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Artwork for Soundcheck

Soundcheck

WNYC Studios
Jazz
New York City
Music
Ambient Music
Electronic Music
Classical Music
WNYC
Blues
Improvisation
New York
Nature
New York Guitar Festival
Folk Music
R&B
Horsegirl
Songwriting
New Sounds
Mabe Fratti
Samora Pinderhughes
Phonetics On and On

WNYC, New York Public Radio, brings you Soundcheck, the arts and culture program hosted by John Schaefer, who engages guests and listeners in lively, inquisitive conversations with established and rising figures in New York City's creative arts scene. Guests come from all disciplines, including pop, indie rock, jazz, urban, world and classical music, technology, cultural affairs, TV and film. Rece... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes264Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsMusic InterviewsPerforming ArtsMusic

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Artwork for Soundcheck

Latest Episodes

The New Orleans band Tank and the Bangas have built their considerable reputation on a high-energy, exuberant blend of R&B, funk, hip hop, spoken word, gospel, and pop. Listeners may recall how the band first introduced themselves to the public radio... more

Nottingham post-punk duo Sleaford Mods have built their career on going against the grain, challenging the British class system, capitalism, and pop culture. They’d tear it all down if they could. Vocalist Jason Williamson and producer Andrew Fearn a... more

Emma Hospelhorn is known as a flutist when she goes by her full name, especially as a member of Chicago’s Ensemble Dal Niente; the acclaimed collective that brings experimental chamber music to the masses. But when she steps into the universe of her ... more

The Klezmatics have never been just a klezmer band. From their beginnings 40 years ago, they’ve fused klezmer music, rooted in the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, with the sounds of jazz, psychedelia, Latin music, punk energy, gospel fervor, gl... more

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Recent Guests

Jason Williamson
Vocalist for Sleaford Mods
Sleaford Mods
Episode: English Post-Punk Duo Sleaford Mods Spares No Fury, In-Studio
Andrew Fearn
Music collaborator for Sleaford Mods
Sleaford Mods
Episode: English Post-Punk Duo Sleaford Mods Spares No Fury, In-Studio
Emma Hospelhorn
Classical flutist, singer, and guitarist behind Em Spel
Ensemble Dal Niente, Em Spel
Episode: Avant-folk Composer Em Spel Sings Beguiling Songs, In-Studio
Enver Izmailov
Guitarist associated with Crimean Tatar music and touring artist mentioned as a hero
Independent musician
Episode: The Klezmatics Were Made For These Times (In-Studio)
Ryan Bingham
Singer-songwriter and actor known for The Weary Kind and involvement with Yellowstone
Musician, The Texas Gentlemen (collaborator)
Episode: Texas Aficionado Ryan Bingham Plays New Songs, In-Studio
MC. Taylor
Leader of Hiss Golden Messenger
Hiss Golden Messenger
Episode: Hiss Golden Messenger's Warm and Earthy Folk-Rock, In-Studio
Julieta Venegas
Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, Norteña project artist
Julieta Venegas / Norteña
Episode: Multi-instrumentalist Julieta Venegas Lets Go of the Past, In-Studio
Sofia Rei
Composer, vocalist, and bandleader
Solo artist, Antónima
Episode: Sofía Rei Connects Traditional and Future Sounds, In-Studio
JC Maillard
Multi-instrumentalist, producer, collaborator
Album Antónima
Episode: Sofía Rei Connects Traditional and Future Sounds, In-Studio

Host

John Schaefer
Host of in-depth music and arts conversations; lead interviewer and session host.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 185 ratings
  • Always inspiring!

    I find so many fabulous music here . Years of fabulous!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ririco007
    France9 months ago
  • Fantastic

    Love the music and the enlightening interviews in between!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seton Notes
    United States2 years ago
  • Some good finds, but the fact the hosts says "brings his/her band back..." shows the major limitations and narrowness explored...just like All Songs did. Lots of "meh"

    Podcast Addict
    3
    Steve Johnson
    2 years ago
  • Find new favorites here

    I love this wide ranging show and the contribution it makes to my ongoing music explorations. John and his team obviously love what they do, and the artists sound happy to be there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JLSpring
    United States2 years ago
  • A great show

    This is a great way to explore and discover new artists. A broad array of styles, genres, flavors, philosophies and stories, from people that care deeply about creating music.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nucleargetaway
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the variety across genres and the quality of performances.
Audience notes: some listeners miss broader arts criticism segments; others praise the focus on live music.
Live sessions plus thoughtful context make discovery effortless.
Loved the breadth of artists and the depth of conversations.
The host's knowledge and interview depth are consistently praised.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

English Post-Punk Duo Sleaford Mods Spares No Fury, In-Studio
Q: Are you freestyling, or is there a set process for lyrics during recording?
They acknowledge a balance between pre-written elements and on-the-spot lyric writing, with both members contributing ideas and improvisation within a structured approach.
English Post-Punk Duo Sleaford Mods Spares No Fury, In-Studio
Q: Do you give collaborators the gist of the song and have them write their own parts?
They generally provide the framework or the parts already written, which collaborators then bring to life, allowing for a mix of pre-planned structure and spontaneous interpretation.
Multi-instrumentalist Julieta Venegas Lets Go of the Past, In-Studio
Q: Does your album Norteña feel like a sonic memoir of your life?
She confirms it is a sonic memoir, blending traditional Norteño with personal memory and exploration beyond strict genre boundaries.
Multi-instrumentalist Julieta Venegas Lets Go of the Past, In-Studio
Q: So the line of the song, it's the border between Mexico and the United States.
Julieta explains that the line is a metaphor for migration and separation, inspired by her upbringing on the border and the stories she witnessed.
Indie-rock Songwriter Morgan Nagler Sings Her Unfiltered Songs, In-Studio
Q: When you're collaborating, what exactly are people coming to you for in terms of the music—lyrics, melody, or both?
She says she offers top-line work—lyrics and melody—and that collaborators often need help with the vocal and melodic delivery, with the final guitar parts sometimes taking a back seat.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Soundcheck

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

Consistently features in-studio performances paired with thoughtful conversations with a wide spectrum of musicians and artists. Episodes often blend live sessions, deep dives into creative processes, and practical details about recording, collaboration, and touring, with a focus on how place, memory, and culture shape contemporary music. Noteworthy for showcasing intimate, hands-on looks at songwriting, arranging, and performance across genres—from indie to Latin fusion to folk and classical–electronic hybrids—often revealing how artists fuse tradition with modern technology. This mix of live music, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and genre-crossing collaborations is particularly helpful for listeners who want both fresh sounds and insight... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Soundcheck?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Soundcheck:

1. Fresh Air
2. World Cafe Words and Music Podcast
3. On the Media
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. NPR Music

How many episodes of Soundcheck are there?

Soundcheck launched 21 years ago and published 264 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 Soundcheck?

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What guests have appeared on Soundcheck?

Recent guests on Soundcheck include:

1. Jason Williamson
2. Andrew Fearn
3. Emma Hospelhorn
4. Enver Izmailov
5. Ryan Bingham
6. MC. Taylor
7. Julieta Venegas
8. Sofia Rei

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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