This week, John and Stewart catch up with Steve Shelley, drummer extraordinaire from the alternative rock band, Sonic Youth. His extensive catalog includes drumming for the likes of The Million Dollar Bashers, Ron Asheton from the Stooges, Sun Kil Moon, and Sonic Youth's own, Thurston Moore, just to pick a few.

But Steve's musical exploits, don't stop behind the drum kit.  Steve has also founded multiple record labels including Smells Like Records where he produced and fostered the careers of notable acts such as Blonde Redhead and Cat Power.

 This week we're joined by Jacob Sciba, head engineer at the iconic Arlyn Studios in Austin, TX. Jacob has worked with great artists, including Gary Clark Jr., Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes and many more. Arlyn Studios has been a fixture and recording hub for Austin’s vibrant music community since 1984. 

This week we conclude our interview with William Wittman — a Grammy Award winning independent Producer/Engineer/Musician/Songwriter whose credits include Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, the Hooters, and The Outfield.

This week, we're back in New York City with William Wittman — a Grammy Award winning independent Producer & Engineer whose credits include the multi–platinum debuts from Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, the Hooters, and The Outfield. As a musician, he has appeared on nationally televised shows including The Late Show with David Letterman, the Rosie O’Donnell Show, CBS Late Late Show, Ellen Degeneres, the NBC Christmas Tree Lighting Special, and New Year’s Eve in Times Square.

William has also played and sang with many of the artists he has recorded and was a member of alternative rock band Too Much Joy (Giant/Discovery/Sire Records). He now plays bass guitar in the Cyndi Lauper Band, recording and touring internationally while also working as the Musical Director.

This week, our guest is Maggie Vail, Executive Director of CASH Music, a nonprofit organization focused on educating & empowering artists (and their fans) to foster a viable & sustainable future for music. Maggie has over 20 years of experience within the music industry both as a musician and an independent label executive. She was integral at preeminent indie label Kill Rock Stars, currently runs Bikini Kill Records and plays bass in Hurry Up.

CASH Music's innovative tools give musicians no-commission stores, email for download widgets, better tour listings, and more — all free, open, customizable, and available to anyone. Artists currently involved include: Run the Jewels, Neko Case, Bikini Kill, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), JD Samson (Le Tigre), Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney), Skrillex and many more.

John and Stewart are joined by Lyle Hysen, president of Rough Trade Publishing and founder of Bank Robber Music — a licensing company that helps indie bands get placed in film, TV, video games, commercials and more. Some of the current bands Lyle is working with include: The War On Drugs, Future Islands, Grizzly Bear, Black Lips, Juliana Hatfield,  Land Of Talk, M83 and countless others

Featured placements include, Durand Jones & The Indications - "Groovy Babe" used for the new Google assistant, and Mike Kroll's "La La La" featured in the Levi's 505™c Commercial. 

This week, John and Stewart are joined by Martha Mooke - an electro-acoustic violist, composer, producer and educator. She is a leading clinician on electric and progressive string playing, and has toured with Barbra Streisand, Peter Gabriel, Andrea Bocelli and Star Wars in Concert. Martha has also performed with Elton John, Trey Anastasio, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Laurie Anderson, Tony Bennett, Bon Jovi, Patti Smith, David Bowie and many more. She is currently collaborating with beatboxing legend Rahzel (formerly of The Roots) at Symphony Space in New York City. Their live performance titled "Beats per Revolution," is on May 19th. 

This week, we take a look at the acclaimed Surf's Up by The Beach Boys.  In 2004, the album was included in Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" and ranked 61 on Pitchfork Media's "The Top 100 Albums Of The 1970s". 

John and Stewart are joined by Chris Shaw, a four-time Grammy winning producer, engineer, mixer, and musician. Artists who have worked with Chris include:  Bob Dylan, Public Enemy, Wilco, A Tribe Called Quest, Run-DMC, Weezer, Sheryl Crow, Death Cab For Cutie, Lou Reed, Nada Surf, Dashboard Confessional, and Allman Brothers Band.

Fun fact, Chris has worked on six of Rolling Stones "500 greatest Records of All Time" check out the list below:

• #385 - Bob Dylan "Love And Theft"
• #302 - Public Enemy "Fear of a Black Planet"
• #299 - Weezer "The Blue Album" 
• #204 - Bob Dylan "Modern Times"
• #153 - A Tribe Called Quest "The Low End Theory"
• #48 - Public Enemy "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back"

From his early beginnings working with Tammy Wynette, to Jack White, to Chris Stapleton, Vance Powell has been in the center of the Nashville music scene for decades. The four-time Grammy winning engineer, mixer, and producer, Vance joined us as our special guest at this year's SXSW Podcast Festival. Hear about the making of "Tennessee Whiskey" by Chris Stapleton and how a minor mistake made it's way to a multi-platinum hit.