Explore every episode of the podcast MUSIC is not a GENRE
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PODFAST #28 - A Songwriting Tutorial from The SONG COACH | MxG BONUS EPISODE | 07 Jul 2025 | 00:47:43 | |
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST! ~~~~ For the past several episodes, I’ve been promoting my new song coaching service. This 28th PODFAST is an introduction to that. It’s not just an introduction, it’s a tutorial. I lay out the basics, tell you my approach, and clue you in to what you’ll learn when you hire me to help you write that song you’ve been sitting on for years. Are you ready to take the step, and finally finish your song? Does this episode serve as a solid introduction to how I coach? Have any questions for me? Discuss dammit! And then let's get to work! And stream REC's new album, Kite to Camden! ~~~~ *intro/outro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Why ALL Music Critics are WRONG (MUSIC is EVERYTHING #36) | MxG Season 7 Episode 30 | 30 Jun 2025 | 00:52:48 | |
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST! ~~~~ FEATURED SONG NICK – “Your Sister” (from THE METROGRANDE SESSIONS) ~~~~ This is the era of back-to-back MUSIC is EVERYTHING episodes! For #36 of the series, I get real about music critics and criticism. Music criticism has taught us a lot, and often distilled what we need or want to know into digestible forms. But like social media, it’s often filled with assumptions, errors, and biases that color that knowledge in sometimes irreparable ways. I examine music critics and criticism – the origin and development, the different types of music writing, the pros and cons, and explain why all of it is ultimately somehow wrong, and often misses the point by a mile. Do you read music criticism? Are you a fan of music writing in general? Have you learned something from it? Do you tend to trust critics? Discuss dammit! BONUS MxTRA: How to use music critics for good ~~~~ *intro music: REC - "In Your Dreams Tonight" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Jass Bianchi - Interview Edition #43 | MxG - Season 7 Episode 24 | 28 Apr 2025 | 01:00:05 | |
I spend an hour with serial entrepreneur Jass Bianchi. She's an award-winning rapper, songwriter, music industry educator, and career coach. She's also CEO of the creative marketing agency, COLOR IN SOUND, and coach at GROW WITH JASS. We talk about her life & career, in both the arts and business. And stay to the end to hear the FEATURED SONG: More about Jass: BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: Jass's human rights & mental health advocacy ~~~ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Beatles Part 7 – McCartney VII | MxG - Season 5 Episode 42 | 24 Jul 2023 | 01:10:02 | |
Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Get Nick's Newsletter! - AND CHECK THE WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 42 - The Beatles Part 7 – McCartney VII FEATURED SONG: REC – “Never Tell” (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 and Distance To Empty) In Part 7 of my who-know-how-long Beatles series, I discuss the solo career of Paul McCartney. He’s not only been the most consistent – and consistently good – solo Beatle, he’s also been one of the most consistent and consistently contemporary artists ever, having charted somewhere in the world in SEVEN DECADES. I go over his discography, including works not attributed to him or Wings. I talk a little about his ongoing influence & legacy. And I explain how his constant searching for the new & different is what every music creator should do. Are you a McCartney fan? If not, why not? If so, what era(s) of his do you prefer? Do you think any of his solo work lives up to the Beatles? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| BackTalk with Steve Erickson – South African Music | MxG - Season 5 Episode 41 | 17 Jul 2023 | 00:49:37 | |
Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Get Nick's Newsletter! - WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 41 - BackTalk with Steve Erickson – South African Music This week kicks off a new series I’m calling BackTalk, wherein a guest and I converse on a topic we think deserves attention. For the first BackTalk, I bring back Steve Erickson, music & film critic, and music producer. We get into South African music – the history, recent & current artists, its future, how the country’s politics & culture have shaped it, and how in the last 100 years or so it has had a particularly & surprisingly close relationship with US music. Select South African music playlist (compiled by Steve): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfrAP6IL7DaXwKJp0cWR2C0hsV2eZMXQn
Recommended South African music compilations: NEXT STOP…SOWETO (Volumes 1-4) ZULU JIVE / UMBAQANGA THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO (Volumes 1-6) AMAPIANO NOW Find out more about Steve: http://steeveecom.wordpress.com http://callinamagician.bandcamp.com/ ~~~ *music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Beatles Part 6 – Separating the Sum | MxG - Season 5 Episode 40 | 10 Jul 2023 | 01:16:31 | |
Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - TRY IT FREE! Get Nick's Newsletter! - WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 40 - The Beatles Part 6 – Separating the Sum FEATURED SONG: REC – “Different Oceans” (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 and Distance To Empty) OR STREAM IT ANYWHERE In the “final” edition of my six-part Beatles series, I talk about the post-Beatles world. From 1970 on, the Beatles have been a massive presence everywhere, and their legacy and influence have only grown. I go over official Beatles releases post-breakup, each of their solo careers, Beatles inspired artists & other works, and sum up what all of this means for music, musicians, and the world. Are you into any of the Beatles’ solo music? Are you old enough to remember hoping they’d get back together? Do you feel they deserve the praise & legendary status? Can you think of examples of how their influence has spawned other genres & artists? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| What’s an ALBUM?? And WHY?? – Part 1: History and the 1950s | MxG - Season 5 Episode 39 | 03 Jul 2023 | 00:52:31 | |
Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - EXCLUSIVE MUSIC Get Nick's Newsletter! - WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 39 - What’s an ALBUM?? And WHY?? – Part 1: History and the 1950s FEATURED SONG: The Drop – “Classical Space Jazz 1” (from Long Held Grudges) This week I’m kicking off another multi-part series. It’ll focus on the album as art form, and give you my favorites and other notable albums, decade by decade. Since this first part will focus mostly on the 1950s, and there were comparatively fewer albums in those decades, I’ll also talk about the history of the album – why & how it came about, and why it matters. Are you an album fan? Or do you prefer to listen to single songs or playlists? Does music hit you differently when absorbed in album form? What are some of your favorite albums from the 1950s? And/or do you know of any pre-album albums from earlier decades? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Cure - Why CAN'T I Be Them? | MxG - Season 5 Episode 38 | 26 Jun 2023 | 01:13:42 | |
Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - EXCLUSIVE MUSIC Get Nick's Newsletter! - WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 38 - The Cure - Why CAN'T I Be Them? FEATURED SONGS: REC – “Shoot To Kill” (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 and Distance To Empty) OR STREAM IT ANYWHERE The Cure – “The Caterpillar” (LIVE acoustic cover by Nick) SEE NICK’S FULL CURE TRIBUTE CONCERT! This week I give The Cure my usual treatment. History, anecdotes, discography, and how their eclectic output goes well beyond goth & twee synth pop hits. I also talk about my deep personal connection to The Cure. They’re one of my rotating top five favorite bands of all time, and have been a huge influence on my music. AND I tell you all about the Madison Square Garden concert I just saw. Are you a fan? If not, why not? Is it Robert Smith’s voice, or something else? If so, do you have favorite eras, albums, and songs, or are you into all of it? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| An Hour PLUS with NOMAD - Interview Edition #32 | MxG - Season 5 Episode 37 | 17 Jun 2023 | 01:22:54 | |
I spend over an hour with NOMAD, music producer, music director, and session/touring guitarist who has been heavily active in the industry since the 1990s. Nomad has toured the world many times over, and has been featured on countless GRAMMY-winning records. NOMAD's compositions are in circulation in over 300 TV shows, commercials, films, as well as chart topping albums. He's also creator of The CareerMusician (TCM) – a social network of pro musicians sharing knowledge and personal experiences in entertainment, and its accompanying podcast. We talk about his career, the music industry in general, and how his course, Pro Level Sessions, will help any home recording musician make their music sound even better. Check out the Ultimate "Flowers" Remake Contest - where you can remix Miley Cyrus' hit for a chance to win exclusive access to Pro Level Sessions AND NOMAD's book, Ethos: The Career Musician's Code. Deadline for entry is June 26, 2023. But don't worry! If you miss out, you can still get Pro Level Sessions. I HIGHLY recommend it. Find out more about NOMAD's career & music here: https://nomadsplace.com/ And follow @TheCareerMusician on social. ~~~~ Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - EXCLUSIVE MUSIC Get Nick's Newsletter! - WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~ *music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| An Hour with Christian Swain - Interview Edition #31 | MxG - Season 5 Episode 36 | 12 Jun 2023 | 00:59:54 | |
I spend an hour with Christian Swain, CEO of Pantheon Media. We talk about music history, the state of music today, and how it all ties into Pantheon's mission. Pantheon Media is the world’s biggest music podcast network. It’s got something for every music fan: history, interviews, stories, commentary, news, reviews & more. You might say it covers the … PANTHEON … of the music world. Check out all the podcasts and find one you love! http://pantheonpodcasts.com/ And listen to Christian’s podcast, Rock N Roll Archaeology: http://pantheonpodcasts.com/rock-n-roll-archaeology Follow Pantheon so you know when a new episode drops: INSTA: @pantheonpods FACEBOOK: @PantheonPodcasts TWITTER: @PantheonPods ~~~~ Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - EXCLUSIVE MUSIC Get Nick's Newsletter! - WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~ *music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Freewheeling Catch-Up Machine #4 – I Mostly Just Watch TV | MxG - Season 5 Episode 35 | 05 Jun 2023 | 00:54:09 | |
Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - EXCLUSIVE MUSIC Get Nick's Newsletter! - WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 35 - The Freewheeling Catch-Up Machine #4 – I Mostly Just Watch TV FEATURED SONG: The Drop - "Flunky Fesh" (from Long Held Grudges) This is the second catch-up episode of the season. Does that mean the season is over? In the immortal words of Jordan Peele, NOPE. And I’ll tell you why. I’ll also go over fan comments and things I missed from the last 14 regular episodes and three Podfasts. It leans heavily toward my TV music episode, since so many of you chimed in on that one. So I’m taking the opportunity to talk a little about why TV is so important to me, from a music standpoint. Did I miss your comment? Are there other things from these episodes you wish I’d mentioned, added, or corrected? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| PODFAST #10 - TIME BIAS: This Ain’t Called “PodPAST” | MxG BONUS EPISODE | 29 May 2023 | 00:37:59 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ PODFAST #10 - TIME BIAS: This Ain’t Called “PodPAST” FEATURED SONG: REC - "Wake Up High" – main theme song to MUSIC is not a GENRE (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 and Synergy for the Weird) OR STREAM IT ANYWHERE In this monumental TENTH edition of PODFAST, I have a good old-fashioned bitchfest about how being old-fashioned in your music tastes is about far more than just music. Agree? Disagree? