The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Latest Episodes:

158: Stephanie Luke AKA Rusty Coathanger (The Coathangers) Mar 07, 2018

Show notes

Stephanie Luke grew up in a conservative, southern family, but she found her true tribe after discovering punk rock. She tells Joe about being a "nerdy" child, why she began playing drums in her mid 20s, how her band is central to her identity, the internal debate about whether to start a family, and why she wants to buy a house in the woods.

157: Orpheo McCord (The Magnetic Zeros, Cass McCombs, The Fall) Mar 01, 2018

Show notes

Orpheo McCord stops by The Trap Set to tell Joe about: being raised by a Merry Prankster and a model; living without a game plan; the shortcomings of music school; his work with everyone from The Fall to Cass McCombs; and how parental responsibility is a both burden and a joy. Check out Orpheo's new album, Recovery Inhale, now available on Sound Creature Records.

156: Michael Stuart-Ware (Love, The Sons of Adam) Feb 21, 2018

Show notes

Although Love never became a household name like some of its contemporaries, the band is certainly one of the most innovative and influential rock bands of all time (and one of Joe's favorites). Joe speaks to Michael Stuart about the 1960s LA rock scene; why he prefers not to listen to Love's classic albums; how heroin became a normal part of life; how he attained sobriety; life after Love; and why being a musician is central to his identity, even though he no longer plays professionally.

155: Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (The Killers, Big Talk) Feb 14, 2018

Show notes

Ronnie Vannucci joins Joe for a discussion about his childhood in Las Vegas; the genesis of The Killers and how they've navigated band dynamics over nearly 20 years; how he regards himself as an artist; and--of course--existential dread.

Remembering Leon "Ndugu" Chancler Feb 07, 2018

Show notes

Last week, the world lost the great Leon "Ndugu" Chancler at the age of 65. Ndugu's art has been a constant presence in Joe's life for as long as he can remember, so he was thrilled that Mr. Chancler agreed to be the second guest on this show. That--in spite of his enormous success--he was willing to spend an hour with an unproven, inexperienced interviewer speaks to Ndugu's immense kindness and generosity of spirit. Ndugu, you are one of the very best, you've enriched the lives of billions of people the world over, and you'll be missed.

154: The Trap Set Turns Three! Jan 31, 2018

Show notes

"So, it's come to this," as the Simpsons would say! This week, for the third anniversary of the show, Joe is joined by co-producer, Chris Karwowski. The pair explores themes that have emerged over the course of 153 episodes: identity, addiction, struggle, parenthood, fear, and redemption. We listen back to conversations with: Mimi Parker, Mike Clark, Phil Collins, Venzella Joy, Bernard Purdie, Lori Barbero, and more!

153: Abe Rounds (Meshell Ndegeocello, Seal, Doyle Bramhall, Andrew Bird) Jan 24, 2018

Show notes

Abe Rounds was born into a musical family in Sydney and began drumming at age one. Now 26, he has quickly become one of his generation's most sought-after drummers. Abe tells Joe about his love of golf, his one-time gambling addiction, the demons of doubt, his interest in crypto currency, learning to write his own music, and working with everyone from Meshell Ndegeocello to Seal.

152: Live in Minnesota (Eric Gravatt, Lori Barbero, Todd Trainer, Gordy Knudtson) Jan 17, 2018

Show notes

Joe sits down with four of The Twin Cities' most captivating drummers. Gordy Knudtson and Todd Trainer describe their respective approaches to teaching; Lori Barbero articulates why she doesn't believe in music education; and Eric Gravatt describes how he just "got it" at an early age and why he left a successful career in music to become a prison guard. This is a great conversation about identity, loss, getting paid, and style.

151: Chad Molter (Faraquet, Medications, Grass) Jan 10, 2018

Show notes

Chad Molter grew up playing bass, but he became picked up drums in a matter of months in order to co-found Faraquet, a DC-based band that merged proggy musical sophistication with the spirit of punk rock. Chad tells Joe about: yearning to leave his native Southern California; developing his self-taught, uniquely melodic style; hiking the Appalachian trail; his disdain for haircuts; and his current calling as the director of a homeless shelter.

ML1: Laura Veirs + Carol Kaye (Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, Frank Sinatra, etc.) Jan 03, 2018

Show notes

Over the past several months, Joe has been co-producing a new podcast hosted by Laura Veirs called Midnight Lightning. We're excited to share the very first episode of that show, featuring Laura's interview with the legendary bassist (and Joe's bass teacher), Carol Kaye. The Trap Set returns with a stellar lineup of drummer conversations starting next week!

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