BPM Pod: Recent Episodes
BPM Pod
Giving a voice to unsung musical talent. Join musicians and music lovers Ashley Scrace Wendel and Chris Weinhardt as they discover the lessons, inspirations and tips behind great musicianship. Plus, you‘ll hear some of the latest music reviews, of music both famed and not, plus you‘ll have a few laughs along the way down various deep rabbit holes (which, quite frankly, don‘t always relate to music).
Here it is. We talk about music we love, seeing Porcupine Tree live, and give thanks to all our previous guests.
All previous episodes are still online and will be for the forseeable future.
Thank you. Be excellent to each other.
Huge edition of BPM Pod, packed with the music we've loved recently. Plus, Chris tests his rock knowledge in this edition of Fact or Fiction, and the poetic Leonard Cohen-esque singer-songwriter Phileas swings by for a chat.
Music used in this episode
Falling In Reverse - "Voices In My Head" - YouTube
Wild Rivers - Weatherman (Official Video) - YouTube
Marteria - Kids (2 Finger an den Kopf) [Offizielles Video] - YouTube
Strand of Oaks - Galacticana (Official Visualization) - YouTube
The Cinematic Orchestra - 'To Build A Home' - YouTube
The Cinematic Orchestra - All Things To All Men (feat. Roots Manuva) - YouTube
Phileas - Doobie (What a feeling) - YouTube
Phileas - Breathe (A most beautiful present) - YouTube
Moves Johnson - YouTube
A bonus musing edition where Ashley asks the question: can you hear a city in a song? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram.
Phileas swings by the podcast to talk musical influences, writing songs from an introspective and personal perspective, and the upcoming album due in October. Check out Phileas on YouTube: Phileas - YouTube
A bunch of stuff on the podcast this time, including music we've been listening to (Porcupine Tree, The Staves, Heavy Heavy, Nekrogoblikon, Wintersun, Tame Impala), a game of Overrated vs. Underrated, and Chris talks about the making of the new Weinhardt single 'Prism'.
Plus, we nerd out over a bunch of gear, and Chris's journey to sell it all.
A bunch of stuff on the podcast this time, including music we've been listening to (Porcupine Tree, The Staves, Heavy Heavy, Nekrogoblikon, Wintersun, Tame Impala), a game of Overrated vs. Underrated, and Chris talks about the making of the new Weinhardt single 'Prism'.
Plus, we nerd out over a bunch of gear, and Chris's journey to sell it all.
Fyordor from the electronic rock project Hollow Frames swings by the podcast to talk about his latest releases, Ain't No Grave, and The Management Of Forest Affairs. Along the way, we mention Skinny Puppy, the importance of weaving social issues into music, and the joy of indiscriminately immersing oneself into the local music scene.
Fyordor from the electronic rock project Hollow Frames swings by the podcast to talk about his latest releases, Ain't No Grave, and The Management Of Forest Affairs. Along the way, we mention Skinny Puppy, the importance of weaving social issues into music, and the joy of indiscriminately immersing oneself into the local music scene.
It's Ashley's 33rd birthday. On his playlist are the HEAVY HEAVY gang, with their new single. It's so awesome even Ella likes it (stay tuned at the end).
More HEAVY HEAVY info here: Music | HEAVY HEAVY (bandcamp.com)
It's Ashley's 33rd birthday. On his playlist are the HEAVY HEAVY gang, with their new single. It's so awesome even Ella likes it (stay tuned at the end).
More HEAVY HEAVY info here: Music | HEAVY HEAVY (bandcamp.com)
Pianist and singer-songwriter MISCHKA TOMANÍKOVÁ stops by BPM Pod to talk about her songwriting process, the importance of classical music training, and the future ambitions for her music.
More info:
X Minor | MISCHKA (bandcamp.com)
Biography / | mischka-tomanikova (pianistmichaelatomanikova.com)
Join Ashley and Chris on this short, sharp, sweltering episode as they chat about the music they've loved recently. Plus, Chris succeeds in his mission of replicating the sound of Kurt Cobain's guitar on 'Come As You Are', and Dan Auerbach's guitar on 'Gold on the Ceiling' by The Black Keys. Chris also shows us a proper valuable tape delay, tells us the story behind it, and explains why they're pretty damn cool. AND! If you're in the Berlin area, check out Chris LIVE with his band on 28 August as part of the Heningsdorf festival. Music in this episode * The Staves - Nothing's Gonna Happen [Official Audio] - YouTube * The Jayhawks - Everybody Knows (Official Music Video) - YouTube * The Black Keys - Gold On The Ceiling [Official Music Video] - YouTube * Nirvana - Come As You Are (Official Music Video) - YouTube * Robert Miles - Children (Official Video) - YouTube
An hour-long, mostly uncut, wide-ranging interview with Chris and Shaun from the Berlin-based rock outfit, Inspectre.
