The Track Star Podcast

Pop punk was the sound that defined malls, teen movies, and high-school playlists in the 2000s. With Simple Plan, All Time Low, Good Charlotte, and Olivia Rodrigo, we trace how the genre evolved from its punk roots in bands like the Ramones to defining acts like Green Day and Blink-182, all the way to TikTok’s nostalgic revival. Along the way, we explore how skate culture and The Warped Tour built...

This week we explore movie scores: how they are composed, how they shape emotion, and what makes a theme unforgettable. We played legendary scores for Emily Bear (Moana 2), Jerskin Fendrix (Poor Things), and RZA (Kill Bill, Ghost Dog) and had them identify the films they are from. We also include insights from Jon Batiste on Soul and Isabela Merced on The Last of Us. You will hear how composers st...

Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska is the haunting home-recorded album that changed his career and revealed the darkness behind his music. With Jeremy Allen White, Scott Cooper, and author Warren Zanes, we trace how it was made, what it revealed about Springsteen’s mental state, and how it inspired the upcoming film Deliver Me from Nowhere, as Jeremy opens up about transforming himself to play The Boss....

Jon Batiste, Christian McBride, and New Jazz Underground join us for a deep dive into jazz, the quintessential American art form. Through 10 essential songs, from Louis Armstrong to Kamasi Washington, we explore how this music came to capture the spirit of creativity itself. Listen to our extended Jazz playlist: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music New episodes of The Track Star Podcast every Wed...

The Great American Songbook shaped the foundation of American popular music, from Broadway stages to jazz clubs and Hollywood soundtracks. Guided by Seth MacFarlane, with John C. Reilly and Samara Joy, we trace its legacy through 10 essential recordings, exploring the writers, performers, and timeless melodies that defined the American sound. Listen to our extended American Songbook playlist: Spot...

Today hip-hop is the world’s most popular music, but it began as a neighborhood party in the Bronx. Guided by hip-hop historian Debra Harris, with stories from Mark Ronson, Fat Joe, and Pos and Maseo of De La Soul, we trace the genre’s rise through 10 essential songs, from “Rapper’s Delight” to A Tribe Called Quest, unpacking the DJ innovations, early recordings, and party culture that shaped hip-...

What does punk really mean, and why does it still matter? Jack talks with New Yorker writer Kelefa Sanneh to trace the genre’s history through 10 songs, from the Sex Pistols to Nirvana. NYC council-member and former punk guitarist Justin Brannan also joins to share insider stories from the city’s hardcore scene. Listen to our extended punk playlist: ⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠Apple Music⁠ | ⁠YouTube Music⁠ New...

The Track Star Podcast is on its way. The internet’s favorite music show, now in podcast form! Follow here so you don’t miss the first episode, releasing Wednesday, September 24th!