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PODCAST

The Track Star Podcast

The internet’s favorite music show, now in podcast form! Each episode explores a theme through 10 songs, taking listeners on a deep dive into a specific artist, genre, or era of music through the perspectives of musicians, historians, journalists and fans. Also available in video on YouTube! Hosted by Jack Coyne.

music music commentary

All Episodes

7:10

Testing Dermot Kennedy's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/20

Today on Track Star*, we are joined by Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy. Known for his passionate live performances and poetic lyrics, Kennedy often draws inspiration from folk traditions, hip-hop rhythms, and heartfelt narratives.In this episode, Jack and Dermot talk about Dermot’s music influences citing hip hop legends such as 50 Cent and J. Cole, as well as the introspective songwriting of Tracy Chapman and Bon Iver. The two revisit timeless classics and reminisce about Dermot’s early

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21:57

Testing Flea's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/15

Today’s episode of Track Star* brought us face to face with one of the most singular musicians of the past 40 years, Flea. Flea met us outside on a cool day in March and was nothing short of excited to talk about some of the legends whose music he covered on his debut solo album, Honora. Sharing his thoughts on Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, Jimmy Webb, Glen Campbell, Eddie Hazel, George Clinton, and more, Flea dives into the music that moves and inspires him, and shares insights into the lives of the

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10:10

Testing Sam Fender's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/13

Sam Fender has quickly become one of the defining voices of modern British rock, earning BRIT Awards and critical acclaim for his anthemic lyricism, powerful vocals, and sharp storytelling about working-class life.This week on Track Star, he showcases the musical influences who helped shape his sound through tracks by Steely Dan, Olivia Dean, Kings of Leon, and Tom Petty. We also dive into some life changing shows and collaborations that prove Sam’s innate love for songwriting and performing live

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65:03

Testing Fab 5 Freddy's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/08

This week on the Track Star Podcast, we’re joined by hip-hop ambassador, Fab 5 Freddy. Freddy reflects on the relationships and experiences that shaped his creative journey—starting with his early love of graffiti and expanding into music, dance, film, and beyond. He shares stories about the artists who left a lasting mark on him, including Blondie, N.W.A., Nas, Talking Heads and Q-Tip, while also exploring the influence of genres like punk and jazz on his upbringing. From listening to his own

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11:11

Testing Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks' Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/06

On today’s episode we have two legends facing off in a battle to name some classic rock icons. Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks of the eponymously named Tedeschi Trucks Band were naming each artist in a matter of seconds, a true testament to their encyclopedia like knowledge of music. Sharing stories about Jimmy Hendrix, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, The Allman Brother's Band, John Coltrane, and even Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Susan and Derek take us on a journey through music history. They

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9:48

Testing Sofia Coppola and Marc Jacobs' Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/01

On this episode of Track Star* we have a competitive battle between fashion designer, Marc Jacobs and filmmaker, Sofia Coppola. The duo met up with Jack on a sunny spring day in New York to talk about their film "Marc by Sofia." During their conversation, Jack got to know more about their friendship and creative collaboration, and he put their music knowledge to the test. Naming hits from Pharrell Williams and Diana Ross, iconic showtunes from Cabaret and Funny Girl, and New York City classics from

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6:41

Testing LeBron James' Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/30

LeBron James is one of the defining figures in modern sport, with a career that has shaped not just basketball but music, fashion, business, and popular culture more broadly. Across more than twenty years at the top, he’s become as recognizable for his longevity and influence off the court as for everything he’s achieved on it.On this episode of Track Star, LeBron talks through the songs that shaped his world - from Jay-Z, Nelly, Dr. Dre, and Nas to Whitney Houston and Outkast. He shares stories

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54:14

8 Artists That Are Better Than The Beatles

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/25

On this week’s episode of The Track Star Podcast we have rock writer, NPR critic, and journalism professor Tim Riley who will help answer the deceptively complex question: is there any artist truly better than the Beatles?We’ll discuss the musicians that inspired the Beatles themselves, and who left a historical and cultural mark similar to the legendary four. From the Rolling Stones to Miles Davis and Dolly Parton, we touch a wide range of musical talent that coincide with one another in

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39:17

Testing Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/18

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joins The Track Star Podcast for a conversation that moves from Motown to modern Detroit, using music as a way into the state she represents.Through artists like Madonna, Aretha Franklin, and Eminem, Whitmer reflects on growing up in Michigan, the state’s deep musical lineage, and how Detroit became a global center for sound, from the Motown assembly line to rock and hip-hop. The conversation also opens up into something broader: how listening shapes leadership,

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60:51

10 Songs that Explain Elvis Presley’s Genius ft. Baz...

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/11

Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann joins The Track Star Podcast to talk about Elvis Presley and what made his music and live performances so powerful. Using songs from the new concert film Elvis: The King in Concert, Baz and Jack explore what made Elvis a singular entertainer, from the raw power of “Polk Salad Annie” to the emotional weight of songs like “In the Ghetto.” The conversation traces Elvis’s upbringing in the American South, the unlikely path that led him from Hollywood movie star to Las Vegas

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52:04

Paul McCartney After the Beatles (in 10 songs)

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/04

Academy Award–winning filmmaker Morgan Neville joins The Track Star Podcast for a deep dive into Paul McCartney’s most misunderstood era: the decade after the Beatles’ breakup.Centered around McCartney, Ram, and the rise of Wings, the conversation traces how Paul rebuilt his identity after the collapse of the biggest band in history, examining the backlash he faced in the early ’70s, Linda’s role in shaping the sound of Wings, and why albums once dismissed by critics are now seen as some of his

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45:57

Is Gen-X The Greatest Music Generation?

