PODCAST · music
Ensnared
by Sam Wolff
Ensnared is a weekly live radio show, podcast, and music platform hosted by musician and comedian Sam Wolff on Radio Free Brooklyn. The show sits at the intersection of conversation and discovery, featuring interviews with musicians, producers, comedians, and artists alongside a carefully curated mix of underground hip hop, indie rock, soul, jazz, electronic music, and beyond. Beyond the studio, Ensnared expands into live tapings, performances, and curated showcases that bring the conversations into real spaces. By highlighting the people, records, and communities shaping independent music, Ensnared captures the energy of a living scene and invites listeners into the world behind the songs.
Episodes
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EP184: Strange Lot
We have Dominic Manna of Austin psych band Strange Lot in the studio for this one. Dominic talks about the band’s self titled album Strange Lot, nearly calling it quits, and finding a new direction through late night demos and working with Alex Maas of The Black Angels. We get into the making of...
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EP183: Outer Shapes
We have Outer Shapes in the studio for this one. Laura and C talk about how a two person band became a fully built creative world, from the way they shape their sound around elements like fire and water to the visual language of masks, costumes, comics, CRT videos, and character driven...
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Ensnared Live! EP182: Mister Neth & Fox Frazier at For the Record
Ensnared Live! at For the Record with Mister Neth and Fox Frazier. This was the first ever live recording of Ensnared, filmed in front of a live audience at For the Record BK in Greenpoint. Mister Neth and Fox Frazier joined us for a night of conversations, music, performances, and whatever else...
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EP181: Improvement Movement
We have Atlanta band Improvement Movement in this one. Recorded while the band was on tour, we get into how its members crossed paths through Atlanta’s DIY scene, local shows, shared connections, and eventually decided to make a band together. We talk about the making of their new album, Your...
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EP180: Josh Klinghoffer PT2
Special bonus episode! We have Josh Klinghoffer back in the studio for this one. We get further into his approach to recording, performing, collaboration, and figuring out what actually matters when you’ve spent most of your life making music. Josh talks about his work on A Drop In The Ocean and...
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EP179: Julian Hewitt & Carlos Cruz
We're joined by NYC comedians Julian Hewitt and Carlos Cruz in this one. A lively conversation about magic, stage fright, and the creative pressure behind comedy. The guys discuss performance, storytelling, bombing, self-editing, hypnosis, and the challenge of staying original while building a...
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EP178: Navel Grazr
We're joined with Anjali of Naval Grazer in this one. We talk about the band’s disco-punk-pop sound, her musical journey from Carnatic vocal training to Brooklyn’s DIY scene, and the creative partnership that shaped the project. The conversation explores songwriting, collaboration, burnout with...
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EP177: April Sickler
We're joined by NYC comedian April Sickler in this one. We talk about unemployment, brainrot Instagram posts, tattoos, comedy bits we’ve been working on, and April’s love for water animals, which she seems to take very seriously. We also get into the the various thoughts that make it onto…
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EP176: D'LOURDES
We have D’LOURDES is back in the studio in this one. We talk about intentionally building a brand around your art, figuring out how much of yourself to put into the business side of being a musician, and making sure that process doesn’t start taking over the reason you create in the first place.…
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EP175: Nico Davis
We're joined by singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Nico Davis in this one. We talk about his musical journey and the sound he’s built across funk, indie pop and alternative R&B. We get into his approach to production, pulling from different influences and creating music that feels...
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EP174: Piatt Pund
We have Piatt Pund live in the studio in this one. He talks about his background in jazz, his latest single “SQUEEZE,” and the inspiration behind its brass fueled rock and roll fever dream. We also talk about his sophomore album IDK, his recent show at Arlene’s Grocery, and his friend Sam, who...
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EP173: Meital
We sit down with singer and actor Metial in this one. We talk about her brand new single “The Journey,” out Friday 8/14, ahead of her debut EP Almost Something arriving 8/21. She talks about her love for music at a young age and how how it first drew her into musical theater, balancing work while...
