Dead Wax

In this episode of DeadWax, Jack and Ryan sit down with Sean Watkins, renowned singer-songwriter and one-third of the Grammy-winning band Nickel Creek. They dive deep into the intricacies of songwriting and music production and spend some time zooming in on Nickel Creek's "Somebody More Like You". They explore Sean's journey as a solo artist and where he draws inspiration from for his creative projects, while also touching on his collaborations with iconic musicians like Matt Chamberlain. The conversation is full of personal anecdotes, including an insightful discussion about the emotional weight of unfinished songs and the artistry that comes from spontaneous moments in music creation. In the Patreon extended episode, Sean also shares all about Gillian Welch and her song “The Way It Will Be”. Thanks for listening!

This week on Dead Wax, Jack and Ryan sit down with Dan Wilson, Grammy-winning songwriter and frontman of Semisonic. Dan discusses his fascination with imperfect lyrics—the ones that stay in, reveal the writer’s hand, and make a song uniquely human. He explores the beauty in flaws through the work of Leonard Cohen, Kacey Musgraves, Smokey Robinson, Phoebe Bridgers, and Prince. In the extended Patreon episode, Dan dives deeper into the lyrical worlds of Joni Mitchell, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean, and Ben Folds.

On this week’s Dead Wax, Jack and Ryan sit down with Grammy-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist Fede Vindver to explore the three-year creative odyssey behind Justin Timberlake’s Everything I Thought It Was. Vindver pulls back the curtain on what it was like collaborating with Timbaland and a roster of top-tier producers to craft Timberlake’s No Angels —sharing insights into his production philosophy, his unique use of “starters,” and how emerging AI tools are reshaping his musical workflow. He also breaks down Timberlake’s process in the studio and the collaborative energy that drives modern pop innovation. In the Patreon-exclusive extended edition, Fede discusses one of his deepest musical influences—the Argentine supergroup Serú Girán and their classic song “Llorando en el Espejo.” He reflects on the band’s artistry, its impact on his own style, and how their legacy continues to inform his work today.

On this week’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan do something a little different — no guest, just the two of them sitting down to listen to and talk about some of their favorite songs. They dive deep into the tracks that have shaped their musical lives, from the haunting storytelling of Andy Shauf and the dreamy textures of The Shins, to the timeless songwriting of Buddy Holly, Feist, and Harry Nilsson. Along the way, they explore everything from Maurice Ravel’s harmonic genius to the hazy beauty of Duster and the classic soul of Dusty Springfield, uncovering the threads that tie their shared inspirations together. In the extended Patreon-exclusive edition, Jack and Ryan go even deeper — sharing rare finds, deep cuts, and from their personal collections. They reflect on how these songs have influenced their own work, how taste evolves over time, and why certain melodies stick with you forever. It’s an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the ears and hearts behind DeadWax.

"On this week’s DeadWax, Jack and Ryan welcome Blake Mills to discuss his new album That Wasn’t a Dream, created in collaboration with renowned bassist Pino Palladino. Blake talks through his production philosophy, his approach to capturing guitar tones, the experience of working with one of the world’s most accomplished bassists, and the incorporation of fretless guitar into the record. In the extended Patreon-exclusive edition, Blake breaks down All In Me by Brandy along with other pop songs that have shaped his sense of production, explaining what he draws from them and how they inform his own work."

Jack and Ryan sit down with Ruairi O’Flaherty, the mastering engineer behind tracks for some of music’s biggest names. Ruairi shares his emotion-first mastering philosophy, revealing how he stays open and available to the music—whether working on chart-topping records for Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter or championing intimate indie projects. He walks us through his career journey, explores how he skillfully balances high-profile clients with underground artistry, and explains his commitment to being present and responsive to every sound. From mastering for major artists to nurturing emerging talent, Ruairi underscores what it really means to practice good listening, and to make it feel like the record is truly done. In the Patreon-exclusive edition, Ruairi dives deeper into his admiration for Daniel Lanois, sharing insights into Lanois’s music, influence, and a heartfelt personal story from when they connected while Ruairi was living in Ireland. HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode Ruairi O'Flaherty!

Jack and Ryan sit down with legendary tastemaker Chris Douridas — the iconic KCRW host often hailed as one of the last great curators of modern music. Douridas reflects on his journey shaping the Los Angeles music scene, his philosophy on what makes a great song, and shares the remarkable story of how he personally introduced Burt Bacharach to Elvis Costello, sparking a celebrated collaboration. He also revisits the moment he first championed Beck, helping to bring a groundbreaking new voice to the world stage. From spotlighting fresh voices to connecting musical legends, Chris reveals rare insights into the art of curation and the evolving role of the tastemaker in an era dominated by algorithms.

Jack and Ryan sit down with Tiny Habits to explore how they craft their signature vocal arrangements—from reharmonization to blend to breath. The trio breaks down their arranging process, shares how they developed their group sound, and performs two stunning live renditions: Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” and (over on our Patreon), Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.” Along the way, they reflect on their origins as a band and what it takes to make three voices feel like one.