Dead Wax
Dead Wax
Jack Conte, Ryan Lerman
Musicians nerding out to great music. Hosts Jack Conte (Scary Pockets, Pomplamoose, CEO of Patreon) and Ryan Lerman (Scary Pockets, John Legend, Ben Folds) are joined by musician friends to help break down what's going on in their favorite music. They dish about production, harmony, composition, theory, vocal performance and everything in between. New episodes every other week!
Jackson Browne's Bassist on Elvis, Little Richard, The Beatles and Beyond...
Legendary session bassist Bob Glaub joins DeadWax to break down the records that shaped his playing — from Elvis and Little Richard to The Beatles and beyond. With Ryan Lerman and guest co-host Kane Ritchotte, the episode dives into early rock & roll, groove, feel, and the subtle rhythmic choices that define great bass lines. A masterclass in musical history, pocket, and storytelling from one of the greats
Feb 16
30 min
The Art of the Pop Music Modulation - with Larry Goldings
Larry Goldings is back on the podcast, this time to discuss some of the best pop song modulations! Larry joins Ryan and Kane as he breaks down legendary modulations from Chicago to Paul Simon, playing through the harmony and unpacking why these moments hit so hard. It’s equal parts theory lesson and fan appreciation, with jaw-dropping examples performed live at the keys. Stick around for a masterclass in how great songs bend tonality without breaking the groove.
Feb 9
41 min
Rob Moose Breaks Down the Greatest String Arrangements Ever
This week on DeadWax, Ryan and Kane are joined by arranger, composer, and violinist Rob Moose. Rob breaks down some of his favorite string arrangements of all time, unpacking how orchestration shapes emotion, groove, and storytelling in recorded music. From subtle harmonic tension to bold, unforgettable entrances, this episode is a deep dive into why great string writing disappears into the song…and why that’s exactly the point.
Feb 2
33 min
Larry Goldings & Bob Glaub React To Each Others Favorite Songs
Today on DeadWax we have TWO special guests: Larry Goldings and Bob Glaub. These talented gentlemen prepared songs for one another - a little musical show & tell if you will! Extended episode available for paying patrons, where Larry and Bob go even deeper into their own personal favorites. HUGE thank you to our guest(s) for this episode: Larry Goldings and Bob Glaub!! And thank you to special guest co-host, Kane Ritchotte!
Jan 26
20 min
From Songwriter to Film Composer, with Mike Andrews (Elgin Park)
Mike Andrews (aka Elgin Park) joins DeadWax for a deep, joyful hang that moves from Neil Young’s “The Last Trip to Tulsa” into the absurd brilliance of Walk Hard’s “Black Sheep,” which Mike composed. Along the way, they nerd out on Neil’s “wandering” harmony, how a song can feel cinematic without trying to be, and why you sometimes have to stop chasing structure and just enjoy the ride. Mike also tells the winding origin story of his path from bands and songwriting to scoring. They touch on Freaks and Geeks, Donnie Darko, and the real-world chaos of making music for film. The conversation keeps circling back to honesty: writing a ton, trusting your instincts, and finding “you” only in hindsight.
Jan 19
22 min
Darrell Thorp on Fiona Apple, Poppy, and the “Ouchie Zone” (3k Explained)
DeadWax is back with special guest co-host Kane Ritchotte! Kane, Ryan, and Jack are joined by legendary engineer/mixer/producer Darrell Thorp (Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Beck, Fiona Apple), who has 10 Grammys, an Emmy nomination, and strong mic opinions. The conversation zooms in on Fiona Apple’s “Fast As You Can” to geek out on tape-era choices, asymmetrical stereo moves, and why distortion is often the secret sauce, not the mistake. Then, in the Patreon extended episode, Darrell breaks down how he approached mixing Poppy’s “Her,” from bright, modern top-end to his go-to Mixbus chain and the infamous “ouchie zone”. If you love hearing the “why” behind great records (and a few spicy studio takes), this one goes deep!
Jan 12
25 min
Why Third Eye Blind Still Sounds So Good - with Dan Molad
On this episode of DeadWax we sit down with LA-based producer/engineer/multi-instrumentalist Dan Molad (Lucius, Coco) for a deep, nerdy, feelings-first listen. We break down Third Eye Blind’s “Losing a Whole Year” and why it still hits sonically—sub-bass, drum vibe, guitar texture, and that “hands in the air” emotional release—plus the subtle arrangement tricks hiding under the hood. In the Patreon extended episode, we jump into Lucius’ “Do It All For You,” digging into Dan’s recording and mixing choices: dual-vocal setups, real spring reverbs, layered drums, and the low-end kick/bass decisions. It’s a conversation about nostalgia, craft, and the tiny production moves that result in records that give you ALL the feels
Jan 5
20 min
Gus Seyffert on Recording to Tape and Making Records That Feel Alive
On this episode of DeadWax, Jack, Ryan, and Kane sit down with producer/multi-instrumentalist Gus Seyffert (Adele, Norah Jones, Beck, Roger Waters) for a deep dive into two beloved recordings: The Band’s “Up on Cripple Creek” and Dr. Dog’s “Listening In.” Gus breaks down what makes Levon Helm’s feel so unmistakable, from vocal/drum interlock to note value and tone, and how classic-era mixing tricks like hard panning plus shared reverb create that “band in a room” magic. Then they get nerdy (in the best way) about recording to tape, console mix moves, drum mic choices, and the real-world decisions—and happy accidents—behind Dr. Dog’s sound.
Dec 29, 2025
32 min
Inside Dijon’s Recording Process with Producer Tommy King
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan LermanGuest: Tommy KingExecutive Producer: Ryan LermanProduction Managers: Rachel McGowan, Phineas AlexanderAudio: Jack LightTheme Music Mixed by: Caleb Parker Join our Patreon for EXTENDED episodes: https://www.patreon.com/scarypocketsSubscribe to our podcast: http://dead-wax.simplecast.com/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DeadWaxShowInstagram: @thedeadwaxshow
Dec 15, 2025
19 min
The Songs Behind Goodhertz's Insanely SOULFUL Plugins
Music + tech nerds: rise up! On this episode of DeadWax, Ryan and Jack and co-host Kane Ritchotte welcome special guests Devin Kerr and Rob Stenson from Goodhertz! The conversation quickly becomes a deep dive into the musical inspirations behind their groundbreaking audio plugins. They give insight into the creative process that brings sound to life through the use of plugins. Discover more about the world of audio technology, including how retro sounds, lo-fi aesthetics, and personal storylines influence their innovative designs. HUGE thank you to our guest(s) for this episode: Rob Stenson and Devin Kerr from Goodhertz! And thank you to our special co-host, Kane Ritchotte!
Dec 8, 2025
28 min
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