
Essential Tremors
A show in which musicians and other creators talk about the songs that shaped who they are. Produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner.
Latest episodes

Jul 8, 2024 • 42min
Jlin (Live at Big Ears Festival)
Electronic-music producer Jlin works in the space where beatmaking and modern composition collide. In this episode, recorded live at the 2024 Big Ears Festival, she discusses how music by Luther Vandross, Missy Elliott and Al Jarreau shaped her work. Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 28, 2024 • 35min
Mark Robinson & Bridget Cross (Air Miami/Unrest)
DC indie-scene veterans Mark Robinson and Bridget Cross formed the spine of two of the city's finest pop bands, Unrest and the still-undersung Air Miami. In this episode, they discuss how '70s dance music, musicals, the Shaggs, the Captain and Tennille, and '80s punk and indie shaped their course. Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 31, 2024 • 19min
Seventh Stanine Festival Preview
Our sixth annual Seventh Stanine Festival is taking place Saturday, June 15 from 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. This episode previews this year's event and features segments on Water Damage, Geologist of Animal Collective, Tongue Depressor, Susan Alcorn, The Caribbean, Small Sur, Turner Williams, Jr. and Jon Camp. More information can be found at www.rhizomedc.org or www.essentialpodcast.com. Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 14, 2024 • 32min
Jessica Pratt
Los Angeles-based folk troubadour Jessica Pratt's intimate, moody, carefully-crafted songs have helped her reach an ever-growing audience over the course of her four studio albums, the most recent of which is Here in the Pitch, which was released in May of 2024. In this episode, she talks about how songs by The Slits, Laura Nyro and Sly and the Family Stone helped her forge her musical path. Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 17, 2024 • 24min
Bruce Hornsby
Singer/songwriter Bruce Hornsby may be best known for his rootsy hits (and a few subsequent hip-hop samples of same), but his restless creativity has kept him experimenting into the 21st century. In this episode, he discusses how songs by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Paul Brady shaped his own work. Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 5, 2024 • 58min
Arnold Dreyblatt
Composer Arnold Dreyblatt discusses how Mexican folk music, Tony Conrad, and Robert Ashley shaped his unique approach to contemporary music. He explores the influence of just intonation on his work and the development of his innovative musical tuning system based on harmonic relationships. The podcast also delves into his biographical connections with other musicians and his integration of music and visual art in installations.

Feb 26, 2024 • 32min
Beth Orton (Big Ears Festival Performer)
Guitarist/singer/songwriter Beth Orton discusses how songs by Sinead O'Connor, Sons of Kemet, and Father John Misty influenced her boundary-pushing sound. The episode explores the transformative power of iconic songs in shaping musicians' lives and artistry, delving into the craft and emotion behind songwriting, and highlighting the brilliance of songwriters like Roger Miller and Prince.

Feb 22, 2024 • 48min
Sleater-Kinney
Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein form the two-voice, two-guitar core of Sleater-Kinney, one of the most revered and long-lived rock bands of the past 30 years. In this episode, they discuss how music by Sinead O'Connor, the Pointer Sisters, Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly, Kate Bush and the Wipers influenced their work. Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 7, 2024 • 26min
Sarah Jarosz
Although clearly born out of the folk and Americana tradition, guitarist and singer-songwriter Sarah Jarosz brings a modern pop sensibility to her work, while also remaining true to the American songbook that values the tenets of both simple harmonies as well as strong melody. In this episode, she talks about how songs by Nickel Creek, James McMurtry and Paul Simon shaped her work. Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 24, 2024 • 38min
Marc Ribot (Big Ears Festival Performer)
Guitarist Marc Ribot possesses one of the most distinctive six-string sounds in American music, audible both in his work with collaborators like Tom Waits and John Zorn and in his own projects, such as his band Ceramic Dog. In this episode, he discusses pieces by Frantz Casseus, Ornette Coleman and Chocolate Genius. Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.