Latest Earbuds Podcast Episodes
113. Rap City: How Hip-Hop Was Made Mainstream (with Alvin Jones)
Earbuddies - April 15, 2024 09:00 - 46 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsIn this episode, Mat and Tim are joined by Alvin Jones, otherwise known as "The Unseen VJ" – the man who created Rap City, a long-running music video program on BET. He tells the buddies what inspired him to push for greater hip-hop representation on BET in the mid- to late-80s, and reflects on ...
112. Rhapsody in Blue: The Story of a Song
Earbuddies - April 08, 2024 07:30 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsIn this solo ep, Tim talks through the history – and indeed, the controversy – of Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. It's one of the most iconic pieces of American music ever composed. But its origin story is a little complicated. Leave it to Timmy to sort it all out! SONGS PLAYED: George Ge...
111. How Big Vocals Became the Big Game
Earbuddies - April 01, 2024 12:27 - 59 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsWe could have had it all! In this episode, Mat and Tim get a bit, oh, idk, philosophical, about incredible vocalists. What does our love of great singers say about our entertainment preferences as a culture? Are we prioritizing the right things? Hmm. You'll know in about 59 minutes! SONGS PLAYE...
110. Justin Timberlake's Approval Rating
Earbuddies - March 25, 2024 17:20 - 50 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsWe're bringing buddies back! In this episode, Mat and Tim pore over the life and career of Justin Timberlake – from Mouseketeer to boy band heartthrob to swagged-up solo act and beyond. But what about his gaffes?? And what does the listening public want from JT in this day and age? Folks, you kn...
109. Irish Music: An Emotional Theory
Earbuddies - March 18, 2024 18:35 - 31 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsCome out, ye buddies fans! Matty's on the mic for a solo episode of Earbuddies in which he discusses Irish music and culture. Why do we Americans love St. Patrick's Day so much? What's going on with these tunes? Simply download and listen, and allow Mat to delight you with his signature demure w...
108. The Star Spangled Banner: A Solution
Earbuddies - March 11, 2024 08:50 - 56 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsOh! Say! In this episode, Mat and Tim dig deep into our nation's anthem: The Star Spangled Banner. They consider its strengths and shortcomings, and offer a patriotic prescription to make the song truly work for America. SONGS PLAYED: Kinsley Murray - The Star Spangled Banner Luther Vandross ...
107. What Happened To Contemporary Christian Music?
Earbuddies - March 04, 2024 10:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsWe can only imagine! In this episode, Mat and Tim recall the heyday of CCM – contemporary Christian music – and bemoan the ever-narrowing sonic range found in the genre today. What happened? The answer, it turns out, is tied to money, focus groups, and someone named Becky. Oh, you guys are gonna...
106. Children's Tunes with Intention (with Caitie from Super Simple Songs)
Earbuddies - February 26, 2024 09:00 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsIf you're happy and you know it, subscribe to Earbuddies! In this ep, Mat and Tim are joined by Caitlin Claessens, better known by millions as Caitie from Super Simple Songs. Caitlin discusses her status as a kids' music superstar – then, they figure out what separates the great children's tunes...
105. Dan Nigro and the Role of the Producer
Earbuddies - February 20, 2024 01:09 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsTurn that up in my headphones! In this episode, Mat and Tim discuss the crucial role that producers play in the creation of pop music as we know it. DISCLAIMERS: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes q...
104. Stomp Clap Hey: Noah Kahan and the Return of Indie Folk
Earbuddies - February 13, 2024 02:02 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsPut on your suspenders and fill your mason jars! In this ep, Mat and Tim prepare the Earbuddies Army for the coming return of indie folk – a genre that defined millennial culture 15 years ago. What are we supposed to do? How are we supposed to feel? Let the buddies figure it out for you! SONGS ...