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| What the Hell is Going ON with Me?! – A Nick Music Update | MxG - Season 5 Episode 34 | 22 May 2023 | 00:51:19 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 34 - What the Hell is Going ON with Me?! – A Nick Music Update FEATURED SONG: REC – KTC Song Sampler (unreleased samples from REC's upcoming album) HEAR THE FULL SONGS ON PATREON https://www.patreon.com/MUSICisnotaGENRE A buttload has been going on with me lately. That’s generally true pretty much all the time, but the last year or so has been particularly insane. So now is as good a time as any to help you make sense of it all. In this episode, I talk about my new t-shirt company, my three recent albums, and what music is coming next. Here’s some of that: 1. Long Held Grudges - https://recarea.bandcamp.com/album/long-held-grudges 2. RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 - https://recarea.bandcamp.com/album/reccollection-the-best-of-rec-2007-2020 3. IT WASN’T ME ! - https://recarea.bandcamp.com/album/it-wasnt-me 4. NICK archival releases 5. A new remix by JD Lion 6. KTC 7. C+N 8. Even MORE REC I also reveal the name of REC’s next album, AND feature a song sampler from it. You can hear the full songs on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MUSICisnotaGENRE So whatcha think? Are you into any of this music? Are you as excited as I am for the new music? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| A Hip Hop Recording Session | BONUS MxTRA PATREON EXCLUSIVE | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:25:34 | |
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST! ~~~~ Here's ANOTHER gift BONUS MxTRA episode. It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for two reasons. ONE - so you know what awesome bonuses you get if you join Patreon (link above). TWO - MxG Daddy needs a break this week! This one is a walkthrough of a hip hop recording session. It was the bonus for a Season 6 episode on the history of hip hop production. I go through various clips, explaining why I did what I did, and then play the whole song. To SEE the session, go here: If you like these BONS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 30+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon. Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| PODFAST #9 - Quick Takes from the Continuum #3 | MxG BONUS EPISODE | 15 May 2023 | 00:23:30 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ PODFAST #9 - Quick Takes from the Continuum #3 FEATURED SONG: REC - "Don't Get Me High" (from Syzygy for the Weird) OR STREAM IT ANYWHERE In this PODFAST, I give my quick takes on FOUR more or less recent albums, and a fifth take on female driven power pop. 1. Metallica 2. Depeche Mode 3. 100 Gecs 4. Bloc Party 5. Bully and compatriots such as Beach Bunny, Soccer Mommy, Meet Me @ the Altar, and the Linda Lindas What’s your take on any of these? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Beatles Part 5 - Breakdown to Basics | MxG - Season 5 Episode 33 | 08 May 2023 | 01:15:22 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 33 - The Beatles Part 5 - Breakdown to Basics FEATURED SONGS: NICK – “Home To” (from The Metrogrande Sessions) OR STREAM IT ANYWHERE NICK (as RUPERT) LIVE – “You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)” In the fifth edition of my six-part Beatles series, I walk through their final phase as a foursome. Despite the pull to want to each do their own things, they came together to create two of their most beloved albums. After their years of exploring multi-layered psychedelica, Let It Be and Abbey Road brought them back to basics in very different ways. Though their breakup still stings for many of us, I argue that not only was it inevitable (and not for all the reasons we think), it was also the best possible end. For them and for the music. I also weigh in on the top three of: 1. Their overall best album as a singular work of art; 2. Their most musically creative and innovative album; 3. Their best album as a collection of great singles; and 4. My current favorite album. Are either of these albums your favorite? Do you prefer this period to their other periods? Do you think it was better that they broke up, or do you still wish they’d stayed together? And what are YOUR picks? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Dickens and Prince … and Nick Hornby? – Book Talk #6 | MxG - Season 5 Episode 32 | 01 May 2023 | 01:14:13 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 32 - Dickens and Prince … and Nick Hornby? – Book Talk #6 FEATURED SONGS: REC - “SNo Globe” (from The Sunshine Seminar) OR STREAM IT ANYWHERE In this banner sixth edition of Book Talk, I dig into Nick Hornby’s Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius. I break down each chapter using quotes & observations, and discuss whether Nick Hornby – excellent author and passionate music lover – was or wasn’t the best person to write this book. One of my missions with MxG is to find connections where none seem to be. Dickens and Prince are two of my all-time favorite artists in any medium, yet I NEVER would have thought to connect them. I love that Hornby has done it, and even though some of the parallels AND some of Hornby’s Prince critique seem like stretches, ultimately the book treats both subjects with reverence and understanding, and it’s a real pleasure and an easy read. Are you fans of Dickens and/or Prince? Would you have thought to connect them in any way? If you read this book, how well do you feel Hornby did? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The 4T Retrospective – MxG’s First Episodes EVER | MxG - Season 5 Episode 31 | 24 Apr 2023 | 01:00:31 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 31 - The 4T Retrospective – MxG’s First Episodes EVER FEATURED SONGS: REC – “Break You” (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 AND Parts and Labour) REC – “Little White Lies” (from Distance To Empty) REC – “The Garden” (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 AND Sympathy for the Weird) REC – “Xmiss” (from The Sunshine Seminar) OR STREAM THEM ANYWHERE This week’s episode marks a HUGE FIRST, by reviewing a huge first. It’s the first ever MxG retrospective episode – aka rerun. I’m on vacation, but didn’t wanna leave you hanging. So I compiled the FIRST THREE EPISODES I ever did, back the fall of 2019, before this podcast was even called MUSIC is not a GENRE. You get to see & hear where it all started, where it came from & why it was called “4T”, and how my delivery & duration might have been different, but the content was strikingly similar. Take a trip in the wayback machine with me. It’s freaky cool. What do you think of these episodes in comparison to what I’m doing now? Do you know what “4T” stands for? And do you have any idea what all those other numbers mean? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| U2 - Absorb the FEEDBACK and Listen Through THE HYPE | MxG - Season 5 Episode 30 | 17 Apr 2023 | 01:21:44 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 30 - U2 - Absorb the FEEDBACK and Listen Through THE HYPE Book Talk #5 FEATURED SONGS: REC – “Believe the Lie” (from Distance To Empty) – OR STREAM IT ANYWHERE Nick Live – “Stay (Faraway, So Close!)” In this week’s episode, I subdue another bear of a subject: U2. They might be the most successful band in history that’s also the most misunderstood. I try to get past the hype, the personality, and the mischaracterizations, and go straight for the music. I also go through their entire discography, and end with a few big takeaways, some of which might surprise you. Are you a U2 fan? If so, have you been able to follow them through all their changes and despite any media backlash? If you’re not a fan, did you used to be & aren’t anymore, or did you never like them? What do you think most defines them as a band? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Bono’s Surrender: 500 Pages of Topline Melody – Book Talk #5 | MxG - Season 5 Episode 29 | 10 Apr 2023 | 01:16:34 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 29 - Bono’s Surrender: 500 Pages of Topline Melody Book Talk #5 FEATURED SONGS: REC – “Mine Alone” (from Parts and Labour) OR STREAM IT ANYWHERE Nick Live - “Song for Someone” (featuring Cathryn Lynne) In the all-powerful Book Talk #5, I talk about highlights and insights from Bono’s Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, a memoir/autobiography featuring mostly chronological anecdotes structured around 40 U2 songs. I sort out Bono’s & U2’s approach to music as he sees it, discuss relevant facets of his life, and shine a light on various aspects of his politics & spirituality. I also talk about U2’s 40-track companion album, Songs of Surrender. Are you a Bono/U2 fan? Have you read this book? If yes, what are your takeaways? If no, why not? And either way, what’s your overall impression of Bono as both an artist and a person? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The MUSIC Self-Help HYPE - DON'T WAIT to GET GREAT | MxG - Season 5 Episode 28 | 03 Apr 2023 | 01:08:59 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 28 - The MUSIC Self-Help HYPE - DON'T WAIT to GET GREAT MUSIC is EVERYTHING Edition #30 FEATURED SONG: REC – “Fall” (from Parts and Labour) OR STREAM IT ANYWHERE In the 30th edition of my MUSIC is EVERYTHING subseries, I dive headlong into music self-help. When is taking the DIY approach the right thing? When do you know you really need help, and what kind of help should you seek out? Should you pay for that help or not? And how long should you wait to get started on your passion? I use examples from my career to illustrate all this, name some names, and end with one HUGE PIECE OF ADVICE. Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "In Your Dreams Tonight" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Beatles Part 4 - Eclectic Experimenters | MxG - Season 5 Episode 27 | 27 Mar 2023 | 01:06:17 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ Season 5 Episode 27 - The Beatles Part 4 - Eclectic Experimenters FEATURED SONGS: REC – “It’s All Too Much” (from IT WASN’T ME ! and Synergy for the Weird) The Drop feat. Nick DeMatteo – “I’m So Tired” (from IT WASN’T ME !) OR STREAM THEM ANYWHERE In this fourth edition of my six-part Beatles series, I go over their most experimental phase, focusing on Magical Mystery Tour, The Beatles (The White Album), and Yellow Submarine. This is the period (1967-69) when the Beatles’ cohesion was starting to fracture in more ways than one, including the whole concept of what it meant to be “the Beatles”. While it ultimately caused their breakup, it also spurred three albums with the most eclectic array of music the Beatles ever did. And I explain why The Beatles is the one album that epitomizes everything they ever were. Are any of these albums your favorite? What about this era as a whole? Can you hear how both exploration & dissension went hand in hand? Discuss dammit! LIVE ACOUSTIC CONCERT OF ECLECTIC BEATLES TUNES ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Neo-Soul - OLD Got NEW Got OLD Got NOW | MxG - Season 5 Episode 26 | 17 Mar 2023 | 00:54:06 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 26 FEATURED SONG: REC - "Make Me Break Like Everyday" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 and Syncopy for the Weird) This week I talk about neo-soul, the progressive R&B genre of the late 1990s that melded 1970s style soul with a hip hop sensibility. I go over some of the major players, including progenitors & artists who emerged after neo-soul faded out. I also discuss why it was so important to the trajectory of R&B, hip hop and music in general, why it seemed to burn out so quickly, and what happened after. Were you a neo-soul fan? Who were some of your favorite artists? Do you think it burned out because it got too purist, and/or the world had moved on? Or do you think it didn’t burn out at all, but just morphed into the next wave of music & artists? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| TV Music - Where Everybody Knows Your Theme | MxG - Season 5 Episode 25 | 13 Mar 2023 | 01:11:31 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 25 FEATURED SONG: The Drop feat. Ape Cafe - "Lock-Load-Love" (theme song to the series, from IT WASN’T ME !) This week I dive into TV music. I run down some iconic & favorite TV theme songs from each decade since the very beginning, dividing the list between full-on songs with lyrics & choice instrumentals. My main list is made of songs written specifically for each show, and then I throw in some "honorable mentions" - pre-existing songs used as themes. I also talk about TV music in general, how it very slowly caught up with contemporary music, and how pop songs gradually infiltrated the soundtracks of almost every show. Are you into TV theme songs? Are there ones that to this day you can still sing or hum? Do you think there was a heyday of TV theme songs? How does my favorites list compare to yours? How much popular music have you discovered through watching TV? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Steely Dan - From UGH to HUG | MxG - Season 7 Episode 23 | 14 Apr 2025 | 01:11:10 | |
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST! ~~~~ FEATURED SONG The Drop – “Flunky Fesh” (from LONG HELD GRUDGES)
