On this week’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan sit down with songwriter Madi Yanofsky to unpack her formula for writing the perfect pop song. Together, they break down what makes hits like Adele’s “Someone Like You” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” so irresistible — from melody and structure to emotional storytelling and production choices. In the Patreon-exclusive extended episode, Madi dives even deeper, analyzing Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” and revealing how she balances craft and instinct, and why simplicity can be the hardest thing to master in modern pop.

On this week’s Dead Wax, Jack and Ryan sit down with Grammy-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist Fede Vindver to explore the three-year creative odyssey behind Justin Timberlake’s Everything I Thought It Was. Vindver pulls back the curtain on what it was like collaborating with Timbaland and a roster of top-tier producers to craft Timberlake’s No Angels —sharing insights into his production philosophy, his unique use of “starters,” and how emerging AI tools are reshaping his musical workflow. He also breaks down Timberlake’s process in the studio and the collaborative energy that drives modern pop innovation. In the Patreon-exclusive extended edition, Fede discusses one of his deepest musical influences—the Argentine supergroup Serú Girán and their classic song “Llorando en el Espejo.” He reflects on the band’s artistry, its impact on his own style, and how their legacy continues to inform his work today.

On this week’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan sit down with acclaimed producer Dennis Herring to unpack the making of “Float On” by Modest Mouse — the song that defined a generation of indie rock. Herring walks through the creative process behind the track, from the first takes to the final mix, sharing how instinct, tension, and trust shaped one of the most unlikely hits of the 2000s. Along the way, he offers a rare glimpse into the collaborative chaos and magic that made Good News for People Who Love Bad News a timeless record. In the extended Patreon-exclusive edition, Dennis charts his remarkable journey from his early days as a Los Angeles session musician working with Quincy Jones to establishing himself as a producer in his own right. He reflects on the lessons learned in those formative studio years, the mentors who shaped his craft, and the moments that led him to become one of the most quietly influential producers in modern rock.

On this week’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan do something a little different — no guest, just the two of them sitting down to listen to and talk about some of their favorite songs. They dive deep into the tracks that have shaped their musical lives, from the haunting storytelling of Andy Shauf and the dreamy textures of The Shins, to the timeless songwriting of Buddy Holly, Feist, and Harry Nilsson. Along the way, they explore everything from Maurice Ravel’s harmonic genius to the hazy beauty of Duster and the classic soul of Dusty Springfield, uncovering the threads that tie their shared inspirations together. In the extended Patreon-exclusive edition, Jack and Ryan go even deeper — sharing rare finds, deep cuts, and from their personal collections. They reflect on how these songs have influenced their own work, how taste evolves over time, and why certain melodies stick with you forever. It’s an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the ears and hearts behind DeadWax.

On this week’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan sit down with legendary producer Tony Berg to explore the music that has shaped his life and career. From the timeless influence of Stevie Wonder and Peter Gabriel to his groundbreaking collaborations with modern artists like Beck and Phoebe Bridgers, Berg shares the songs and voices that have inspired him most. With decades of experience bridging generations of artistry, he offers a rare perspective on what makes great music endure. In the extended Patreon-exclusive edition, Tony dives into his experience producing Undressed by Sombr, sharing what it’s like to work with the next generation of groundbreaking musicians. He discusses the excitement of nurturing new voices, how he approaches guiding young artists, and why the future of music inspires him as much as its past.

"On this week’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan welcome Blake Mills to discuss his new album That Wasn’t a Dream, created in collaboration with renowned bassist Pino Palladino. Blake talks through his production philosophy, his approach to capturing guitar tones, the experience of working with one of the world’s most accomplished bassists, and the incorporation of fretless guitar into the record. In the extended Patreon-exclusive edition, Blake breaks down All In Me by Brandy along with other pop songs that have shaped his sense of production, explaining what he draws from them and how they inform his own work."

On this week’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan sit down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Bruno Major to talk about his deep love for Nick Drake and the timeless influence Drake’s music has had on his own artistry. Bruno reflects on how Nick Drake’s delicate songwriting, haunting melodies, and emotional honesty continue to shape the way he writes and performs today, offering rare insight into the impact of one of folk’s most enduring voices. In the extended Patreon-exclusive edition, Bruno takes the conversation further, shining a light on Molly Drake—Nick Drake’s mother—whose beautiful songs remain lesser-known yet profoundly moving. He discusses how even the greatest works can be lost to history, and why rediscovering voices like Molly’s matters to our understanding of music and legacy.

Jack and Ryan sit down with Ruairi O’Flaherty, the mastering engineer behind tracks for some of music’s biggest names. Ruairi shares his emotion-first mastering philosophy, revealing how he stays open and available to the music—whether working on chart-topping records for Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter or championing intimate indie projects. He walks us through his career journey, explores how he skillfully balances high-profile clients with underground artistry, and explains his commitment to being present and responsive to every sound. From mastering for major artists to nurturing emerging talent, Ruairi underscores what it really means to practice good listening, and to make it feel like the record is truly done. In the Patreon-exclusive edition, Ruairi dives deeper into his admiration for Daniel Lanois, sharing insights into Lanois’s music, influence, and a heartfelt personal story from when they connected while Ruairi was living in Ireland. HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode Ruairi O'Flaherty!

