Shows / Caropop
Caropop
There may be nothing more inspiring and entertaining than relaxed, candid conversations among creative people. Mark Caro, a relentlessly curious journalist and on-stage interviewer, loves digging into the creative process with artists and drawing out surprising stories that illuminate the work that has become part of our lives. The Caropopcast is for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the music, movies, food and culture that they love.
Episodes
CaropopDebbi Peterson (The Bangles)
The Bangles specialized in intricate harmonies and tough, taut, tuneful guitar songs yet broke through with relatively glossy versions of “Manic Monday,” “If…
CaropopCary Baker
Cary Baker was a Chicago music writer and fanzine creator who made a good impression on R.E.M. and wound up running publicity for the band and its label…
CaropopAdrian Belew
When Adrian Belew was brought in to record his mind-bending guitar solos on what became Taking Heads’ landmark 1980 album Remain in Light, he felt an…
CaropopPeter Case
Peter Case is a singer-songwriter who has covered a tremendous amount of ground, both physically and stylistically, over a long, impressive career. He played…
CaropopDenny Laine (Wings, Moody Blues)
Denny Laine was the one full-time Wings member whose last name isn’t McCartney—as well as a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee with the Moody Blues. Wings went…
CaropopDavid Pasquesi
David Pasquesi is an actor who makes an impression even if you don’t know his name. He brightens The Book of Boba Fett as the sly, untrustworthy Majordomo…
CaropopRobyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock has been writing surreal, catchy, muscular, gentle, haunting, melodic pop rock songs from his late-'70s/early '80s work with the Soft Boys…
CaropopBrendan Benson
Brendan Benson is an accomplished solo artist who also happens to co-lead a popular band, the Raconteurs. He'd released three albums of tuneful, smart rock…
CaropopKevin Gray: Mono vs. Stereo
Mastering engineer Kevin Gray returns to Caropop to break down mono vs. stereo and other issues of sound. Gray has been remastering Blue Note’s acclaimed Tone…
CaropopVonda Shepard
Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard played herself on TV’s Ally McBeal, performing at the characters’ favorite piano bar, and she co-wrote and sang the show’s…
CaropopJeff "Skunk" Baxter
Guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter was an original Steely Dan member who played on the band's indelible first three albums: Can’t Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy…
CaropopKelly Hogan
Kelly Hogan is fantastic singer who sounds equally at home singing lead or providing sublime harmonies with Mavis Staples, Neko Case, the Decemberists and her…
CaropopBettye LaVette
Soul singer Bettye LaVette has had an epic career. She recorded her first single "My Man — He's a Lovin' Man" as a 16-year-old Detroiter in 1962, and its…
CaropopCaropop Happy Thanksgiving 2022
Please enjoy this brief Happy Thanksgiving message from the Caropop team, plus a countdown of the Top 10 most downloaded episodes and a preview of next week's…
CaropopStan Demeski (The Feelies)
Drummer Stan Demeski has held down the crazy rhythms of the Feelies for four decades, with a stint in the alt-rock supergroup Luna in between. He replaced the…
CaropopJoe Boyd, Pt. 2
As Part 2 of this Caropop conversation with this astute producer/label owner begins, Fairport Convention has reached its peak, but lead singer Sandy Denny is…
CaropopJoe Boyd, Pt. 1
When Joe Boyd moved to London in the mid-‘60s, he had no idea how he’d change the music world. He opened the soon-to-be-legendary underground UFO Club and…
CaropopKlaus Voormann
If all Klaus Voormann had done was design the cover of the Beatles’ Revolver, his place in rock history would be secure. The band needed artwork to match their…
CaropopDave Davies
Dave Davies is constantly searching for answers beyond ordinary human comprehension, so a conversation with the trailblazing Kinks guitarist isn’t just a…
CaropopDon Powell (Slade)
Glam band Slade ruled England in the early 1970s, with six No. 1 singles, including “Mama Weer All Crazee Now,” “Cum on Feel the Noize” and “Merry Xmas…
CaropopScott McCaughey
From the Young Fresh Fellows through the Minus 5, the Baseball Project and many more, Scott McCaughey has been in a lot of bands. He also played with R.E.M…
CaropopAl Jardine (Beach Boys)
To cap a year’s worth of Caropop episodes, we’ve got an original Beach Boy, Al Jardine. He provided perfect harmonies to this band of brothers and a cousin; he…
CaropopBrinsley Schwarz
Welcome to pub rock! Brinsley Schwarz is the namesake of the band Brinsley Schwarz and guitarist for Graham Parker and the Rumour. The band Brinsley Schwarz…
CaropopSteve Goulding
Drummer Steve Goulding has brought his crisp, distinct style to more great songs than you may realize. As a member of Graham Parker and the Rumour, he played…
CaropopSteve Wynn
Steve Wynn is singer-songwriter-guitarist for the Dream Syndicate and the Baseball Project, with a prolific solo career thrown in there as well. He’s also one…
CaropopGlenn Mercer (The Feelies)
Despite some identifiable influences (Velvets, Modern Lovers, Eno…), the Feelies are a band like no other. Their sound is crisp, their playing precise and…
CaropopVanessa Briscoe Hay (Pylon)
Pylon lead singer Vanessa Briscoe Hay never thought she’d still be talking about—and singing the songs of—this brilliant, groundbreaking Athens, Ga., band more…
CaropopGina Schock
Go-Go’s drummer Gina Schock brought the beat to “We Got the Beat” and elevated that band with her powerful, disciplined attack. She was hooked on muscular rock…