This season has been a real stretching experience (country & Christian pop music?!?), and it continues with my take on smooth jazz pop icons Steely Dan. They were the dominant antidote to rock music in the 1970s. Some might say they pioneered yacht rock (insert comment here). They’re back in vogue with the younger generations, and I don’t know why. I explore their history, the music, why they’ve been love/hate anti-rebels since they started, why people are into them now, and why they ever were. And I sort through ALL of my hugs and ughs. Are you a fan of the Dan? Do you just know the hits? Can you not stand them? Do you think they deserve a place in the pantheon of great 1970s artists? And why do you think they’re so popular again? Discuss dammit! BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: The best songs that sampled Steely Dan ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| PODFAST #8 - Sideways 8: The EXACT NUMBER of Music Genres EVER | MxG BONUS EPISODE | 08 Mar 2023 | 00:24:08 | |
Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ PODFAST #8 FEATURED SONG: REC - "Any Universe" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 and The Sunshine Seminar) In this 8th PODFAST bonus episode, I proclaim that there are only EIGHT GENRES EVER in all of music history and as far as we can see into the future. They are: 1. Folk 2. Classical 3. Improvised 4. Experimental 5. Electronic 6. Rhythm & Blues 7. Rock 8. Rap/Hip Hop Agree? Disagree? Wanna see a copy of the decidedly incomplete list of 1400 genres/subgenres I compiled? Discuss dammit! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| UK Hip Hop - The Brits ALWAYS Do It BETTER | MxG - Season 5 Episode 24 | 06 Mar 2023 | 00:57:32 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 24 FEATURED SONG: The Drop – “This End Up” (from IT WASN’T ME !) This week I spotlight a couple of UK hip hop artists, Dizzee Rascal & The Streets. Both came to prominence in the 2000s, and have sustained careers since then. I talk about how their styles – and UK’s hip hop styles in general – are often more interesting & less restrictive than hip hop from the US, and how that approach seems to apply to all UK music that reinterprets US music. I also talk about the global reach & dominance of hip hop, as it approaches its ostensible 50thanniversary, and how hip hop fits into music culture & music history in light of such an incredible milestone & rich legacy. Are you a hip hop fan? Did you know the two spotlight artists? Are you into any non-US or UK hip hop? Where do you think hip hop belongs in the overall history of music? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| An Hour with Anthony Cirillo - Interview Edition #30 | MxG - Season 5 Episode 23 | 27 Feb 2023 | 01:15:33 | |
I spend an hour with Anthony Cirillo. Anthony is president of The Aging Experience (www.theagingexperience.com), creator of the Caregiver Smile Summit, a virtual, video-based, on-demand program that features experts across the spectrum of caregiving. He is also the creator of Sage Stream , a Senior Entertainment/Education Network that broadcasts LIVE entertainment to elder care facilities and other locations. You can find out more about Sage Stream here: www.sagestream.live Anthony is a musician & Philly native who has entertained in casinos and resorts, has won several Billboard songwriting awards, recorded in Nashville and been featured in songwriter showcases. You can find out more about Anthony’s music & where he’s playing in the Charlotte, NC area at www.tonyc.live And anything else you'd like to know about Anthony is here: ~~~ Support MxG & REC: Get a shirt! - NEW DESIGNS Support @ $5/month - EXCLUSIVE MUSIC Get Nick's Newsletter! - WEBSITE UPGRADES ~~~~ *music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Death is DUMB Volume 11: David Bowie - 14 Subtitles About CHANGE | MxG - Season 5 Episode 22 | 20 Feb 2023 | 00:59:49 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 22 FEATURED SONG: REC – “Silence of the Disabused” (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 and Symphony for the Weird) This week I spotlight David Bowie. He and his entire career can be defined by one word: undefinable. I sort out why that’s the ultimate state of EVERY artist, few of whom ever achieve that, and how the long view can show that all the pieces fit to make one unrepeatable picture. Are you a Bowie fan? If so, when did you get into him, and were you able to explore most or all of his phases? If not, why not? Have you always thought of Bowie as whatever of his music you got into first, or are you able to integrate his full range of expression? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Beatles Part 3 – Integrated Innovators | MxG - Season 5 Episode 21 | 13 Feb 2023 | 01:13:10 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 21 FEATURED SONG: REC – “The Accumulate” (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020 AND Symphony for the Weird) In Part 3 of my six-part series on The Beatles, I go over their most expansive period, when they left live-based rock recording behind and became full-on studio heads, covering Rubber Soul, Revolver, and Sgt. Pepper’s (as well as the US release, Yesterday and Today). This is also when they were the most cohesive as a band, and contrastingly when their disillusionment started to tear at that cohesiveness. I talk about why this is their overall best & most defining period, what makes it so amazing, and which of the three albums is truly the best. Are any of these your top favorite album? Can YOU decide if Rubber Soul or Revolver is better? Where do you rank Sgt. Pepper? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Freewheeling Catch-Up Machine #3 – Fetishizing the Past | MxG - Season 5 Episode 20 | 06 Feb 2023 | 01:00:48 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 20 FEATURED SONG: *Anon.* - "Move Ahead, Long Boy" (from It Wasn't Me !) We’ve hit the halfway point of Season 5 (more or less), and what a season it’s been. In this third catch-up episode, I give some fan shoutouts, especially to those fans who prompted “music, conversation & connection”, as I so often mention. I make some additions & corrections to most of this season’s episodes. I talk about what’s been going on with me music-wise, and what’s coming up for everything. I also dive into what it means to fetishized the past, and how important it is to contextualize, recontextualize, and stay as connected to the present as you are to those things you know & love. If I’ve missed a comment from you, or some idea/band/fact you think should be here, then let’s discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The CROONER Episode - Was Frank Sinatra Really ALL THAT GREAT? | MxG - Season 5 Episode 19 | 30 Jan 2023 | 00:53:36 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 19 FEATURED SONG: Nicky DeMatteo - "The Lady's In Love With You" (from Blame It On My Youth) This week I talk about Frank Sinatra. Does he deserve all the praise? What was his best era? How does he rank among vocalists of his ilk? What’s happened to crooning since the 1960s? I also talk about the history of crooning, and break down the five big crooner eras. Are you a Sinatra fan? If so, do you have a favorite period? If not, why not, and what other crooners do you think are better? Are there any crooners of the last 40-50 years you’re a fan of? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Greatest ROCK EXPLOSION in MUSIC HISTORY | MxG - Season 5 Episode 18 | 21 Jan 2023 | 01:01:59 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 18 FEATURED SONG: REC – “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” (from It Wasn’t Me !) This week I talk about the greatest rock explosion in music history. NOT the 1960s. NOT the 1970s. NOT the 1990s. It’s the 2000s. It was also the last time rock music was a truly dominant force in music and the culture at large. Why? And will it be back again? This episode will cover what rock genres & movements were prominent in the 2000s (hint: almost all of them), what new or recent bands were significantly active during that period, and where music was headed after rock was getting all played out. Are you a fan of 2000s rock music? Do you think some other era had an even bigger explosion? Why do you think rock blew up so much, and then seemed to fade away just as quickly? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ 2000s MIX 1 - INDIE COLLEGE-Y ROCK ON SPOTIFY 2000s MIX 1 - INDIE COLLEGE-Y ROCK ON YOUTUBE 2000s MIX 2 - JANGLY INDIE POP ON SPOTIFY 2000s MIX 2 - JANGLY INDIE POP ON YOUTUBE 2000s MIX 3 - EMO SCREAMO POWER POP ON SPOTIFY 2000s MIX 3 - EMO SCREAMO POWER POP ON YOUTUBE 2000s MIX 4 - MELLOW ROCK & ELECTRO ON SPOTIFY 2000s MIX 4 - MELLOW ROCK & ELECTRO ON YOUTUBE 2000s MIX 5 - DANCE & WEIRD ROBOTIC SHIT ON SPOTIFY 2000s MIX 5 - DANCE & WEIRD ROBOTIC SHIT ON YOUTUBE 2000s MIX 6 - NEW NEW WAVE ON SPOTIFY 2000s MIX 6 - NEW NEW WAVE ON YOUTUBE 2000s MIX 7 - PUNK & GARAGE ROCK ON SPOTIFY 2000s MIX 7 - PUNK & GARAGE ROCK ON YOUTUBE ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Hundred-Year DECADE SLAM - Every Genre’s PEAK ERA | MxG - Season 5 Episode 17 | 16 Jan 2023 | 01:12:59 | |
Support MxG & REC: MUSIC is EVERYTHING - Edition 29 FEATURED SONG: The Drop - "Centerfield" (cover of the John Fogerty song - from It Wasn’t Me !) This week I take a trip through time and through all the major genres of music. I proclaim with all my infallible authority & knowledge when each genre was at its peak – i.e. in which decade of the 20thor 21st century was each genre at its overall best. I use the “three Cs” criteria, from which I take an aggregate measure: CREATIVITY – the breadth & depth of exploration; CHARM – how well-loved the music was & how much it connected to the culture’s imagination & zeitgeist; and COMMERCE – how much money did it make for artists & record companies. These are the genres I’ll be tackling: Ambient Asian & African Pop Music Blues Classical Country Easy Listening EDM Electro Pop Euro Pop Film Music Folk Funk Hip Hop Indie/Alt Rock Jazz Latin Metal Musical Theater Pop Power Pop / Emo Progressive Rock Punk & Post-Punk Reggae R&B/Soul Rock Swing Techno/House/Trance/Dubstep/Drum & Bass This doesn’t mean that music wasn’t popular (or even more popular) in other decades. It doesn’t mean it was the ONLY decade when artists were creatively fruitful (or even at a peak). And it doesn’t mean that genre didn’t make lots of (or even more) money in another decade. It’s about the music’s overall impact on the culture, and especially on the world of music in general. Oh and I don’t go into most sub- or ANY sub-sub-genres. Which decades are your favorites for these genres? Are there other decades you think were even better? Discuss dammit! *intro music: REC - "In Your Dreams Tonight" (cover of the Agent Orange song - from Syzygy for the Weird) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| An Hour with Bob Adams - Interview Edition #29 | MxG - Season 5 Episode 16 | 06 Jan 2023 | 01:01:39 | |
I spend an hour with musician & teacher Bob Adams. Bob is a high school Director of Instrumental Music, whose indoor percussion ensemble won the 2021 Coast Championship. He's also an accomplished trombonist who once did a tour that took him to the North Pole. And he's a dear friend & family acquaintance of mine from way back. ~~~ Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ *music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| New Song Coaching Service! | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:01:07 | |
I'm starting a new song coaching service! I have decades of writing and producing hundreds of songs for dozens of artists in dozens of genres, and I'd love for you to be one of those artists. I work with you at whatever part of the process you’re in, and take you as far as you’d like to go. Have a vague idea, one line, a few chords, half a song, a full song that needs shaping, a song you already love & want recorded, I meet you where you are and help you realize YOUR vision for YOUR song, from conception to recording & even distribution, or any stop in between. My rates are simple. Pay for as much or as little time as you want, and I also have discounted package deals. Check out the details on my song coaching page (nickdematteo.com/songcoaching). And then if you’d like to hire me as your song coach, or if you aren’t sure & have more questions, send me a message either way and let’s get started! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Beatles Part 2 – Strung-Out & Stretching Superstars | MxG - Season 5 Episode 15 | 02 Jan 2023 | 00:43:51 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 15 FEATURED SONG: REC – “I’ll Be Back” (from It Wasn’t Me !) In this second of my six-part series on The Beatles, I go over their film albums and the album that was sandwiched in between. It’s one of the least explored Beatles eras, because most of the attention has been placed on the films themselves. While every Beatles phase was transitional, this one might be the most significant, because it bridged the gap between their rock n roll / cover band / imitative years and their upcoming creative outburst of genius and originality. This phase is when they started stretching beyond their influences & exploring what it meant to be themselves. I also talk about how that album in between the films showed that they were overworked, over-toured, and beginning to be over the crazy fame monster. Which songs from these albums are your faves? Which movie do you prefer? How do you rank this era in their career? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| PODFAST #7 - Interview with Singer/Songwriter Ashira | MxG BONUS EPISODE | 26 Dec 2022 | 00:17:08 | |
