Musicians nerding out to great music. Hosts Jack Conte (Scary Pockets, Pomplamoose, CEO of Patreon) and Ryan Lerman (Scary Pockets, John Legend, Ben Folds) are joined by musician friends to help break down what's going on in their favorite music. They dish about production, harmony, composition, theory, vocal performance and everything in between. New episodes every other week!
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Musicians nerding out to great music. Hosts Jack Conte (Scary Pockets, Pomplamoose, CEO of Patreon) and Ryan Lerman (Scary Pockets, John Legend, Ben Folds) are joined by musician friends to help break down what's going on in their favorite music. They dish about production, harmony, composition, theory, vocal performance and everything in between. New episodes every other week!
Jack and Ryan sit down with Greg Wells to dive into two pivotal aspects of his storied career. Greg opens up about how Grace Jones’ iconic track “Slave to the Rhythm” profoundly shaped the way he approaches production, revealing its lasting impact on his artistry. He also shares behind-the-scenes insights into his role as Executive Producer on the Wicked movie's soundtrack.
On this episode of Dead Wax, Jack and Ryan are joined by drummer and bandleader Kane Ritchotte for a deep dive into the genius of Talk Talk. Together, they explore the band’s profound legacy and its lasting influence on musicians today. For the EXTENDED episode, subscribe to our Patreon!
Jack and Ryan sit down with Philip Etherington to break down three pivotal songs that shape his approach to producing for artists. From their unique sonic textures to their emotional resonance, Philip shares how these tracks inform his creative process and fuel his artistry. Together, they explore the profound influence of these songs on his work and the wider music landscape.
HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode: Philip Etherington!
Jack and Ryan sit down with Hohnen Ford to delve into the timeless artistry of Judee Sill. From her poetic lyrics to her intricate compositions, Hohnen shares insights into what makes Judee’s music so enduring and influential. Together, they celebrate Sill’s legacy, exploring the profound impact she’s had on Hohnen and the broader music world.
HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode: Hohnen Ford!!
Jack and Ryan sit down with Andrew Bird to dive into the jazz influences behind his latest record, Sunday Morning Put On. From classic standards to bebop legends, Andrew shares the stories and sounds that inspired his unique blend of style and substance on the album and gives us a lesson in live looping.
Jack and Ryan are joined by acclaimed singer-songwriter and band leader of Lawrence, Clyde Lawrence. Together, they dive into the unique storytelling and production style of Randy Newman’s work, exploring what makes his music resonate across generations. Clyde also shares insights from his own career, how Randy Newman inspires his songwriting and so much more.
HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode: Clyde Lawrence!!!
"On today’s episode of Dead Wax, Jack and Ryan sit down with legendary composer and synthesizer pioneer Anthony Marinelli to explore his fascinating contributions to one of the most iconic albums of all time—Michael Jackson's Thriller. From working alongside Quincy Jones to the challenges of bringing new electronic sounds to a mainstream pop record, Marinelli reveals how his innovative work helped push the boundaries of pop music in the early 80s.
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HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode: Anthony Marinelli
Jack and Ryan sit down with singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and member of Vulfpeck Joey Dosik to discuss the best national anthem performances of all time. The trio dives into some of the most iconic renditions, including José Feliciano’s groundbreaking 1968 performance and Whitney Houston’s unforgettable rendition at the NFL Super Bowl. They explore what makes these performances stand out, their cultural impact, and if they'd be willing to stake their reputation on their art.HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode: Joey Dosik!!
Jack and Ryan are joined by renowned guitarist/producer/songwriter Wendy Melvoin. Together, they delve into the unique mix and production of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s 1975 hit, “Shining Star.” They also discuss Wendy's early career, including playing in Prince’s band at just 19 years old, and the ramifications of transitioning from entertainer to artist.
HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode: Wendy Melvoin!!!
On today’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan sit down with legendary mix engineer Manny Marroquin to dive deep into the creation of Kanye West’s iconic track, "Stronger." Manny reveals the creative process behind the mix and what it was like working with Kanye. Get an inside look at the technical and artistic decisions that made "Stronger" a groundbreaking hit.
HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode: Manny Marroquin!!!
Legendary producer Malay talks about his journey into Producer-hood, his approach to gear, and the tricks to used to create CHANNEL ORANGE with Frank Ocean.
Dweezil Zappa gives his primer on his dad's music, talks about what made Frank so unique, and what it's been like for him to continue his father's legacy.
Joe Gore takes Jack and Ryan through the process of recording guitar for Tom Waits' "Goin' Out West" on his album, Bone Machine. They get into the nuances of gear, Waits' sense of humor, how he elicits great performances, mixing, Tchad Blake, and how Joe's approach to harmony is influenced by his love of medieval music.
Jack and Ryan sit down with Jack Stratton (Vulfpeck, Vulfmon, Vulf Records) and break down why Esther Phillips cover of Bill Withers hit “Use Me” may be even funkier than the original.
Jack and Ryan dig in to one of their favorite Phantom Planet songs with two members of the band. They also discuss how and why the band re-recorded their album "The Guest".
In this Deadwax episode, Jack Conte and Ryan Lerman are joined by singer-songwriter/guitarist Madison Cunningham to talk about one of her favorites: Bjork. While they listened to Bjork's "Venus As A Boy", the trio discusses Bjork's production, vocal approach, lyrics, sonic world, etc. and how Bjork is one of the greatest ever.
On today’s episode of DeadWax, Jack and Ryan are joined by singer-singwriter/guitarist Ariel Posen as they dissect the magic of Sting’s hit “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You” and attempt to solve the riddle of why musicians and non-musicians alike are obsessed with Sting.
In this episode of DeadWax Jack and Ryan sit down with legendary drummer Jim Keltner to break down his evolution into one of greatest drummers of all time, listening to and dissecting the songs that shaped him along the way.
Musicians nerding out to great music. Hosts Jack Conte (Scary Pockets, Pomplamoose, CEO of Patreon) and Ryan Lerman (Scary Pockets, John Legend, Ben Folds) are joined by musician friends to help break down what's going on in their favorite music. They dish about production, harmony, composition, theory, vocal performance and everything in between. New episodes every other week!
