The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Latest Episodes:

272: Dot Wiggin (The Shaggs) Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

Dot 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) Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Yo 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) Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

Today'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 Netflix!

During the age of social distancing, we're releasing daily episodes.

BNS: "Dreams Wash Away" Apr 18, 2020

Show notes

Joe 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 Apr 17, 2020

Show notes

With 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 distancing, we're releasing daily episodes.

268: Andrew Becker (Human Potential, Medications) Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

Andrew 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) Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

From 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 Brokeback and The Eternals.

During the age of social distancing, we're releasing daily episodes.

266: Thor Harris (Swans, Thor & Friends, Bill Callahan, etc.) Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

Thor Harris is a percussionist known for his work with Swans, Bill Callahan, Rob Halverson, Devendra Banhart, and his own ensemble--Thor & Friends. Thor is also a sculptor, instrument builder, carpenter, and former TX gubernatorial candidate. Thor tells Joe about: being raised by an engineer and schoolteacher near Galveston, TX; studying drums in at Musicians Institute in Hollywood; learning to manage depression and thriving creatively; his love of nature; his infamous video "How to Punch a Nazi"; and the impetus to start his own band.

During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing new episodes every day.

265: Makaya McCraven Apr 11, 2020

Show notes

Makaya McCraven is a drummer, composer, and producer whose innovative work draws a creative through-line between generations of seemingly disparate avant-garde movements. He tells Joe about: being raised by musician parents; why he initially resisted pursuing music as a profession; the difference between the "oral musical tradition" in which he was raised and the academic approach he was presented with in college; the decision to start creating work as a bandleader; parenting; and learning when to say yes to collaborative offers.

During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing new episodes every day.

264: Sean Solomon (Moaning) Apr 11, 2020

Show notes

Sean Solomon tells Joe about: taking lessons with the late Richie Hass of Saccharine Trust; growing up with a musical father and uncle; his early affinity for drugs; turning his life around in the psych ward; the meditative benefits of guitar playing; the band dynamic of Moaning; and his career as an animator.

Also, Rob Ellis returns to discuss his new album, The Nostalgia Machine, out today.

During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing new episodes every day.

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