The Track Star Podcast

Lenny Kaye is an icon of the punk rock scene. As a member of the Patti Smith Group, as well as in his work as a solo artist and rock critic, Kaye joins us today on Track Star* to listen to a few songs and break down some important Punk history.

Beginning with a discussion of the songs and movements that influenced Kaye himself as a child, the conversation soon shifts to a broader discussion of what defined the punk scene and mindset, and how that developed over time.

Kaye joins us today for an invaluable, first-person perspective on the New York punk movement of the late 70s, interrupted only occasionally by singing and dancing.

This Episode's Track List:

Gloria - The Cadillacs

Never Let You Go - The Five Discs

Johnny Too Bad - The Slickers

Know Your Rights - The Clash

The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) - Grateful Dead

Sonic Reducer - Dead Boys

White Wedding - Billy Idol

Today on Track Star* we are joined by legendary singer, songwriter, and producer Swamp Dogg to cover some of the songs that defined his career and discuss the complicated and somewhat blurred relationship between country and R&B.

Swamp Dogg takes some time today to break down a few classic country and R&B songs, giving us an insider perspective on the hit-making process and a unique view of the people behind the iconic songs.

Between the songs and the stories, Swamp Dogg gives an important analysis of Country and R&B and the similarities and differences between the two.

This Episode's Track List:

Cry to Me - Solomon Burke

She’s All I Got - Johnny Paycheck

She’s All I Got - Freddie North

In the Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett

Please Don’t Bury Me - John Prine

Quarter to Three - Gary U.S. Bonds

You Ain’t Woman Enough - Loretta Lynn

Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd

He’s Sure the Boy I Love - The Crystals

Acid Tongue - Jenny Lewis

Searching For Heaven - Swamp Dogg

Today on the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS to talk about rock and roll songwriting, the New York City music scene, and what it really takes to make a song, or a band, truly great.

With a collection of songs spanning American and English rock, punk, Motown, and more, Paul and Gene share their thoughts on how different artists and movements engage with the craft of songwriting and balance the art of the song with the energy of performance and the demand of the public.

Gene and Paul join us today for a crash-course on rock and roll songwriting, emphasizing, as they have throughout their careers, that the most important thing is the song.

This Episode’s Tracklist:

00:00 - Intro

00:12 - I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles

03:54 - Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals

05:20 - Then She Kissed Me - KISS

09:35 - I Can’t Explain - The Who

13:52 - Personality Crisis - New York Dolls

18:37 - Rock & Roll - The Velvet Underground

23:35 - Cum On Feel The Noize - Slade

24:58 - Ballroom Blitz - Sweet

26:16 - Bang a Gong (Get It On) - T. Rex

29:18 - The Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

30:44 - New York Groove - Ace Frehley

New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every week. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.

This week on the Track Star Podcast, Jack is joined by Maryland Governor and Music-Obsessed Wes Moore. In this episode, he sits down with Jack to unpack the songs that have shaped his life, from the music that soundtracked his childhood and helped form his identity to those that continue to inspire his work today.

He reflects on his childhood, the influence of hip-hop, and how music became such a big part of his life. Sharing stories behind the songs and artists that left a lasting impact, they go from the cultural significance of The Notorious B.I.G. and A Tribe Called Quest to the messages found in Sam Cooke and Nina Simone, exploring the intersection of music, leadership, politics, and storytelling.

This Episode’s Track List:
00:00 - Intro
01:41 - People Everyday - Arrested Development
03:00 - Hypnotize - The Notorious B.I.G.
14:20 - Award Tour - A Tribe Called Quest ft. Trugoy the Dove
16:17 - You Got Me - The Roots ft. Erykah Badu & Eve
22:45 - Mean Old World - Sam Cooke
26:19 - Baltimore - Nina Simone

Today we are joined by Hrishikesh Hirway, musician and host of the hit podcast Song Exploder, to listen to and discuss some of the songs that have influenced and defined his work, both in his music and his show.

In this episode, Jack chooses a few songs to play for us, and Hrishikesh explains the personal and professional significance they have had on his life and career. Hrishikesh talks about his love for exploring and investigating the stories and influences behind songs, as well as what made him start his podcast, and how it reconnected him to music.

Hrishikesh takes the time today to teach us what it means to dive into a song and share with us how curiosity and passion can change the way we see the world.

This Episode's Track List:

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - The Postal Service

Our House - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Jeremy - Pearl Jam

Ivy - Frank Ocean

Stranger - Ken Pomeroy

Seventeen - Sharon Van Etten

Red Moon - Big Thief

Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen