The Track Star Podcast

This week on Track Star* Jack is joined by comedian, actor, and producer, John Leguizamo to cover some iconic Latin artists and discuss how Latin music speaks for and resonates with populations around the world.  Along the way, John and Jack consider how Bad Bunny became the #1 artist in the world, how salsa in the 70s created a space for Latin people in New York, and the cultural significance of the breakthrough by Latin artists in the past few years.  John takes us on a brief and powerful journey through a slice of the history of Latin music, with many dance breaks to accompany.  This Episode's Track List:  EoO - Bad Bunny La Freak - Paloma Mami & Rauw Alejandro The Message - Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five El Cantante - Héctor Lavoe  Despídase bien - Carin León  Get Up (I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine) - James Brown

Finneas O’Connell joins The Track Star Podcast to explore some of the most fascinating and unconventional production choices behind iconic songs and compositions. Armed with five song picks each, Finneas and Jack take turns sharing tracks that span everything from film scores to classic records. Along the way, they break down the creative techniques that make each piece unique, uncovering what it really takes to push boundaries and create something unforgettable. From the role inspiration plays in shaping a song to the ways production itself can become a form of storytelling, Finneas offers a rare look inside the creative process. Together, they examine how bold decisions, unexpected sounds, and meticulous details can transform a great idea into a lasting piece of music. This Episode’s Tracklist: 00:00 - Intro ​​01:16 - Money - Pink Floyd 06:28 - Ms. Jackson - Outkast 09:02 - Nikes - Frank Ocean 12:25 - Aloha! (Main Title Theme) - Cristobal Tapia De Veer 14:35 - Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes 16:52 - Blue Jay Way - The Beatles 19:53 - L’AMOUR DE MA VIE - Billie Eilish 24:14 - O Green World - Gorillaz 28:30 - Supermarine - Hans Zimmer 34:29 - The Mandalorian - Ludwig Göransson 39:38 - Vicious Thoughts - Finneas O’Connell

Today on Track Star*, Jack is joined by Glen Hansard, the acclaimed singer-songwriter, musician, and actor known for his work as a founding member of the band the Frames, as well as his prolific solo musical and acting careers.  ​In this episode, we take a musical journey through his multi-dimensional career, discussing the songs that defined his artistic development from busking on the streets of Dublin to starring in an award-winning movie to working with artists like Eddie Vedder and Bob Dylan.  ​Glen and Jack discuss good people and good music, and the power they have to change lives.  This Episode's Tracklist:  Jokerman - Bob Dylan Down Payment Blues - AC/DC Rise - Eddie Vedder Same Old Blues - Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band The Makings of You - Curtis Mayfield Disconnection Notice - Sonic Youth Thru and Thru - The Rolling Stones

Today on the Track Star Podcast, Jack is joined by Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy for a conversation about everything from touching grass to the pursuit of happiness, discussing how community engagement and human connection have the power to uplift and heal.  With a carefully curated playlist, Jack walks Senator Murphy through different times and different lives, and facilitates a conversation about how consumerism and globalization have contributed to a cultural disconnect.  Today’s episode shows how music can lead to important discussions, as Senator Murphy explains how genuine connection is the most important thing in society today.  This Episode’s Tracklist:  00:00 - Intro 00:50 - Your Body Is a Wonderland - John Mayer  06:27 - End of the Road - Boyz II Men 11:01 - Rich Men North of Richmond - Oliver Anthony 16:18 - The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby and the Range 25:16 - Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers 34:36 - Could It Be Another Change - The Samples 34:56 - Carry On - The Samples

