The Tonearm

Sam Wenc: The Experimental Language of the Pedal Steel Guitar

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on guitarist and composer Sam Wenc.Wenc is a Philadelphia-based artist who has spent nearly a decade buildin...

Zeena Parkins: Invention, Loss, and the Living Harp

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're putting The Tonearm's needle on Zeena Parkins, composer, improviser, and one of the most singular forces in experimental music.Zeena has s...

Michael Graves: The Patient Philosophy of Audio Restoration

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on Michael Graves, a five-time Grammy-winning mastering engineer and the founder of Osiris Studio in Los Ang...

Erik Hall: Multitracking the Minimalist Aesthetic

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re putting The Tonearm's needle on musician and composer Erik Hall.Based in Michigan, Erik Hall has spent the last five years doing somethi...

Patrick Smith: Bebop, Brass Bands, and a Bookstore

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on Toronto saxophonist Patrick Smith.Patrick has become a key player in the city's creative music scene. His...

Stephen Vitiello: The Punk Attitude of Collaborative Sound Art

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we’re putting The Tonearm's needle on Stephen Vitiello.Stephen is an electronic musician and media artist. His sound installations are in the...

Lawrence English: Capturing the Impossible Trio

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Show NotesAustralian composer Lawrence English has spent over two decades treating sound as something that occupies your body, not just your ears. Put...

Noah Franche-Nolan: Music-Making as Spiritual Practice

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're putting The Tonearm's needle on pianist and composer Noah Franche-Nolan.Noah's latest album, Rose-Anna, is named after his Acadian great-g...

Michael Hallsworth: Escaping the Hypocrisy Trap

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re putting The Tonearm's needle on author and behavioral scientist Michael Hallsworth.Michel has spent the last two decades applying behavi...

John Mlynczak: Why NAMM Still Matters in 2026

18 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We're putting The Tonearm's needle on John Mlynczak, President and CEO of the National Association of Music Merchants.NAMM is the trade associati...

Patricia Brennan: Vibraphone Visions of the Universe

11 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're putting The Tonearm's needle on Patricia Brennan, a vibraphonist and composer who grew up in Veracruz, Mexico, playing salsa with her dad ...

Phil Haynes: Banging the Drum for Liberty Now

04 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're putting The Tonearm's needle on drummer Phil Haynes.Since moving to New York from Oregon in 1983, Phil's played on scores of recordin...

Bryan Senti: Strings, Migration, and Finding Home

28 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're putting The Tonearm's needle on violinist and composer Bryan Senti.Bryan Senti won a BAFTA for scoring the BBC series Mood. He's...

Holiday Bonus: Nels Cline on the Wilco Will Love You Podcast

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our recent episode featuring Wilco and creative music guitarist Nels Cline has proven to be a listener-favorite. This holiday season, we thought it mi...

Graham St. John: Terence McKenna's Hallucinatory Life

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on Graham St John, a cultural anthropologist and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Huddersfield in...

Nels Cline: Tales of a Daunted Guitarist

14 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we’re putting The Tonearm’s needle on guitarist Nels Cline.Most people know Nels Cline as Wilco's guitarist for the past two decades. But h...

Marcus Roberts: Jazz Piano and Technology's Promise

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on pianist Marcus Roberts.Roberts plays jazz piano like he's lived through its entire history. His style pul...

Ned Rothenberg: Solo Improvisation in Bizarre Times

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Show NotesNed Rothenberg just released his first solo album in thirteen years, Looms & Legends, and it shows why he's been called America's most i...

Miguel Zenón: Vanguardia Subterránea and the Sound of Sanctuary

23 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón.A MacArthur Fellow, Guggenheim recipient, and Grammy win...

Linda May Han Oh: In Search of Strange Heavens

16 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're putting The Tonearm's needle on bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh.Linda's a Grammy winner who's recorded with Pat Metheny, K...

The Inaugural Jazz Forward Award Winners

09 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on The Tonearm, we're celebrating the inaugural Jazz Forward Award winners from All About Jazz. Since 1995, All About Jazz has be...

Spotlight On is now . . . The Tonearm!

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hi, this is Lawrence Peryer with a quick update about some exciting changes coming to our show. Spotlight On is now The Tonearm—same name as our onl...

Peter Knight: Hand to Earth's Sonic Homecoming

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On composer, trumpeter, and producer Peter Knight.Peter Knight has spent decades working in the spaces between genres and ...

David Harrington of Kronos Quartet: The Musician Listens

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On David Harrington, founder and violinist of Kronos Quartet.For fifty years, David has led one of the most adve...

Jeff Parker: The Return of The New Breed

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On guitarist, composer, and producer Jeff Parker.For nearly three decades, Jeff has balanced solo work with his role ...

Hampus Lindwall: Blizzard of Organ

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On organist, composer, and sound artist Hampus Lindwall.Hampus started as a guitarist who cut his teeth copying Steve...

Chris O'Leary: Rebel Rebel - Blogger, Author

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On writer Chris O'Leary.Chris has spent over a decade and a half writing what's become the definitive study of David ...

Donny McCaslin: From Stadium Jazz to Lost Lullabies

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On saxophonist Donny McCaslin.Donny's new album, Lullaby for the Lost, arrives September 26th on Edition Records...

Matt Piucci of Rain Parade: Return to the Paisley Underground

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Matt Piucci, founding member and principal guitarist of Rain Parade.Rain Parade helped define LA's Paisley Undergr...

Robin Holcomb & Peggy Lee: Behind the Delicate Sound of 'Reno'

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On composer and pianist Robin Holcomb and cellist Peggy Lee.These two musicians have been creating music to...

Larry Tye: The Jazzmen Who Changed American History

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On bestselling author and journalist Larry Tye.Larry's latest book, The Jazzmen, tells the story of how Duke Ell...

Rico Jones: The Spiritual Sax of BloodLines

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On tenor saxophonist Rico Jones.Rico's new album BloodLines captures something you don't hear much anymore—...

Aqeel Aadam: Code, Creativity, and Democratization of Sound

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On musician, software engineer, and plug-in developer Aqeel Aadam.Aqeel's got deep roots in Philadelphia's music scen...

Rez Abbasi: When Everything Else Fades, Sound Remains

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On guitarist and composer Rez Abbasi.Rez's new album with his Acoustic Quintet, Sound Remains, puts steel-string...

Jeremy Sirota Grills Lawrence Peryer on Creative Leadership

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On someone we have not spoken to in a while…Over the years, we have periodically turned the tables by having friends and...

Sean Imboden: Into the Heart of Big Band Jazz

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On saxophonist and composer Sean Imboden.Sean spent years touring with Broadway shows and working as a sideman, but s...

Glenn Dickson & Bob Familiar: The Clarinet in the Machine

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On clarinetist Glenn Dickson and electronic musician Bob Familiar.When a cutting-edge klezmer artist meets ...

Gustavo Cortiñas: A Jazz Drummer's Call to Action

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On drummer and composer Gustavo CortiñasGustavo's latest album, The Crisis Knows No Borders, tackles climate ch...

Kim Perlak: Guitar, Percussion, and the Space Between

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On guitarist and composer Kim Perlak.Kim chairs the guitar department at Berklee College of Music, where she's spent ...

Terence Hannum: Revisiting Locrian's The Crystal World

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Terence Hannum.Terence wears many hats. He is a visual artist, professor, and one-third of the experimental trio&n...

Knox Chandler: Exploring the Sound of the Shoreline

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On guitarist Knox Chandler.Knox's name might ring a bell from his work with The Psychedelic Furs, Siouxsie and the Ba...

John Andrew Fredrick: The Black Watch Abides

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On John Andrew Fredrick of The Black Watch.After thirty-seven years of making indie rock, the band’s late...

Ingrid Laubrock: Purposing the Air with Music and Voices

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On saxophonist and composer Ingrid Laubrock.Ingrid's just released Purposing The Air, a double album that sets 6...

Kinan Azmeh: Live in Berlin, Rooted in Damascus

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines on clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh.Earlier this year, Kinan released Live in Berlin, his fourteenth album w...

Tal Yahalom: A Guitarist's Mirror Image of Tradition

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On guitarist and composer Tal Yahalom.Tal has built a reputation in New York's creative music scene for weaving post-...

Claire Cope: Orchestrating Stories of Brave Women

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Claire Cope. This British composer crafts music that combines the freedom of jazz with the precision of classical ...

Mike Scott of The Waterboys: The Ballad of Dennis Hopper

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Mike Scott, founder of The Waterboys.In 2014, Mike stumbled upon Dennis Hopper’s photography in a London ga...

Craig Mod: Things Become Things That Last

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Craig Mod, a writer, photographer, and walker who's spent the last 20 years making Japan his home.Random House has...

Tamiko Thiel: part 2 - art at technology's edge

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight again shines on media artist Tamiko Thiel, in the second of our two-part conversation.In our first talk, we explored Tamiko'...

Tamiko Thiel: part 1 - sculpting the electronic brain

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On digital media artist Tamiko Thiel.To mark our special milestone of 250 episodes, we are kicking off a two-part conversa...

Hunter Noack: Grand Piano & Grander Landscapes

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On naturalist and classical pianist Hunter Noack.Redefining what a concert hall can be, Hunter Noack hauls a nine-foo...

Noah Preminger: A Veteran Saxophonist Tackles the Ballad

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On renowned saxophonist Noah Preminger.Boston-based saxophonist Noah Preminger has spent years pushing jazz into new ...

Mary Halvorson & Sylvie Courvoisier: Bone Bells and the Art of Surprise

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On two artists who've taken the piano-guitar duo to bold new places. Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson&...

Phillip Golub: Recording the Impossible Piano

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Phillip Golub, a Brooklyn pianist taking his music in bold new directions.Phillip's new project, Loop 7, is a...

TJ Dumser (Six Missing): Inner Space, Sobriety, and Soundscapes

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Six Missing, the musical project of ambient artist TJ Dumser, who creates music that helps us connect with th...

Jenny Scheinman: A Violin in the Wild

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On violinist and composer Jenny Scheinman.Jenny Scheinman grew up on California's remote Lost Coast, and now she brin...

Cary Baker: Adventures in Busking and Street Music

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Cary Baker, author of Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music.The music you hear on street...

Michael Dorf: From Knitting Factory to Patti Smith's Carnegie Tribute

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On New York live music and venue impresario Michael Dorf.In addition to founding The Knitting Factory and&n...

Greg Lisher: From Camper Van to Circuitry Man

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Greg Lisher, a guitarist best known for alternative rock who has leaned hard into electronic music.Greg made his n...

Dorothy Lawson: ETHEL's String Theory for Quartets

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Dorothy Lawson, a cellist who's helped redefine what a string quartet can be. Dorothy and the group ETHEL&nbs...

Jamie Baum: a flutist sets poetry in motion

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On flutist Jamie Baum.When COVID hit, Jamie found inspiration and solace in poetry. What started as daily readings of wome...

Anat Cohen: Clarinet in Full Bloom

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On clarinetist Anat Cohen.Anat’s been bringing her joyful spirit to jazz venues worldwide for two decades, blending...

Marina Albero: from pianist to nomad of sound

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Marina Albero.From Barcelona’s vibrant music scene to the heart of New Orleans, Marina keep...

Jonathon Grasse: the life & music of Eric Dolphy

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On author Jonathon Grasse. His new book, Jazz Revolutionary, traces Eric Dolphy’s journey from the clubs of 1940s L...

Lisa Pegher: Rhythms, Circuits, & Artificial Intelligence

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On innovative percussionist and drummer Lisa Pegher.Lisa turns percussion into something you’ve never heard before....

Paul de Barros: chronicling Marian McPartland's life in jazz

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On award-winning jazz critic and author Paul de Barros.Throughout his storied career, Paul was editor and critic at t...

Küf Knotz & Christine Elise: when hip-hop meets harp

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On the duo of songwriter, producer, and MC Küf Knotz and harpist, vocalist, and music therapist Christine ...

Christoph Dallach: krautrock origins from schlager to synthesizers

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On author Christoph Dallach, who joins me to discuss his book Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock.Chr...

Marwan Allam: a Tunisian gateway to modern jazz

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On bassist and composer Marwan Allam.Marwan’s debut album, Bab Bhar, takes Arabic rhythms and Tunisian musical...

Joe Brent: mandolin magic from Vivaldi to Vinegar Hill

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On composer, mandolinist, multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and label founder Joe Brent.Joe has worked with artists ran...

Round Room Live: crafting family entertainment's next act

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden of Round Room Live.Round Room Live has become a powerhouse in...

Taylor Deupree & Joseph Branciforte: reimagining Stil.

