Although a drummer by trade and training, Joe Westerlund’s creative output isn’t limited to just that instrument, with a more accurate description being "Percussionist/Improviser/Composer." Initially a member of DeYarmond Edison with Justin Vernon and brothers Brad and Phil Cook, followed by Megafaun after that, Westerlund has since gone on to release multiple solo records, co-founded Setting, a trio with Nathan Bowles and Jaime Fennelly, and record a forthcoming record with Nicole Mitchell called Written in the Universe.  We spoke to him live at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN, in March of 2026, where he spoke about how pieces by Milford Graves, Akron/Family, and Olaibe shaped his sensibiities. He'll also be performing at the next Big Ears Festival, taking place on April 1-4, 2027.

Although a drummer by trade and training, Joe Westerlund&rsquo;s creative output isn&rsquo;t limited to just that instrument, with a more accurate description being "Percussionist/Improviser/Composer." Initially a member of DeYarmond Edison with Justin Vernon and brothers Brad and Phil Cook, followed by Megafaun after that, Westerlund has since gone on to release multiple solo records, co-founded Setting, a trio with Nathan Bowles and Jaime Fennelly, and record a forthcoming record with Nicole Mitchell called Written in the Universe.&nbsp; We spoke to him live at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN, in March of 2026, where he spoke about how pieces by Milford Graves, Akron/Family, and Olaibe shaped his sensibiities. He'll also be performing at the next Big Ears Festival, taking place on April 1-4, 2027.

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

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

Essential Tremors

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

Joe Westerlund (Big Ears Festival performer)

Through his work in Mount Eerie and The Microphones, Phil Elverum’s deeply personal, human, and intimate songwriting has left a deep imprint on American underground music over the last 20-plus years. Over 30-odd releases, he has established a literary voice that is both nakedly honest but approachable and that draws the listener in even whilr covering emotionally difficult terrain. Hear how songs by The Ronettes, Julie Doiron, and Popol Vuh shaped his sensibilities. His most recent work, Night Palace, was released under the Mount Eerie imprimatur in November of 2024.

Through his work in Mount Eerie and The Microphones, Phil Elverum&rsquo;s deeply personal, human, and intimate songwriting has left a deep imprint on American underground music over the last 20-plus years. Over 30-odd releases, he has established a literary voice that is both nakedly honest but approachable and that draws the listener in even whilr covering emotionally difficult terrain. Hear how songs by The Ronettes, Julie Doiron, and Popol Vuh shaped his sensibilities. His most recent work, Night Palace, was released under the Mount Eerie imprimatur in November of 2024.

Phil Elverum (Mount Eerie, The Microphones)  (Guest Host: Bob Keal)

Columbus, OH-based composer Brian Harnetty describes himself as an “interdisciplinary artist using sound and listening to foster social change.” While the meaning of such a description may not be immediately apparent, Harnetty’s approach becomes clearer when reading through his CV: he frequently uses archival material such as field and historic recordings to create sound collages, capturing the essence of a subject from the fragments of it he’s collected. Some specific examples of his work in this area are recording projects with the Appalachian Sound Archives in Kentucky, the Sun Ra/El Saturn Creative Audio Archive in Chicago, and the Anne Grimes Collection in the Library of Congress. Harnetty’s work has garnered acclaim from publications ranging from The Wire, to Mojo, to Aquarium Drunkard, all three of which honored his 2022 release Words and Silences, a sonic portrait of the Trappist monk and writer Thomas Merton, on their “year-end best” lists. Here how works/performances by Igor Stravinsky, Frederic Rzewski, and Addie Graham informed his creative development.

Columbus, OH-based composer Brian Harnetty describes himself as an &ldquo;interdisciplinary artist using sound and listening to foster social change.&rdquo; While the meaning of such a description may not be immediately apparent, Harnetty&rsquo;s approach becomes clearer when reading through his CV: he frequently uses archival material such as field and historic recordings to create sound collages, capturing the essence of a subject from the fragments of it he&rsquo;s collected. Some specific examples of his work in this area are recording projects with the Appalachian Sound Archives in Kentucky, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Ra">Sun Ra</a>/<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Saturn_Records">El Saturn</a> Creative Audio Archive in Chicago, and the Anne Grimes Collection in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Congress">Library of Congress</a>. Harnetty&rsquo;s work has garnered acclaim from publications ranging from The Wire, to Mojo, to Aquarium Drunkard, all three of which honored his 2022 release Words and Silences, a sonic portrait of the Trappist monk and writer Thomas Merton, on their &ldquo;year-end best&rdquo; lists. Here how works/performances by Igor Stravinsky, Frederic Rzewski, and Addie Graham informed his creative development.

Brian Harnetty

Although turntablist Maria Chavez’s work is often performed in contemporary art museums and other rarefied locations, she herself doesn’t come from a place of abstraction or the aloofness that’s sometimes associated with such venues. On paper a deeply experimental artist, her work comes from a place of pure emotion rather than an ideological stance, and embraces the possibilities of the creative accident. A native of Lima, Peru, but raised in the United States, Chavez’s use of broken vinyl and semi-destroyed record needles have set her apart from other practitioners in her field. In addition to her solo work, she is also a member of The Turntable Trio along with Victoria Shen (previous show guest Evicshen) and Mariam Rezaei. Hear how works by Robert Wyatt, Hector Lavoe, and Autechre guided her path. We spoke to her live at the 2026 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN.

Although turntablist Maria Chavez&rsquo;s work is often performed in contemporary art museums and other rarefied locations, she herself doesn&rsquo;t come from a place of abstraction or the aloofness that&rsquo;s sometimes associated with such venues. On paper a deeply experimental artist, her work comes from a place of pure emotion rather than an ideological stance, and embraces the possibilities of the creative accident. A native of Lima, Peru, but raised in the United States, Chavez&rsquo;s use of broken vinyl and semi-destroyed record needles have set her apart from other practitioners in her field. In addition to her solo work, she is also a member of The Turntable Trio along with Victoria Shen (previous show guest Evicshen) and Mariam Rezaei. Hear how works by Robert Wyatt, Hector Lavoe, and Autechre guided her path. We spoke to her live at the 2026 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN.

Joe Westerlund (Big Ears Festival performer)

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