In the podcast, the gang talk about musical beginnings, British humour, and the importance of nineties rock music.
Check out Inspectre on Instagram @inspectre_band Inspectre (@inspectre_band) • Instagram photos and videos
Ashley and Chris talk about new music they love, upcoming guests on the podcast, and Chris chats about his recent gigging experiences.
Plus, there's a challenge to see if you (and Ashley) can tell the difference between recorded, analogue sound, and digitally replicated sounds. How well did you do?
MUSIC USED IN THIS EPISODE
Sum 41 - Jessica Kill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5kg_9LIXh8
Sharon Van Etten - Mistakes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9MgJ_VTpb0
Phileas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b05MXh23e8
Mishka - Ms Firefly https://www.pianistmichaelatomanikova.com
Hollow Frames - The Management of Forest Affairs https://hollowframes.bandcamp.com/album/the-management-of-forest-affairs
Inspectre - Settle Down https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obrzj9qMPJ8
Chee-Awai Project https://willchee-awai.bandcamp.com/track/darling
DIIV - Under the Sun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQXHDDPgchg
DIIV - Horsehead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBwz3xto9WE
Rick and Morty - Squanch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEsqSJLeeDc
On this solo edition of BPM Pod, Ashley shares some of the music he's loved recently, and some artists to watch out for, including:
- Father Moon
- Tara C Taylor
- Sea Colour
- Skovron
- D Sahin
- Jerry Joseph
We'll be back as a duo soon with a nonsense, chatty, live-recorded episode. Get in touch on Instagram and Facebook @BPMPod
Music used in this episode:
- Father Moon (@fathermoonofficial) • Instagram photos and videos
- Stream Love Machine by Tara C Taylor | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
- ANIMOTION - Obsession - YouTube
- sea colour - our time (visualiser) - YouTube
- Quick Chapter by Skovron (soundcloud.com)
- D.$ahin & welovemelodies - BITTERSWEET OVERKILL (Official Video) - YouTube
- Days of Heaven - Jerry Joseph
- Dead confederate - Jerry Joseph
Solo Chris episode this time where he breaks down all of thought, energy, and confusion that goes into creating a jingle - a few seconds of audio takes a tonne of time, indeed.
The boys catch up on a bunch of varied musical topics on this episode, including:
- Dreamtheater live in Berlin review
- Reflecting on Devin Townsend, and aiming to get him on the pod
- Drive-By Truckers live in Copenhagen review
- Musing on Wilco's new album, Cruel Country
- What is a pro musician? What is an amateur musician? What is a musician these days?! We discuss.
- Beginner guitar mistakes around reading tabs
- Music theory and why it rules
- Vanda Essay interview, where we talk about her latest single 'Tonight', what she's studying at Goldsmiths University, the ambitions for her music career, and we talk about the pros and cons of in-ear monitors.
Find out more on Facebook and Instagram @BPMPOD
Music used in this episode
- DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - March Of The Poozers (Lyric Video) - YouTube
- Drive-By Truckers - The Driver (Official Video) - YouTube
- "Tired of Taking It Out On You" by Wilco | Cruel Country - YouTube
- Vanda Essay - Tonight (feat. Joni Saksala, Camilla Meisterjahn, Simon Löschke, Livia Thauer & Theo Hartmann) - YouTube
- Vanda Essay - Waste of Love - YouTube
US-Italian singer, songwriter, voice artist, and vocal coach Annalisa Lombardo swings by the podcast to talk all things American politics, songwriting process, and musical ambitions.
Check out Annalisa's music on her website, or wherever you listen to your tunes. The new single 'American Fascist' is out soon.
Home | Annalisa Lombardo
For the longest time we've wanted to interview this sublime Swedish singer-songwriter. And now, we're pleased to welcome Emma Elisabeth along to the podcast.
Emma talks about her latest album 'Some Kind of Paradise', the influence of 70s and 80s rock and pop, what's on her pedalboard, and what's coming up next.
Keep up to date with Emma Elisabeth:
HOME | emma-elisabeth
Emma Elisabeth (@emmaelisabethmusic) • Instagram photos and videos
There's a lot more to come from BPM Pod, albeit in its own time. Here's a quick word on what's going on behind the scenes.
On this episode, the boys dedicate half the runtime to the Behringer Vintage Time Machine - a guitar pedal they adore, despite it being a copy of my a more expensive Electro Harmonix one. Chris teaches you a bit about how delay works, and how it can add to your overall sound, no matter what instrument you play.
Plus they review new music from Emma Elisabeth, Bon Iver, and Son of a Pixel, as well as catching up with the funky 'Superbloom' by Misterwives.