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On experimental music producers and label owners Taylor Deupree and Joseph Branciforte.Back in 2002, Taylor...

Anders Koppel: the Hammond's Danish master

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On legendary Danish organist Anders Koppel.Great music often runs in the family, and as proof, we have our first fath...

Christian McBride: jazz notes from the engine room

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Christian McBride, a musician, recording artist, prolific composer, arranger, producer, cultural curator, dedicated edu...

Erik Davis: the beatification of blotter art

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What can be scarier than Halloween ghouls? How about a trip through the LSD underground?Today, the Spotlight shines On Erik Davis, and this trip ...

Josh Johnson: unusual objects and saxophone stories

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Josh Johnson, the Los Angeles-based saxophonist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and Grammy Award-winning produce...

Shawn Mativetsky: a tabla adventure through Temporal Waves

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On composer and percussionist Shawn Mativetsky. A renowned tabla player, Shawn is a pioneer in bridging the worlds of...

Paul Stache: The Art of Running Smoke Jazz Club in NYC

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Paul Stache, co-owner (with his wife and partner Molly Sparrow Johnson) of Smoke Jazz Club, one of New York C...

Building Music Communities: Thinking Global & Acting Local

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight is going to shine a little differently. Instead of a single guest, we will have three segments dealing with the importance of loc...

Devin Gray: Most Definitely's solo drum universe

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On drummer and composer Devin Gray.Like me, Devin is a born New Englander who made his way to Brooklyn, though unlike...

Brad Mindich: the art and craft of archiving stardom

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Brad Mindich, an entrepreneur who works directly with artists, athletes, and others in music, culture, and sports to ex...

Andy McCluskey: kicking down fascist art with OMD

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Andy McCluskey, the singer, songwriter, musician, and producer best known as the lead singer and bass guitarist of...

Gordon Grdina: the axe man cutting down borders

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On JUNO Award-winning oud player and guitarist Gordon Grdina.Gordon’s work defies limitations, be they geographical, dis...

Steve Wynn: a music and memoir grand slam

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On trailblazing songwriter and now memoirist Steve Wynn.Steve first hit public consciousness in the early 1980s with ...

Graham Reynolds: soundtrack virtuoso takes center stage

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On the acclaimed and intriguing composer, bandleader, and improviser Graham Reynolds.The Austin-based Reynolds has co...

Satoko Fujii: composing beyond the jazz spirit

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Satoko Fujii, an incredibly unique and prolific artist.Satoko works at the intersection of ja...

David J: unearthing tracks from the attic

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On the musician and producer David John Haskins, better known to the world as David J, bassist and co-founder of both...

Ches Smith & Shara Lunon: dismantling musical conventions

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight was meant to shine On drummer, percussionist, and composer Ches Smith, whose album Laugh Ash was released earlier ...

Live at The Royal Room: improvisation in music and life

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is a recording of our recent live event, which took place at The Royal Room in Seattle, WA, on June 22, 2024. The event, Improvisati...

Riccardo La Foresta: drumming without drumming

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Modena, Italy-based sound artist and percussionist Riccardo La Foresta.Riccardo has spent the last several years e...

Janek van Laak: drumming up a circle of madness

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On Berlin-based drummer, composer, and producer Janek van Laak.Janek grew up in post-reunification Berlin which gave ...

Bill Anschell: unearthing jazz's improbable solutions

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

Ruiqi Wang: subduing the silence with vocal improvisation

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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

Paul Chastain: The Small Square's big sounds

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Paul Chastain.Paul is one half of the duo The Small Square, with drummer,...

Jeff Slate: tales from a rock 'n' roll troubadour

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On musician, songwriter, journalist, and returning guest, Jeff Slate.Jeff joined us about two years ago and while that dis...

Katie Ernst: bass notes and murder ballads

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 we...

James Falzone: joyful noise from the pain stick

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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

Francesco Crosara: jazz journeys from Rome to Seattle

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines on jazz pianist, composer, and educator Francesco Crosara.Francesco was born and raised in Rome, Italy, where both jazz an...

Kavita Shah: embracing the saudade of Cape Verde

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the Spotlight shines On award-winning vocalist, composer, ethnomusicology researcher, and educator Kavita Shah.Kavita’s work sits at the inte...

R.U. Sirius: inside the mind of a cyberdelic shaman

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...