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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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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/f39cf17d   https://gofund.me/f39cf17dhttps://gofund.me/f39cf17d