This week on the Track Star Podcast, Jack is joined by six-time Grammy-winning drummer and record producer Questlove. The genre-defining drummer and co-founder and co-frontman of The Roots as well as an acclaimed director and filmmaker, is the director and producer of the new documentary: Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's the Weight of the World).  In this episode, Jack and Questlove dive into the songs that have deeply influenced Questlove’s musical upbringing and modern-day career. He reflects on his journey and discusses his lifelong connection to Earth, Wind & Fire and the documentary.  This Episode’s Track List:  00:00 - Intro  00:45 - September - Earth, Wind & Fire 8:06 - That’s The Way of The World - Earth, Wind & Fire 18:46 - Wade In The Water - Ramsey Lewis 21:15 - Smokestack Lightning - Howlin’ Wolf 27:10 - Spinning Wheel - Blood, Sweat & Tears 32:14 - Kalimba Story - Earth, Wind & Fire 37:38 - Can You Get To That - Funkadelic  42:17 - Shining Star - Earth, Wind & Fire 48:54 - Boogie Wonderland - Earth, Wind & Fire 49:06 - Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire

This week on the Track Star Podcast, we’re joined by Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, and musician Andrew Watt, one of the defining hitmakers in modern music. From pop stars to rock legends, Andrew has worked with some of the biggest artists in the world, including Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Ozzy Osbourne, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga. In this episode, Jack plays through a list of songs Andrew has helped create, many of which became chart-topping hits. Andrew reflects on his journey from producing pop records to collaborating with some of rock music’s most iconic artists, and shares his philosophy on creating the right environment for artists to do their best work. From building trust in the studio to understanding what truly makes a great record, this conversation offers a rare look into the mindset and process behind some of today’s biggest songs. This Episode’s Tracklist: 00:00 - Intro 00:23 - Rough And Twisted - Rolling Stones 6:22 - Señorita - Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes 10:08 - Gabriela - KATSEYE 14:05 - Die With A Smile - Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars 16:48 - Days We Left Behind - Paul McCartney 22:06 - Peaches - Justin Bieber (ft. Daniel Caesar, GIVEON) 26:10 - Take What You Want - Post Malone (ft. Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott) 31:01 - RUNWAY - Lady Gaga, Doechii

On this episode of Track Star*, we're joined by Ben Gibbard and Dave Depper of Death Cab for Cutie. Known for their thoughtful songwriting and influence on indie rock, the two bring decades of musical curiosity to a conversation filled with the records and artists that have stayed with them over the years. Ben, Dave, and Jack dive into the songs that helped shape their tastes, from alt rock, indie pop, post-punk, and emo classics. From the The Cure and New Order to favorites like Built to Spill, Rilo Kiley, and Sunny Day Real Estate, they reflect on inspiration . This episode is packed with great stories and plenty of insights from the guys of Death Cab for Cutie. This Episode's Tracklist: In Between Days - The Cure Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town - Pearl Jam Heart Cooks Brain - Modest Mouse Such Great Heights - The Postal Service Portions For Foxes - Rilo Kiley Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order In Circles - Sunny Day Real Estate Carry The Zero - Built To Spill Strange Powers - The Magnetic Fields What You Do To Me - Teenage Fanclub Falling And Laughing - Orange Juice

This week on the Track Star Podcast, we’re joined by New York Times music reporters Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli following the publication of the NYT’s “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters.” As the hosts of the popular music podcast “Popcast,” Jon and Joe are no strangers to passionate debate. Their work often explores contemporary music through both a critical and historical lens, helping listeners make sense of today’s artists in the broader context of popular music. Although we only have time to dive into a handful of names from the list, Jon and Joe unpack the thinking behind their selections, discuss the challenges of being music critics and reporters in the modern media landscape, and share what continues to inspire their curiosity about music far beyond their own tastes and expertise. This Episode’s Tracklist: 00:00 - Intro 1:03 - This Is What You Came For - Calvin Harris, Rihanna 10:26 - Digits - Young Thug 18:47 - I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith 27:19 - The Book of Love - The Magnetic Fields 32:23 - Obsesión - Aventura, Judy Santos 47:29 - The Rising - Bruce Springsteen

Comedian, actor, and musician Eric André joins Jack for a conversation packed with punk legends, underground hip-hop, and some amazing music stories and further proves his musical knowledge runs just as deep as his comedy. A lifelong musician who started on piano at age five before moving through tuba, cello, and upright bass, Jack and André trace the artists, records, and experiences that shaped his taste and ultimately led to his own music project, BLARF, which released a new album this year. They chat Death Grips, and him being the only person ever to witness a rehearsal of theirs, the chaos and influence of Butthole Surfers, and the importance of Frank Zappa especially as someone who attended Berklee College of Music. This Episode's Track List: All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie Giant Steps - John Coltrane Poppin' My Collar (feat. Project Pat) - Three 6 Mafia Get Got - Death Grips I - Bad Brains I'm The Slime - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention Pepper - Butthole Surfers Black Satin - Miles Davis War Over Land - JPEGMAFIA All Caps - Madvillain War - Edwin Starr