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/02/25

Two of the best-performing Track Star contestants of all time return to settle a big question: Is Gen X the greatest music generation ever? Writer, comedian, and self-described “man about town” Robert George and New York City SoulCycle instructor Sue Molnar join Jack for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up with radio, MTV, and a musical landscape that fractured into punk, new wave, hip-hop, industrial, and grunge all at once.Through artists like Blondie, Prince, and Nirvana, the episode

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50:53

Testing This Legendary Choreographer’s Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/02/18

Justin Peck joins The Track Star Podcast to talk about how music turns into movement. From the stage at Lincoln Center, the New York City Ballet choreographer in residence explains why a ballet begins with a score, how melody guides the body, and how choreography is shaped by collaboration with real dancers.Through a playlist curated by Jack, Peck reflects on the classical canon, including Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and the Balanchine tradition, and on his work on Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story,

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36:06

Testing Gov. Josh Shapiro's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/02/11

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro joins The Track Star Podcast for a conversation that uses music to get somewhere politics usually can’t.Through a playlist curated by Jack, Shapiro reflects on how music has followed him from growing up in suburban Philadelphia to knocking 18,000 doors on his first campaign, and into the moments that have defined his time as governor. He talks about the changing identity of Pennsylvania cities, how Meek Mill’s probation case reshaped his view of the justice

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49:16

Testing Lucinda Williams’ Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/02/04

Lucinda Williams joins The Track Star Podcast for a conversation about the music that shaped her, from Highway 61 and Delta blues to Muscle Shoals soul and Brill Building pop.Through voices like Bob Dylan, Howlin’ Wolf, and Aretha Franklin, Lucinda reflects on discovering songwriting as a teenager, the artists that taught her what honesty sounds like, and how instinct and feeling have guided her own records. She also reacts to hearing a cover of her song “Greenville” for the first time, and

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59:53

A History of MTV in 10 Songs | The Track Star Podcast

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/01/28

Tom Freston, one of the founding executives behind MTV, joins The Track Star Podcast to talk through how the channel was built and what it became. Through a chronological run of songs and moments, he traces MTV’s evolution from a small startup into a platform that transformed how music was presented and discovered.Along the way, he explains why Live Aid marked a turning point for the network, how Michael Jackson helped turn music video premieres into shared cultural events, and how MTV brought

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45:46

CBGB Part 2: The Rise of New York Hardcore | The...

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/01/21

The Track Star Podcast continues our CBGB series with hardcore historian Steven Blush, tracing how the club transformed in the early 1980s from punk’s downtown art scene into the chaotic, all-ages world of New York hardcore. Blush breaks down the rise of the matinees, the birth of slam dancing and stage-diving, and the anti-fashion ethos that defined the scene, while connecting CBGB’s hardcore explosion to the wider national movement beyond Manhattan. Listen to our extended CBGB playlist: Spotify

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62:14

A History of CBGB in 10 Songs (Part 1) | The Track...

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/01/14

Iconic photographer Roberta Bayley breaks down how the CBGB scene formed in the mid-1970s, before anyone agreed on the word “punk,” and the room was still mostly bands, friends, and a $2 cover.Through songs by the Ramones, Television, Patti Smith, Blondie, and more, Bayley walks through the early CBGB ecosystem: what the club felt like night to night, how Punk magazine helped give the scene a name most of the artists didn’t even want, and how that label quickly spread beyond New York. She also

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14:14

Testing Ethan Hawke's Music Knowledge | The Track...

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/01/09

Actor and director Ethan Hawke joins The Track Star Podcast for a conversation centered on Americana, outlaw country, and songwriting.Through songs by Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, Blaze Foley, and others, Hawke connects music to places he’s lived, films he’s made, and relationships from different stages of his life. New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every Wednesday. [Video available on Spotify and YouTube]

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14:43

Testing Maya Rudolph's Music Knowledge | The Track...

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/01/07

Maya Rudolph joins The Track Star Podcast to talk through the music that shaped her, from classic pop and soul to rock, funk, and film soundtracks.Through songs tied to childhood memories, Boogie Nights, and her years at Saturday Night Live, Maya reflects on discovering artists through family, the emotional pull of live performance, and how music marks moments across a life. Listen to this episode’s extended playlist: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music New episodes of The Track Star Podcast

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37 results

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