Ashley Capps helped reinvent the music festival with Bonnaroo, then did it again with Big Ears, the eclectic annual celebration of jazz, folk, electronic music, and other flavors of music he mounts each spring in Knoxville, TN.

In this episode, he discusses how encounters with the music of Steve Reich, Julius Hemphill, and the Ramones shaped his course.

Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.

Ashley Capps helped reinvent the music festival with Bonnaroo, then did it again with Big Ears, the eclectic annual celebration of jazz, folk, electronic music, and other flavors of music he mounts each spring in Knoxville, TN.
In this episode, he discusses how encounters with the music of Steve Reich, Julius Hemphill, and the Ramones shaped his course.
Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.

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

Essential Tremors

Ashley Capps (Big Ears Festival Founder)

As one half of influential band Gastr del Sol along with David Grubbs, Jim O’Rourke’s work has reached many through that project alone. However, his additional work as an esteemed solo artist and producer as well as a guitarist in Sonic Youth have extended his reach even further, solidifying him as one of the most prominent artists to emerge from the American underground.

On this episode, he talks about how songs by David Ackles, Genesis and Charles Ives informed his development as a musician.

Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.

As one half of influential band Gastr del Sol along with David Grubbs, Jim O’Rourke’s work has reached many through that project alone. However, his additional work as an esteemed solo artist and producer as well as a guitarist in Sonic Youth have extended his reach even further, solidifying him as one of the most prominent artists to emerge from the American underground.
On this episode, he talks about how songs by David Ackles, Genesis and Charles Ives informed his development as a musician.
Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.

Jim O’Rourke (Gastr del Sol)

David Grubbs, who along with Jim O'Rourke comprised Gastr del Sol, ushered in a new, cerebral strain of post-rock upon their appearance in the 90's. Owing more to modern classical composers than what was being played on college radio, the duo toured extensively and put out eight releases, most of which were on esteemed Chicago label Drag City.

Their newest release is a box set of their work named We Have Dozens of Titles, and was also released by Drag City in May of 2024.

Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.

David Grubbs, who along with Jim O'Rourke comprised Gastr del Sol, ushered in a new, cerebral strain of post-rock upon their appearance in the 90's. Owing more to modern classical composers than what was being played on college radio, the duo toured extensively and put out eight releases, most of which were on esteemed Chicago label Drag City.
Their newest release is a box set of their work named We Have Dozens of Titles, and was also released by Drag City in May of 2024.
Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.

David Grubbs (Gastr del Sol)

Having co-written many of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' greatest hits as the lead guitarist in the band, Mike Campbell's work has been heard by millions of listeners and still resonates today.

In this episode, hear how songs by Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan and The Beach Boys shaped his musical perspective.

Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.

Having co-written many of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' greatest hits as the lead guitarist in the band, Mike Campbell's work has been heard by millions of listeners and still resonates today.
In this episode, hear how songs by Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan and The Beach Boys shaped his musical perspective.
Essential Tremors is produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner and distributed by Your Public Studios.

Ashley Capps (Big Ears Festival Founder)

In 1 playlist(s)

Essential Tremors

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips