The Musician's Loupe

Elaine Chao and Trist Curless
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY

A discussion about music and musicianship by Trist Curless (jazz singer, educator, sound engineer, and recording engineer, formerly of m-pact and The Manhattan Transfer) and Elaine Chao, M.Ed (multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, beatboxer, singer-songwriter, author, and former educator). Each week, we listen to a song together and discuss the music we love through the lens of decades in the music industry. Topics include analysis of songwriting, chord progression, instrumentation, recording technology, and arrangement.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    South African harmonies, bilingual songwriting, and hailing a taxi: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Paul Simon)

    Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXe2HzFOJYQ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/71GvlH0VdeClloLIkHrAVu?si=86a85fa9cc56478c Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/diamonds-on-the-soles-of-her-shoes/529574619 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0085LMFAE?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_InQKPS94PVgshxXsoqYCrDrci&trackAsin=B0085LMI9W  Key takeaways Trist and Elaine discuss “Diamonds in the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon in collaboration with the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. This song showcases the rich musical traditions of South Africa and addresses themes of class disparity and cultural integration during the apartheid eraThe lyrics of the song incorporate South African cultural elements, such as the "sign of a teaspoon" and "sign of a wave," which reference specific taxi signals in South Africa, adding depth and context to the narrativeIn the Mailbag portion, Trist and Elaine explore the idea that musical ability is not solely dependent on innate talent but can be cultivated through dedication and practice, emphasizing that anyone can achieve a decent level of musical proficiency with effort About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer.

    30 min

  2. JAN 13

    Simplicity, storytelling, and a breakup averted: Never on the Day You Leave (John Mayer)

    Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1d5c1fVxSA Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/3TQbr3G3U5wlwEJejmqC1F Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/never-on-the-day-you-leave/1224353385 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B06Y3HV2N3?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_gArDR5BzTxFt1Suiqwo03YUHf&trackAsin=B06Y3R6LPH Other links “Further Notes on Scenius,” May 2017, Austin Kleon, quoting Brian Eno on the term “Scenius” Key takeaways Trist and Elaine discuss the storytelling and lyrical depth of John Mayer’s song “Never on the Day You Leave,” highlighting its emotional journey and impactful outroThe song's minimalistic instrumentation, including acoustic and clean electric elements, creates a sense of intimacy and supports the poignant lyrics, emphasizing the emotional weight of the narrativeIn the mailbag segment, Elaine and Trist emphasize the critical role of local music venues and audiences in fostering emerging artists and creating a thriving music community About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer.

    31 min

  3. JAN 6

    Hocket, pocket, and a surprise brass breakdown: Workin' Day and Night (Michael Jackson)

    Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWnyCxva6bA Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6BdiFsPMPkSEEO4fFXFVWX Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/workin-day-and-night/186166410 Amazon - https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B00138KJY0?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_n0DKAlMsv9XvZL5bSVgX5cY0z&trackAsin=B00137QO0O Other links Hocket in horns breakdownJackson family demo of Workin’ Day and NightHorns in the NY subway station (Lucky Chops) Key takeaways In this episode, Trist and Elaine explore how Michael Jackson incorporates the ancient musical technique of hocket, originating from 13th-14th century choral music, into his song "Workin' Day and Night," creating a seamless melody from alternating instrumental partsThe discussion highlights the rich, human elements of the "Off the Wall" album, including live brass sections, hand drums, and vocal percussive sounds, contrasting it with later albums that relied more heavily on synthesizers and programmed soundsElaine and Trist discuss how musicians with corporate jobs can play a vital role in the music industry by using their income to fund projects, pay fellow musicians, and sustain their passion for music while maintaining financial stability About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal

    32 min

  4. 12/30/2025

    Vocal jazz, doo-wop, and a little melodica: In the Still of the Night (I’ll Remember) (Johnny Mathis)

    Listen to the song YouTube - https://youtu.be/Hr1M6wWBei0?si=ygI48sWUK1WvFumB Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/20DUr5qMlguUSIeVsquajt?si=90324010b59a4cc7 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/in-the-still-of-the-night-ill-remember/270027184 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B00138JBLM?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_nzxPmWqf3yYHOkPUPqfx65MuE&trackAsin=B001389W7A  Other links Take 6The Five SatinsThe BobsThe PersuasionsVulfpeck Key takeaways Trist and Elaine discuss Johnny Mathis' rendition of "In the Still of the Night (I'll Remember)" with Take 6, highlighting the unique arrangement and the contrast between Mathis' wide vibrato and Take 6's tight, straight-toned jazz harmoniesThe hosts analyze the distinct features of Take 6's arrangement, including close vocal harmonies, walking bass lines, syncopated backgrounds, subtle jazz chord tensions, and the use of vocal techniques to mimic instrumental soundsIn the mailbag portion, Trist and Elaine discuss different approaches to merchandise, such as limited runs, and how these strategies can help artists create a sense of exclusiveness and urgency to purchase. ​ They also touch on evaluating the return on investment of merchandise sales, especially for indie artists​ About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated...

    32 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    Standards, phrasing, and the jazz ballad: Over the Rainbow (Lorez Alexandria)

    Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07svdMmaQbM Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/4rnTlPjfyaDtKVhq9ZYryy?si=bcbff13656ac43f5 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/over-the-rainbow/1444164049 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B000W15BNS?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_1lz8YoMjapO1PSPL3SaW0Iyma&trackAsin=B000W190LM  Other links Pete Kelly’s Blues (1955)“Sing a Rainbow,” Peggy Lee Key takeaways Trist and Elaine discuss Lorez Alexandria’s take on the jazz classic “Over the Rainbow,” which introduces an intro from “Sing a Rainbow,” performed by Peggy Lee in “Pete Kelly’s Blues.” Topics include the relationship with theme and variation, back phrasing, and the push and pull with jazz instrumentalistsIn the Mailbag portion, Trist and Elaine reflect on the importance of creativity and expression in helping people connect, discover their true selves, and understand the human experience. They go on to discuss what type of activity to them brings meaning and connection in the context of an artist’s contribution to the world About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer.

    31 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    Anthems, harmonies, and unexpected soul: Leap of Faith (Kenny Loggins)

    Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG0eW6zHoyc Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/2thU0AOHF6C9Iwnrch1oHA?si=7a2cab7b25b848a3 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/if-you-believe/202777729 Amazon - https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B00138CRKY?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_dpAh3rAcWNutnxKDLPr1dx5Z3&trackAsin=B00137RMKK  Key takeaways Kenny Loggins' song "If You Believe" from his 1991 album Leap of Faith features a unique a cappella intro that features three female singers who all had successes as background singers and successes as solo artists: Sheryl Crow, Siedah Garrett, and Ruth PointerThis song can be taken in context of the world history in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as well as in the context of Loggins’ careerIn the Mailbag segment, Trist and Elaine discuss the importance of external feedback, both in individual and group settings, in helping musicians grow About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer.

    32 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    Minimalism, metaphor, and heartbreak: Never Thought You'd Leave in Summer (Stevie Wonder)

    Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrLDXORRDpo&list=RDFrLDXORRDpoSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/37Coai9PTZrf39716Ypi0SApple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/never-dreamed-youd-leave-in-summer/1443793772Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B000VWPMX2?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_SAOWAZX6uO74jq9sKAZbYD40N&trackAsin=B000VWQXJY Key takeaways Despite Stevie Wonder’s typical full band sound, this ballad is a minimalistic experience, with just a piano, upright bass, and a light orchestra and choirLike most of his music, Stevie Wonder creates unexpected chord progressions that deviate from traditional music rules. However, these chord progressions never distract, only enhance his musicElaine and Trist also discuss album order and how it could be influenced by the limitations of available technology, and how it differs from creating a set for a live setIn the Mailbag segment, Elaine and Trist explore the concept of a “calling” in music About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer. Contact us Email us at: themusiciansloupe@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusiciansloupe/ Talk with us on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@themusiciansloupe

    33 min

  8. 12/03/2025

    BONUS: A belated introduction

    Join us for this special bonus episode: Trist and Elaine introduce themselves, cover their own musical backgrounds, and share why they’re doing this podcast. Other Links The LHR ProjectTake 6m-pactPentatonixStraight No ChaserThe Manhattan TransferNaturally 7The Swingles About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer. Contact us Email us at: themusiciansloupe@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusiciansloupe/ Talk with us on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@themusiciansloupe

