Rephonic
Artwork for Relevant Tones
Beers and Flutes
Ki Mounouye
Contemporary Music
Haitian Heritage
Grief
Improvisation
California Festival
Ancestry
Community Support
Identity
Language and Music
Chicago
Sound Design
Documentary Film Scoring
Concert Music
Covid-19
Film Composition
Music For Billionaires
Bombino
Cecile Mclorin Salvant

A podcast about the most fascinating time in classical music history: right now. Relevant Tones features interviews with and music by some of the most creative figures in contemporary classical music, themed shows exploring new trends in classical music and frequent live streamed shows featuring conversations and music performances. Hosted and produced by Seth Boustead, Austin Williams, Stephen An... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes419Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for Relevant Tones

Latest Episodes

At the World’s Edge is a chamber music festival inspired by its roots in the Southern Alps of New Zealand and forging ties to Chicago and beyond.

Host Seth Boustead talks with violinist and founding Artistic Director Benjamin Baker about his vision... more

Host Austin Williams and composer guest Neil Quigley chat about Neil’s music and its relationship to speculative history.

Neil explains how his relationship to the Kilkenny Electroacoustic Research Laboratory is largely based in that practice. Among... more

Join host Austin Williams as he speaks to members of the Coalescent Saxophone Quartet. The quartet consists of members Nathan Bogert, Michael Shults, Nick Zoulek, and Drew Whiting; each of which are incredibly accomplished musicians in their own righ... more

Join host Austin Williams and new music ensemble Hot Second ( Rebecca McDaniel Percussion and Dylan Feldpausch Violin/Viola) as we discuss their unique ensemble and its take on new music in Chicago.

The conversation consists of thoughtful insights o... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

Neil Quigley
A composer known for his work in speculative history and electroacoustic music.
Kilkenny Electroacoustic Research Laboratory
Episode: Neil Quigley
Drew Whiting
Baritone saxophonist in Coalescent Quartet
Episode: Coalescent Quartet
Nick Zoulek
Tenor saxophonist in Coalescent Quartet
Episode: Coalescent Quartet
Nate Bogert
Soprano saxophonist in Coalescent Quartet
Episode: Coalescent Quartet
Dylan Feldpausch
Violinist in Hot Second ensemble
Hot Second
Episode: Hot Second
Rebecca McDaniel
Percussionist in Hot Second ensemble
Hot Second
Episode: Hot Second
Stephen Anthony Rawson
Friend of Seth and discussed influences in new and contemporary music
Episode: On the Radar, April 2025
Chiayu Hsu
Composer known for blending various musical styles and exploring themes of cultural fusion.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Episode: Chiayu Hsu
Paula Mathusen
Composer and educator who discusses feedback in music and leads workshops on the topic.
Episode: Feedback

Hosts

Seth Boustead
Host of Relevant Tones, he is an influential figure in contemporary classical music, bringing insightful commentary and expertise to discussions.
Austin Williams
Host known for his engaging interviews and in-depth exploration of contemporary music topics, often bringing unique perspectives on current trends.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • Essential

    Essential guide to the new world of classical music

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Julien_Sorel
    United Statesa year ago
  • Used to be better

    I used to listen with interest to every episode. But now there’s too much talk. I’m more interested in the music, and less in long chatty interviews. With just short extracts, the talk lacks context and doesn’t really work unless you’re already interested in the musicians. The content has become less interesting also. I try to be broad-minded, but some episodes seem to feature endless random sounds I struggle to understand as music.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Optimist runner
    United Statesa year ago
  • Wonderful!

    I loved this interview. It was thoughtful, insightful, and very meaningful. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tina Davidson
    United States2 years ago
  • No b.s.! All goodness

    This is such a great show. The composer features are the composers talking interspersed with clips of their music, nothing else! Seth’s explanations of the music are always on point. There’s no extra chatter. Just tremendous material, every episode. I’m especially enjoying the CMA conference review! If you are looking for a place to listen to the Venn Diagram of classical music without any pretentious b.s., this is the podcast to visit!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grandma Melby
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some audience members express a desire for less conversation and more direct engagement with music, indicating a slightly mixed response to the format.
Overall, there is a strong recognition of the host's expertise and the quality of content delivered throughout the episodes.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and insightful approach to contemporary classical music, with high praise for the blend of interviews and musical performances.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Laura Strickling 40@40
Q: How did you get started on your very interesting path in music?
Laura discusses how singing in church gave her confidence, transitioning from percussion to voice after encouragement from her teacher, and her varied career path leading to her current role as a singer.
Shara Nova
Q: How do you balance your own creative work with projects that are brought to you?
Shara shares that she feels lucky since most collaborations are with groups that have informed her practice, emphasizing the importance of a musical connection.
Jackson Greenberg
Q: Can you speak about your film projects?
Jackson is working on a documentary for Disney about a Nigerian ballet prodigy and another about elk hunting using animal instruments.
Sophia Jani
Q: What was it like at the Arvo Pärt Center?
Sophia describes the serene and inspiring environment that allowed her to compose and study Arvo Pärt's music.
Sophia Jani
Q: How did the residency come about?
Sophia details her connections through mutual friends and previous collaborations that led to her current role.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Relevant Tones

What is Relevant Tones about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores contemporary classical music through interviews, thematic shows, and live performances featuring some of the most creative figures in the field. Topics discussed range from the intricacies of live performance to the integration of new technologies and influences within classical music frameworks. Creative processes, identity in music, and the emotional connections fostered through different musical styles are frequently highlighted. Notably, the format of blending conversations with musical clips offers listeners a rich and immersive experience, making it appealing for both enthusiasts of classical music and those seeking a deeper understanding of its modern evolutions.

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How many listeners does Relevant Tones get?

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How many subscribers and views does Relevant Tones have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Relevant Tones?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Relevant Tones:

1. Marketplace
2. Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
4. The Rest Is History
5. Stay Tuned with Preet

How many episodes of Relevant Tones are there?

Relevant Tones launched 5 years ago and published 419 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Relevant Tones?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Relevant Tones?

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What guests have appeared on Relevant Tones?

Recent guests on Relevant Tones include:

1. Neil Quigley
2. Drew Whiting
3. Nick Zoulek
4. Nate Bogert
5. Dylan Feldpausch
6. Rebecca McDaniel
7. Stephen Anthony Rawson
8. Chiayu Hsu

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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