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EP172: Lexee Kanaghinis (LXE)
We have Lexee Kanaghinis, also known as LXE, joins from Melbourne in this one. A singer, actor, and dancer since age four, she’s also a multi-instrumentalist moving between piano, clarinet, guitar, and ukulele, with a strong theatrical presence that carries into her music. We talk about her new...
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EP171: Emilio Cuesta (QUESTA)
We sit down with Emilio Cuesta (QUESTA) live in the studio in this one. Emilio talks through his acting pursuits, what he’s been building creatively, and how those worlds intersect with his latest music. We get into his recent journey with sobriety and how it’s reshaped not just his life but the...
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EP170: Kate Neckel
We have artist and musician Kate Neckel in the studio in this one. The convo gets into her starting to write and record music alone in her bedroom and building a sound that feels raw and personal. We touch on her visual art and the similarities between working with a visual canvas and recording...
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EP169: Chris Eichlin (Tea Leaf Collective)
We have Chris Eichlin of Tea Leaf Collective in the studio in this one. We get into building a real music community in New York, how Tea Leaf has grown, booking shows, and why collaboration and referrals actually matter when you’re trying to make something last. The conversation drifts in the…
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EP168: Arlo Indigo
We have musician Arlo Indigo in the studio. Stick around for the end for an exclusive live performance from his new album "Normalized Cringe," out now. We get into his early days playing in a successful high school band out in Alaska, making the move to Portland at 21, and what that shift did for...
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EP167: Josh Klinghoffer Interview
We have Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Josh Klinghoffer in the studio in this one. The music legend started his professional career in the 90's at the age of 17 for The Bicycle Thief, played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and now currently with Pearl Jam. We talk about his early career and how he got...
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EP166: D'lourdes, Janna Jamison, Franny Menace
We have local NYC artists D'lourdes, Janna Jamison, and Franny Menace in the studio in this one. Our first full house episode, the three musicians pull up to chat about their upcoming show at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on 6/28, and how this bill came together through the NYC music scene and the...
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EP165: punk-ish w/ Hanna Hecht Hang Out
We have Hanna Hecht, host of punk-ish radio, live in the studio in this one. Hanna joins Sam to catch up the best way they know how - live on air. This is the most highly anticipated, the most long-awaited broadcast of 2026. Enjoy foolery, silliness, and beautiful banter.
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EP164: Navita Interview
We have Jacqui from Navita in the studio for this one. Stay for the end of the episode for an exclusive performance live in studio! She shares the story behind their new single Lima-shaped pool and the leap it took to get there. Jacqui discusses walking away from a career in fashion to fully…
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EP163: Deer Tick Interview
We have Deer Tick’s John McCauley and Dennis Ryan in the studio for this one. They share their creative process and the journey behind their new album Coin-O-Matic. They discuss building their home studio and how recording outside a traditional setting shaped their approach to songwriting and...
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EP162: Hero Magnus
We have Hiro Magnus in the studio for this one. She shares her creative process and the journey behind her debut album "How Do You Leave a Warm Dark Place." She discusses her eclectic background, rooted in punk and singer-songwriter music, and how it shaped her approach to songwriting and...
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EP161: Kramer/Michael Minzer Interview
We drop into a deep cut from a recent interview with Kramer (Shimmy-Disc) and Michael Minzer (Paris Records) in this one. We talk about how Kramer’s work with Gregory Corso, Ginsburg, and others shaped a unique world of sound and words. Their stories reveal how sound manipulation, past…
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EP160: No Stupid Questions
We have Brian Cropp and Jake Baynum from No Stupid Questions in the studio in this one. This local indie rock band is making waves in the city with their upcoming show at Brooklyn Bowl 4/28. We get into how the guys met post-pandemic, their transition from a cover band, and how their recording...
