New York City-based underground hip-hop artist BillyWoods might be best known as half of duo Armand Hammer, but is also well known as a solo artist. His 2024 releaseMaps, in which he worked with beatmaker and producer Kenny Segal, earned a “Best New Music” designation from Pitchfork. On this episode, in which Woods was interviewed before a live audience by guest host and former guest of the show Claire Rousay at the 2024 Big Ears Festival, he talks about how songs by Public Enemy, MF Doom, and Juggaknotts paved his way artistically.

New York City-based underground hip-hop artist Billy Woods might be best known as half of duo Armand Hammer, but is also well known as a solo artist. His 2024 releaseMaps, in which he worked with beatmaker and producer Kenny Segal, earned a “Best New Music” designation from Pitchfork. On this episode, in which Woods was interviewed before a live audience by guest host and former guest of the show Claire Rousay at the 2024 Big Ears Festival, he talks about how songs by Public Enemy, MF Doom, and Juggaknotts paved his way artistically.

A show in which musicians and other creators talk about the songs that shaped who they are.

Essential Tremors

billy woods (Guest Host Claire Rousay), Live at Big Ears Festival

Berlin-based avant-guitarist Jules Reidy is known for creating elaborate, beautiful textures with their instrument, often in large washes of disorienting sound. As evidenced in several collaborations with previous guest of the show Oren Ambarchi, Reidy’s heavily-layered and highly-spiritual work–particularly on their newest release, Ghost/Spirit, which is out soon on Thrill Jockey–is also transfixing, particularly upon close and repeated listens. In this episode, they talk about how compositions by Catherine Lamb, Talk Talk, and Dean Roberts shaped their creative sensibilities. Reidy will perform at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN in March of 2025.

Join our Patreon to support the show.

Berlin-based avant-guitarist Jules Reidy is known for creating elaborate, beautiful textures with their instrument, often in large washes of disorienting sound. As evidenced in several collaborations with previous guest of the show Oren Ambarchi, Reidy’s heavily-layered and highly-spiritual work–particularly on their newest release, Ghost/Spirit, which is out soon on Thrill Jockey–is also transfixing, particularly upon close and repeated listens. In this episode, they talk about how compositions by Catherine Lamb, Talk Talk, and Dean Roberts shaped their creative sensibilities. Reidy will perform at the <a href="https://www.bigearsfestival.org">Big Ears Festival</a> in Knoxville, TN in March of 2025.
Join <a href="https://www.patreon.com/essentialtremors">our Patreon</a> to support the show.

Jules Reidy (Big Ears Festival performer)

Norwegian singer Susanna, whose full name is Susanna Karolina Wallumrød, first grew to fame for her work in her group Susanna and the Magical Orchestra. Her warm, soulful, and at times ethereal voice lends both her original compositions and beautifully-rendered covers a deep source of vulnerability and humanity. First recommended to us by previous guest, and guest host, Will Oldham, Susanna’s album Sonata Mix Dwarf Cosmos was featured in a deeply moving Selector Series event hosted by Oldham last year here in Baltimore. In this episode, she talks about how songs by Nina Simone, Bjork, and Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru have guided her artistically.

Join us at the Big Ears Festival 2025! 

Help support the show at our Patreon.

Norwegian singer Susanna, whose full name is Susanna Karolina Wallumrød, first grew to fame for her work in her group Susanna and the Magical Orchestra. Her warm, soulful, and at times ethereal voice lends both her original compositions and beautifully-rendered covers a deep source of vulnerability and humanity. First recommended to us by previous guest, and guest host, Will Oldham, Susanna’s album Sonata Mix Dwarf Cosmos was featured in a deeply moving Selector Series event hosted by Oldham last year here in Baltimore. In this episode, she talks about how songs by Nina Simone, Bjork, and Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru have guided her artistically.
Join us at the <a href="https://bigearsfestival.org">Big Ears Festival 2025! </a>
Help support the show at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/essentialtremors">our Patreon.</a>

Susanna

Scottish piper Brìghde Chaimbeul has quickly vaulted from the traditional-music scene to an international profile, in part thanks to her recent collaboration with saxophonist/composer Colin Stetson. In this episode, she discusses how music by Allan Macdonald, the Rhodopea Kaba Trio, and Steve Reich guided her own work. She'll appear at the Big Ears Festival in March 2025.

Scottish piper Brìghde Chaimbeul has quickly vaulted from the traditional-music scene to an international profile, in part thanks to her recent collaboration with saxophonist/composer Colin Stetson. In this episode, she discusses how music by Allan Macdonald, the Rhodopea Kaba Trio, and Steve Reich guided her own work. She'll appear at the Big Ears Festival in March 2025.

billy woods (Guest Host Claire Rousay), Live at Big Ears Festival

Essential Tremors

In 1 playlist(s)

Essential Tremors

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips