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Artwork for Soundcheck

Soundcheck

WNYC Studios
Music
Anjimile
Blues
Nefesh Mountain
The Lone Bellow
Lau Noah
Afro-Cuban Music
Identity
Recovery
Covid-19
Black Lives Matter
Police Brutality
The King
Giver Taker
Trans Identity
Jewish Cultural Themes
Compline
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite
A Dos
American Culture

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 weeklyEpisodes240Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsMusicMusic InterviewsArts

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Artwork for Soundcheck

Latest Episodes

The young Mexican singer-songwriter Humbe is no stranger to posting short clips of his songs on TikTok. He feeds on the transparency between his artistic universe and the fans that flock to it like a moth to a flame. His authentic brand of soul, cont... more

Spanish indie folk artist Guitarricadelafuente has come a long way since his days of posting covers on social media. Back then, he wasn’t only inspired by his own culture, but American folk music as well, reinterpreting songs of Woody Guthrie and Bob... more

The singer and songwriter Niia has spent much of her career confounding expectations. She’s done smoky versions of old jazz standards as well as original songs that draw on dance music, hip hop and R&B, and live The self-dubbed "goth jazz princess" i... more

Singer-songwriter Justin Hicks spent years recording and touring with acclaimed bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, experiencing her genre-agnostic approach to music first-hand. In his debut album, Man Of Style, he is just as hard to pin down stylistically ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Justin Hicks
Singer-songwriter known for diverse musical styles and his debut album 'Man Of Style'.
Episode: Man of Styles Justin Hicks Breaks Down the Making of His Debut LP, In-Studio
Mike Larry Draw
Rapper accompanying Marcus Gilmore
Episode: Drummer Marcus Gilmore Creates Continuous Melodies (From the Archives)
Phong Tran
Musician and collaborator of Darian Donovan Thomas
Episode: Darian Donovan Thomas Processes and Makes Space, In-Studio
Rahim AlHaj
Iraqi-born American-based Oud player
Episode: South African Guitarist Derek Gripper, From the 2025 New York Guitar Festival
Steve Gunn
Acclaimed guitarist and singer-songwriter
Episode: Troubadour and Guitarist Steve Gunn Creates Sonic Landscapes, In-Studio
JF Abraham
Episode: British Band Public Service Broadcasting Teaches History Lessons With 'The Last Flight'
Rebecca Foon
Renowned cellist known for her work with Thee Silver Mt Zion and Esmerine.
Episode: Cellist Rebecca Foon's Delicate Layers of Song on "Black Butterflies"
Donny McCaslin
Sax player and composer, known for his innovative blend of jazz with other genres.
Episode: Jazz-Leaning Donny McCaslin Band Grooves With Crunch, In-Studio
Olga Gorius
Bassist and vocalist of The Besnard Lakes
The Besnard Lakes
Episode: Montreal's Psych-Art Rockers The Besnard Lakes, In-Studio

Host

John Schaefer
Host engages guests and listeners in lively conversations about various aspects of arts and culture, with a strong emphasis on music.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 182 ratings
  • Always inspiring!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ririco007
    France6 months ago
  • Fantastic

    Love the music and the enlightening interviews in between!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seton Notes
    United Statesa year 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 thoughtful discussions that bridge music with deeper cultural narratives.
Praise for the knowledgeable hosting style and the quality of guests featured.
Some feel that recent episodes lean too heavily on emerging artists, desiring a balance with more established acts.
Many highlight the podcast's ability to introduce them to new music while diving into artist backgrounds and stories.
Overall sentiment suggests a loyal audience that values the diverse exploration of music and cultural themes.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Captivating Chamber-Electro-Pop by Emily Wells with Metropolis Ensemble (From the Archives)
Q: Are you addressing these deeper themes within your work?
She explains that her music aims to connect more intimately with listeners - through love and relationship to the planet without being didactic.
Captivating Chamber-Electro-Pop by Emily Wells with Metropolis Ensemble (From the Archives)
Q: Did you have these ideas kind of floating around first?
Emily mentions that the commission came at a crucial time, leading to them channeling her initial ideas into her music as a response to ongoing socio-political tensions.
Captivating Chamber-Electro-Pop by Emily Wells with Metropolis Ensemble (From the Archives)
Q: So, tell us a little bit about the genesis of this project.
Emily explains that the project was initially commissioned by the Liquid Music Series and developed a close bond with Michi Bianco, leading to her new album featuring arrangements incorporating feelings and relationships to the natural world.
Man of Styles Justin Hicks Breaks Down the Making of His Debut LP, In-Studio
Q: What was the inspiration for this song?
Hicks mentions it relates to the life of his father and their complex relationship, particularly around topics of art and religion.
Goth Jazz Provocateur Niia Offers Vintage Elegance and Surprises, In-Studio
Q: What do you think about when choosing songs to perform live?
My shows include a good mix between performing new album songs and some standards, adjusted to create a fresh experience.

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?

Focusing on the diverse spectrum of music and culture, the podcast explores engaging conversations with established artists and emerging talents. The discussions entail a rich array of genres, from pop and indie rock to jazz and classical music, providing listeners with insights into the creative processes, cultural impact, and personal journeys of various musicians and performers. Noteworthy features often highlight the intricacies of musical styles, historical perspectives, and the evolution of modern music, ensuring a captivating experience for those passionate about the arts and cultural scenes.

Where can I find podcast stats for Soundcheck?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Soundcheck. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Soundcheck and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Soundcheck get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Soundcheck, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Soundcheck?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Soundcheck, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Soundcheck have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Soundcheck has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Soundcheck?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Soundcheck:

1. NPR Music
2. Song Exploder
3. Radiolab
4. Hidden Brain
5. Science Friday

How many episodes of Soundcheck are there?

Soundcheck launched 21 years ago and published 240 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Soundcheck?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Soundcheck from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Soundcheck?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Soundcheck. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Soundcheck?

Recent guests on Soundcheck include:

1. Justin Hicks
2. Mike Larry Draw
3. Phong Tran
4. Rahim AlHaj
5. Steve Gunn
6. JF Abraham
7. Rebecca Foon
8. Donny McCaslin

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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