The Track Star Podcast

Today we are joined by Hrishikesh Hirway, musician and host of the hit podcast Song Exploder, to listen to and discuss some of the songs that have influenced and defined his work, both in his music and his show.

In this episode, Jack chooses a few songs to play for us, and Hrishikesh explains the personal and professional significance they have had on his life and career. Hrishikesh talks about his love for exploring and investigating the stories and influences behind songs, as well as what made him start his podcast, and how it reconnected him to music.

Hrishikesh takes the time today to teach us what it means to dive into a song and share with us how curiosity and passion can change the way we see the world.

This Episode's Track List:

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - The Postal Service

Our House - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Jeremy - Pearl Jam

Ivy - Frank Ocean

Stranger - Ken Pomeroy

Seventeen - Sharon Van Etten

Red Moon - Big Thief

Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen

David Porter, one of the key figures behind Stax Records, joins us today on the Track Star Podcast to discuss his role as one of the primary songwriters, hitmakers, and creative forces behind the Memphis soul movement. ​

Starting with his youth in Memphis, Porter brings us along for a trip through his life, exploring the complex influences that came together in Memphis in the early 60s to define the Stax sound. Porter explains the importance of Stax Records’ position as a collective movement coming out of a segregated Memphis at the time. ​

In today’s episode, David Porter tells a story of the race, music, unity, and respect that defined Stax Records, setting it apart from the music of its time and creating an iconic and timeless sound.

This Episode’s Tracklist:

00:00 - Intro

00:14 - Soul Man - Sam & Dave

04:43 - Sincerely - The Moonglows

07:22 - Blue Monday - Fats Domino

14:27 - Cause I Love You - Carla and Rufus

19:37 - Green Onions - Booker T. & The M.G.’s

20:01 - Last Night - The Mar-Keys

23:56 - Heat Wave - Martha and the Vandelles

24:21 - Hold On, I’m Comin - Sam & Dave

28:03 - B-A-B-Y - Carla Thomas

35:25 - These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding

42:08 - (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every week. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.

Jack Johnson joins Track Star* today to listen to a few songs and chat about the impact they had on his life, personally and professionally, and how those songs and artists continue to inform the work he does today.

In this episode, Jack Johnson gets into the role music played in his childhood, his falling in love, and his life as a surfer, a filmmaker, and finally a musician. Exploring the power of music to make us laugh and cry, and to transport us to different times and places, Johnson emphasizes, above all else, the importance of love and hope in his music and in his life.

Jack teaches us, ultimately, that music exists so that we might meet each other, share experiences, and learn to understand and love each other in new ways.

This Episode's Track List:

If 6 Was 9 - Jimi Hendrix

Steal My Kisses - Ben Harper

These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding

Bad Mouth - Fugazi

Box Full of Letters - Wilco

All The Time - Bahamas

Night Nurse - Gregory Isaacs

Driftless - Greg Brown

Today on the Track Star Podcast, Este Haim joins Jack to talk about a few perfect songs. Este and Jack each brought 3 (ish) songs to the table to discuss what makes them perfect, the influences they have had, and the personal significances they carry.

Taking us on a journey through time and genre, Este and Jack cover everything from transcendental meditation to Britney Spears’ Pop perfection. As Este walks us through a few of her perfect songs, she reveals the songs, artists, and moments that inspired her to make music, and how her family supported and encouraged that dream.

In this episode, Este and Jack teach us the importance of appreciating life and the people around us as they share some of the songs they consider to be perfect.

This Episode’s Tracklist:

Intro

Genius of Love - Tom Tom Club

Serpentine Fire - Earth, Wind & Fire

…Baby One More Time - Britney Spears

Oops!... I Did It Again - Britney Spears

Toxic - Britney Spears

When Doves Cry - Prince

Little Red Corvette - Prince

The Love I Lost (ft. Teddy Pendergrass) - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

Nick of Time - Bonnie Raitt

Have A Heart - Bonnie Raitt

Not The Only One - Bonnie Raitt

Actors John Hamm and John Slattery face off today in a head-to-head music trivia battle. Pitting the long-time friends against each other, Jack got to know more about their friendship, the work they have done together, and their upcoming movie, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass. 

As they compete, the two Johns break down how their friendship has grown and developed over the course of the movies they have done together and why they like working together so much. With songs ranging from Bad Bunny to Neil Diamond, Jack challenges Hamm and Slattery to show off their music knowledge in this exciting episode of Track Star* Versus. 

Today’s Tracklist:

American Girl - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Conversation 16 - The National 
Bye Bye Birdie - Ann-Margret
Freddie Freeloader - Miles Davis
Tití me Preguntó - Bad Bunny
Nightswimming - R.E.M.