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.
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Contact path
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Booking probability
32%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchA 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.
Recent episodes include "BONUS: Chest compressions, synchronized swim, and Fred Astaire: Roof Garden (Al Jarreau)" (20 October 2026, 13 minutes), "Party jams, a funky pocket, and a vocal wah: Roof Garden (Al Jarreau)" (20 October 2026, 31 minutes), and "Melancholy, musical tension, and minor keys: Almost Like Being in Love (Michael Johnson)" (13 October 2026, 31 minutes).
The Musician's Loupe publishes roughly weekly, with episodes averaging 29 minutes across 42 episodes.
Booking probability for The Musician's Loupe is 32%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. The Musician's Loupe requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. The Musician's Loupe's contact route on record: verified email.
The strongest fits for The Musician's Loupe are Artists, Writers & Performers. The Musician's Loupe has an education audience.
The Musician's Loupe is an education podcast with 42 episodes published.
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The Musician's Loupe
Go beyond the beat with Al Jarreau’s “Roof Garden” in this bonus episode on groove, timing, dance, and the musical pull of a great pocket. As a special gift, we’re releasing some parts of the conversation that ended up...
Al Jarreau’s “Roof Garden” gets a deep musical listen in this episode of The Musician’s Loupe , from its early-’80s jazz-funk shuffle to its irresistibly precise groove. Trist and Elaine unpack the all-star session...
A Broadway classic gets a haunting new life in Michael Johnson’s 1997 minor-key take on “Almost Like Being in Love.” In this episode, Trist and Elaine focus on its acoustic texture, slide guitar, reverb, jazz chords...
Explore the intersection of bluegrass and indie rock through Nickel Creek’s cover of "Hayloft." Trist and Elaine dissect Nickel Creek's faithful interpretation of Mother Mother’s song, unpacking the musical tension...
India.Arie's "Summer" stands out as a genre-blending gem, and this week’s episode explores the song's instrumentation via the collaboration of Rascal Flatts and legendary bassist Victor Wooten. India.Arie's takes a...
This week, we review a fresh take on a classic as this episode dives into the all-star rendition of "Cool" from West Side Story, featuring powerhouse musicians like Patti Austin, members of Take 6, Branford Marsalis...
Discover a hidden gem from Harry Connick Jr. as Trist and Elaine review "There Is Always One More Time," a soulful duet featuring the late Reverend James Moore. In this episode, they explore the song's likely...
"Moonshine" by Young Gun Silver Fox stands out as a modern classic, and Trist and Elaine break down the song's inventive chord progressions, lush orchestration, and the unique contribution of legendary songwriter Rod...
<p>Nikka Costa’s “So Have I For You” is a must-listen, with unique chord changes, powerful vocal delivery, and the emotional storytelling that defines her acclaimed album "Everybody Got Their Something." In this main...
Nikka Costa’s “So Have I For You” is a must-listen, with unique chord changes, powerful vocal delivery, and the emotional storytelling that defines her acclaimed album "Everybody Got Their Something." In this main...
<p>This week, we dive into "Blue Velvet" by Kurt Elling and Branford Marsalis, a haunting, ethereal soundscape between voice and tenor saxophone. Trist and Elaine discuss the subtle recording effects, delicate...
<p>Prince’s “A Place in Heaven” stands out as a hidden gem in his vast catalog. This episode dives deep into its unique musical structure, production history, and the artist’s experimental genius. We unpack the song’s...
Episode #28
<p>A cappella electronica? This episode covers “Worst Thing I Could Do,” from contemporary a cappella group ARORA’s groundbreaking album, Bioluminescence. The group leverages advanced vocal effects and processing...
<p>Listen to the song</p>YouTube - https://youtu.be/h1ATm0c6AxASpotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/1n11viwoaXFWfC9uZ1NFqb?si=d490e74dbe7f4994 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/best/1493029104 Amazon...
<p>This week, we review a classic big band arrangement of “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” highlighting the delayed entrance of the vocal group and other elements that make it a classic 1940s big band tune. This song...
Episode #25
<p>This episode reviews George Michael’s cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” the classic Bonnie Raitt hit, covering the differences between the vocal delivery and instrumentation. But there's a mystery: the surprising...
<p>This week, we dig into “Breathless" by CPR, a group formed by David Crosby and a son he dsicovered late in life. The intricate harmonies, unexpected chord changes, and the interplay between acoustic and electric...
<p>We review UK band Level 42’s “Lasso the Moon” from the 1991 Album “Guaranteed,” covering the song’s unusual chord changes and additional beats, which add rhythmic complexity and surprise to the composition. In the...
The Musician's Loupe
<p>This special bonus episode is the full discussion in response to a Mailbag quote about AI in music, which turned into a deeper conversation about analog creation, live music, and community.</p><p>Key...
Episode #22
<p>Listen to the song</p>YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz-5NDMYcrESpotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/7aVCFiwe5TipJ6tToCvIWl?si=7bef5111b9724a73Apple Music...
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