There's a tonne of fun in the Fact or Fiction segment too, this week focusing on classic rock myths. Got any Fact or Fiction questions for the guys? Send them in via Instagram or Facebook.
Oh, and there's a bit of talk about dildos and sponsorship. It's weird, but it passes within a few minutes.
Music on this episode
- MisterWives - SUPERBLOOM (Official Visualizer)
- Tessa Violet & MisterWives - Bored (Official Quarantine Video)
- Bon Iver - Second Nature (From 'Don’t Look Up') (Official Audio)
- Son of a Pixel - DIGIHELL (Official Video, 2022) - YouTube
- Emma Elisabeth - Some Kind Of Paradise (Official Music Video)
Packed episode with the guys this time, touching on a bunch of stuff in quick succession.
What we've been listening to
- The delightful Tonight from Vanda Essay gets a spin and a bit of chat
- We cover other artists we've loved recently, including Son of a Pixel, Poor Man's Poison, and Pluralone
8 Bit Wonderland
We look at some of the computer game soundtracks we love, with the featured soundtracks this time being the 2016 DOOM soundtrack by Mike Gordan, and the Shadow of the Colossus soundtrack by Kow Otani.
Plus, Zelda gets more than a quick mention, by way of Half Life (you'll see how).
Chris's drum mixing education
Long chunk of the episode is dedicated to drum mixing tips, from minimising mic bleed, to determining the space you record in, to how samples are created, to how music is a constant fight in balancing frequencies. Really interesting deep dive into an area of expertise that is not talked about enough (and a big shout out to Chance Bair of HEAVY HEAVY for bringing this one up).
Music featured in this episode
- Vanda Essay - Tonight (feat. Joni Saksala, Camilla Meisterjahn, Simon Löschke, Livia Thauer & Theo Hartmann)
- Providence - YouTube
- Shadow of the Colossus Remake FULL Soundtrack - YouTube
- DOOM - Original Game Soundtrack - Mick Gordon & id Software - YouTube
- Son of a Pixel - BUGFIX (Official Video, 2022) - YouTube
- Feeder - Come Back Around - Official Video - YouTube
- Rihanna - Umbrella (Orange Version) (Official Music Video) ft. JAY-Z - YouTube
- Forest Temple - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time - YouTube
Ben talks about learning a new recording process during the pandemic, on the influences of David Byrne and how underrated Byrne is as a lyricist, and how honoured Ben is to work with the wonderful Josephine Stephenson on an upcoming opera.
Check out more of Ben's music at http://ben-osborn.com/
And put 15 April in your diary for the new EP. We'll review it on the show in the future.
A bunch of stuff on this packed episode with the guys. Yes, while this is a music podcast, none of us can avoid what's going on in the world at the moment, so Ashley and Chris spend a bit of time in the beginning talking about that and the sadness of it all. Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine.
But to try and celebrate Ukraine a bit, Ashley mentions some of the wonderful Ukrainian music he's been listening to including Postman, Me'Leron, Poweder Echo, Mandarinaduck, House of Flowers, and Jinjer (by Chris' request). Big shout out to The Quietus for their excellent article around Ukrainian music, and to Rolling Stone for their feature. Check them out.
The special guest this week is Chris himself, who talks about getting out gigging again, the energy he's gotten from as we emerge from COVID lockdowns, and where we can check out Weinhardt going forward.
Plus, we mention the latest music news of Epic Games acquiring Bandcamp (read more here), and the tracks that have caught our attention including Ed Sheeran, xxxtenacion, and Sabaton
Music featured on the episode this week:
- Powder Echo - https://powderecho.bandcamp.com/album/bung
- Mandarinaduck - https://mandarinaduck.bandcamp.com/album/long-life
- Me'Leron - https://meleron.bandcamp.com/album/r
- Postman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXlPVhm4HDI
- House of Flowers - https://hofbandukraine.bandcamp.com/releases
- Jinjer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQNtGoM3FVU
- Stormtroopers - YouTube
- Ed Sheeran - Overpass Graffiti [Official Video] - YouTube
- what are you so afraid of - YouTube
In this bonus edition of BPM Pod, Chris reviews, comments on the use of, and demos the Line 6 HX Stomp XL - a multi-effects guitar pedal, which is the smaller version of the Line 6 Helix unit.
Say goodbye to ridiculous amps, hundreds of pedals, and a bunch of cables and potential gig issues. Say hello to everything combined in one small, handy, sturdy box.
Find out more here: https://www.thomann.de/gb/line6_hx_stomp_xl.htm
On this edition, Ashley takes the reins for a solo podcast, reviewing the sublime debut album from Lisa Akuah titled 'Outgrowing Nymph' (out 25 February wherever you find good music).
Plus, Ashley celebrates the music that has caught his attention recently, including Ben Osborn, Vizard, and Manchester Orchestra.
The next episode of BPM Pod will be a little later than usual as the boys take a break. Check out past episodes wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch via Facebook and Instagram for more. Don't forget: the best reviews on Apple, Amazon etc. get free stuff!
Music on this episode
- Ben Osborn (bandcamp.com)
- Vizard - Tornado https://open.spotify.com/track/4E6qB3GtzZ1oINFR5mUCH9?si=60a5a71bcfb34598
- Manchester Orchestra - Angel Of Death (Live) – The Stuffing at Fox Theatre Atlanta - YouTube
- Manchester Orchestra - Telepath (Live) – The Stuffing at Fox Theatre Atlanta - YouTube
- Outgrowing Nymph | Lisa Akuah (bandcamp.com)
Quite shoutout to three incredible artists, two rather well known, and one who certainly should be more well known.
For more BPM Pod, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Give us a review and we'll read it out on the show, plus send you a thank you gift!
Music in this episode
Caroline Polachek - Billions (Official Video) - YouTube
Lisa Akuah - Fluid Suits [Official Video] - YouTube
Sharon Van Etten - Porta (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube
Big thanks to Moves Johnson for stopping by the podcast this week to tell us about his upcoming musical projects, one of which involves his grandfather and an orchestra to boot.
Plus, the gang reviews the music that's caught their attention including stuff from Jim James, Lane 8, Aesop Rock, and more.
Also, Ashley reviews the latest release from psych-singer-songwriter Mabloni called 'Lotta Freaks', available from 11 February on all streaming platforms.
And to round off the episode, the gang talk all things guitar gear, as they choose some of their favourite guitar tones before advising how you can achieve them.
For more about Moves Johnson: www.movesjohnson.com
For BPM Pod on social media: @BPMPod
And for the BPM Pod Desert Island Playlist, head to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ES1QBww3CwmmzPf8sXbDL?si=4409e10c7b5841e2
Music featured in this episode
- Tame Impala - The Less I Know the Better (Official Audio)
- Same Ol' Road - Dredg - YouTube
- Porcupine Tree - The Incident - YouTube
- Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger (Official Video) - YouTube
- Queens of the Stone Age - Turnin On The Screw - YouTube
- The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary - YouTube
- Queen - I Want It All (Official Video) - YouTube
- Lane 8 - Reviver (Official Visualiser)
- Ricky Reed, Jim James & Duendita - Us (How Sweet It Was) (Official Audio) - YouTube
- The Chemical Brothers - Wide Open ft. Beck (Official Music Video) - YouTube
- Aesop Rock - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HEq8UqrujM
On this episode, the guys talk at length about what musical gear and equipment you really need if you're starting out on your musical journey, from pedals, to cables, to the instrument itself. Definitely worth a listen for amateur musicians, and any pros who might be having some gear-hoarding issues! (Spoiler: you NEVER need as much gear as you think to be a good musician.)
Plus, there's new music reviews of Lazer Beam, Julien Baker, Muse, Limp Bizkit, Volbeat, and one of Berlin's best darlings, the wonderful Tara C. Taylor with her newest release 'Under the Influence: A Tribute to 40 Years of Depeche Mode'.
Music in this episode
- Tara C. Taylor - Under the Influence: A Tribute to 40 Years of Depeche Mode - YouTube
- Julien Baker - Hardline - YouTube
- Muse - Muse - WON'T STAND DOWN (Official Video) - YouTube
- Limp Bizkit - Dad Vibes - Sing Along by Marcelo - YouTube
- Lazer Beam - Lazer Beam - Turn N Burn (2021) (New Song) - YouTube
It's time for the BPM Pod End of 2021 Special! This means it is time for the BPM Pod Awards (categories and winners tagged below). Plus, we review Chris's year on Spotify (spoiler: he likes 21 Pilots), we talk Christmas music that we love (spoiler again: The Darkness), and we chat about random nonsense along the way.
Also, there's a quick chat about Avril Lavinge's newest single 'Bite Me' and how it transports us back to our naive, dumb years in the early 2000s.
Before we list the awards, thank you to everyone for supporting this podcast. Don't forget: we're not monetized, and we do this only to connect with you, whether you're a musician or music fan. Whoever you are, wherever you are, thank you. Be safe, take care, and speak to you in 2022.
Now... prizegiving time! (Note: your prizes are nothing. Sorry. Use our praise on your own PR material or something.)
Recurring guest of the year - Chance Bair
Tracks of the year - shortlist includes anything from Alexi Laiho, Shy Away by 21 Pilots, Harmonia's Dream by The War On Drugs, In Color by My Morning Jacket (especially the live version at Forest Hills), Hunger In Your Haunt by Biffy Clyro. But the ultimate winner for Ashley: Litte Things by Big Thief @pitchperfectpr)
Album of the Year - (Chris's pick) Scaled and Icy by 21 Pilots; (Ashley's pick) I Don't Live Here Anymore by The War On Drugs. Honourable mentions: Wolf Alice, Manchester Orchestra, Black Country New Road
Artists to watch - Lisa Akuah, D. $ahin, Samantha Crain, Natasha Jaffe
Timecodes
- 00:00:00 - Show begins
- 00:02:09 - New gear purchases inc. XLN Audio
- 00:04:20 - What we've been listening to (Blink 182, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Caroline Polachek)
- 00:11:35 - Chris reveals his End of Year Spotify list
- 00:16:08 - Christmas songs inc. The Darkness
- 00:21:57 - BPM Pod Awards
- 00:47:50 - We talk Avril...
- 00:52:45 - A heartfelt thank you
Music mentioned on this episode
Caroline Polachek - Bunny is a Rider (Official Video) - YouTube
Low - White Horses - YouTube
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - The Violation (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) - YouTube
Twenty One Pilots - Shy Away (Official Video) - YouTube
PERIPHERY - Marigold (Official Music Video) - YouTube
The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) (Official Music Video) - YouTube
HEAVY HEAVY - Red Canvas (Official Video) - YouTube
The War On Drugs - I Don't Live Here Anymore (feat. Lucius) [Official Music Video] - YouTube
Shine - YouTube
Camel Song - Live from "Cello in Bloom" Release Concert - YouTube
Samantha Crain - Bloomsday - YouTube
Lisa Akuah - We Will Pass [Official Video] - YouTube
Avril Lavigne - Bite Me (Official Video) - YouTube
A review-packed episode this time, featuring music from a bunch of different artists including Cate Le Bon, Marissa Nadler, Big Thief, Cradle of Filth, Bodom After Midnight, Childish Gambino, In Flames, Anna of the North, Porcupine Tree, and even Justin Bieber. (Chris, are you feeling alright?)
In the second half of the episode, we talk about our biggest musical mistakes, from being too drunk at gigs, right through to forgetting equipment. We all make mistakes, so let's learn from each other.
On the next episode, it's the Christmas special, which means the BPM Pod awards. Stay tuned. Like BPM Pod on Facebook and Instagram.
Timestamps
- 00:00:00 - ASMR and starting nonsense
- 00:02:10 - Proper introduction
- 00:03:25 - Chris gives an update on Weinhardt
- 00:07:25 - Christmas special preview and awards categories
- 00:09:10 - What we've been listening to (War on Drugs, Cradle of Filth, Childish Gambino, Blackpink, Bodom After Midnight)
- 00:14:00 - Our K-POP section (Chris talks Blackpink) #clicks
- 00:18:41 - Bodom After Midnight legacy
- 00:20:28 - Music reviews (Cate Le Bon, Big Thief, Marissa Nadler, Porcupine Tree, Anna of the North, In Flames, Justin Bieber)
- 00:36:40 - Shitting on Justin Bieber
- 00:44:30 - Biggest musical mistakes we have made
- 01:09:00 - Desert Island Playlist
Music featured this week
- Cate Le Bon - Moderation (Official Video) - YouTube
- Big Thief - Time Escaping (Official Audio) - YouTube
- Marissa Nadler - Lemon Queen
- Porcupine Tree - Harridan (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube
- Anna of the North - Someone Special (Official Audio)
- IN FLAMES - I, The Mask (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
- The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber - Stay (Lyrics)
- Childish Gambino - Because the Internet
- Cradle of Filth - Crawling King Chaos'
- Blackpink - Pretty Savage
It's time to get SPOOOOOOOOOKY. Joining this episode is a special co-host: the wonderfully talented, supremely knowledgable Kris Sinister. Kris talks about what music he's making these days, how horror inspires him, and joins in the discussion of the creepiest songs ever.
This one is not for the faint of heart as we delve into the world of scary music, including stuff from Wolf Eyes, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, The Cramps, ELO, Aphex Twin, Rob Zombie, Tom Waits, and Porcupine Tree.
Plus, the gang talk about what they've been listening to, such as Ossuary, My Morning Jacket, and Lisa Peterson.
More about Kris Sinister
- Instagram - @mrsinisterkris
- Facebook - @mrsinisterkris
- Tiktok - Kris Sinister (@krissinister) TikTok | Watch Kris Sinister's Newest TikTok Videos
Timecodes
- 00:00:00 - "I don't have stuff..."
- 00:00:45 - Let's begin! New jingle
- 00:02:30 - Do you celebrate Halloween? How?
- 00:06:10 - What's That Riff?! = SOLVED! (Royal Blood)
- 00:07:15 - Kris Sinister joins!
- 00:12:00 - Ghost stories...
- 00:23:20 - Chupacabra rap
- 00:23:45 - What we've been listening to (Lisa Peterson, Ossuary, My Morning Jacket)
- 00:33:00 - Kris Sinister interview
- 00:42:40 - Creepiest songs ever (Cradle of Filth, The Cramps, Wolf Eyes, Tom Waits, ELO, Resident Evil OST, Silent Hill OST, War of the Worlds, Aphex Twin)
- 00:59:20 - Kris finishes us off with a history lesson
- 01:04:45 - Desert Island playlist (Ghost, The Beatles)
- 01:08:13 - End
Links to music we mention
My Morning Jacket - Regularly Scheduled Programming
The Ossuary - Ratking (Official Music Video) - YouTube
Ylvis - Old Friends [Official music video HD]
Soul Riders - Lisa Peterson | Official Music Video
Wolf Eyes--Half Animal, Half Insane - YouTube
Tom Waits - What's He Building - YouTube
ELO - Fire On High
Cradle of Filth - Satanic Mantra
Silent Hill 2 OST - Silent Heaven
Porcupine Tree - Heartattack in a Lay By (In Absentia)
Go Tell Aunt Rhody (RE7 Official Soundtrack Full Version) - YouTube
Hurt - YouTube
I Was A Teenage Werewolf (Remastered)
Rob Zombie - Dragula (Official Music Video)
On this bonus edition of BPM Pod, Ashley takes an in-depth track-by-track look at the sublime new album from podcast favourites The War On Drugs, with their hotly-anticipated new album 'I Don't Live Here Anymore'.
Available Friday 29 October from The War On Drugs official website Music - The War On Drugs
Another packed episode with Weinhardt and Wendel. They interview singer-songwriter and all-round thoughtful guy, Jonathan (a.k.a. Sea Colour) about his new music.
Plus, Chris and Ashley review music from Ada Lea, Ashley Shadow, and more. There's a Fact or Fiction segment too, this time on musical riders/demands.
Finally, What's That Riff?! returns for one more round with a kind of Royal Blood / Metallica sounding riff. Can you work it out? Answers on Facebook or Instagram @bpmpod
Loads of stuff on this episode including a bunch of new music, a discussion about the Life Is Strange soundtrack, plus a stunning interview with the wonderful Lisa Akuah.
New music to check out
- Big Thief - Little Things (Official Audio) - YouTube
- The War On Drugs - Living Proof [Official Video] - YouTube
- Emma Elisabeth - Stolen Love (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube
- Maggie Rogers - Light On - YouTube
Timestamps
00:01:50 - A Scott Pilgrim confession...
00:05:12 - Chris orders a pizza
00:10:30 - Chris completes another wrestling theme song
00:15:30 - New music to check out
00:23:00 - Chris goes K-POP
00:23:00 - Chris goes K-POP
00:27:45 - Lisa Akuah interview
00:52:00 - K-POP part 2
00:53:45 - Life is Strange soundtrack discussion
01:02:30 - Desert Island Playlist
ULAAAH!!!
That's it. A very speedy plug of this super single, from the upcoming album I Don't Live Here Anymore, released 29 October.
Another packed episode with Weinhardt and Wendel. On this episode, the guys review Lisa Akuah's 'Dancing Trees', they talk about music they've been listening to including Tacoma Bridge Disaster, Blink 182 and more. Plus, we discuss wrestling and music thanks to the recent collaboration between Berlin Is Not Am Ring and Weinhardt. Also the Desert Island Playlist continues with Matthew Perryman Jones and Periphery.
And finally: there's a new feature called What's That Riff! What is the riff Ashley cannot identify? And do you have riffs you cannot identify? Send in a quick clip - humming, playing, whatever - and we'll try our best to solve it.
Find the podcast on bpmpod.com, or any popular podcast service including:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bpm-pod/id1441787578?id=1441787578
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2JwbXBvZC9mZWVkLnhtbA
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GxuuWEDpGcOEKZt761EMi
On the episode this week Chris talks all about that bass with the Father of Frequency, the Duke of Drone, the Lord of Low End, Chance Bair of Heavy Heavy (check them out here: Music | HEAVY HEAVY (bandcamp.com )
Chris and Chance talk about building the perfect bass rig, splitting signals and splitting eardrums too. Plus Chris talks about his upcoming appearance from 20-22 August at BERLIN is not AM RING (glanzundkrawall.de) Wrestling, rock, drinks - what more do you want?!
Check out more BPM Pod goodness wherever you get your podcasts or go to bpmpod.com
OR find Wendel and Weinhardt on Instagram and Facebook @BPMpod
D.$AHIN is a Berlin based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who embarks on a musical journey that combines an earthy blend of R&B and a dash of indie-pop with her soulful, reassuring voice.
Originally from Istanbul, D.$AHIN came to Germany in the early 1990's with her family as refugees and was granted asylum and eventually citizenship as a teenager. Growing up between the two worlds of traditional Turkish music (she studied Saz, the Turkish 'guitar') and western pop music shaped her instincts as a singer early on.
After making the first attempts of singing her first written pop tunes at Berlin´s small jam sessions the realization sunk in that singing has a huge impact on her well-being.
A lot has happened since then.
Between 2012 and 2014, Sahin won 1st place in Dj Tommek and Kurtis Blow's Boogie Down Berlin Showcase, headlined the Lichtblick Festival and landed an opening slot for the Grammy-nominated Soul band Hiatus Kaiyote while performing under the names "Chili Hendrix” and "Room 816".
In 2015, Sahin became "TurkSoulRefugee" and relocated to Valencia, Spain with her then full-time producer/co-writer FDEZ (U.S.A./Spain). She quickly established herself as one of the most exciting performers in the area and within months of arriving, where she played a sold-out a showcase of her original material as part of the innaugural edition of the M.U.V. Festival. Her popularity in Valencia extended beyond her own project and she was invited to collaborate with professors and aulmni of the Berklee College of Music Valencia Campus and performed in July with Spain's pre-eminent DJ and producer of party music, the 6-time Latin Grammy-nominated Carlos Jean.
Upon returning to Berlin in 2018 she dedicated her attention to further development of her production and songwriting skills and released her debut single "SHINE" in February 2021.
D.$AHIN (dsahinmusic.com)
Quick and easy episode this time with Weinhardt and Wendel - no guest this week.
Ashley and Chris look at what we've been listening to including music from The War on Drugs, Children of Bodom, Devon Townsend Project.
The duo also look at their favourite live albums including releases from The War on Drugs, Neil Young, My Morning Jacket, Queen, Rammstein, Dredg and Phil Collins.
Finally in 8 Bit Wonderland we take a look at the wonder that is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Plus we submit a couple of songs to the Desert Island Playlist.
For everything BPM Pod related, go to @BPMPod on Facebook or Instagram.
And don't forget to leave your reviews wherever you get your podcasts! The best ones win a t-shirt.
Packed episode with Weinhardt and Wendel, discussing all things music including:
- New music from Molly's Peck
- New music from Heavy Heavy
- What we've been listening to including Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen, Promis, Twenty One Pilots, The Rasmus
- We talk computer game soundtracks in our new feature 8 Bit Wonderland. This time we look at the soundtrack from Dishonoured, composed by the late Daniel Licht
Plus the wonderful cellist, singer-songwriter Natasha Jaffe is our guest. Check her out here: www.natashajaffe.com
For everything BPM Pod related, go to @BPMPod on Facebook or Instagram.
And don't forget to leave your reviews wherever you get your podcasts! The best ones win a t-shirt.
On this episode of the podcast Weinhardt and Wendel dig into some of the music they've been listening to including stuff from Spiritbox, Manchester Orchestra and DIIV. Plus the band 4 Oceans are reviewed from the BPM Pod Heroes playlist. Special guest this week is Jan from There's a Light who talks about his love for effects, drumming practice and a bizarre yet beautiful tour in China.
For more BPM Pod go to @bpmpod on Facebook and Instagram. Check out previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts.
Don't forget to subscribe and write a review too! The best ones are read out on the show.
Join Ashley and Chris as they talk new music, old gems and chat with some of the coolest unsung talent out there today.
On the episode today Ashley and Chris review new music from Nrec, Alla Igityan and Tess Daniel. Check out the music they review on the BPM Pod Unsung Heroes playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yQjBqSaxGLI5l9yvPZnLh?si=d180068ec4104ce6
Ashley and Chris also speak with guitar supremo Olivier Giry all the way from France, talking jazz-funk-rock, how the pandemic has halted gigging and why Olivier plays music at all (and what he wants people to feel).
Plus they catch up on songs they've been enjoying including Animotion and Luke Million. And of course there are a couple of songs submitted to the Desert Island Playlist, this time from Steely Dan and Syd Matters. Check out the Desert Island Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ES1QBww3CwmmzPf8sXbDL?si=559a3fbb234c4c67
Get in touch with Ashley and Chris on Instagram or Facebook. Simply look for @BPMPod
And don't forget to LIKE, SHARE and REVIEW the podcast. The best reviews receive a free t-shirt!
