Myth vs. Craft

I speak with Ben Clymer, the founder and executive editor of the online watch magazine HODINKEE. Ben discusses his appreciation of well made mechanical objects, ranging from his childhood admiration for analogue light meters and compasses to his passion for mechanical watches and vintage cars. He tells us about his experience at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, his views on the future of journalism and how he spends his time at Hodinkee. He describes his romantic notion of classic race cars being timed with mechanical watches and why he favors vintage watches from the middle of the twentieth century.

I speak with Dr. Art Markman (co-host of Two Guys on Your Head, Professor of Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin) about the psychology of losing a sibling. Prior to speaking with Dr. Markman I knew that he was eloquent and erudite about human nature and behavior. After speaking with him I learned that he is also a deeply empathetic and generous human being.

I speak with Dr. Art Markman (co-host of Two Guys on Your Head, Professor of Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin) about the psychology of losing a sibling. Prior to speaking with Dr. Markman I knew that he was eloquent and erudite about human nature and behavior. After speaking with him I learned that he is also a deeply empathetic and generous human being.

The legendary drummer and percussionist Alex Acuña looks back on his career and shares fascinating stories and insights. He tells us about growing up in a tiny town north of Lima, Peru in a family full of musicians. He describes his life as a top studio musician in Lima while still a teenager and leaving it all behind to join Perez Prado’s band at eighteen years old. Alex recounts how he stood in a back alley in New York and listened to a 17-year old Tony Williams playing with Miles Davis. He tells us why he decided to study classical percussion in Puerto Rico and how he ended up living in Las Vegas and eventually joining Weather Report. He shares anecdotes about his friendship with Jaco Pastorius, how he switched from playing percussion to playing drums in Weather Report and eventually leaving the band to focus on being a studio musician. He goes into detail about his experience studying martial arts and the parallels he sees between martial arts, music and dance. Lastly, he describes why he thinks he’s had the success he’s had and tells us why he’s writing his autobiography.

The legendary drummer and percussionist Alex Acuña looks back on his career and shares fascinating stories and insights. He tells us about growing up in a tiny town north of Lima, Peru in a family full of musicians. He describes his life as a top studio musician in Lima while still a teenager and leaving it all behind to join Perez Prado’s band at eighteen years old. Alex recounts how he stood in a back alley in New York and listened to a 17-year old Tony Williams playing with Miles Davis. He tells us why he decided to study classical percussion in Puerto Rico and how he ended up living in Las Vegas and eventually joining Weather Report. He shares anecdotes about his friendship with Jaco Pastorius, how he switched from playing percussion to playing drums in Weather Report and eventually leaving the band to focus on being a studio musician. He goes into detail about his experience studying martial arts and the parallels he sees between martial arts, music and dance. Lastly, he describes why he thinks he’s had the success he’s had and tells us why he’s writing his autobiography.

Studio legend Tim Pierce goes into detail about how he became one of the most sought after session guitarists in the world. He tells us why live performance just wasn’t for him and shares great insights into the role of the guitar in popular music. He talks about his views on digital vs. analog recording and shares great news about the guitar instruction website he is about to launch.

Studio legend Tim Pierce goes into detail about how he became one of the most sought after session guitarists in the world. He tells us why live performance just wasn’t for him and shares great insights into the role of the guitar in popular music. He talks about his views on digital vs. analog recording and shares great news about the guitar instruction website he is about to launch.

Guitarist Josh Smith looks back on his career and describes his approach to music. He tells us about choosing the guitar over baseball and why even as a kid his bandmates were always adults. He describes his move to Los Angeles and how he got his start as a session musician and sideman. He breaks down the qualities he looks for in a rhythm section and tells us about some of his favorite guitars. He shares his thoughts on live performance and how crowds behave differently across the globe. He also discusses his new recording studio (and a visit from Eddie Kramer!) and his plans to produce other artists.

Guitarist Josh Smith looks back on his career and describes his approach to music. He tells us about choosing the guitar over baseball and why even as a kid his bandmates were always adults. He describes his move to Los Angeles and how he got his start as a session musician and sideman. He breaks down the qualities he looks for in a rhythm section and tells us about some of his favorite guitars. He shares his thoughts on live performance and how crowds behave differently across the globe. He also discusses his new recording studio (and a visit from Eddie Kramer!) and his plans to produce other artists.

Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer Henrik Freischlader takes a break from his hectic schedule to tell us about his career in music. He started playing drums at age four and went on to pick up the guitar, bass and (some) piano. He describes his songwriting process and his approach to recording albums. He shares why he founded his label Cable Car Records and how he selects and collaborates with his artists. Henrik tells us how being on the road often feels like vacation and why he formed the new Henrik Freischlader Trio.

Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer Henrik Freischlader takes a break from his hectic schedule to tell us about his career in music. He started playing drums at age four and went on to pick up the guitar, bass and (some) piano. He describes his songwriting process and his approach to recording albums. He shares why he founded his label Cable Car Records and how he selects and collaborates with his artists. Henrik tells us how being on the road often feels like vacation and why he formed the new Henrik Freischlader Trio.

Indigenous frontman & guitarist Mato Nanji shares stories about falling in love with music and the role it played in shaping his life. He describes how he formed Indigenous with his sister, brother and cousin, their experience playing on the B.B. King Blues Tour and why he carried on with the band after his family members left the band. He tells us how he first came to participate in the Experience Hendrix Tour and what it’s like to play with so many guitar greats. Toward the end of our conversation we discuss his Native American heritage and Mato deplores the conditions in Indian reservations.

Indigenous frontman & guitarist Mato Nanji shares stories about falling in love with music and the role it played in shaping his life. He describes how he formed Indigenous with his sister, brother and cousin, their experience playing on the B.B. King Blues Tour and why he carried on with the band after his family members left the band. He tells us how he first came to participate in the Experience Hendrix Tour and what it’s like to play with so many guitar greats. Toward the end of our conversation we discuss his Native American heritage and Mato deplores the conditions in Indian reservations.

Guitarist JD Simo tells us about growing up in Chicago and falling in love with music at a young age. He describes the experience of moving to Nashville, nearly falling flag, only to eventually pull through in spades. He shares the lessons he learned playing in Don Kelley’s band and laments the lack of opportunities for young musicians to play live nowadays. JD looks back on the trajectory of his band SIMO, describes how he approaches songwriting and explains how the gear he uses affects the way he plays.

Guitarist JD Simo tells us about growing up in Chicago and falling in love with music at a young age. He describes the experience of moving to Nashville, nearly falling flag, only to eventually pull through in spades. He shares the lessons he learned playing in Don Kelley’s band and laments the lack of opportunities for young musicians to play live nowadays. JD looks back on the trajectory of his band SIMO, describes how he approaches songwriting and explains how the gear he uses affects the way he plays.