The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Every Wednesday, Joe Wong talks to a different drummer about life as a drummer.

308: Guy Picciotto (Fugazi, Rites of Spring, Happy Go Licky, etc.) 04/10/2024

308: Guy Picciotto (Fugazi, Rites of Spring, Happy Go Licky, etc.) Guy Picciotto's work in Fugazi and Rites of Spring had an immeasurable impact on Joe's life. As a producer, Guy has helped artists such as Blonde Redhead, Vic Chestnut, and The Blood Brothers reach new heights. In an uncharacterisically candid conversation, Guy tells Joe about his childhood, his artistic trajectory, and his most recent project as a producer--Jim White's first solo album, All Hits: Memories. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/30759793

307: Jim White (Dirty Three, Xylouris White, etc.) 04/03/2024

307: Jim White (Dirty Three, Xylouris White, etc.) For over thirty years, Jim White has been the drummer of choice for many of the most compelling songwriters working. Now, with assitance from producer Guy Picciotto, he's created his first solo album, All Hits: Memories. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/30656658

306: Teresa Esguerra (Prism Bitch, Built to Spill) 01/17/2024

306: Teresa Esguerra (Prism Bitch, Built to Spill) The latest incarnation of Built to Spill will undoubtedly be remembered as one of that band's most potent lineups in its 30+ year career. Teresa Esguerra's heavy groove and lyrical rhythmic conception are a crucial part of the equation. She tells Joe about Prism Bitch, Built to Spill, and her career as an occupational therapist. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/29524443

305: Marnie Stern 01/10/2024

305: Marnie Stern The Trap Set is back, and so is Marnie Stern. Marnie burst onto the NYC rock scene in 2007--seemingly out of nowhere--with a unique blend of virtuosic guitar; surreal, beautifully yearning lyrcs; and a "sheets of sound" vocal delivery. Joe met Marnie in 2012 and toured with her behind Stern's 2013 album, The Chronicles of Marnia. It was on this tour that Joe conceived of the idea for The Trap Set. Shortly after the tour, Stern took a break from releasing original music and took a gig as the guitarist for the 8G Band--the house band for Late Night with Seth Meyers--a position she held for over eight years. Now back with a fantastic new album, The Comeback Kid, Marnie joins her old pal, Joe, to catch up! /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/29423133

RIP: Jeremiah Green 01/01/2023

RIP: Jeremiah Green Jeremiah Green, drummer for Modest Mouse, passed away 12/31/2022 of cancer. This is a re-post of our conversation from 2017. We at The Trap Set are sending love to Jeremiah's family, bandmates, and many friends around the world. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/25476720

304: Patricia Brennan 12/07/2022

304: Patricia Brennan Patricia Brennan is an improvisatory mallet percussionist who as been hailed as one of the instrument's new leaders. As a sidewoman, she's worked with artists such as Mary Halvorson, Matt Mitchell, and John Hollenbeck. Her solo debut, Maquishti, released by Valley of Search Records was included on the New York Times 10 best Jazz albums of 2021. This conversation was recorded by phone last year during lockdown. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/25247112

RIP: Viola Smith 12/01/2022

RIP: Viola Smith This week, we're revisiting our 2017 conversation with the fantastic Viola Smith, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 107. We'll be back next week with a new episode. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/25185546

303: Nate Smith 11/23/2022

303: Nate Smith Over the last two decades, Nate Smith has emerged as one of his generation's most innovative drummers. His unique style marries a deep, earthy sense of time with cerebral adventurousness. Nate has backed artists such as Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, and Brittany Howard; and in recent years he has come into his own as a composer and bandleader. This episode was recorded during the summer of 2021, just before The Trap Set went on hiatus. Nate's story is more relevant than ever. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/25109718

302: Rick Allen (Def Leppard) 11/16/2022

302: Rick Allen (Def Leppard) Rick Allen's driving, tuneful style propelled Def Leppard to massive popularity during the 80s and early 90s. The band recently released its twelfth studio album, Diamond Star Halos. Rick met with Joe in Beverly Hills to discuss his forty year career, and the life that informed it. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/25032021

RIP: Mimi Parker (Low) 11/09/2022

RIP: Mimi Parker (Low) Mimi Parker--best known as drummer, vocalist, and co-founder of the band Low--passed away on November 5th after a battle with cancer. Here is Joe's conversation with Mimi, originally released in June, 2017. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/24950877

