The Track Star Podcast

Today on the Track Star Podcast, Jack is joined by Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy for a conversation about everything from touching grass to the pursuit of happiness, discussing how community engagement and human connection have the power to uplift and heal. 

With a carefully curated playlist, Jack walks Senator Murphy through different times and different lives, and facilitates a conversation about how consumerism and globalization have contributed to a cultural disconnect. 

Today’s episode shows how music can lead to important discussions, as Senator Murphy explains how genuine connection is the most important thing in society today. 

This Episode’s Tracklist: 

00:00 - Intro

00:50 - Your Body Is a Wonderland - John Mayer 

06:27 - End of the Road - Boyz II Men

11:01 - Rich Men North of Richmond - Oliver Anthony

16:18 - The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby and the Range

25:16 - Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers

34:36 - Could It Be Another Change - The Samples

34:56 - Carry On - The Samples

This week on the Track Star Podcast, Jack is joined by six-time Grammy-winning drummer and record producer Questlove. The genre-defining drummer and co-founder and co-frontman of The Roots as well as an acclaimed director and filmmaker, is the director and producer of the new documentary: Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's the Weight of the World). 

In this episode, Jack and Questlove dive into the songs that have deeply influenced Questlove’s musical upbringing and modern-day career. He reflects on his journey and discusses his lifelong connection to Earth, Wind & Fire and the documentary. 

This Episode’s Track List: 

00:00 - Intro 

00:45 - September - Earth, Wind & Fire

8:06 - That’s The Way of The World - Earth, Wind & Fire

18:46 - Wade In The Water - Ramsey Lewis

21:15 - Smokestack Lightning - Howlin’ Wolf

27:10 - Spinning Wheel - Blood, Sweat & Tears

32:14 - Kalimba Story - Earth, Wind & Fire

37:38 - Can You Get To That - Funkadelic 

42:17 - Shining Star - Earth, Wind & Fire

48:54 - Boogie Wonderland - Earth, Wind & Fire

49:06 - Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire

This week on the Track Star Podcast, we’re joined by Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, and musician Andrew Watt, one of the defining hitmakers in modern music. From pop stars to rock legends, Andrew has worked with some of the biggest artists in the world, including Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Ozzy Osbourne, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga.

In this episode, Jack plays through a list of songs Andrew has helped create, many of which became chart-topping hits. Andrew reflects on his journey from producing pop records to collaborating with some of rock music’s most iconic artists, and shares his philosophy on creating the right environment for artists to do their best work.

From building trust in the studio to understanding what truly makes a great record, this conversation offers a rare look into the mindset and process behind some of today’s biggest songs.

This Episode’s Tracklist:
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Rough And Twisted - Rolling Stones
6:22 - Señorita - Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes
10:08 - Gabriela - KATSEYE
14:05 - Die With A Smile - Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars
16:48 - Days We Left Behind - Paul McCartney
22:06 - Peaches - Justin Bieber (ft. Daniel Caesar, GIVEON)
26:10 - Take What You Want - Post Malone (ft. Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott)
31:01 - RUNWAY - Lady Gaga, Doechii

On this episode of Track Star*, we're joined by Ben Gibbard and Dave Depper of Death Cab for Cutie. Known for their thoughtful songwriting and influence on indie rock, the two bring decades of musical curiosity to a conversation filled with the records and artists that have stayed with them over the years.

Ben, Dave, and Jack dive into the songs that helped shape their tastes, from alt rock, indie pop, post-punk, and emo classics. From the The Cure and New Order to favorites like Built to Spill, Rilo Kiley, and Sunny Day Real Estate, they reflect on inspiration .

This episode is packed with great stories and plenty of insights from the guys of Death Cab for Cutie.

This Episode's Tracklist:

In Between Days - The Cure
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town - Pearl Jam
Heart Cooks Brain - Modest Mouse
Such Great Heights - The Postal Service
Portions For Foxes - Rilo Kiley
Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order
In Circles - Sunny Day Real Estate
Carry The Zero - Built To Spill
Strange Powers - The Magnetic Fields
What You Do To Me - Teenage Fanclub
Falling And Laughing - Orange Juice

This week on the Track Star Podcast, we’re joined by New York Times music reporters Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli following the publication of the NYT’s “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters.”

As the hosts of the popular music podcast “Popcast,” Jon and Joe are no strangers to passionate debate. Their work often explores contemporary music through both a critical and historical lens, helping listeners make sense of today’s artists in the broader context of popular music.

Although we only have time to dive into a handful of names from the list, Jon and Joe unpack the thinking behind their selections, discuss the challenges of being music critics and reporters in the modern media landscape, and share what continues to inspire their curiosity about music far beyond their own tastes and expertise.

This Episode’s Tracklist:
00:00 - Intro
1:03 - This Is What You Came For - Calvin Harris, Rihanna
10:26 - Digits - Young Thug
18:47 - I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
27:19 - The Book of Love - The Magnetic Fields
32:23 - Obsesión - Aventura, Judy Santos
47:29 - The Rising - Bruce Springsteen