Spotlight On

Today, the Spotlight shines On John Andrew Fredrick of The Black Watch.After thirty-seven years of making indie rock, the band’s latest album, For All the World, boasts an energy and vitality that surprises even John. John’s a great guest: His creative process remains rooted in uncertainty, he reads more about music than he listens to it, he draws inspiration from everything from Dostoyevsky to David Bowie, and believes the best songwriting comes from not knowing too much about where you're headed.John talked with me about his philosophy of creative doubt, his daily ritual of playing guitar, and why staying uncertain after all these years keeps the music feeling alive.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from The Black Watch’s album For All the World)–Dig DeeperVisit The Black Watch at their Facebook pageExplore The Black Watch's discography on BandcampJohn Andrew Fredrick's author page and novels at Verse Chorus PressShimmering & Shining with The Black WatchOut of My Tree: An Interview with the Black Watch’s John Andrew FredrickPennyblackmusic: Interview with John Andrew FredrickDig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.• Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com

Today, the Spotlight shines On saxophonist and composer Ingrid Laubrock.Ingrid's just released Purposing The Air, a double album that sets 60 brief poems by Erica Hunt to music through four different vocal-instrumental duos. It's an ambitious project that transforms Hunt's emotionally sharp koans into what Ingrid calls "a library of moods”—each piece capturing a different feeling, from the everyday to the searching.The project began during Ingrid’s master's studies, when she met Hunt through a friend and immediately connected with the poet's work. What started as writing for one duo became something much larger: a collection where poems float through musical space, each tailored for specific performers, such as Fay Victor and Mariel Roberts, or Theo Bleckmann and Ben Monder.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Ingrid Laubrock’s album Purposing the Air)–Dig DeeperVisit Ingrid Laubrock at ingridlaubrock.com and follow her on Bluesky, Facebook and YouTubePurchase Purposing the Air from Pyroclastic Records, Bandcamp, or Qobuz and listen on your streaming platform of choiceDig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.• Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com

Today, the Spotlight shines on clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh.Earlier this year, Kinan released Live in Berlin, his fourteenth album with his CityBand quartet. The album captures music he wrote during Syria's 2011 uprising—pieces that carry the weight of watching your homeland torn apart from thousands of miles away. Born in Damascus and now based in Brooklyn, Kinan has spent decades crossing the world with his clarinet, performing with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, the New York Philharmonic, and countless others.What makes this release particularly powerful is its timing. As Syrians celebrate newfound freedom after years of struggle, Kinan's music—born from grief and anger—now carries notes of hope. We spoke about these deeply personal compositions and how his twenty-year collaboration with CityBand has evolved into music that encompasses classical, jazz, and Arabic influences.A technical note: Kinan joined me from Beirut, Lebanon, and although I couldn’t tell while we were recording, I later discovered that our internet connection was not always stable. There are some dropouts and garbles in this episode that we have done our best to clean up; however, even with those, we thought this conversation was worth sharing with you. I know you will agree.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from the album Live in Berlin by Kinan Azmeh and CityBand)–Dig Deeper• Artist and Album:Visit Kinan Azmeh at kinanazmeh.com and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTubePurchase Kinan Azmeh and CityBand’s Live in Berlin from Qobuz and listen on your streaming platform of choiceKinan Azmeh: Berlin and Beyond• Dig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.• Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com

Today, the Spotlight shines On guitarist and composer Tal Yahalom.Tal has built a reputation in New York's creative music scene for weaving post-bop, classical, and South American influences into a unique sound all his own. On his latest album, Mirror Image, Tal brings together a chamber quintet that puts his guitar in conversation with strings, woodwinds, and percussion, creating music that shifts between meditative reflection and striking exploration.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Tal Yahalom’s album Mirror Image)–Dig DeeperVisit Tal Yahalom at talyahalom.com and follow him on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and SoundCloudTal Yahalom’s Mirror Image is out now on Adhyâropa Records. Purchase the album from Bandcamp or Qobuz and listen on your streaming platform of choice.Tal Yahalom Quintet - "Tri-Tonal" (Live at The Jazz Gallery)KADAWA (Tal’s ‘post-rock’ trio)Dig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.• Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com

