Obsessed By Music
106 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsMonologues, reviews and conversations about music, hosted by Rob Esse.
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Episodes
The Missing Drums In Modern Pop Music
November 14, 2023 11:08 - 13 minutes - 18.6 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode I talk about the missing drum kits within modern pop music. I miss hearing the sound of real drums being played in modern music and I was reminded of just how much I miss it when I heard En Vogue's 1997 single 'Don't Let Go' being played on the radio at a shopping mall. Long live real drums!
Q&A: Answering Questions About Music And Me (Part 2)
August 28, 2023 12:18 - 26 minutes - 37.2 MBIn this follow-up episode I answer 20 more questions related to music and me.
Music Worth Hearing: Sananda Maitreya's 'Wildcard!'
July 26, 2023 11:38 - 18 minutes - 25.1 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - This episode of 'Music Worth Hearing' puts a spotlight on the album 'Wildcard!' by Sananda Maitreya.
Q&A: Answering Questions About Music And Me (Part 1)
July 19, 2023 01:01 - 24 minutes - 33.6 MBIn this episode I answer 20 questions related to music and me.
10 Reasons Why I Still Play Music On CDs (and why I can’t get rid of them)
June 27, 2023 12:31 - 18 minutes - 25.4 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode I share the many reasons why I still listen to much of my music on the compact disc format and why I can't seem to get rid of CDs!
The Music That Shaped Me (The Middle Years)
June 20, 2023 23:49 - 28 minutes - 26.6 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - This episode is a continuition of the key music that has shaped my life. Moving on into early adulthood, I experienced many changes with respect to what I was listening to. New worlds were opening up, my horizons were expanding, my tastes were gaining more depth and flavour, and many ideas about what music was were being blown apart.
Going To A Concert Solo Is Better Than You Think
June 07, 2023 12:07 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Have you ever gone to a live concert on your own? If yes, then good on you for making the decision to actually go and experience the music of an artist or band that you love. Don't miss out just because someone else's schedule doesn't align with yours or no one else likes a particular musician that you do. Go your own way! (Pardon the Fleetwood Mac reference). Live music is one of the great things that you can experience, irrespective of whether...
Exploring Snobbism And The Evolution Of Music - With Arthur Turnbull
June 01, 2023 12:56 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode I talk with Arthur Turnbull, the lead voice of The Music Snobs Podcast. We explore many topics including the definition of a music snob, generational differences in music taste and discovery, the evolution of music and the influence of TikTok. You can follow Arthur on Twitter and Instagram. And you can follow The Music Snobs on Twitter and Instagram.
Music Is The Ultimate Psychedelic - With Daniele Bolelli
May 22, 2023 13:28 - 1 hour - 64 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode I talk with Daniele Bolelli, host of The Drunken Taoist and History On Fire podcasts. Daniele is also a writer and university professor with a passion for philosophy, history and music. We explore the interesection of those subjects in this episode of OBM. You can follow Daniele on Twitter and Instagram.
The Music That Shaped Me (The Early Years)
May 16, 2023 02:20 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - This episode is about the first music I heard as a child, what I listened to as I was growing up and the music that has shaped me.
Music Worth Hearing: Bob Dylan's 'Rough And Rowdy Ways'
May 08, 2023 11:21 - 9 minutes - 9.24 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - This episode of 'Music Worth Hearing' puts a spotlight on the album 'Rough And Rowdy Ways' by Bob Dylan.
Beyond Good and Bad - Rethinking How We Talk About Music
May 02, 2023 02:21 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Good and bad music, what does that even mean? Does bad music exist? Are these terms we should be using to describe music? I think the idea of anything creative being seen as 'good' or 'bad' is just plain wrong. In reality, it's an irrelevant type of assessment. Who decides what makes a piece of music good or bad? It's a trap that's easy to fall into and by using those words, we can get stuck in a loop of assessing things from simplified perspecti...
AI, ChatGPT And The Creative Future Of Music
April 24, 2023 03:49 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - AI and ChatGPT is changing our world and it’s creeping into creative art forms such as music. Maybe it’ll potentially benefit some artists, but there is a fear that it could impact both artists and creative industries negatively as well. Take this instance for example, someone has made a fake episode of the the Joe Rogan Experience podcast using AI technology! Things are getting out of control and I'm asking the question ‘what the heck are we doing?’...
Eyes Closed, Ears Open - Is Music More Audio Than Visual?
April 17, 2023 13:02 - 9 minutes - 8.64 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode of the Obsessed by Music podcast, I explore the question of whether music is primarily an audio medium. I reflect on my own habit of dedicating time each week to simply listen to music without any other distractions, as opposed to streaming music on a phone, which is basically a distraction-filled device. I argue that music is primarily an audio medium, but that visual elements like album art can enhance the experience of listeni...
Beyond Commodity - Why Music Is More Than A Product
April 11, 2023 13:32 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - This episode is about why music is not a commodity. Music is important. It's a vital part of human creativity. It provides so much value to people. People live with music, dance to it, work out to it, use music to heal, to party, to live with. It's the universal language of the world. Without music, our evolution as a species would not have occurred in the way that it did, it's a part of our evolution and our DNA. However, the unfortunate rea...
The Night Shift - Why Music Sounds Best When The Sun Goes Down
April 04, 2023 12:23 - 7 minutes - 6.9 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Daytime is not the best time to listen to music. Why not? Well, there are a number of reasons. There is comparatively much more background noise during the daytime as compared with night time. At night, peripheral and environmental noise is typically reduced. Noise you have inside your home, that's also a factor. The less of it you have, the better it is for listening to audio. Why is this important for music listening? Well, becasue you want ...
Music Worth Hearing: Leonard Cohen’s Debut Album ‘Songs Of Leonard Cohen’
March 30, 2023 22:27 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - This episode of 'Music Worth Hearing' puts a spotlight on the debut album of Leonard Cohen.
An OBM Short: Music Choices Are Not A Popularity Contest
March 28, 2023 12:17 - 4 minutes - 3.96 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - This epsiode is about the idea of people listening to music that they may not truly enjoy. That is, pretending to like particular artists and albums because doing so seems like the right thing to do. Surely not everyone in the world loves Sgt. Peppers and feels it is the greatest album of all time, right? Choosing music that you want to listen to is not a popularity contest!
A Chat With CheapAudioMan - Music, Affordable Audio and Flamethrowers!
March 22, 2023 11:36 - 1 hour - 63.9 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode I chat with Randy from the CheapAudioMan YouTube Channel, which is where he reviews audio equipment and helps people find the best value in hifi and home theater. We talk about why he started his channel focused on reviewing affordable hifi, the music that has shaped him, the impact of a good audio system, live concerts, and lots more. You can follow the CheapAudioMan at Youtube and Instagram
Vinyl Never Dies! - Michael Fremer On Music, Records and Audio
March 13, 2023 22:16 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode I talk with Michael Fremer - writer, editor and reviewer of all things related to HiFi audio. Michael is notorious for his expertise in the world of analog audio and vinyl records. We have a wide-ranging chat about the current state of audio, vinyl, the magic of listening to records and the music that he loves playing. Michael is Tracking Angle.com editor and also editor at large at The Absolute Sound. You can follow Tracking A...
Is It Possible To Have Too Much Music?
March 03, 2023 12:03 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - There is more music available to us than ever before and the amount is only increasing. Many of us have limitless amounts of music available to us at any time, purely by subscribing to a streaming service. But do we really need so much of it? Maybe less music in front of us could make for deeper listening. It's certainly great to have so much access but simultaneously it can create a huge mass of opaque choice, noise and distraction. Moreso, our ...
A Spotlight On Sound Quality In Music
February 22, 2023 04:57 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Sound quality! What is it? Why does it matter? It may be subjective, but I think it is all-important. This episode is a short journey through the history of recorded music. Early recordings were rough. They weren't great and they certainly weren't high-fidelity. But things have changed since the early days. First there was mono, then stereo, and now we even have spatial audio. We've come from analog tape, cassette tape, vinyl records, through to ...
Music Is More Than The Sum Of Its Parts
February 13, 2023 02:45 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Music is a complex amalgam of melody, harmony, tone, timbre, pitch, rhythm, tempo, instrumentation, vocals, execution, arrangement, mixing, production, distribution and marketing. However, breaking music apart is not so simple and even if it is dissected into individual elements, we never hear those isolated elements alone. Everything that goes into the making of music is important, yet ultimately, no single element stands out as the most critical....