PODFAST #7 In this special episode of PODFAST, I talk to Ashira. She's a singer/songwriter from LA, who's just released her new single, "Saint". Check out ALL her links below, and listen to Ashira everywhere. LISTEN TO ASHIRA: FOLLOW ASHIRA: EXPLORE ASHIRA: Searching for Justice in LA (Music Supervisor) - Official Selection World Film Carnival - Singapore - Finalist for Rome Prisma Awards https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11674936/ ~~~ Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ *music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The BEST Christmas Album? – There’s NO SUCH THING! … buuut … | MxG - Season 5 Episode 14 | 19 Dec 2022 | 00:47:11 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 14 FEATURED SONG: Nick DeMatteo - "This Christmas" (live cover of the Donny Hathaway song) In this episode I discuss Christmas albums in general. Is there a best? What are my favorites? What are some of my least favorites? Why is it easier to love cheesy holiday music more than any other kind? I also make a case for two songs: one you can’t find a single GOOD version of, and one that doesn’t have a truly BAD version. What are your favorite Christmas albums? Or Christmas songs? What Christmas albums or songs can you just not get into? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Covers Albums - NOT Your Mom's Oldies Tunes | MxG - Season 5 Episode 13 | 12 Dec 2022 | 00:48:50 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 13 FEATURED SONG: The Drop - "Lovely to See You" (from It Wasn't Me!) In this episode I discuss covers albums and the concept of covers in general. I use a few of my favorite covers albums to illustrate how the best cover songs capture the essence of the original without needing to replicate the sound. And in fact those that DON’T replicate the sound are almost always way better. This episode comes on the eve of my new album debut, It Wasn’t Me! – featuring cover songs & songs made for movies & other like projects. You can hear it on REC’s Bandcamp: https://recarea.bandcamp.com/ What are your favorite covers albums? Do you prefer covers to stay as true to the original as possible, or do you like artists to reinterpret and/or experiment? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| An Hour with Kevin Stroud - Interview Edition #28 | MxG - Season 5 Episode 12 | 05 Dec 2022 | 01:13:01 | |
I spend an hour with Kevin Stroud. Kevin is an attorney and podcaster who may be best known as the creator & host of The History of English Podcast - my all-time favorite podcast to listen to. He’s written a book review for the New York Times, and sometimes gives presentations about the history of legalese and legal English. You can listen to Kevin's wonderful podcast on all the major streaming services, and the home website: https://historyofenglishpodcast.com. And please support Kevin's amazing work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyofenglish ~~~ Support MxG & REC: ~~~~ *music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Pearl Jam - The New Classic Rock OR Who Was YOUR First Grunge Love? | MxG - Season 5 Episode 11 | 28 Nov 2022 | 00:57:19 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 11 FEATURED SONGS: REC - "I'm Gone" (from Parts and Labour) NICK - "Alive" (live acoustic cover of the Pearl Jam song) In this episode I discuss Pearl Jam, one of my favorite bands born in the 1990s. They’re not just grunge survivors, they’re the new classic rock. They have proven over and again that you can balance experimentation with pop & rock and never compromise your principles. And they were the first grunge band I fell in love with. Are you a Pearl Jam fan? Have you followed them through their career, or did you stop listening after Vitalogy & the decline of grunge? Who was your first grunge love? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Beatles Part 1 - Ingenious Imitators | MxG - Season 5 Episode 10 | 21 Nov 2022 | 00:46:45 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 10 FEATURED SONG: NICK – “Do You Wanna” (from Listen You People) This is the first of a six-part series on The Beatles. I’ve broken up their career by what I deem to be their distinct eras, using their British albums as a guide. Though I will incorporate historical & non-musical ideas, most of my talks will center on the music itself, from my usual vantage point of both a creator & a fan. In Part 1, I explain the whole series, and go right into the Beatles’ formation, pre-recording years, and first two albums. What early Beatles songs are your faves? How do you rank this era in their career? Discuss dammit! ~~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| An Hour with Joe DeLuca - Interview Edition #27 | MxG - Season 5 Episode 9 | 14 Nov 2022 | 01:12:53 | |
I spend an hour with Joe DeLuca. Joe is a producer, engineer, musician, writer & performer, who owned & operated Why Me Recording in Gibbsboro, NJ for 35 years, recording well over 600 bands. Joe's recent credits include Kurt Bock's Abstract Geometry & singer/songwriter Jeff Ehling. For more on Joe, check out his website: FEATURED SONGS: Mattson / DeLuca - "Too Far Gone" Creamcicle Spiders - "I" NICK - "Your Sister" ~~~ Support MxG & REC: *intro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" This episode is sponsored by Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musicisnotagenre/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Soft Rock AKA Kid Contemporary - Let's Not Do the 1970s Again | MxG - Season 5 Episode 8 | 07 Nov 2022 | 00:44:53 | |