103. The Grammys, Taylor, & the Tortured Poets
Earbuddies - February 06, 2024 11:05 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsSound the alarm!! In this emergency ep, Mat and Tim unpack the big moments from MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT. From Tracy Chapman to Miley Cyrus, and of course, Taylor Swift's announcement of "The Tortured Poets Department". All's fair in love and poetry, I guess!
102. You Don't Know Garth Brooks
Earbuddies - February 05, 2024 09:40 - 55 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsGARTH BROOKS IF YOU'RE READING THIS: OUR USE OF YOUR MUSIC IS PROTECTED BY FAIR USE PRINCIPLES UNDER THE COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1976. PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE. THANK YOU In this ep, Mat and Tim discuss the best selling solo recording artist of all time: Garth Brooks! Everyone knows who he is, but does a...
101. Clean White Noise - Loopable with No Fade
Earbuddies - January 29, 2024 10:00 - 50 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsZzzzzz... in this palate-cleansing episode, Mat and Tim discuss a topsy-turvy cottage industry within the music industry: "functional noise." That is, white noise! What is it? Why is it so comforting? And should white noise farmers be paid by Spotify at the same rate as musical artists? Answers ...
100. One Hundred Tunes
Earbuddies - January 22, 2024 17:35 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsDrop and give us 100! In this centennial ep, Mat and Tim share ten lists of ten tunes (which equals one hundred. You get it!) They laugh. They cry. They look back. They look to the future. Join them! Visit Earbuddies.Army for the latest from your buddies, as well as exclusive merchandise! Clic...
99. Voices In Your Head (with Jim Vallance)
Earbuddies - January 15, 2024 12:00 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsThose were the best days of his life! In this ep, Mat and Tim are joined by a songwriter whose work helped define rock and pop music in the 1980s: Jim Vallance. He tells us why for him, songwriting isn’t a choice: it’s what he must do. Plus, he offers insights into his long and fruitful career w...
98. Buddies Who Aren't Buddies Anymore
Earbuddies - January 08, 2024 13:20 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsWhen good buddies go bad! From ‘irreconcilable differences of ambition’ to ‘ultimate partnership betrayal’ – so many buddies of yesteryear have gone their separate ways. What can Mat and Tim, as buddies themselves, learn from these bygone buddies to ensure that their personal and professional re...
97. Pentaholics Anonymous: Why Pentatonix Falls Flat
Earbuddies - January 01, 2024 17:06 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsGrab your pitch pipes! In this ep, Mat and Tim discuss the world's preeminent a cappella group, Pentatonix. They ask (and answer!) so many questions: Are they a Christmas band? Why do they make those faces all the time? How in the world do they sound like that? Do they actually like being an a c...
96. Pa-Rum-Pum-Pum-Pum: The Unabridged History of the Snare Drum
Earbuddies - December 25, 2023 13:16 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsWe'll pod our best for you (pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)! In this festive ep, Mat and Tim unwrap the entire history of the most important drum ever invented: the snare drum. From the nativity of Christ to the end of monoculture, we trace every boom-chick and rat-a-tat-tat throughout history. SONGS PLAYE...
95. The Lovers, the Dreamers, and Me (with Paul Williams)
Earbuddies - December 18, 2023 13:03 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsMore like 'Rainy Days and Never Missing Mondays'! On this very special ep, Mat and Tim are joined by legendary songwriter Paul Williams. The award-winning musician shares stories about his career as a songwriter, including how he got into the headspace of Kermit the Frog for "The Rainbow Connect...
94. It’s Time To Take The Carpenters Seriously
Earbuddies - December 11, 2023 09:30 - 37 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsPlease stop asking about Tim! In this, yet another solo ep, Mat takes us down into his music laboratory to analyze one of the great “middle of the road” musical groups of our time: The Carpenters. Why do so many of us only listen to them in December? Why don't we talk about their tunes very much...
93. That Thing He Did: How Adam Schlesinger Wrote the Perfect 60s Song in 1996
Earbuddies - December 05, 2023 00:28 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsMatty's on the mic to talk about the tunes! Or rather, a single tune – one that carried an entire feature length film and ran circles around much of the music it paid homage to: That Thing You Do! -- Disclaimers: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of...