RIP: DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys) 11/09/2022

RIP: DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys) DH Peligro, best known as the drummer of Dead Kennedys, died in an accidental fall at his home in Los Angeles on 10/28/2022. Here is Joe's conversation with DH, originally released in November, 2015. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/24950856

301: Questlove 11/02/2022

301: Questlove We return from hiatus with Academy Award-winning filmmaker, author, and entrepreneur Questlove, in what Questlove calls, “the best, most open interview I’ve ever given in my life." Joe and Questlove discuss mental health, race, religion, vulnerability, self love, the hip hop ethos (“Hustle, survive. Hustle, survive.”), J Dilla, and more! /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/24879426

300: Joe Wong Interviewed by Jon Wurster 10/26/2022

300: Joe Wong Interviewed by Jon Wurster After a pandemic-induced hiatus, The Trap Set is back for Episode 300. Following the tradition of our previous centennial episodes, Joe is interviewed by a former guest--this time Jon Wurster (Bob Mould, Superchunk, The Mountain Goats, The Best Show). We at The Trap Set would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of our guests and you--our listeners--for over seven years of support. Creating this show has been a transcendent experience. Onward! /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/24803535

RIP: Gabe Serbian 05/03/2022

RIP: Gabe Serbian On Saturday, April 30th, Gabe Serbian died one day shy of his 45th birthday. Here's Joe's 2016 conversation with Gabe. If you're in a postion to help, please consider donating to Gabe's family here: https://gofund.me/f39cf17dhttps://gofund.me/f39cf17d /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/22996472

RIP: Howard Grimes, RIP 02/14/2022

RIP: Howard Grimes, RIP The great Memphis-based drummer, Howard Grimes, died at the age of 80 last week. Here's Joe's 2015 conversation with Howard, a true original whose ingenious artistry will inspire generations to come. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/22132337

299: Hugo Burnham (Gang of Four) 02/17/2021

299: Hugo Burnham (Gang of Four) Today's guest is Hugo Burnham, drummer of Gang of Four. Formed in Leeds in 1976, Gang of Four was one of the most explosive and influential bands to emerge in the wake of the punk rock movement. Next month, Matador Records will release an exhaustive box set chronicling the band's incredible output from 1977-1981. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/17978702

298: Cindy Blackman Santana 01/27/2021

298: Cindy Blackman Santana This week's guest is Cindy Blackman Santana, an artist of exceptional skill who--over the past four decades--has made compelling contributions to the worlds of improvised music and popular music alike. Her latest album, "Give the Drummer Some" is now available /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/17708096

297: Alan Braufman 01/20/2021

297: Alan Braufman We're back from hiatus! Alan Braufman was a vital member of the New York Loft Jazz scene of the 1970s. His 1975 opus, Valley of Search, was re-issued in 2018, and his latest album, The Fire Still Burns, was released to rave reviews in 2020. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/17617895

296: Jesse Shreibman (Bell Witch) 11/11/2020

296: Jesse Shreibman (Bell Witch) Joe speaks to Jesse Shreibman, drummer of Seattle band, Bell Witch. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/16767065

295: Chris Frantz (Tom Tom Club, Talking Heads) 11/05/2020

295: Chris Frantz (Tom Tom Club, Talking Heads) Chris Frantz discusses Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, and his new memoir, Remain In Love. Also, make sure to check out Joe's new album, Nite Creatures, streaming everywhere now! /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/16699997

294: Eric Slick (Dr. Dog, Adrian Belew, Solo Artist) 10/14/2020

294: Eric Slick (Dr. Dog, Adrian Belew, Solo Artist) Eric Slick talks about his jazz musician grandfather, his childhood in Philly, the residual scars from growing up "a fat kid", his obsession with Mad Magazine, and how drumming opened up his world. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/16404227

293: Alicia Bognanno (Bully) 10/12/2020

293: Alicia Bognanno (Bully) Joe talks to the multifaceted Alicia Bognanno about her career as the creative force behind Bully and as an audio engineer. Friend of the show, Mary Lattimorre, also stops by to discuss her new album. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/16364156

292: Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys, Beat Odyssey 2020, Solo Artist, etc.) 09/30/2020

