Spotlight On

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 just released Things Become Other Things, a walking memoir that traces his 300-mile journey along ancient pilgrimage paths in rural Japan. The book blends sharp prose with striking photography, capturing conversations with aging fishermen, inn owners, and cafe "mamas" while reflecting on friendship, loss, and the disappearing village life of Japan's Kii Peninsula. This is an expanded and reimagined mass market edition of the title Craig issued in a fine art edition directly to...

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's journey from designing the world's first AI supercomputer in the eighties to becoming a pioneering media artist. Today, we dive deeper into her groundbreaking work in virtual reality and other philosophical matters.

Tamiko's been creating immersive digital worlds since the mid-1990s when she worked with Steven Spielberg on a virtual space for seriously ill children. We'll talk about her project, Beyond Manzanar, which became the first VR artwork purchased by a...

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 conversation with media artist Tamiko Thiel.

Tamiko has lived at the crossroads of art and technology for over 40 years. She designed the Connection Machine, the first commercial AI supercomputer that now sits in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. She's worked with everyone from Steven Spielberg to Richard Feynman, and pioneered virtual reality art before most people had heard of VR. Her Connection Machine even inspired Steve Jobs when he built hi...

Today, the Spotlight shines On naturalist and classical pianist Hunter Noack.

Redefining what a concert hall can be, Hunter Noack hauls a nine-foot Steinway grand piano to mountaintops, forests, and beaches for his series "In a Landscape: Classical Music in the Wild."

Hunter grew up in Central Oregon, where his love for music and nature took root. His concert series gives audiences wireless headphones and encourages them to wander through stunning settings while the music plays. It's part performance, part exploration—turning national parks and historic sites into living concert venues.

Since founding the...

Today, the Spotlight shines On renowned saxophonist Noah Preminger.

Boston-based saxophonist Noah Preminger has spent years pushing jazz into new territories before focusing on one of the art form's most enduring traditions. He’s just released Ballads, a collection that finds this restless musical explorer settling into the quiet power of beautiful melodies.

Noah's built his reputation on bold musical choices—from stark Delta blues interpretations to intricate duo sessions with bassist Kim Cass. But with this new record, he's aiming for something different—capturing that feeling when a saxophonist plays "as if it's their last day...

Today, the Spotlight shines On two artists who've taken the piano-guitar duo to bold new places. Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson have just released Bone Bells, their third album, and a fresh showcase of their uncanny musical connection.

These two players come from different worlds: Sylvie from European classical traditions and Mary from experimental jazz guitar circles. But when they join forces, something magical happens. Their music shifts from delicate to eruptive, structured to spontaneous, with a shared musical language they've built over nearly a decade.

Bone Bells takes its name from a line in Hernan...

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 set of minimalist compositions performed on a piano tuned to 22 notes per octave instead of the usual 12. Working with producer Joseph Branciforte, he's created something that lives between acoustic chamber music and studio art.

It's a groundbreaking approach—Phillip's performance was captured on a special Yamaha piano in a unique way he tells us about. The recordings were then layered with guitar, vibraphone, and subtle electronics to create a technologically advanced and deep...

Today, the Spotlight shines On Six Missing, the musical project of ambient artist TJ Dumser, who creates music that helps us connect with the present moment in ways we often forget.

After encountering an intense phase of burnout, TJ turned his mental health struggles into Gentle Breath, a dark, lush EP that marks a new direction for this Austin-based artist. It's music that explores uncertainty with stunning depth—think Tangerine Dream meets the cosmic GAS records, but with TJ's distinct voice shining through.

TJ's journey from New York workaholic to finding inner calm through his compo...

Today, the Spotlight shines On violinist and composer Jenny Scheinman.

Jenny Scheinman grew up on California's remote Lost Coast, and now she brings us music that captures the wild beauty of her roots. Her double album All Species Parade brings together jazz and folk to create something wholly original that feels like the natural world itself.

With a dream team of collaborators including Bill Frisell, Nels Cline, and Julian Lage on guitars, Jenny's violin leads us through soundscapes that honor the land, its native peoples, and all living creatures.

Jenny's made a career wor...

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 corners and subway platforms has its untold history, and at age 16, Cary Baker followed a slide guitar's haunting melody through Chicago’s Maxwell Street Market to find himself face-to-face with bluesman Blind Arvella Gray. That chance encounter sparked a lifelong obsession.

Cary's book, Down on the Corner, traces the heritage of street music across 100 years, from blues legends in the 1920s to modern-day buskers armed with QR codes. He's spoken with...

Today, the Spotlight shines On New York live music and venue impresario Michael Dorf.

In addition to founding The Knitting Factory and City Winery, Michael has brought legendary artists together at Carnegie Hall for over twenty years, raising millions for music education while creating unforgettable tribute nights. He launched his first tribute show in 2004 after seeing how school music programs were vanishing.

Now, he’s put together what might be his most powerful lineup yet. Michael Stipe, Courtney Barnett, Chrissie Hynde, and others will perform on March 26th to celebrate the music of Patti Smith. The sh...

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

Greg made his name playing with Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom, but during the pandemic, he sat down at a keyboard and started exploring new sonic territory.

The result is Underwater Detection Method, a collection of instrumental pieces that blend synthesizers with live strings and drums. It's an album that started as digital sketches and grew into something much more organic as Greg learned to play piano and brought other musicians into th...

Today, the Spotlight shines On Dorothy Lawson, a cellist who's helped redefine what a string quartet can be. Dorothy and the group ETHEL have spent years breaking down walls between classical, jazz, rock and world music.

On March 13th at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Dorothy teams up with bass legend Ron Carter to reimagine his landmark Kronos Quartet recording from 40 years ago, featuring arrangements of music by Thelonious Monk.

Dorothy shares how ETHEL has evolved through four generations of musicians, their unique residency at the Metropolitan Museum, and why making deeply human music matters now mor...

Today, the Spotlight shines On flutist Jamie Baum.

When COVID hit, Jamie found inspiration and solace in poetry. What started as daily readings of women poets became something much bigger: an album blending jazz and spoken word.

As leader of her long-running Septet+, Jamie has crafted wide-ranging music for over twenty years. She has played everywhere, from major jazz festivals to tiny clubs in 35 countries, bringing her distinctive sound to collaborations with artists like Paul Motian, Randy Brecker, and Kenny Barron.

Now, she's channeling the power of poetry through her ensemble, creating music...

Today, the Spotlight shines On clarinetist Anat Cohen.

Anat’s been bringing her joyful spirit to jazz venues worldwide for two decades, blending swing, Brazilian rhythms, and melodies from her native Israel. Her 2024 album Bloom pairs her musical warmth with that of her quartet Quartetinho - Portuguese for "little quartet" - creating intimate conversations between clarinet, piano, bass, and percussion.

Anat will mark her 50th birthday this spring with four special nights at Lincoln Center's Appel Room, sharing the stage with her equally talented brothers, Avishai and Yuval Cohen.

Today, we'll hear about Anat’s...

Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Marina Albero.

From Barcelona’s vibrant music scene to the heart of New Orleans, Marina keeps finding new ways to push musical boundaries. Her latest album, A Nomad of Sound, brings together jazz, classical, and world music traditions in a blend all her own.

Marina has journeyed across continents and cultures—from her early years studying classical piano in Cuba to recent acclaim in Seattle, where she’s twice been named Musician of the Year. Now she’s taken her keyboards to New Orleans, collaborating with some of the cit...

Today, the Spotlight shines On author Jonathon Grasse. His new book, Jazz Revolutionary, traces Eric Dolphy’s journey from the clubs of 1940s Los Angeles to his groundbreaking work in New York’s avant-garde jazz scene.

Eric Dolphy’s revolutionary voice in jazz was silenced far too soon. He was an artist who pushed the boundaries of what was possible on alto sax, flute, and bass clarinet, collaborating with giants like John Coltrane and Charles Mingus before his tragic death in 1964 at the age of 36. Jonathan’s intimate portrait reveals the innovative musician and the gracious human being rem...

Today, the Spotlight shines On innovative percussionist and drummer Lisa Pegher.

Lisa turns percussion into something you’ve never heard before. A pioneering artist who moves easily between classical concert halls and electronic music spaces, Lisa wields everything from traditional drums to cutting-edge AI technology.

She’s performed with major orchestras worldwide and premiered works by today’s leading composers, but what sets Lisa apart is her drive to push percussion into new territory.

Her project, A.I.RE, explores the evolution of rhythm—from pure acoustic sounds to an AI-generated musical landscape. With compo...

Today, the Spotlight shines On award-winning jazz critic and author Paul de Barros.

Throughout his storied career, Paul was editor and critic at the Seattle Times and has written for Downbeat and Earshot Jazz, amongst other outlets. He is also the author of Jackson Street After Dark: The Roots of Jazz in Seattle but today, he joins us to talk about the updated edition of his book Shall We Play That One Together? The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland, which contains a new preface detailing the challenges of writing a biography about an ofte...

