - 45 minutes - 52.2 MBPatricia 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.
RIP: Viola Smith
December 01, 2022 04:28 - 42 minutes - 49 MBThis 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.
303: Nate Smith
November 23, 2022 10:40 - 50 minutes - 57.4 MBOver 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.
302: Rick Allen (Def Leppard)
November 16, 2022 05:05 - 48 minutes - 55.7 MBRick 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, Diamond Star Halos. Rick met with Joe in Beverly Hills to discuss his forty year career, and the life that informed it.
RIP: Mimi Parker (Low)
November 09, 2022 05:18 - 37 minutes - 85.7 MBMimi 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.
RIP: DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys)
November 09, 2022 05:13 - 31 minutes - 72.8 MBDH 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.
301: Questlove
November 02, 2022 05:29 - 1 hour - 104 MBWe 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!
300: Joe Wong Interviewed by Jon Wurster
October 26, 2022 04:42 - 1 hour - 84.2 MBAfter 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!
RIP: Gabe Serbian
May 03, 2022 18:16 - 29 minutes - 27 MBOn 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
RIP: Howard Grimes, RIP
February 14, 2022 23:18 - 33 minutes - 77.2 MBThe 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.
299: Hugo Burnham (Gang of Four)
February 17, 2021 03:26 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBToday'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.
298: Cindy Blackman Santana
January 27, 2021 07:03 - 1 hour - 163 MBThis 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
297: Alan Braufman
January 20, 2021 04:45 - 46 minutes - 105 MBWe'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.
296: Jesse Shreibman (Bell Witch)
November 11, 2020 08:49 - 39 minutes - 90.4 MBJoe speaks to Jesse Shreibman, drummer of Seattle band, Bell Witch.
295: Chris Frantz (Tom Tom Club, Talking Heads)
November 05, 2020 21:36 - 1 hour - 88.2 MBChris Frantz discusses Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, and his new memoir, Remain In Love. Also, make sure to check out Joe's new album, Nite Creatures, streaming everywhere now!
294: Eric Slick (Dr. Dog, Adrian Belew, Solo Artist)
October 14, 2020 19:05 - 1 hour - 73.1 MBEric 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.
293: Alicia Bognanno (Bully)
October 12, 2020 06:54 - 43 minutes - 50 MBJoe 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.
292: Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys, Beat Odyssey 2020, Solo Artist, etc.)
September 30, 2020 22:49 - 48 minutes - 55.6 MBMixmaster 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, Beat Odyssey 2020.
291: Steve Jordan
September 04, 2020 00:34 - 1 hour - 107 MBSteve 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!
290: Sam Coomes (Quasi)
August 19, 2020 06:15 - 1 hour - 73.8 MBToday'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 Mou...
289: Doug "Cosmo" Clifford (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Solo Artist)
August 12, 2020 22:38 - 1 hour - 74.6 MBThis 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.
288: Johanna Warren
August 05, 2020 04:46 - 58 minutes - 67.2 MBToday'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!
287: Jim Eno (Spoon)
July 22, 2020 04:44 - 54 minutes - 62.5 MBThough 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 ...
286: Sharon Van Etten
July 07, 2020 18:38 - 1 hour - 87.5 MBOne 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 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.
285: Matt Barrick (Muzz, The Walkmen, Jonathan Fire*Eatter, Fleet Foxes)
July 02, 2020 22:42 - 59 minutes - 67.9 MBMatt 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 ...
284: Jim Keltner
July 01, 2020 20:22 - 1 hour - 115 MBJim 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,...
283: Angel Olsen
June 30, 2020 15:19 - 1 hour - 81.2 MBJoe 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.
282: Lenny White (Miles Davis, Return to Forever, etc.)