Keen on Keane's Music?
February 06, 2023 03:48 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - From the moment I heard Keane's first album I was intrigued. When I heard their second album I was moved. I quickly became a fan of their work. But being a fan doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily love all of an artists' work. Keane have released five albums, their most recent being 2019's Cause and Effect, and it was at this point that I started to question whether I was keen on their latest music. Keane had me feeling hot and cold! Yet I still enjoy...
Cassette Tape Magic - Alchemy With Dire Straits
January 31, 2023 06:04 - 21 minutes - 20.5 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - The first time I heard 'Alchemy' by Dire Straits on cassette tape, many years ago, it was a life-changing musical moment. This live performance, recorded and then released with no overdubs, introduced me to the work of Dire Straits and the melodic guitar playing of Mark Knopfler in particular. It's an unforgettable concert, one which left an indelible mark on me as a teenage music listener and is arguably one of the great live albums.
Music At An Art Exhibition
February 17, 2022 07:12 - 10 minutes - 9.73 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - What role does music play at an Art Exhibition? That's the very question I was in a position to answer following a visit to an art 'presentation' called 'Van Gough and Friends'. Suffice to say I walked out of that experience with as much to think about in relation to the things I heard, compared to the things I saw (i.e. images projected onto a wall) Hear the latest OBM episode to hear my thoughts about music (...not pictures) at an art exhibition*...
Making Time To Listen To Music
February 04, 2022 11:19 - 20 minutes - 19 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - With endless activities and responsibilties constantly competing for our attention, it's important to take the time, to make the time, to listen to music.
A Gust Of Wind with Pharrell, Hans & The Daft Punks
October 24, 2021 11:10 - 7 minutes - 6.81 MBA song to uplift, a collaboration that gels so well, a track to get us back on the right track. This one deserves a spotlight, so here's a short monologue about 'Gust Of Wind' by Pharrell Williams featuring Daft Punk and Hans Zimmer!
A Gust Of Wind with Pharrell, Hans And The Daft Punks
October 24, 2021 11:10 - 7 minutes - 6.81 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - A song to uplift, a collaboration that gels so well, a track to get us back on the right track. This one deserves a spotlight, so here's a short monologue about 'Gust Of Wind' by Pharrell Williams featuring Daft Punk and Hans Zimmer!
An Eye Mask For Music?
March 10, 2021 11:00 - 6 minutes - 6.02 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Have you ever worn an eye mask? OK, how about putting on an eye mask before listening to an album? In this episode I share an experience I had doing exactly that - when I sat down and wore an eye mask while listening to music. Total darkness, no lights, no visual distractions, nothing but sound, obsessed by music.
A Conversation About Music With Michael O'Neal
February 26, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode I speak with Michael O'Neal, during which we have a wide-ranging conversation about the different facets of music. Michael is a drummer, audiophile, and fellow music-lover. He hosts the 'Beginner Audiophile' Podcast, dedicated to bridging the gap between niche hi-fi and mass audio brands. He also runs an award-winning podcast called 'The Solopreneur Hour'.
Tips For Enjoying Music With A Listening Buddy
January 24, 2021 04:25 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Although I often listen to music alone (and usually late in the evening), that isn't always the case! Sometimes a buddy comes around and we enjoy listening to records together, so this OBM episode is about exactly that. Tune in as I run through my tips for sharing the experience of listening to music with a friend.
Listening To Music Like Nothing Else Matters
October 04, 2020 23:57 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this OBM episode I talk about listening to music as the only activity - exploring the idea of listening without distractions, focusing on the music itself rather than anything else, and the difference between hearing something and actually listening to it!
An Invitation For Bob Dylan
July 03, 2020 11:20 - 4 minutes - 4.68 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - An invitation for Bob to join me for an episode of the OBM Podcast. The answer my friends, is currently blowing in the wind ;) In celebration of the release of Bob Dylan's latest album 'Rough And Rowdy Ways' - I recorded this little thing, as I was thinking about his last studio album of original material ('Tempest').
5 Songs To Play During Isolation
May 25, 2020 07:40 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - An episode to help with getting through isolation. Here are 5 songs chosen to put some good vibes and positivity into everyone's day :)
Remember Instrumental Music?