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EP159: Jason Balla (Accessory, Dehd)
We sit down with Jason Balla of Accessory and Dehd in this one. He shares his journey from emo bands to solo experimentation. Discover how DIY scenes and raw musicianship shape his sound, and get insights into Accessory's upcoming album Dust out 4/17. This episode explores vulnerability,...
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EP158: Aditya Mayya Hangs
We sit down with comedian Aditya Mayya in the studio for this one. A longtime friend and keyboardist for ALICE ELLIOT, Aditya dives into the development of his one man show centered around suicide, a personal project that balances weight with humor. We get into his writing process and just how...
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EP157: Shy PIt Interview
We sit down with Shy Pit for this one. The project of Mikey Hassick, Shy Pit returns to the show ahead of the upcoming album Blesser, continuing to build on the project’s sound and direction. We talk about the new record, how it’s coming together, and what’s been going into this next phase. We…
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EP156: Syd Taylor Interview
We sit down with Syd Taylor in this one. The LA-based artist and former Stereo Jane member is stepping into her own with her debut solo album After the Fact, a fully self-produced project that marks a new chapter. We get into breaking out on her own, trusting her instincts, and the process behind...
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EP155: Lucas Deysine Hangs
We sit down with Lucas Deysine in this one. The owner of For The Record, a coffee shop and vinyl record store on Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, shares his journey from the hospitality world into building a space that blends expertly roasted coffee with a curated collection of vinyl,...
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EP154: DIRT
We sit down with Ethan Silver in this one. The DIRT bandmate shares his demo process, how it feels to play live shows, and the journey that led to our latest release, Severed. He also gives a sneak preview of our upcoming singles “Friend” and “Down with the Sunshine,” offering insight into our...
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EP153: Homescreen Interview
We sit down with good friend Spencer Brigman-Cáceres in this one. The bassist from the band Homescreen shares his musical background, how we first met, and the journey that led him to creating his latest work. He also gives a sneak preview of his newest demo straight from his studio, offering...
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EP152: NTHNL - "What Kind of World is This?"
We sit down with Jacob Rudin again, also known as NTHNL, in this one. The artist behind What Kind of World Is This? joins us before his month-long, nonstop U.S. tour supporting the record. I caught his show album release show at Night Club 101 and we dive into the deeper questions driving the…
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EP151: bandNada
We sit down with Kasey Porter and Jon Daly of bandNada in this one. bandNada.com is a creative music organization that brings musicians and fans together by helping local artists find shows, post events, and connect with audiences. We talk about how they started the organization out of a love for...
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EP150: We Made It
It’s episode 150 and I’m flying solo in this one. A milestone moment calls for a stacked playlist and some reflection, weaving together tracks like “Control” by postergirl, “Moussas Finest” by Athletic Progression, “Squeeze” by Jake Amy featuring Erica Tucceri, “Light My Fire Again” by Reti, “Be...
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EP149: Phoebe Rings
We sit down with Phoebe Rings in this one. Crystal Choi and Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent from the Auckland-born dream-pop collective joins us to talk about their creative process, the meaning behind their new album, Aseurai, and what it was like hitting the road last year during their international...
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EP148: Gus Wolff
We sit down with my brother Gus Wolff in this one. We talk about the early days when we wanted to start a podcast together while he was living in NYC and Gus' latest favorite music. He breaks down his Spotify Top 5, featuring tracks like “I Want You Fever” by Momma, “Dog Days” by Dehd, and “The...
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EP146: Mothé Interview
We sit down with Mothé in this one. The Los Angeles–based indie pop artist, known for their genre-blending sound and dynamic live shows, reflects on their creative process and the energy of touring last year on the Total Popstar Tour, where they played venues across the U.S. and brought new music...
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EP145: Chris Kulesza Hangs Out
We sit down with my good friend Chris Kulesza in this one. On a sunny Saturday, we catch up about everything from him attending the No Kings protest on 7th Ave to somehow ending up doing college radio without me. We also get into discovering a new club called Refuge, the energy of the city right...