This week on the Track Star Podcast, we're joined by blues legend Taj Mahal. He spent over six decades expanding what the blues can be, weaving in Caribbean rhythms, folk, soul, and world music along the way. We got to discuss the artists and traditions that shaped both his career and the genre itself. This playlist spans from Elvis Presley to Harry Belafonte to Miriam Makeba, and Taj Mahal has a story for every single one. He traces where this music comes from and connects the dots across Delta blues, jazz, Caribbean folk, South African rhythms, and Saharan guitar. He shares how he discovered his favorite song growing up listening to his neighbor play John Lee Hooker on the porch, his deep love of bassists like Charles Mingus and Oscar Pettiford, the trip he took just to hear Ry Cooder play the 12-string guitar. We also talk about some of the standards he introduced and the most meaningful projects he worked on. This Episode’s Track List: 00:00 - Intro 00:23 - Mystery Train - Elvis Presley 00:40 - That's All Right - Elvis Presley 1:44 - Boogie Chillen - John Lee Hooker 3:15 - Better Git It in Your Soul - Charles Mingus 4:33 - Day-O (Banana Boat Song) - Harry Belafonte 5:25 - Blind Willie McTell - Statesboro Blues 10:44 - Boomer's Story - Ry Cooder 13:36 - Matilda - King Radio 15:35 - Freight Train - Elizabeth Cotten 16:50 - Mbube - Miriam Makeba 17:13 - Mbube - Solomon Linda 18:02 - The Boy in the Bubble - Paul Simon 19:21 - Tamiditine - Bombino

Today, the always iconic Shania Twain is putting her music knowledge to the test. We met Shania on the streets of New York City and had a great conversation about country music, pop icons, the recording process, and her first big hit, "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" Showcasing her broad music knowledge, Shania shared stories about Carole King, Def Leppard, Tanya Tucker, Minnie Riperton, The Carpenters, and Mutt Lange.

This week on the Track Star Podcast, Ziggy Marley joins us to talk about his passion for reggae, the musical inspirations that shaped him, and the legacy he carries as part of reggae’s most influential family. Jack guides Ziggy through a conversation about the genre’s legends, and together they explore some of the artists who helped define reggae from its earliest days. The discussion begins with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, who, alongside Bob Marley, formed The Wailers in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1963. From those Jamaican roots, the conversation travels through time to other pivotal voices in the genre, including Toots Hibbert and Burning Spear. Along the way, Ziggy reflects on the powerful role community played in shaping reggae and driving its message from the very beginning. The episode also turns to Ziggy’s work as a producer on the biopic Bob Marley: One Love, which tells the story of his father’s life and legacy. Jack and Ziggy discuss the unique power of music in film, highlighting figures like Jimmy Cliff, who starred in one of the first Jamaican feature films to introduce reggae music to a global audience. This Episode’s Tracklist: 00:00 - Intro 00:30 - Simmer Down - Bob Marley & The Wailers 3:08 - The Tide is High - The Paragons 3:38 - The Tide is High - Blondie 5:45 - Marcus Garvey - Burning Spear 11:10 - Equal Rights - Peter Tosh 14:06 - Pressure Drop - Toots & The Maytals 17:35 - Tomorrow People- Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers 18:48 - Genius Love - Tom Tom Club 20:35 - The Boy’s Doin’ It - Hugh Masekela 21:47 - Here Comes the Hotstepper - iNi Kamoze 24:45 - Racism Is A Killa - Ziggy Marley 27:57 - No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley & The Wailers 32:24 - The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff

You may know Kareem Rahma from Subway Takes, Keep The Meter Running, or his band Tiny Gun, but today he joins Jack for a wild conversation full of hilarious tangents and Minnesota singer-songwriters. In this episode Jack and Kareem rock out to some iconic bands including blink-182, The Replacements, The Strokes, Semisonic, and many more. Other topics include the Minnesota State Fair, avoiding obscene music rights costs, and debating whether “cool” bands still exist. You’ll definitely want to tune in to this one. This Episode’s Tracklist: The Strokes - Hard to Explain Blink-182 - All the Small Things Third Eye Blind - Semi-Charmed Life The Replacements - I Will Dare Beck - Loser Semisonic - Closing Time Soul Asylum - Runaway Train Hüsker Dü - Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely 4 Non Blondes - What's Up?

On today’s episode of the Track Star podcast, we’re celebrating the centennial of Miles Davis with three musicians who share personal connections to the legendary bandleader. First, we’re joined by Erin Davis, Miles’ youngest son, who had a firsthand look into his life as a musician, including the year he toured with his father as a percussionist in 1990. Next is Vince Wilburn Jr., Miles’ nephew, who carries forward the musical legacy of the Davis estate and also joined his uncle on stage in the 1980s. Finally, we welcome one of the greatest bassists in jazz history, Ron Carter. A three-time Grammy Award winner and widely recognized as the most recorded jazz bassist of all time--Carter performed with Miles in the legendary Second Great Quintet from 1963 to 1968. Together, they guide us through different stages of Miles’ career by discussing several of his most iconic recordings. Carter also reflects on his personal experience performing with Miles and building his own path as a bassist. He describes how, for many years, bass players were kept “behind the palm trees,” treated mainly as timekeepers rather than creative voices, and how it took decades for the instrument to gain broader recognition as a true artistic force in jazz ensembles. This episode offers a deeply personal look at the relationships, memories, and musical bonds these artists carry with them. We’re excited for you to hear it. This Episode’s Tracklist: 00:00 - Intro 1:12 - Now’s The Time (Recorded 1945) - Charlie Parker 5:17 - Boplicity (Recorded 1949) - Miles Davis 13:55 - ‘Round Midnight (Live 1955) - Miles Davis (Ft. Thelonious Monk, Zoot Sims, Gerry Mulligan, Percy Heath & Connie Kay) 21:15 - Autumn Leaves (Recorded 1963) - Miles Davis 33:44 - Footprints (1967) - Miles Davis 35:03 - Nefertiti (1968) - Miles Davis 39:20 - Bitches Brew (1970) - Miles Davis (Ft. Wayne Shorter, Bennie Maupin, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Dave Holan & Harvey Brooks)

On this episode of Track Star* we're joined by rock legends Foo Fighters. Known for their anthemic sound and larger-than-life energy, they bring us through some incredible stories, touching on the songs and artists that shaped them — from punk pioneers to alternative icons that laid the groundwork for their own explosive career. The band dives deep into the records that defined their taste, spanning decades of rock history from The Clash and Van Halen to Sonic Youth and Minor Threat. This episode is packed with passionate breakdowns, surprising deep cuts, and the kind of genuine enthusiasm that only comes from musicians who have spent their whole lives living and breathing this music. Expect plenty of laughs, big opinions, and an all-around great time. This Episode's Tracklist: London Calling - The Clash Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - Van Halen Straight Edge - Minor Threat Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've?) - Buzzcocks Linoleum - NOFX Honey Bucket - Melvins Banging the Drum - Scream Teen Age Riot - Sonic Youth Who Are You - Void Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) - Harry Belafonte Surrender - Cheap Trick For Want Of - Rites of Spring Freight Train - Elizabeth Cotten This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies How Fortunate the Man With None - Dead Can Dance 11th Street Kidzz - Hanoi Rocks

The legendary rock duo The Black Keys blew the roof off our New York studio. These guys have been playing together for over a quarter century, and it shows. The 5-time Grammy winners are back with a new album that nods to their blues roots and reimagines some under-appreciated tracks—and it all started as a casual jam session. You don't want to miss it. Tracklist: You Got To Lose Where There's Smoke, There's Fire  She Does It Right  Who's Been Foolin' You