Trying to tune in when something feels right and then respond to it and try to seize opportunities.

I feel incredibly fortunate, the degree to which that's worked out. This is Joe Wong.

Welcome to the Trap Set.

I'd like to play something for you.

No, the years really haven't been. You're hearing You're hearing Abandoned Mansions by my guest Jay Robbins.

Robbins began his career as the bassist for DC punk band Government Issue.

He rose to prominence as a member of the highly influential band, Jawbox.

It was in this band that Jay first showcased an exceptional gift for memorable yet unorthodox vocal melodies,

counterbalanced with jagged angular guitar hooks.

After Jawbox ended its initial run in 1997, Jay went on to co-found bands such as Burning Airlines,

channels, and Office of Future Plans.

For over 20 years, he's also been an in-demand engineer and producer who's worked with artists such as Ponytail, The Promise Ring, Braid, Clutch, Jawbreaker, and X-Hex.

Jay operates Meg Pie Cage Studios in Baltimore

and released his first solo album Unbecoming earlier this year.

I spoke to him in downtown Los Angeles

prior to a show with the recently reunited Jawbox.

And now my conversation with Jay Robbins.

I feel very, I do have like a very hippie, like a hippie thing in my mind about it

where I'm just like things happen in a particular way for a reason,

you know. So, so that's what I thought in this case. I was like, well, I want to do both of

these things and they seem to both be happening simultaneously. So, you know, I mean, I worked

on the record for four years. That's plenty time to like just let it kind of marinate for a little while while I do jawbox.

...