June 22, 2020 17:22 - 1 hour - 87.6 MBWe've taken the last few weeks off to make room for important social dialogue. We're happy to return with a beautiful conversation with one of the all-time great drummers, Lenny White. Lenny first achieved international recognition for his contribution to Miles Davis's landmark Bitches Brew album, and he continued to make history with artists such as: Return to Forever, Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter, Joe Henderson, and many more. As a solo artist, Lenny has released 16 titles; and he's produce...
BNS: Sahir Hanif (Masters of Maple, Ghost Tech.)
May 27, 2020 00:30 - 1 hour - 62.2 MBToday's guest is Sahir Hanif, founder of tour production company Ghost Tech and of Masters of Maple, a drum manufacturer. Masters of Maple has teamed with MusiCares to create a limited run of their Trash Talk snare drums. All proceeds will benefit a Covid-19 fund specifically for musicians. More information can be found at MDrums.com. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes.
281: Honus Honus (Man Man)
May 20, 2020 22:43 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBToday's guest is Ryan Kattner, also known as Honus Honus, keyboardist, vocalist, and creative leader of the band Man Man. Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In Between, the band's excellent, ambitious double double album, was released by Sub Pop on May 1.
280: Jenn Wasner (Flock of Dimes, Wye Oak)
May 14, 2020 23:28 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBToday's guest is Jenn Wasner, a multi instrumentalist and singer who is one half of the duo Wye Oak. Jenn also creates solo work under the name Flock of Dimes and is a touring member of Bon Iver.
279: Andy Stack (Joyero, Wye Oak)
May 13, 2020 21:53 - 1 hour - 65.3 MBToday's guest is Andy Stack, all multi instrumentalist and singer who is one half of the duo Wye Oak and who also releases solo material as Joyero. He has also collaborated with artists such as: Lambchop, Madeline Kenney, Helado Negro, and Shearwater.
278: Roger Manning, Jr. (Jellyfish, The Lickerish Quartet, The Moog Cookbook, Beck, etc.)
May 12, 2020 04:27 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBRoger Manning, Jr. is keyboardist and founding member of bands such as Beatnik Beach, Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, and The Moog Cookbook. Roger's latest band, The Lickerish Quartet, will release its first EP, "Threesome, Vol. 1", later this Friday. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes.
BNS: Charles Connor Revisited
May 12, 2020 04:27 - 33 minutes - 45.4 MBIn honor of the late, great Little Richard, here's our 2017 conversation with Richard's drummer and friend, Charles Connor.
277: Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchie, P.S., Eliot, etc.)
May 06, 2020 23:03 - 53 minutes - 49 MBKatie Crutchfield began making bedroom recordings as a teenager in her native Alabama. She began touring while still in high school and co-founded the band P.S. Eliot with her sister, Allison. Since 2012, Katie has released music as Waxahatchee. Waxahatchee's latest album, Saint Cloud, was released in March to intense acclaim. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes.
276: Mac McCaughan (Superchunk, Merge Records, etc.)
May 05, 2020 23:09 - 1 hour - 74.8 MBIn 1989, Mac McCaughan co-founded the band Superchunk and the label Merge Records, both of which are still thriving today. Mac and Joe discuss: composing for film, how Mac's relationship with music has evolved over his lifetime; Mac's songwriting process; balancing planning with flexibility; and--when it comes to promoting an album--where an artist's responsibility ends and a record label's responsibility begins. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing e...
Tony Allen, RIP
April 30, 2020 23:53 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBToday the world lost, Tony Allen, the great genius that--along with Fela Kuti--created the style known as Afrobeat. We're sharing Joe's conversation with Tony from 2015. Tony Allen, RIP.
275: Julianna Barwick
April 30, 2020 00:21 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBToday's guest is Julianna Barwick, an artist that employs electronics, voice, and loops to build warm and expansive planets of sound! During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing daily episodes.
274: Sean McGuinness (Pissed Jeans)
April 28, 2020 22:14 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBSean McGuinness is a brutal shredder with a heart of gold. He discusses falling in love with drums; his excellent band Pissed Jeans; operating Lunar Inn, a bar and restaurant in his native Philadelphia; and fatherhood!