On this week’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan sit down with Jonathan Rado — musician, producer, and founding member of Foxygen. Rado discusses the making of Take the Kids Off Broadway and then dives into his acclaimed work as a producer on records for Miley Cyrus, The Lemon Twigs, and The Killers. He also reflects on his ongoing partnership with Shawn Everett, offering insight into their creative process and how their collaboration has shaped some of the most adventurous music of the past decade. From Foxygen’s boundary-pushing beginnings to his production work with some of today’s biggest artists, Rado shares rare stories from both sides of the glass. In the extended Patreon-exclusive edition, Rado opens up about Richard Swift — his artistry, his influence, and the deep impact he left on Rado’s own career.

Jack and Ryan sit down with legendary tastemaker Chris Douridas — the iconic KCRW host often hailed as one of the last great curators of modern music. Douridas reflects on his journey shaping the Los Angeles music scene, his philosophy on what makes a great song, and shares the remarkable story of how he personally introduced Burt Bacharach to Elvis Costello, sparking a celebrated collaboration. He also revisits the moment he first championed Beck, helping to bring a groundbreaking new voice to the world stage. From spotlighting fresh voices to connecting musical legends, Chris reveals rare insights into the art of curation and the evolving role of the tastemaker in an era dominated by algorithms.

Jack, Ryan, and guest co-host Kane Ritchotte sit down with legendary drummer John "J.R." Robinson, often called the most recorded drummer of all time. From laying down grooves with Chaka Khan and Michael Jackson, to bringing his unmistakable feel to Daft Punk’s Grammy-winning Random Access Memories, Robinson reflects on the sessions that defined modern pop and R&B. He also shares his perspective on how AI is reshaping the role of musicians, the craft of drumming in an evolving industry, and what it takes to leave an indelible mark on music history. Big thank you to our guest this week John "J.R." Robinson!

Jack and Ryan sit down with Tiny Habits to explore how they craft their signature vocal arrangements—from reharmonization to blend to breath. The trio breaks down their arranging process, shares how they developed their group sound, and performs two stunning live renditions: Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” and (over on our Patreon), Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.” Along the way, they reflect on their origins as a band and what it takes to make three voices feel like one.

Jack and Ryan sit down with Grammy-winning producer & mixing engineer Shawn Everett to delve into his groundbreaking work on Miley Cyrus’s latest album. From crafting bold new sounds in the studio to pushing artistic boundaries, Everett shares the creative process behind working with one of pop’s most dynamic voices. The conversation also dives into his acclaimed work with Alabama Shakes, his biggest influences, and the winding path that led him from small-town Canada to becoming one of the most sought-after producers and mixers in modern music.

Jack and Ryan sit down with bassist Anna Butterss to talk about Anna's path to becoming a pro, touring with Jason Isbell, and why they think Willie Weeks’ solo on Donny Hathaway’s “Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything)”—Live at the Troubadour—is the greatest bass solo of all time. Anna dives into their journey as a working musician, how they developed their unique voice on the bass, and the artists who continue to inspire them. Huge thanks to Anna Butterss for joining us on this episode!

On today’s episode of DeadWax, hosts Jack and Ryan sit down with acclaimed producer and mix engineer Cian Riordan to talk about his work on St. Vincent’s new album Man on Fire. Cian gives an inside look at the production process, the studio sessions with St. Vincent, and the creative choices that shaped the album’s bold, genre-pushing sound. He also shares how artists like Dr. Dre and Duke Ellington have influenced his approach to music, mixing, and sonic storytelling.

On this episode of Dead Wax, Jack and Ryan sit down with legendary producer and engineer Eric Valentine to explore his groundbreaking work with Third Eye Blind, Persephone’s Bees, and Queens of the Stone Age. Eric reveals behind-the-scenes stories from the studio, shares innovative recording techniques, and discusses how he’s shaped the sound of modern rock. From pioneering cutting-edge production methods to crafting some of the most iconic alternative rock albums, this conversation highlights Eric’s lasting impact on music production and engineering.

On this episode of Dead Wax, Jack and Ryan sit down with bassist, songwriter, and producer Kaveh Rastegar to break down his top punk bass lines, featuring Bad Brains, Jane’s Addiction and Peter Tosh. He dives into what makes these bass lines so iconic and their impact on punk and alternative music. Over on our Patreon, Kaveh shares more of his favorite bass lines, and he goes on to break down a song from his former band Kneebody and shares stories about his experience in the studio with De La Soul.

On this episode of Dead Wax, Jack and Ryan sit down with singer, songwriter, and guitarist David Ryan Harris for a deep dive into Jeff Buckley’s iconic album Grace. As a friend and contemporary of Buckley, David shares personal stories, insights into Jeff’s genius, and why Grace remains one of the most underrated albums of all time. They break down the album’s most powerful tracks, its lasting impact on music, and what made Buckley’s artistry so unique.

PART 2 -- We unintentionally cut the episode short of what was mentioned in the title actually being discussed - so here is PART 2 of our conversation with Jon Castelli, where we discuss "Birds of a Feather" by Billie Eilish. Enjoy!

On this episode of DeadWax, Jack and Ryan sit down with top mix engineer Jon Castelli to break down his work on Billie Eilish’s new album and Omar Apollo’s latest project. He opens up about his perfectionist approach to mixing, the pressure of shaping an artist’s sound, and why he’s obsessed with Mariah Carey’s music.