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

Küf and Christine have turned the unlikely harp and hip-hop track combo into pure magic with their 2024 album Hypnagogia. The album explores the space between awake and dreaming, with surreal soundscapes and vivid imagery that pulls listeners in.

They’ve shared stages with artists like Wyclef Jean, Rising Appalachia, and Digable Planets. Earlier this year, they joined me to discuss their unique sound and mission.

(The musical excerpts heard in the i...

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

Christoph has spent years tracking down the pioneers who spent the late 1960s in West Germany’s basements and practice rooms, creating sounds unlike anything else in rock and roll.

Through conversations with members of bands like Can, Kraftwerk, and Tangerine Dream, Christoph uncovers how these artists shaped a distinctly German sound in the shadow of World War II. It’s a story of cultural rebirth told by the musicians who lived it.

A...

Today, the Spotlight shines On bassist and composer Marwan Allam.

Marwan’s debut album, Bab Bhar, takes Arabic rhythms and Tunisian musical traditions and hands them to a jazz quartet, creating something that feels both ancient and brand new.

Marwan tunes and plays his bass to echo the sound of the gimbri, a traditional three-string instrument from his native Tunisia. He’s here to walk us through this groundbreaking approach and share how growing up at the crossroads of North African music shaped his creative path.

(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are fr...

Today, the Spotlight shines On composer, mandolinist, multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and label founder Joe Brent.

Joe has worked with artists ranging from Regina Spektor to the Philip Glass Ensemble, but his collaboration with Grammy-nominated violinist Sara Caswell and bassist Andrew Ryan in 9 Horses was the impetus for our time together. 9 Horses creates music between classical precision and folk intimacy with mandolins and violins. On their latest album, Strum, 25 musicians create what Joe calls “identifiably human-made music.”

Joe shares the story behind 9 Horses and much more, including why making deeply human music matters now more than ever.

...

Today, the Spotlight shines On Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden of Round Room Live.

Round Room Live has become a powerhouse in family entertainment, from Broadway blockbusters to kids' favorite TV characters coming to life on stage.

Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden launched the company in 2016 with a bold idea—take their experience from massive rock tours and use it to create live shows that capture the magic of beloved brands, from Sesame Street to Formula One. They’ve built Round Room into one of the most dynamic forces in live entertainment, with hit tours and exhib...

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

Back in 2002, Taylor Deupree released an electronic album called Stil. That release captivated listeners with its quiet, repeating patterns and stark digital sound. Twenty years later, Taylor and producer Joseph Branciforte linked up to reimagine the album as Sti.ll, rebuilding the entire work using only non-electronic instruments.

The new version takes all of the computer-generated sounds from the original and puts them in the hands of live musicians playing clarinets, strings, and percussion. It is an ambitious and advent...

Today, the Spotlight shines On legendary Danish organist Anders Koppel.

Great music often runs in the family, and as proof, we have our first father-son episodes of Spotlight On. Last November, we had Benjamin Koppel, son and collaborator of today’s guest.

But today’s story starts decades ago when Anders played Newport with his band Savage Rose. Fast forward to now, and Anders is back at the Hammond B3, making magic with Benjamin on alto sax and the incredible Brian Blade on drums.

This trio came together naturally. Benjamin and Brian have been...

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

Christian has been called the hardest-working person in jazz, and based on what I just rattled off, that might be underselling it. From his early days in Philadelphia soaking up the sounds of Philly Soul to sharing stages with legends like Ray Brown and Chick Corea, Christian has become a bridge between jazz’s rich history and its vibrant future.

These days, you’ll find him leading his new band, Ursa Major, hosting NPR’s Jazz...

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 is no bummer. Erik is an author, award-winning journalist, and teacher in San Francisco. He is the author, most recently, of Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium_, a study of LSD blotter art. And that’s what he’s joined us to talk about.

Erik also wrote one of my favorite books, High Weirdness: Drugs, Esoterica, and Visionary Experience in the Seventies. His scholarly and popular essays on music...

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

Josh joined me earlier this year to talk about his second solo album, Unusual Object, which came out this past April on Northern Spy Records. Equal parts futuristic jazz and modern composition, Josh uses processed saxophone and subtle samples in his unique compositions.

In addition to examining Unusual Object, we discussed the relevance and impact of genre classifications in music, how Josh’s Grammy has led to more opportunities and connections in various music communities, the impact of Chica...

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

We discussed the intricacies of traditional Indian music, including the setup and tuning of the instruments, the guru-disciple relationship, and the reception of Western musicians in the Hindustani community. We also explored the importance of deep learning, consistent practice, and research in mastering a musical instrument, with Shawn sharing his personal journey and commitment to his craft.