92. Is There Anything Left To Say About The Beatles?
Earbuddies - November 28, 2023 03:02 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsGet by with a little help from your buddies! In this ep, Mat and Tim finally – finally – talk about the lovable lads from Liverpool. Are they actually underrated? How's that new single of theirs? And are they actually a children's band? SONGS PLAYED: The Beatles - With a Little Help From My Fr...
91. Dua Lipa: Pop Music's Empty Vessel
Earbuddies - November 20, 2023 10:00 - 50 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsGo buddies, give us nothing! In this ep, Mat and Tim try to discern the superstardom of Dua Lipa, the reigning queen of disco pop in 2023. What's beneath the surface of her tunes? Listen and find out, maybe! SONGS PLAYED: Dua Lipa - Houdini Dua Lipa - Levitating Dua Lipa - Dance the Night Z...
90. How Fred Rogers and Johnny Costa Elevated Children's Music
Earbuddies - November 14, 2023 04:40 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsWon't you be my buddy? In this ep, Tim shares his love of the joyful, jazzy music of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. SONGS PLAYED: Fred Rogers - It's You I Like Fred Rogers - Won't You Be My Neighbor? Fred Rogers - There Are Many Ways To Say "I Love You" Fred Rogers - Please Don't Think It's F...
89. 1989 is the Roblox of Taylor Swift Albums
Earbuddies - November 07, 2023 03:42 - 53 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsDon't say we didn't warn you! In this ep, Mat and Tim discuss 1989 (Taylor's Version). Were the buddies wrong to be worried about this one? Is it good that Taylor's a billionaire now? Answers lie within! SONGS PLAYED: Taylor Swift - Bad Blood (Taylor's Version) Taylor Swift - Blank Space (Tay...
88. The People Are Starving: What "Fast Car" Says About Music in 2023
Earbuddies - October 30, 2023 16:59 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsMaybe together, we can get somewhere! In the season three premiere of Earbuddies, Mat and Tim consider the state of country music – and heck, all of music – and heck, all of art, maybe! – by examining the massive success of Luke Combs's cover of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car". SONGS PLAYED: Tracy ...
87. Olivia Rodrigo: The People's Princess
Earbuddies - September 19, 2023 01:43 - 57 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsListening to Earbuddies tonight – it's a bad idea, right? In this special episode, Mat and Tim discuss the sophomore effort by Olivia Rodrigo, GUTS. Does it live up to its predecessor? Is it embarrassing for adults to listen to? Plus: circling back to our feelings on album lengths.
86. How We Found the Will To Go On
Earbuddies - May 30, 2023 02:48 - 29 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsMISSION ACCOMPLISHED. In this ep, Mat and Tim reflect on the journey they've been on as part of Season Two of Earbuddies. Are we better equipped to face the pop music landscape of 2023? Find out! Thank you for your continued support of Earbuddies. Regular episode releases will continue in the f...
85. Born To Run: A Marathoner's Top Treadmill Tunes (with Thomas Stromme)
Earbuddies - May 23, 2023 03:11 - 59 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsHit the road, Jack! In this ep, Mat and Tim are joined by marathoner Thomas Stromme, who just achieved the major milestone of completing the Boston Marathon. So what kind of tunes does he recommend training to? Plus: a trip to Planet Money to talk about BANKS. THE HOUR OF ANGST PLAYLIST: Ocean...
84. Eurovision: The Olympics of Pop Music
Earbuddies - May 16, 2023 04:29 - 55 minutes ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsOr is it the American Idol of Europe? In this ep, Mat and Tim explore Eurovision: the massive annual pop music event that Americans just don't really care about. SONGS PLAYED: Noa Kirel - Unicorn (Israel) Lys Assia - Refrain (Switzerland) Conchita Wurst - Rise Like a Phoenix (Austria) Kalus...
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