Support MxG & REC: MUSIC is EVERYTHING - Edition 28 FEATURED SONG: We all need quiet. It’s restorative – a break from the constant noise we can barely get away from. But when does quiet become TOO quiet? Tracking my music listening is like watching a pinball. Up down left right. I can’t stay in one vibe too long. Give me a couple of hours of any kind of music and I’m ready to switch it up. Better yet, give me a mix that has a little bit of everything, and I’m happy forever. You can count on music to provide you with as much variety as you can handle. Even within one genre, dynamics, attitude & expressiveness go almost anywhere. Think of heavy metal. Then think of the power ballad. Think of jazz fusion. Then think of smooth jazz. Think of rock. Then think of soft rock. Keep that one in mind for a sec, ‘cuz we’re coming back to it. First, let’s talk about pop music. Scan the charts from any given week or month in the last … I don’t know … 80 years. You’re almost guaranteed the top 10 songs will represent a healthy variety of music. Every now and then, one kind of music dominates in a way that screams trend. Jazz vocalists & big band in the ‘40s. Doo wop & rock n roll in the ‘50s. Britpop & folk rock in the ‘60s. Disco & soft rock in the ‘70s. New wave & hair metal in the 1980s. Grunge & hip hop in the ‘90s. Alt rock & R&B in the ‘00s. EDM & hip hop in the 2010s. And where trends go, you’ll find record companies, producers & even some artists cashing in and creating paler & paler imitations until the trend is smothered. Over the last decade or so, one trend in particular has grown to where it’s now clearly the dominant force. And this time it’s not one genre. It’s everywhere. SOFTNESS. Pick a genre. Pop. R&B. Hip hop. Whatever Taylor Swift is these days. In every case the most popular songs are mellow, characterized by soft, midrange sounds, usually lots of soothing or at least inoffensive synths, and vocals that go out of their way to underemote. Take a look at the current Billboard chart. As of today’s podcast recording, you have to go all the way down to #22 to find a song that isn’t mellow. The vast majority of the top 50 songs are simply soft. Considering what the world has been going through the last several years, it’s no surprise the general population needs everything it can get to unplug & chill out. It's not objectively a bad thing. Soft music has been around forever. But we need to make a distinction between deliberately & meaningfully soft music, and music that’s soft – or let’s call it understated – because it’s the trend, or it’s afraid to SING OUT. We’ll start with the first type: ambient music. For FULL SCRIPT, visit https://patreon.com/MUSICisnotaGENRE *intro music: REC - "In Your Dreams Tonight" (cover of the Agent Orange song - from Syzygy for the Weird) This episode is sponsored by Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musicisnotagenre/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Death is DUMB Volume 10: The "27 Club" - Far Bigger Than THE HOLY TRINITY | MxG - Season 5 Episode 7 | 31 Oct 2022 | 00:41:34 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 7 FEATURED SONG: NICK – “The Same Way” (from The Metrogrande Sessions) In this episode, I talk about the “27 Club”, an informal set of famous people who died at the age of 27. Specifically for this podcast I focus on musicians. The list is much larger than you might think. I also talk about whether or not there’s any actual significance to this “club”. Who do you remember from the 27 Club? Which deaths resonate more with you, if any? Do you think any of this matters? Discuss dammit! *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" This episode is sponsored by Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musicisnotagenre/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Laura Sawosko - Interview Edition #42 | MxG - Season 7 Episode 22 | 07 Apr 2025 | 00:52:32 | |
I spend about an hour with Nashville singer/songwriter Laura Sawosko. Her sixth album, Not What I Do, comes out on April 18. We get into her career - including her big move to Nashville, how she interprets the idea that music is not a genre, and what moves her as a music creator. We also talk about her overcoming a paralyzed vocal cord, and how that's influenced her sound. And stay to the end to hear the FEATURED SONG: See the "Rhinestones for Pearls" video!
BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: Laura's 49-year-old family restaurant! ~~~ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST! ~~~ *intro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" *mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| PODFAST #6 - Quick Takes from the Continuum #2 | MxG BONUS EPISODE | 28 Oct 2022 | 00:20:20 | |
Support MxG & REC: PODFAST #6 In this episode, I do a quick rundown of eight recently released albums:
*music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) This episode is sponsored by Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musicisnotagenre/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| An Hour with John Kiran Fernandes - Interview Edition #26 | MxG - Season 5 Episode 6 | 24 Oct 2022 | 01:01:08 | |
I spend an hour with John Kiran Fernandes. John is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, music creator, and owner of the music label Cloud Recordings. He's been a seminal part of the famed Elephant 6 collective, having played with many of its bands, including The Olivia Tremor Control & Circulatory System. John is also the father of musician/artist Jeremy Kiran Fernandes. Find out more about John, and listen to some of his great music, here: Cloud Recordings - music label John on Facebook And to read more on the Elephant 6 music collective, check out this book: Endless Endless: A Lo-Fi History of the Elephant 6 Mystery ~~~ Support MxG & REC: *intro/outro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt" This episode is sponsored by Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musicisnotagenre/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Green Day - Proper AND PUNK | MxG - Season 5 Episode 5 | 16 Oct 2022 | 00:47:04 | |
Support MxG & REC: Season 5 Episode 5 FEATURED SONG: REC – “Three More Minutes” (from Synergy for the Weird AND RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) In this episode, I talk about Green Day, the most successful punk band in history. They show that punk music not only has staying power, but can be as popular, expansive & artistic as any other kind of music. I also talk about what it means to be “true punk”. Have you listened to Green Day? Do you think they should be considered “true punk”? Is punk an attitude, a sound, or both? Discuss dammit! *intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" This episode is sponsored by Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musicisnotagenre/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||