273: Johnathan Rice
April 24, 2020 02:54 - 1 hour - 83.2 MBSongwriter Johnathan Rice joins Joe to discuss: his upbringing in Virginia and Glasgow; the serious academic ambitions that resulted from being the first child of immigrants; abandoning those ambitions to pursue music; a fortuitous meeting with Dave Grohl in suburban Virginia; moving to New York and befriending songwriters such as Jesse Harris and Connor Oberst; getting a major label deal within a year of graduating high school; writing songs for Meryl Streep to sing in Jonathan Demme's fina...
272: Dot Wiggin (The Shaggs)
April 23, 2020 00:28 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBDot Wiggin co-founded The Shaggs, along with her sisters Betty and Helen, in 1968. As the band's primary songwriter, she is the author of some of the most astonishingly unique, life-affirming music ever recorded. Dot discusses: forming the band at the behest of her father; her songwriting process; weekly performances at the town hall in Fremont, NH; the surprising legacy of the band; working in a school cafeteria; teaching Sunday school; and Foot Foot.
271: Georgia Hubley (Yo La Tengo)
April 21, 2020 23:59 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MBYo La Tengo's Georgia Hubley joins Joe from Montauk, NY to discuss: her animator parents; her background in visual arts; her band-specific drumming style; and her strong sense of intuition.
270: Duncan Trussell (The Midnight Gospel, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour)
April 20, 2020 10:57 - 1 hour - 104 MBToday's guest is Duncan Trussell--comic, host of The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, and co-creator of the stunning new Netflix Series The Midnight Gospel. (Joe composed the score for the show!) Duncan and Joe discuss: meeting at just the right time; collaborating on the music for The Midnight Gospel; temporal neighbors; how certain childhood trauma can lead to a heightened sense of empathy; mystic searching; baby flips; and more! Make sure to celebrate 4/20 by watching The Midnight Gospel on N...
BNS: "Dreams Wash Away"
April 18, 2020 23:36 - 4 minutes - 4.1 MBJoe shares "Dreams Wash Away", the first song from his forthcoming album! You also can stream the song on a service of your choice here: lnk.to/DreamsWashAway Make sure to check out The Midnight Gospel, coming to Netflix on Monday, 4/20! "Dreams Wash Away" makes an appearance in the stunning season finale.
269: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
April 17, 2020 01:41 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBWith a formal background in sound engineering, classical guitar, and composition--coupled with a deeply curious mind--Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith is the author of beautifully meditative, vast and vivid soundscapes. She and Joe discuss: how her independent study background prepared her for Berklee; how meditation made her a better listener; getting to know one's subconscious mind; her fortuitous discovery of a Buchla synthesizer; medulla therapy; and Flamin' Hot Cheetos. During the age of social ...
268: Andrew Becker (Human Potential, Medications)
April 16, 2020 01:26 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBAndrew Becker's dexterous, explosive drumming first gained recognition when he played in Dischord band Medications. Since then, Andrew has created four solo albums under the Human Potential Moniker, including this year's I'm Glad You're Alive. He's also an award-winning filmmaker, and proprietor of the label What Delicate. Joe and Andy have crossed paths in some interesting ways in the past twenty years; hear them catch up!
267: Areif Sless-Kitain (Brokeback, The Eternals, Regulator Watts)
April 15, 2020 03:31 - 1 hour - 57 MBFrom an early age, drummer Areif Sless-Kitain exhibited a stunning level of musical maturity and a distinctive creative voice. Joe witnessed this firsthand when he saw Areif perform with Regulator Watts in Milwaukee in 1996. Areif and Joe crossed paths a few years later, when Joe succeeded Areif in the DC band that later became Medications. The two old friends re-connect, and Areif discusses his path from DC to Philly to Chicago; his work as a music writer; and his creative approach in Broke...