December 04, 2019 22:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Do you remember instrumental music? Do you need to? These are a couple of questions I pose when it comes to listening to music that doesn't have vocals and words. Can you 'remember the time' that you heard a piece of instrumental music that you couldn't forget?
No Opening Act - Fishbone And Trombone Shorty
November 29, 2019 23:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBYou can follow OBM on Twitter / Instagram Have you ever gone to a concert that had a couple of bands playing but you came mainly to see one act? Well that's exactly what happened when a friend and I went to see Fishbone and Trombone Shorty play on a cool double-bill together.
Anna Calvi Is The Hunter And The Hunted
June 30, 2019 10:35 - 15 minutes - 14.7 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode is my song-by-song review of Anna Calvi’s album ‘Hunter’. It’s a stunning work that both challenges and excites the listener. From a whisper to a scream, from a girl to a boy, from the hunted to a hunter - majestic vocals and music accompany its convention-bending themes. Primal. Real.
New Father, Old Music!
March 31, 2019 03:47 - 11 minutes - 11.2 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - After recently becoming a father, I talk about the music we are now listening to with a baby in the room and the impact of older music on a pair of brand new ears :)
A Conversation With Double J's Music Editor Dan Condon (Part 2)
January 28, 2019 04:47 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Here is Part 2 of my chat with Dan Condon, Music Editor at Australian Radio Station Double J. We talk about music criticism, Bob Dylan, his favourite live music performances and more!
A Conversation With Double J's Music Editor Dan Condon (Part 1)
December 20, 2018 11:07 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - In this episode of the OBM Podcast I speak with Dan Condon, Music Editor at Australian Radio Station Double J. We talk about his musical upbringing, experiencing musical history in the American south, musicians in the internet age, life as a music journalist and more!
Thoughts On Music Segregation
November 25, 2018 01:11 - 14 minutes - 14 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - After listening to some recent music podcasts where I recognised that certain 'best album' lists were created with the aim of highlighting only certain 'types' of artists, I share some thoughts about music segregation.
20 Years Since The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill - Is One Classic Album Enough?
October 13, 2018 10:54 - 21 minutes - 20 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - 20 years ago Ms. Lauryn Hill released a stone-cold classic album. She broke the mould, inspired a generation and built a lasting legacy as a solo artist. 20 years later, it's her only solo studio album. In this episode I talk about the album, the time that has passed since its release, what Lauryn has been doing in the intervening years and I ask the question: is one classic album enough?
Feeling The Music!
August 30, 2018 12:34 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - What draws us in to connecting with certain songs or albums whilst not with others? I've been battling with this question myself and have finally reached a conclusion! In this episode, I talk about the essential ingredients in the music that I enjoy the most: emotion and feeling.
Feeling The Music!
August 30, 2018 12:34 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBWhat draws us in to connecting with certain songs or albums whilst not with others? I've been battling with this question myself and have finally reached a conclusion! In this episode, I talk about the essential ingredients in the music that I enjoy the most: emotion and feeling.
Loving The Montreux Jazz Festival
July 22, 2018 14:01 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Rob Esse talks passionately about the Montreux Jazz Festival, sharing why he loves absolutely everything about it and paying tribute to the festival founder, Claude Nobs, and his everlasting Montreux legacy.
Little Dark Age By MGMT - First Listening Experience (Album Review)
May 18, 2018 10:06 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Rob Esse plays 'Little Dark Age' by the band MGMT and provides commentary as he does a first listen of the album in real-time!
Robert Plant Carries Fire Into Sydney Opera House
April 07, 2018 10:47 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Rob Esse recounts a magical evening spent in the company of Robert Plant and his Sensational Space Shifters, who performed an absolutely entrancing live concert at the Sydney Opera House.
Roger Waters - Is This The Concert We Really Want?
March 16, 2018 08:39 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Rob Esse attends a Roger Waters concert as part of the 'Us & Them' Tour and he doesn't know what to expect. By the time the show is over, Rob has been taken on an emotional rollercoaster. Is this the kind of concert we really want to see? Listen to hear his thoughts.
The Voice of Dolores O'Riordan Will Always Linger
February 08, 2018 11:40 - 10 minutes - 9.81 MBFollow OBM on Twitter and Instagram - Rob Esse pays tribute to Dolores O'Riordan - the beautifully unique, haunting and tribal voice of The Cranberries. A voice that will linger forever.