292: Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys, Beat Odyssey 2020, Solo Artist, etc.) Mixmaster Mike discusses his challenging childhood; his ascent to the top of the competitive DJ world; the development of his singular DJ style; joining the Beastie Boys; and his latest collaboration with Steve Jordan, Beat Odyssey 2020. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/16224812

291: Steve Jordan 09/04/2020

291: Steve Jordan Steve Jordan is one of the most distinctive and prolific drummers in the history of recorded music. He is also an in-demand producer and record label proprietor. Join us for a 90-minute, life-spanning conversation with one of the all-time greats! /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/15879338

290: Sam Coomes (Quasi) 08/19/2020

290: Sam Coomes (Quasi) Today's guest is Sam Coomes, a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who is perhaps best known as one half of the duo, Quasi, a band he co-founded with Janet Weiss in 1993. Sam possesses a seemingly effortless sense of musicality and a gift for uniquely memorable melody. His lyrics are also fantastic...basically, he has all the bases covered. Aside from his work with Quasi, Sam's played with a host of artists such as Built to Spill, The Go-Betweens, Jon Spencer, Heatmiser, Pink Mountain. Quasi recently released an incredible video for their song "Last Days of the Thin Blue Line Lie". Check it out . /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/15671963

289: Doug "Cosmo" Clifford (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Solo Artist) 08/12/2020

289: Doug "Cosmo" Clifford (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Solo Artist) This week's guest is Doug "Cosmo" Clifford. Best known as drummer of Credence Clearwater Revival, Doug's powerful, tuneful playing laid the foundation for countless rock n roll standards. In 1972, Doug released his solo debut, Cosmo. During the 80s, he began work on his second album, Magic Window. The album was shelved until Doug recently discovered the long-forgotten tapes and finished the album. Magic Window is now available for streaming and purchase. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/15592895

288: Johanna Warren 08/05/2020

288: Johanna Warren Today's guest is Johanna Warren, author of haunting songs, beautifully sung with an ethereal yet rhythmically adventures delivery. Johanna and Joe met while working on the Netflix series, Midnight Gospel, on which she plays the singing voice of the Prisoner. She spoke to Joe in May from her home in rural Wales. Check out Johanna's latest album, Chaotic Good, out now! /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/15488945

287: Jim Eno (Spoon) 07/22/2020

287: Jim Eno (Spoon) Though Spoon's style has evolved radically over its 25 year existence, Jim Eno's drumming has been consistently tasteful, disciplined, and compositionally clever. Aside from his work as a drummer, Jim owns the Austin-based studio, Public Hi-Fi, and has engineered and produced for artists such as !!!, Cornell Dupree, John Vanderslice, Alejandro Escovedo, Future Islands, and many others. When we spoke last month, I began by asking Jim if it's possible to safely run recording sessions during the pandemic. Spoon is re-issuing its catalog via Matador, beginning with early albums Telephono and Soft Effects, which will be re-released on Friday. You can pre-order Joe's album NITE CREATURES . All profits through the end of July will be donated to The NAACP Legal Defense Fund. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/15309596

286: Sharon Van Etten 07/07/2020

286: Sharon Van Etten One of the most compelling artists to emerge in the past twenty years, Sharon Van Etten presents startlingly vulnerable songs with a sublimely confident, otherworldly vocal delivery. Click to pre-order Joe's LP, NITE CREATURES. All profits through the end of July will benefit The NAACP Legal Defense Fund. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/15119636

285: Matt Barrick (Muzz, The Walkmen, Jonathan Fire*Eatter, Fleet Foxes) 07/02/2020

285: Matt Barrick (Muzz, The Walkmen, Jonathan Fire*Eatter, Fleet Foxes) Matt Barrick is an incredibly dynamic drummer adept at leading the listener through unexpected sonic adventure. Matt began his career with Jonathan Fire Eater, and--as a member of the Walkmen--was part of a new garden of New York bands at the turn of the millennium. He is the touring drummer for Fleet Foxes; and his latest band, Muzz, is a collaboration with Paul Banks of Interpol and Josh Kaufman of Bonny Light Horseman. Muzz released its debut album last month on Matador. During the age of social distancing, we're recording remotely and releasing extra episodes. Click to pre-order Joe's solo debut, NITE CREATURES. /episode/index/show/thetrapset/id/15068432

The Trap Set with Joe Wong

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