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EP144: Bryant Denton
We sit down with Bryant Denton in this one. The host of Life Support on Radio Free Brooklyn joins us for a lively conversation about his house music days, unforgettable concert stories, and the love of karaoke nights.
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EP142: Jonah Bobo 'Charm School' Interview
We sit down with Jonah Bobo in this one. The New York–born musician and former child actor turned multi‑instrumentalist shares the inspiration and stories behind his 2025 album Charm School, a genre‑spanning collection he produced, arranged, and performed himself. Tune in for a candid…
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EP143: Mister Neth (Ken O'Rourke)
We sit down with Mister Neth in this one. Brooklyn‑based musician and multi‑instrumentalist Ken O’Rourke, who performs under his Mister Neth moniker, talks about his latest project, Talkin’ With Toby EP, sharing the creative spirit behind the songs and how he crafts his sound from start to…
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EP141: Tee Templeton Interview
We sit down with Tee Templeton in this one. The veteran songwriter from Starkville, Mississippi, shares the journey behind his debut album, Diner of Doubt, and his latest album from last year. Tune in for stories behind the songs, his creative process, and what it’s like to finally share decades…
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EP140: Ava Maybee Interview
Get an inside look at the creative world of Ava Maybee in this one. We dive deep into their newest release, Orange Drive – EP, exploring the inspiration behind each track, the songwriting process, and the stories that shaped this vibrant project. Tune in for candid conversation, behind-the-scenes...
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EP139: Dog Sitting
Broadcasting while dog sitting in this one. This episode leans into restless, jagged energy and left-of-center textures. I spin new cuts from Etienne Machine, Neighbourly, Buddy Wynkoop, Water Machine, The Phlegms, SENTRIES, and Ditz, alongside sharp, punchy tracks from Charm School and Peel…
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EP138: Vince Urbanowski Hangs
Vince Urbanowski returns to the show in this one. We catch up on what he’s been building since his last appearance and dive into his new collaborative project with Jonah Bobo under the name Jon Von. We talk about how the partnership formed, what sparked their creative chemistry, and the making of...
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EP137: PROM
We sit down with PROM and their new album "Iris" in this one. We have Tatiana Hazel, Dylan McBrayer, and Robbie Kuesel in the studio for a deep dive into the band’s origin story, creative chemistry, and what’s driving their sound right now. From how the project first came together to the way they...
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EP136: Mamalarky
Mamalarky, an indie rock band formed in Austin, stopped by the studio for a deep dive and a few laughs in this one. Livvy Bennett (vocals/guitar), Dylan Hill (drums), and Michael Hunter (keys) join to talk about how they met Noor Khan (bass) in LA, their new album Hex Key, and how they craft…
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EP135: Eyes Forward
Eyes forward as we tune into what’s next and what’s pushing sound forward in this one. In this episode we dive into “Found a Light (Beale Street),” the powerful new collab between BADBADNOTGOOD and Memphis based artist V.C.R. We unpack the track’s rich Beale Street influence, V.C.R’s cinematic…
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EP134: D.K Lyons
Sat down with D.K. Lyons to talk about how he got started in music and what’s been driving his creative path in this one. We dive into the artists who shaped his sound, the evolution of his songwriting, and the story behind his newest release, loveseeking, a track he spent over 100 hours crafting...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Ensnared is a weekly live radio show, podcast, and music platform hosted by musician and comedian Sam Wolff on Radio Free Brooklyn.
The show sits at the intersection of conversation and discovery, featuring interviews with musicians, producers, comedians, and artists alongside a carefully curated mix of underground hip hop, indie rock, soul, jazz, electronic music, and beyond.
Beyond the studio, Ensnared expands into live tapings, performances, and curated showcases that bring the conversations into real spaces. By highlighting the people, records, and communities shaping independent music, Ensnared captures the energy of a living scene and invites listeners into the world behind the songs.
HOSTED BY
Sam Wolff
CATEGORIES
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