Today, the Spotlight shines On Claire Cope. This British composer crafts music that combines the freedom of jazz with the precision of classical music, drawing inspiration from women whose stories are often overlooked in history books.Caire’s new album Every Journey dropped in March to coincide with International Women's Day. On it, she expanded her original septet to an 11-piece band, giving her more colors to paint with as she tells stories of female explorers and their brave first steps.Claire’s writing has been described as “beautiful and reflective,” earning praise for how she creates space for each musician to shine within these rich musical landscapes.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Ensemble C’s album Every Journey)–Dig Deeper• Visit Claire Cope's official website at clairecopemusic.com• Listen to Claire Cope's Ensemble C on Bandcamp, Qobuz, and your streaming platform of choice• Claire's new album Every Journey was released on March 7, 2025 via Adhyâropa Records• Listen to Michael Brecker's "Wide Angles" album that influenced Claire's approach to ensemble composition• Follow vocalist Brigitte Beraha, a key collaborator in Ensemble C• Listen to tenor saxophonist Matt Carmichael's "Dancing with Embers" album that Claire recommends• Explore composer Mark-Anthony Turnage's "Blood on the Floor", which combines classical and jazz elements• Dig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.• Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com

Today, the Spotlight shines On Mike Scott, founder of The Waterboys.In 2014, Mike stumbled upon Dennis Hopper’s photography in a London gallery and fell into a rabbit hole that led to Life, Death and Dennis Hopper, a bold concept album that tells the story of the Easy Rider star from childhood to beyond the grave. It's a sonic movie with guest turns from Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple, and Steve Earle that chronicles not just Hopper's journey but the cultural shifts he witnessed and helped create.This marks a new peak in Mike's ever-changing four-decade career with The Waterboys, from their ‘Big Music’ beginnings to Celtic folk explorations and genre-blending surprises to come.(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from The Waterboys’ album Life, Death and Dennis Hopper)–Dig DeeperVisit Mike Scott and The Waterboys at mikescottwaterboys.comPurchase The Waterboys’ Life, Death and Dennis Hopper from Sun Records or Qobuz and listen on your streaming platform of choiceFollow The Waterboys on Patreon, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTubeDennis Hopper's Lost Album: life both sides of the lensThe Last Movie: Dennis Hopper’s Curiously Frustrating ExperimentDig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.• Be sure to bookmark our online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com

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 his online community of followers.His previous books include Kissa by Kissa, which explores Japan's old cafe culture, and he reaches some 40,000 readers through his newsletters on photography, literature, and walking. Craig's work sits at a perfect intersection of deep attention and wandering feet.–Dig DeeperVisit Craig Mod at craigmod.comPurchase Things Become Other Things from Bookshop.org, Powell’s Books, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or Apple BooksCheck out Craig’s self-published books on his online store and learn more about his Special Projects membershipCraig Mod - The 'Rules' of WalkingThings Become Other Things (fine art edition)Dig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.• Be sure to bookmark our online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com

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 major American museum, and how she uses emerging technologies to address political and environmental issues.–Dig DeeperVisit Tamiko Thiel at tamikothiel.comFollow Tamiko Thiel on Bluesky, Instagram, and LinkedInBeyond ManzanarBeyond Manzanar (demo)Starbright – VR Playscape For Hospitalized KidsZara HoushmandJapanese Americans at Manzanar“Moving a Body through Space”: An Interview with Tamiko ThielAI Causes Real Harm. Let’s Focus on That over the End-of-Humanity HypeDig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.• Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com

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 his post-Apple computer, the NeXTcube.In part one, Tamiko shares her journey from Stanford engineer to acclaimed artist, and how her Japanese-American roots shape her work exploring identity, place, and space. Part two drops next week.–Dig DeeperVisit Tamiko Thiel at tamikothiel.comFollow Tamiko Thiel on Bluesky, Instagram, and LinkedInDanny Hillis, Richard Feynman, Tamiko Thiel & Colleagues Design the Connection MachineThe Female Supercomputer Designer Who Inspired Steve JobsCM-1/CM-2 "Feynman" T-shirtsDig into this episode's complete show notes at spotlightonpodcast.com–• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate Spotlight On ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of Spotlight On in your podcast app of choice.• Looking for more? Visit spotlightonpodcast.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Spotlight On email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.• Be sure to bookmark our new online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com