CaropopGilson Lavis (Squeeze)
When drummer Gilson Lavis joined Squeeze, he became the band’s most experienced musician, having previously played with Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Dolly…
CaropopDexter Wansel
If you’re a fan of Philadelphia soul, you’ve enjoyed the work of Dexter Wansel. He wrote for and produced such Philadelphia International artists as Lou Rawls…
CaropopFreda Love Smith
Drummer Freda Love Smith recently hung up her sticks after a long career playing in bands from Blake Babies to Antenna, Mysteries of Life and the Sunshine…
CaropopLinda Pitmon
Drummer Linda Pitmon brings her abundance of power, groove and talent to the supergroups the Baseball Project and Filthy Friends plus other bands. Growing up…
CaropopRonnie Foster
Soul jazz organist Ronnie Foster works as a solo artist but also played on Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life (“Summer Soft”), George Benson’s Breezin’…
CaropopPeter Holsapple, Pt. 2
Peter Holsapple is the dB’s sole-singer songwriter when the band finally lands a U.S. record deal, but the excellent Like This is undercut by issues with the…
CaropopPeter Holsapple, Pt. 1
You may have seen Peter Holsapple playing live with R.E.M. or Hootie and the Blowfish, but you should know his own music. He co-led and then led the dB's…
CaropopJim Eno (Spoon)
Spoon's Jim Eno doesn’t appear to be doing anything fancy when he drums, yet his deceptively groovy playing makes you want to move. He and frontman Britt…
CaropopChris Bellman
In audiophile communities it’s common to read raves about “the Bellman Cut” of an album because if Chris Bellman mastered it, it probably sounds great. One…
CaropopGerald Casale (Devo), Pt. 2
The continuation of our conversation with the Devo co-leader goes deeper and darker into the band's history and our ominous cultural landscape. What caused…
CaropopGerald Casale (Devo), Pt. 1
Devo’s Gerald Casale helped conceive the concept of “de-evolution,” but even he didn’t think things would get so bad. He’s also not happy about that Rock and…
CaropopJudd Apatow
Filmmaker Judd Apatow listens to other people as much as he projects his own voice. His new documentary, George Carlin’s American Dream (HBO, HBO Max), is a…
CaropopDelvon Lamarr
Delvon Lamarr can play almost every instrument but one, but he’s happiest behind his Hammond organ powering soul-jazz instrumentals that suggest what might…
CaropopSarah Stegner
Chef Sarah Stegner is not only one of the most talented chefs in the Chicago area but also among the most impactful. A two-time James Beard Award-winner, she…
CaropopJeff Murphy
Jeff Murphy makes brilliant power pop with his brother John and their friend Gary Klebe in the band Shoes. They began by recording at home in Zion, Ill…
CaropopChris Stamey
Chris Stamey played with Mitch Easter and Alex Chilton before forming the dB’s and producing Pylon and other bands, but he has created a formidable body of his…
CaropopJustin Roberts
Justin Roberts is a first-rate songwriter who happens to make music for kids. His songs are intuitive, funny and catchy, and four of his albums are Grammy…
CaropopRyan Smith
Nashville-based mastering engineer Ryan Smith works on high-profile vinyl releases such as recent albums by Adele and Taylor Swift, but he’s become renowned…
CaropopTerry Chambers
Drummer Terry Chambers was the motor that powered XTC through its first five albums before frontman Andy Partridge broke down and abruptly ended the band’s…
CaropopRobbie Fulks
Whether you consider him country, bluegrass, folk or rock, Robbie Fulks is one of our greatest songwriters and an awfully talented guitarist and singer as…
CaropopSam Phillips
Some songs you enjoy in the background while others take up residence in your bones. Sam Phillips’ music is in the latter category. She was Christian pop…
CaropopColin Blunstone
Colin Blunstone has one of the sweetest, most distinct voices in rock, yet his band, the Zombies, has a bizarre history. It broke through with “She’s Not…
CaropopStevie Van Zandt
He’s been known as Miami Steve, Little Steven and Steve/Steven/Stevie Van Zandt. He’s been Bruce Springsteen’s and Tony Soprano’s No. 2 guy, the artistic force…
CaropopJon Langford
The Mekons, the Waco Brothers, Four Lost Souls, the Pine Valley Cosmonauts—those are just some of Jon Langford’s bands, and he’s an accomplished visual artist…
CaropopJody Stephens
When singer-songwriter Alex Chilton and drummer Jody Stephens played their first Big Star concert in almost 20 years in 1993, Stephens said it was the first…
CaropopKevin Gray
If you pay close attention to the vinyl world, you know the name of Kevin Gray. He’s been mastering recordings since the early 1970s, and his name is on some…
CaropopVictor Krummenacher
Camper Van Beethoven bassist Victor Krummenacher is a standout player in a standout band that was peaking when it imploded. This former Wired art director has…
CaropopAmy Landecker
Amy Landecker is a working actor of many talents. She was Sarah Pfefferman on the Emmy-winning series Transparent, plays detective Nancy Costello on the…
CaropopSteve Albini, Pt. 2
In Part 2 of our Caropop conversation, we dive into the most famous album that Steve Albini produced, Nirvana’s In Utero. Which version does he consider to be…
CaropopSteve Albini, Pt. 1
Steve Albini raised his profile while recording Nirvana, the Pixies, the Breeders, P.J. Harvey and more, but he never became part of the rock machine. He works…
CaropopDave Gregory
When Dave Gregory joined XTC in 1979, he transformed the band through his muscular, melodic guitar playing, occasional keyboards and, on "1000 Umbrellas," a…