Season 2, Episode 9: Michael Vatcher
PUBLIC
S2 E9

In this October 2017 conversation with Tim Daisy, Michael Vatcher reflects on the narrative elements of solo performance, moving to Amsterdam in the 1980s, and playing chess with Anthony Braxton and Misha Mengelberg. 

Note: this episode includes a discussion of suicide.

Season 2, Episode 8: Anthony Coleman
MEMBER
S2 E8

In this June 2016 conversation with Andrew Clinkman, Anthony Coleman looks back at the origins of his musical career, reminisces about Brooklyn during his postgraduate years, and discusses the importance of authenticity between personal signature and marketing.

Season 2, Episode 7: William Parker
PUBLIC
S2 E7

In this September 2016 conversation with Ken Vandermark, William Parker looks back at the beginning and formation of The New York Loft Scene, his musical journey from the 70s, 80s, 90s into the new millenium, and gives advice on proper technique vs. individuality.

Season 2, Episode 6: Paal Nilssen-Love
MEMBER
S2 E6

In this September 2015 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Paal Nilssen-Love talks about growing up in a jazz club in Stavanger, Norway, his love-hate relationship with solo playing, and developing his music by listening widely.

Season 2 Episode 5: LaDonna Smith
PUBLIC
S2 E5

In this October 2018 conversation with Andrew Clinkman, LaDonna Smith talks about experimentation as a way of carrying childhood forward, fostering a creative music community in Birmingham, Alabama, and sustaining the Trans Museq Records from 1976 to the present.

Season 2, Episode 4: Chris Corsano
MEMBER
S2 E4

In this August 2016 conversation with Tim Daisy, Chris Corsano explores his process during his solo improvisations, discusses his collaboration techniques with his fellow artists and reminisces his intern days in New York City.

Season 2, Episode 3: Luke Stewart
PUBLIC
S2 E3

In this August 2018 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Luke Stewart talks about his bass and amplifier exploration, becoming a key musical organizer in D.C and his views on social justice and artistic sustainability within our collective arts communities.

Season 2, Episode 2: Jeremiah Cymerman
MEMBER
S2 E2

In this May 2017 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Jeremiah Cymerman talks about maintaining creative momentum in New York City, the struggle inherent to the clarinet, and the inspiration he takes from interviewing musicians for The 5049 Podcast.

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Season 2, Episode 1: Helen Gillet
PUBLIC
S2 E1

In this July 2017 conversation with Tim Daisy, Helen Gillet talks about taking inspiration from languages, bridging classical, Indian, and jazz cello technique, and living in the New Orleans Musicians' Village.

Episode 23: William Winant
PUBLIC
S1 E23

In this August 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, William Winant talks about the similarities between improvised and composed music, crossing musical genres, and interpreting pieces by James Tenney and Roscoe Mitchell.

Episode 20: Pandelis Karyorgis
MEMBER
S1 E22

In this September 2015 interview with John Corbett, Pandelis Karayorgis talks about the relationship between harmony and melody in solo playing, making intentional decisions while improvising, and developing a "repertoire of don'ts."

Episode 21: Wendy Eisenberg
PUBLIC
S1 E21

In this June 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, Wendy Eisenberg talks about living and working in Western Massachusetts, reconciling playing and singing, and the negative aspects of striving for virtuosity.

Episode 20: Mat Maneri
MEMBER
S1 E20

In this February 2016 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Mat Maneri talks about his father Joe's use of microtonality and "snake time," the resilience of creative music in the face of economic obstacles, and choosing the viola as his instrument.

Episode 19: Myra Melford
PUBLIC
S1 E19

In this September 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, Myra Melford talks about taking inspiration from visual art, studying with legendary Chicago pianist Erwin Helfer, and working with improvisation conductor Butch Morris.

Episode 18: Rob Mazurek
MEMBER
S1 E18

In this April 2017 interview with Peter Margasak, Rob Mazurek talks about moving to Marfa, Texas, bridging visual art and music, and making room for failure in the creative process. This conversation was held on the occasion of Mazurek's 2017 ESS exhibitions The Shaping Light and Psychotropic Electric Eel Dreams IV.

Episode 17: Chad Taylor
PUBLIC
S1 E17

In this March 2017 interview with Tim Daisy, Chad Taylor talks about practice and performance, transitioning from classical guitar to drums, and his one lesson with mbira master Garikayi Tirikoti.

Episode 16: Ned Rothenberg
MEMBER
S1 E16

In this March 2017 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Ned Rothenberg talks about the economic forces that drive changes in music, the role of practice in improvisation, and playing with Joan La Barbara, Thomas Chapin, and John Zorn. 

Episode 15: Tashi Dorji
PUBLIC
S1 E15

In this July 2020 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Tashi Dorji talks about moving from Bhutan to the United States, the similarities between punk rock and free improvisation, and his love for Bollywood and traditional monastic music.

This interview was originally broadcast on Experimental Sound Studio's The Quarantine Concerts.

Episode 14: Ben Hall
MEMBER
S1 E14

In this August 2017 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Ben Hall talks about studying with Milford Graves and Juma Santos, the connection between his work as a chef and musician, and the liberatory power of experimentation.

Episode 13: Sylvie Courvoisier
PUBLIC
S1 E13

In this November 2015 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Sylvie Courvoisier discusses moving to New York from Switzerland in the late 1990s, the tradeoffs involved in working as a touring musician, and the challenge of finding decent pianos on tour.