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!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 10, 2025 • 24min
What Makes The PERFECT Pop Song? with Madi Yanofsky
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan LermanGuest: Madi YanofskyExecutive 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
Nov 3, 2025 • 24min
Justin Timberlake's Producer on Timbaland, Drum Programming, Song Form and Working with JT with Fede Vindver
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan LermanGuest: Fede VindverExecutive 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
Oct 27, 2025 • 25min
Producing 'Float On' by Modest Mouse with Dennis Herring
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan LermanGuest: Dennis HerringExecutive 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
11 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 15min
Jack Conte & Ryan Lerman React To Each Others Favorite Songs
Join Jack and Ryan as they dive into a rapid-fire music discovery session. They admire the artistry of The Vernon Spring's piano and celebrate the production of Harry Nilsson's classic. The duo explores the emotional shifts in Bell Brigade's lyrics and the aggressive guitar dynamics featured. From the textured instrumentals of Other Nothing to the vocal focus of Andy Schaaf, they appreciate the intricacies of each track. Expect lively discussions that touch on intimate soundscapes and nostalgic album references!
Oct 13, 2025 • 21min
How Tony Berg Defines a Masterpiece
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan LermanGuest: Tony BergExecutive 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
7 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 28min
Blake Mills on Production, Fretless Guitar, and Working with Pino Palladino
Blake Mills, a Grammy-nominated producer and guitarist, dives into his innovative work in sound production. He explores the nuances of fretless guitar, detailing the unique challenges of its design and sound. Collaboration with bassist Pino Palladino shines as he shares insights on crafting grooves and the intricacies of polyrhythms. Mills also discusses the balance between capturing raw performance and tonal precision, revealing how subtle elements like finger noise add intimacy to recordings. It's a fascinating blend of artistry and technical mastery!
Sep 29, 2025 • 21min
What Made Nick Drake (and his mother) Some of the Best Songwriters in the World? with Bruno Major!
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan LermanGuest: Bruno MajorExecutive 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
Sep 22, 2025 • 19min
How Sabrina Carpenter's Mastering Engineer Starts Every Song - with Ruairi O'Flaherty
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan LermanGuest: Ruairi O'FlahertyExecutive 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
Sep 15, 2025 • 20min
Jonathan Rado on Miley Cyrus, Shawn Everett, Foxygen and Tape Machines
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan LermanGuest: Jonathan RadoExecutive Producer: Ryan LermanProduction Manager: Rachel McGowanAudio: Jack LightVideo: Phineas AlexanderTheme 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
Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 17min
How the World’s Greatest Tastemaker Listens to Music - with Chris Douridas
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan LermanGuest: Chris DouridasExecutive Producer: Ryan LermanProduction Managers: Rachel McGowan, Phineas AlexanderAudio: Jack LightVideo: Phineas AlexanderTheme 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
