62: Michael Dorf, entrepreneur
How Michael Dorf became one of the most influential music presenters in New York, despite his best intentions. How the city changed him and how he changed the city.
Read More61: Spike Wilner, pianist / jazz club proprietor
Pianist Spike Wilner belongs to the tradition of jazz musicians who also own and operate clubs. In his case it came by accident, or rather, a series of accidents.
Read More60: The election
I woke up on the road in Paris the morning after the American Presidential election and saw the results. Then my father and I had this brief conversation.
Read More59: Kurt Elling, singer
The New York Times calls Kurt Elling, "The standout male vocalist of our time.” Here he talks about his process, what motivates him, what Chicago offered him and why he moved to New York.
Read More58: Ari Herstand, musician, songwriter, actor, writer
Singer, songwriter, actor, and independent music writer Ari Herstand on why this is a great time for the music industry.
Read More57: Michael Feldman, Radio host
Michael Feldman on a life in radio, why he thrives on performing in front of an audience, and why podcasts aren't radio.
Read More56: Pat mAcdonald, Singer / songwriter
Singer-songwriter Pat MacDonald on inadvertently writing a hit song ("The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades"), the art of allowing circumstance to rule, the value of mishearing the world around you and the power of threes.
Read More55: Al Schmitt, Recording engineer / producer
Engineer and producer Al Schmitt is the embodiment of recorded music in America. Here he covers his career from recording big band music and race records in the 1950s to the roll of digital recording in the 21st century, the impact of drugs on the music business, and the importance of good personal relationships, and 23 Grammys along the way.
Read More54: Adam Levy, Guitarist / songwriter
The guitarist and singer-songwriter talks about working with Norah Jones, the process of becoming a songwriter, making something happen and finding joy.
Read More53: Clifford Irving, Writer
Writer Clifford Irving has lived a lot of life and had many loves, but he says his “one true love” was the Island of Ibiza, where he made his life for 20 years starting in the early 1950s. Here he covers much of his compelling journey and explors the importance of imagination in writing, the question of ethical instruction between parents and children, and the love that can occur between man and monkey.
Read More52: Larry Goldings
Pianist, organist, composer Larry Goldings on New York in the 90s, developing his musical style, the importance of humor and the jazz life in LA.
Read MoreBonus mini: Should I move to Nashville?
On a recent weekend trip to Music City USA, I raised this question repeatedly and I got a variety of answers. Uber drivers, bartenders, music managers and restaurant patrons answer the question: should I move to Nashville.
Read More51: On Prince (Paul Peterson, Ricky Peterson, Monte Moir)
Minneapolis and the legacy of Prince, as seen through the eyes of three of his contemporaries. (Ricky Peterson, Paul Peterson and Monte Moir.)
Read More50th Episode Special: Leo Sidran
For this special 50th Episode, bassist, composer, and friend of the podcast Michael Thurber turns the tables and interviews Leo.
Read More49: Marc Webb, Director
Or stream below:
Before director Marc Webb was handed the keys to the Spider Man franchise (he directed both Amazing Spider Man movies), he made the 500 Days Of Summer – a film that wove music and image together in a deeply compelling way.
Before he made his first feature film, he directed nearly 150 music videos for artists ranging from Maroon 5 to My Chemical Romance, AFI to Miley Cyrus, Green Day to Santana.
And before he did any of that, he went to high school in Madison, Wisconsin with me! Here he tells the story of how a theater kid from the Midwest went on to make his mark on music videos, and then on the big screen, how he handles the expectations of the job, stays in touch with his creative instincts, and what makes a good director.
Thanks for listening! If you like this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes.
48: Gabriela Quintero (Rodrigo y Gabriela)
Guitarist Gabriela Quintero of the group Rodrigo y Gabriela on the power of fearlessness, her own unique technique, and the importance of community.
Read More47: Butch Vig, Record producer on working w/Nirvana, Garbage, and the art of communication
Butch Vig, Record producer on working with Nirvana, Garbage and the subtle art of communication.
Read More46: How to get nominated for a Grammy
Composer Maria Schneider, Arranger Rob Mounsey, Producer Michael Leonhart, Engineer Al Schmitt, Drummer Bill Stewart, Organist Larry Goldings, Engineer James Farber, and Singer Alex Cuba - all contributed to Grammy nominated projects this year - on the intersection between music and life.
Read More45: Jorge Drexler "Everything comes from empathy"
Singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler on his songwriting process, the importance of empathy, and his desire to "build bridges" between people and ideas.
Read More44: Dave King: "Commitment is an incredible thing"
Drummer, composer and surrealist instructional video host Dave King on the power of commitment, creating his own "tribal music" and the importance of isolation to the creative process.
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