Shawn and I spoke much earlier this year, around the A...

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 City’s premier live music venues. Smoke is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout 2024 and Paul joined us to talk about the storied venue’s past, present, and future.

In addition to the club’s 25th Anniversary Celebration plans, we hit on topics like how their business has navigated the transition to a digital world, insight into managing an independent venue, as well as many of the amazing artists who have graced their stage over the...

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 local music scenes.

Our first guest is Shain Shapiro. Shain is a thought leader working at the intersection of music, culture, and urban policy. His book, This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better, came out last year on Repeater Books. Shain has defined a new way to think about the value of music and the creative economy in cities and places. He is the founder and chairman...

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 me, he splits his time between Brooklyn and Berlin.

Devin has performed with Spotlight On alumni Angelica Sanchez and Satoko Fuji, as well as a who’s who of the creative music scene: David Liebman, Sylvie Couvoisier, Tim Berne, Nate Wooley, and many others.

Our conversation ranged from Devin’s earliest exposures to music, his self-taught approach to drumming, genre divisions in music, local and regional art scene...

Today, the Spotlight shines On Brad Mindich, an entrepreneur who works directly with artists, athletes, and others in music, culture, and sports to expand their legacies and create powerful connections with their fans.

Brad currently does this work as the founder and CEO of Inveniem/Definitive Authentic, which helps its clients organize, catalog, present, and oftentimes monetize their archives directly to their audiences.

Brad has worked with Metallica, Def Leppard, Stephen Stills, basketball star Devin Booker, Monty Python co-founder Eric Idle, and many others.

Our conversation took some fascinating turns, exploring the concept...

Today, the Spotlight shines On Andy McCluskey, the singer, songwriter, musician, and producer best known as the lead singer and bass guitarist of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (also known as OMD). Andy joined Spotlight On producer and guest host Michael Donaldson to discuss topics as varied as the political messages behind their latest work, post-modern society, Kraftwerk, and the Bauhaus art school.

OMD is not working the nostalgia circuit, though no one would blame them if they were. Instead, they continue to release new music that fans and critics rate as among the best of their cla...

Today, the Spotlight shines On JUNO Award-winning oud player and guitarist Gordon Grdina.

Gordon’s work defies limitations, be they geographical, distance, time, or genre. He incorporates avant-garde jazz, free improvisation, indie rock, and Arabic tradition into his music.

So much music, so many collaborators, and so much ground to cover in our talk. We made the most of our time together, exploring projects, processes, the fusion of musical traditions, appropriation, authenticity, and more.

If you are open to the idea that music can be a tool for communication and understanding between people an...

Today, the Spotlight shines On trailblazing songwriter and now memoirist Steve Wynn.

Steve first hit public consciousness in the early 1980s with his band The Dream Syndicate, frequently mentioned in the same breath as REM and The Replacements as the pioneers of American indie rock.

The Dream Syndicate’s initial run did not outlast the decade that birthed them, but Steve’s career did, with over 30 years of solo albums and collaborations to his credit—including a relaunched Dream Syndicate in the early 2010s.

Steve’s latest projects are something of a pair—I Wouldn’t S...

Today, the Spotlight shines On the acclaimed and intriguing composer, bandleader, and improviser Graham Reynolds.

The Austin-based Reynolds has composed for countless film, television, dance, and theatrical productions, serving most notably as the sonic collaborator of director Richard Linklater. He is also Artistic Director of the new music-focused non-profit Golden Hornet.

Graham joined me on the occasion of his solo release from earlier this year, Music for Prophet (Parts 1–4), on Fire Records. We discussed the benefits of having a dedicated workspace at home and the importance of balancing practical tasks with creative ones. We explored the r...

Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Satoko Fujii, an incredibly unique and prolific artist.

Satoko works at the intersection of jazz, contemporary classical, rock, and traditional Japanese music, composing for ensembles of many sizes and configurations. However, she is especially adept with the jazz orchestra format. For all of her efforts, Satoko is widely decorated as an improviser, composer, arranger, and band leader.

Satoko has released over 100 albums as leader or co-leader, at a clip of several each year. Music seems to tumble out of her.

The discussion you are about t...

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 post-punk goth band Bauhaus and, subsequently, Love and Rockets.

As if having such a luminary visiting our podcast isn’t enough, today’s talk is guest-hosted by Spotlight On producer Michael Donaldson, who filled in for me for this and another special episode we will tell you about soon.

David came by to talk about Tracks from the Attic (released on Independent Project Records), his career-spanning triple album made up of home...