The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Latest Episodes:

143: Jojo Mayer (Nerve) Oct 20, 2017

Show notes

Jojo Mayer visits The Trap Set and tells Joe about his childhood in Switzerland, artistic honesty, and pair discuss strategies for keeping existential dread at bay.

BNS: Fred Armisen on "For Drummers Only" Oct 16, 2017

Show notes

Fred Armisen stops by to discuss his new Netflix comedy special, "For Drummers Only". The show is being filmed at the historic Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, this Thursday 10/19. Visit thetrapset.net for tickets.

142: Lia Simone Braswell Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

Raised in Los Angeles by a musician mother and punk rock dad, Lia Simone Braswell was playing with adults when she was still a child. She tells Joe about joining her best friend's dad's band, her commune-like tenure with Le Butcherettes, her fascination with linguistics, and overcoming personal tragedy.

Remembering Tom Petty, Steve Ferrone Oct 04, 2017

Show notes

The music of Tom Petty has been an integral part of Joe's life for as long as he can remember, so this week we're revisiting our amazingly inspirational conversation with Steve Ferrone of The Heartbreakers. Also, Joe talks about the massive impact Tom and the band have had on his life and pays tribute to the rock genius.

141: Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chickenfoot, Bombastic Meatbats) Sep 27, 2017

Show notes

Chad Smith's unabashed hard rock style could have easily clashed with the funk-punk roots of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but instead he proved to be the catalyst that launched the band to international superstardom. His muscular, yet articulate drumming evokes a cross between P-Funk and Deep Purple and acts as the perfect anchor for the bestial rowdiness of his band mates. Chad grew up in suburban Detroit, feeling like a square peg in a round hole. This unease led to misadventures in car theft, burglary, and even a stint in jail. Musically, he cut his teeth playing in countless Detroit clubs before moving to Los Angeles in 1988, during the Sunset Strip's heyday. He describes the immediate, explosive musical chemistry that has allowed the multi-decade success of the Chili Peppers. Chad also candidly discusses his evolution from living a "spiritually bankrupt" lifestyle to becoming a grounded, healthy family man.

140: Mark Guiliana (David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, Avishai Cohen, Donny McCaslin, Solo Artist) Sep 20, 2017

Show notes

A child of the MTV generation, Mark Guiliana grew up on Soundgarden, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Dr. Dre. He began playing drums relatively late in life, almost on a whim. But, his strong creative voice—inspired by a combination of post-bop heroes, glitchy experimental electronica, and the pop music of his youth—has established him as one of the most lauded and influential drummers of his generation. Mark and Joe talk about: protecting and following creative joy, the balance between intellect and intuition, the benefits of an underdog mentality, and Mark's approach to fatherhood as a working musician. Then, Mark answers your questions about working with David Bowie on his final album, drumming for the great Matt Cameron, Fight Club, and more!

139: Louis Hayes (Cannonball Adderly, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, etc.) Sep 13, 2017

Show notes

Louis Hayes arrived in New York at age 19; and over the next 60 years amassed a staggeringly great body of work. His collaborators have included: Cannonball Adderly, Oscar Peterson, John Coltrane, and many more of the giants of modern music. Louis talks to Joe about growing up in Detroit, lessons in manhood from Papa Jo Jones, the difficulties that come from being an uncompromising artist, and his new album dedicated to the great Horace Silver.

138: Shayna Dunkelman (Xiu Xiu, Peptalk) Sep 06, 2017

Show notes

Xiu Xiu's Shayna Dunkelman uses her formal artistic training as a vehicle to explore the musical unknown. She tells Joe about being the only Indonesian Jew in Tokyo; her mom's new age music career; her background in pure math; her interest in socialism; and why female musicians--and drummers in particular--have to be extraordinarily assertive.

137: Greg Saunier (Deerhoof) Aug 30, 2017

Show notes

Over the past twenty years, Deerhoof's Greg Saunier has distinguished himself as one of the most fiercely adventurous, iconoclastic, and unique drummers of his generation. He and Joe talk about what it means to be a "good" artist; atomizing music; the cowardice behind the notion of "serving the song"; Laurie Anderson's Creation Stations; and Wittgenstein's Ladder. Then, Greg Answers YOUR questions about his life and art.

BNS: Mimi Parker Answers Your Questions Aug 30, 2017

Show notes

In this bonus mini-episode, Low's Mimi Parker answers listener questions! She and Joe discuss Mimi's winning bout with cancer, her favorite comedians, and the nature of personal responsibility. Make sure to subscribe to The Trap Set to hear Mimi's full episode, along with our entire back catalog--all for free!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6