Spotlight On

Today, the Spotlight shines On Modena, Italy-based sound artist and percussionist Riccardo La Foresta.

Riccardo has spent the last several years exploring the Drummophone—an array of bass drums that c…

Today, the Spotlight shines On Berlin-based drummer, composer, and producer Janek van Laak.

Janek grew up in post-reunification Berlin which gave birth to a vibrant culture of music and art. He joined…

Today, the Spotlight shines On Seattle pianist and composer Bill Anschell.

We’ve had award winners of all types on the podcast, but as far as I can remember, Bill is the first to have won an award for…

Today, the Spotlight shines On vocalist, composer, and improviser 王睿琪 Ruiqi Wang (pronounced as “Ray-Chee Wong”).

Ruiqi Wang creates stunning experimental music, combining influences from jazz, contem…

Today, the Spotlight shines On singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Paul Chastain.

Paul is one half of the duo The Small Square, with drummer, percussionist, and vocalist John Louis Richardso…

Today, the Spotlight shines On musician, songwriter, journalist, and returning guest, Jeff Slate.

Jeff joined us about two years ago and while that discussion was more focused on his work as a writer …

Today, the Spotlight shines On bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst. In addition to many other things, Katie is one half of the duo Wayfaring with last week’s guest James Falzone.

Katie is also co-leader …

Today, the Spotlight shines on clarinetist, penny whistle player, composer, improviser, and educator James Falzone.

James and I have been collaborating on an upcoming live event, Improvisation in Musi…

Today, the Spotlight shines on jazz pianist, composer, and educator Francesco Crosara.

Francesco was born and raised in Rome, Italy, where both jazz and classical music came into his life early on, pa…

Today, the Spotlight shines On award-winning vocalist, composer, ethnomusicology researcher, and educator Kavita Shah.

Kavita’s work sits at the intersection of modern jazz, new creative music, and wo…

Today, the Spotlight shines On legendary writer, vocalist and digital culture commentator, Ken Goffman, better known as R.U. Sirius.

Most will know R.U. from his time as co-publisher and editor-in-chi…

Today, the Spotlight shines On returning guest, the innovative musician and composer Markus Reuter.

Markus originally joined us for Episode 130 back in November 2022. He joins us now to discuss his pr…

Today, the Spotlight shines On Berlin-based electronic music composer and performer Hainbach.

I have come to view Hainbach as much an archeologist or audio specimen collector as he is a musician. Whil…

Today, the Spotlight shines On saxophonist/composer Kevin Sun.

Kevin joined us to discuss, among other things, his dramatic double album from 2023, The Depths of Memory, which was released in two halv…

Today, the Spotlight shines On Will Barnes, leader of the Will Barnes Quartet, who joins me to talk about his life in music and, specifically, his ongoing collaboration with landscape artist Erin Hug…

Today, the Spotlight shines On in a much different way than usual, as I am turning the microphone over to guest host Miriam Boulos.

Miriam has been a guest contributor to Bonus Tracks, the official bl…

Today, the Spotlight shines On the Belfast, Ireland, band Chalk.

Chalk is Ross Cullen on vocals, Ben Goddard on guitar, and Luke Niblock on drums. They cook up a pretty stunning racket with a unique s…

Today, the Spotlight shines On Chinese-Malaysian Australian artist, musician and creative producer, Sui Zhen.

This is the first of two episodes I recorded on-site at the SXSW Conference and Festival i…

Today, the Spotlight shines On musician and songwriter Nicholas Dembling, aka Nic North, aka Nic West, of seminal New York CIty New Wave Pop band, Comateens.

The New York that birthed Comateens was in…

Today, the Spotlight shines On drummer, composer, and improviser Phil Haynes.

Phil published a unique memoir last November, which includes not only his reflections on a life in and of music but also s…