    20 min

  9. 12/02/2025

    Clever songwriting, vintage vibes, and a bit of whimsy: The Laundromat Swing (Rachael and Vilray)

    Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDgAKf6pE6I&list=RDKDgAKf6pE6 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/4sluRx2AOutiE6pVszQfZ0 Apple Music - https://open.spotify.com/track/4sluRx2AOutiE6pVszQfZ0 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B07VGP8RCW?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_OnOs1Dd5AHZ7VTB6bC1Si32Zb&trackAsin=B07VCH4ZX8  Other links There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift, by Kevin Evers“Here It Goes Again” music video, OK GoPomplamoose Patreon Key Takeaways The featured song, “The Laundromat Swing,” is a clever and compact duet by Racahel and Vilray, released in 2019 but styled to emulate 1940s musicThe recording style mirrors the 1940s, using a single high-quality microphone and live balancing, which adds warmth and authenticity to the sound. ​The song's lyrics are clever and nostalgic, using 1940s slang and focusing on a lighthearted, relatable topic about making a good impressionIn the mailbag segment, Elaine and Trist discuss the importance of marketing and branding for creatives, emphasizing that quality alone is often not enough for success About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer. Contact us Email us at: themusiciansloupe@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: a href="https://www.instagram.com/themusiciansloupe/"...

    31 min

  10. 11/25/2025

    Storytelling songs, pop culture references, and the underdog: You Don’t Mess Around with Jim (Jim Croce)

    Listen to the song YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hickVDiW8k0 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6ZBeRXjadHvBk9VYSnoO0R Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/you-dont-mess-around-with-jim/1674575644 Amazon - https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0DZVD77DQ?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_MGVmgH42gWddvoDScPKQIAkC5&trackAsin=B0DZVFQ96F  Key Takeaways “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” is a story song that cleverly shifts from the crowd narrative of warning people away from a city boy bully to celebrating Slim, the country boy who overcomesTrist and Elaine delve into the musical and lyrical elements of the song, covering storytelling, orchestration, and usage of pop culture referencesIn the mailbag portion, Trist and Elaine discuss creativity and whether or not it’s influenced by the time of day, or if it’s just a personal rhythm and discipline that must be mastered About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer. Contact us Email us at: themusiciansloupe@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusiciansloupe/ Talk with us on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@themusiciansloupe

    30 min

  11. 11/18/2025

    Retro funk, pop, and a powerful bridge: Half of the Way (Vulfpeck)

    Listen to the song we're discussing: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr6f26I2cBI&pp=ygUYdnVsZnBlY2sgaGFsZiBvZiB0aGUgd2F5 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/3uFp6gGgNMtSEmzx1cHTG4 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/half-of-the-way-feat-theo-katzman/1436319130 Amazon - https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B081ZLBTR1?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_Gu5DAmMNThAfAbN7TVhRRknB4&trackAsin=B081ZLYTFK  References More about Larry Goldings - https://youtube.com/@larrygoldings?si=1vAyRthG1Tbos6MQ  Key Takeaways “Half of the Way” is a song by Vulfpeck, a funk and soul band. This particular song has a strong pop structure, catchy hooks, and retro soundThe discussion includes a discussion of the role of a bridge in pop music, and discusses how different this one is from the main body of the songThe Mailbag portion of the discussion focuses on the relationship between social media and the music industry, and the ongoing importance of live performances and word-of-mouth About us Trist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent. Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer. Contact us Email us at: themusiciansloupe@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusiciansloupe/ Talk with us on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@themusiciansloupe...

    27 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A discussion about music and musicianship by Trist Curless (jazz singer, educator, sound engineer, and recording engineer, formerly of m-pact and The Manhattan Transfer) and Elaine Chao, M.Ed (multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, beatboxer, singer-songwriter, author, and former educator). Each week, we listen to a song together and discuss the music we love through the lens of decades in the music industry. Topics include analysis of songwriting, chord progression, instrumentation, recording technology, and arrangement.

Information

  • Creator
    Elaine Chao and Trist Curless
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Elaine C. Chao and Trist Curless
  • Show Website
    The Musician's Loupe