The Trap Set with Joe Wong

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233: Ben Lee (Noise Addict, Solo Artist) Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

Like many children of the 90s, Ben Lee started a band that was inspired by artists such as Sonic Youth, The Breeders, and Sebadoh; but remarkably, that band--Noise Addict--quickly joined the ranks of its heroes. By the time Ben was 16, he was signed as a solo artist to the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal Records; and by the time he was 18, he moved to Los Angeles.

Ben and Joe discuss: the overlooked discipline of "outsider artists"; being ten years younger than your musical peers; and the correlation between artistic and everyday presence.

Check out Ben's tour: https://www.ben-lee.com/events

232: Josiah Wolf (Why?) Jan 15, 2020

Show notes

Josiah Wolf possesses a uniquely compositional drumming style, coupled with a gift for dynamic sensitivity. He tells Joe about Why?, a band he co-founded in 2004; his creative partnership with his brother; being raised by Jewish parents who led a Jesus-centric synagogue; becoming part of a creative community; his exercise routine; and shifting self awareness.

231: Steve Gorman (The Black Crowes, Trigger Hippy) Dec 11, 2019

Show notes

Steve Gorman's natural sense of groove and knack for rhythmic hooks helped propel the Black Crowes to massive success. Over the course of a two hour conversation, Steve tells Joe about: growing up in Kentucky and Maryland; his love of Basketball; channeling obsessive-compulsive tendencies into rhythmic precision; his dysfunctional relationship with his former bandmates; the experience of writing a memoir; and the importance of family. Check out Steve's Book, Hard To Handle; and the new album by his band Trigger Hippy, Full Circle and Then Some.

230: Janet Weiss (Quasi, Sleater-Kinney, Wild Flag, Elliott Smith, etc.) Nov 20, 2019

Show notes

Janet Fucking Weiss! 2019 has been an eventful year for Janet Weiss. She left Sleater-Kinney after a twenty-four year run and soon after suffered a major car accident. Janet tells Joe about growing up in LA; discovering drumming in San Francisco; finding an artistic community in Portland; the creative dynamic of Quasi; the emotional vulnerability required to be a great collaborator; what she loved about playing in Sleater-Kinney; why she left Sleater-Kinney; and her hopes and dreams. It's Janet Fucking Weiss, folks. Do it up!

229: Anna Waronker (That Dog) Nov 11, 2019

Show notes

Anna Waronker was born into a storied music family, but--as a child--she dreamed of working at the post office or becoming an accountant. Her gift for angular melody and vivid lyricism led her to pursue the family trade after all. She tells Joe about: attending artsy alternative school Crossroads; recognizing her gift for songwriting; the evolving band dynamic of That Dog; co-parenting with another musician (husband and Trap Set alum, Steven McDonald); and the liberating feeling that accompanies scoring for film and tv. Be sure to check out That Dog's upcoming show 11/16 at The Regent in Los Angeles.

228: Mary Lattimore (Solo Artist, Thurston Moore, Meg Baird, Kurt Vile etc.) Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Mary Lattimore deploys her classical harp training to construct immersive, improvisatory sound worlds. A relentless road warrior, she routinely spends over 200 days a year on tour, both as a band member and a solo artist. She visited Joe on a rare day off to discuss: falling out of moving cars; growing up with a harpist mom; studying at Eastman; how meeting the Arcade Fire changed her trajectory; improvising with Thurston Moore; evolving from a hired gun to a solo artist; and living life with a "say yes" philosophy.

227: Paddy Boom (Scissor Sisters, Solo Artist) Oct 16, 2019

Show notes

Paddy Boom began his career in the 1980s New York punk scene. In the early 2000s, his metronomic groove helped launch Scissor Sisters to wild international success. But a series of tragedies derailed his life, ultimately leading him to get back in touch with his creative roots. Make sure to check out Paddy's solo work, featuring alumni of David Bowie's 70s band.

226: Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional) Oct 09, 2019

Show notes

Chris Carrabba's gift for melodic hooks and his sincere, vulnerable lyrical approach won him a devoted and durable fan base. He tells Joe about: growing up in a "wealth adjacent" environment; sleeping in Washington Square Park; how his music was informed by skateboarding; almost committing to a career as a teacher; leaving a band comprised of lifelong friends to develop his own creative voice; how an early backlash to his music affected him personally; and what he's done to evolve as an artist twenty years into his career.

225: Hugh Grundy (The Zombies) Oct 02, 2019

Show notes

Hugh Grundy's catchy rhythmic hooks and swinging groove helped The Zombies become on of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time. He and Joe discuss: growing up in post-war England; how he almost wound up spending his life working at a bank; the fine line between hard work and luck as it pertains to his career; recording hits like "She's Not There", "Tell Her No", and the classic Odessey and Oracle album; struggling to find his identity after the band broke up; working as an A&R man for CBS; how drumming saved him during the most difficult time in his life; and the joys of playing with the reunited Zombies, over 50 years after their original run.

Be sure to attend Joe's show with Trap Set alum Matt Cameron, Mary Timony, Chad Molter and a 12 piece orchestra, at Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge on November 21, 2019. TICKETS

224: Ali Koehler (Vivian Girls) Sep 25, 2019

Show notes

Ali Koehler's propulsive drumming paints vivid pictures with a deliberately minimalist palette, but--due partially to an abusive teacher--she has always had a difficult time identifying as a drummer. Ali tells Joe about growing up in New Jersey; school band; her talent for resolving interpersonal conflict; playing with Vivian Girls and Best Coast; working in clothing production; becoming a mom; and how she has worked to achieve creative heights despite discouragement from an authority figure during a particularly formative period of her life.

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