On this edition of BPM Pod, we're guest-free! Instead we talk about a lot of different topics from microphone placement in a room, to the song 'Little Fucking Munchkin Men' (thanks to Curtis Crook, a figure from Ashley's childhood), to Fact or Fiction about the Insane Clown Posse.
Plus we review some of the most recent songs on the BPM Pod unsung heroes playlist, submit tracks to the Desert Island playlist from Above and Beyond and Jim James. Plus we give some thoughts on songs we've encountered over the past few weeks.
RUNNING ORDER:
00:00 - Intro, microphone placement
06:15 - NEW Weinhardt song preview 'Chamber of Lies'
07:35 - A look at an upcoming song called 'Little Fucking Munchkin Men' (shoutout to Curtis Crook)
11:30 - BPM Pod Playlist: Reviews Listen to the BPM Pod: Unsung Heroes list on Spotify
Little Quaint Senorita - Say a Word https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pslAx8lKyFY
Hubert Junghaim - Chocolate https://open.spotify.com/track/6kTgHr6FhOX9XeH1sxv8wb?si=4f08128b51d54bea
D.$ahin - Shine https://open.spotify.com/track/4Ms5YDzh4HWHpIbyWpr9Iv?si=2d20caaf50cc460d
31:40 - Fact or Fiction
37:05 - Things we've been discovering
Sol Heilo - Lift Your Head https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3tprfC3_z8
Twenty One Pilots - Shy Away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sO-Y1Zbft4
Gareth Coker - Ori and the Blind Forest soundtrack https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeVFrt7BUyw
Samantha Crain - Bloomsday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38mbq59PJDk
Israel Nash - Stay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dykiv1T5-FQ
Deafheaven - Dreamhouse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWyVhIBmdGw
54:00 - Desert Island Playlist Listen to the Desert Island Playlist on Spotify
Above and Beyond - On a Good Day
Jim James - AEIOU
Ashley and Chris catch up with Michal from the Ibby Register project - a mission to document every Ibanez guitar ever made.
Plus they revisit some old classic tunes and review the debut EP from Birgit Jones, and submit a song each to our new Desert Island Playlist.
- Check out the BPM Pod unsung heroes playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yQjBqSaxGLI5l9yvPZnLh?si=740a7695e0ec4034
- Listen to the Desert Island Playlist here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ES1QBww3CwmmzPf8sXbDL?si=52eef5a6176d42de
- Get in touch with Ashley and Chris @BPMpod on Instagram and Facebook.
- Ibby Register: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnQfO-ZQrKYaInOmllG-88Q/videos?view=0&sort=p
- Birgit Jones: https://birgitjones.bandcamp.com/album/cheers-to-my-haters
Timecodes
00:00:00 - Intro, where we're based in Berlin, whether Elon Musk is a genius or Bond villain 00:06:10 - Chris reveals his recent reggae adventure 00:12:00 - Fact or Fiction: Terrible band names that changed to better things 00:19:20 - Chris tells a story about almost unfortunately being associated with some terrible people 00:22:40 - Review: Chris revisits Daft Punk's 'Something About Us' 00:25:10 - Review: Ash revisits Soundgarden's 'Jesus Christ Pose' 00:27:25 - Review: Ash revisits Courtney Barnett 'Nameless Faceless' 00:29:00 - Review: Birgit Jones debut EP 'Cheers To My Haters' 00:34:25 - Interview: Michal from Ibby Register 01:06:35 - Desert Island Playlist 01:09:51 - END
On this edition of BPM Pod, we catch up with Chance Bair, bassist and lead singer of the excellent Berlin grunge-metal-rock trio Heavy Heavy. We talk about the latest upcoming release from the band, what gear Chance cannot live without, plus how a group of people at Scenedicate are giving a voice to the underground music scene. Check out their work here: https://www.facebook.com/scenedicateberlin/
We also reflect on some of the songs we love at the moment including:
- Gothica Fennica Vol.1 by VV
- Caterpillar by Hamish Hawk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_of2G8R8y7Y
- All The Colours of You by James https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fQk-hEMYMc
- A Case of You by Tristen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLbmJLHFwXo
- Candy Gun by Melt Banana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZSL21lcoH4
Ashley is also tested on his knowledge of real or fake band names in the Fact or Fiction section, plus we submit a song each to our new Desert Island Playlist.
- Check out the BPM Pod unsung heroes playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yQjBqSaxGLI5l9yvPZnLh?si=740a7695e0ec4034
- Listen to the Desert Island Playlist here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ES1QBww3CwmmzPf8sXbDL?si=52eef5a6176d42de
- Get in touch with Ashley and Chris @BPMpod on Instagram and Facebook.
Timecodes
00:00:00 - Intro, where we're based, weather
00:03:50 - Fact or Fiction: Weird band names
00:13:00 - Reviews (VV, Hamish Hawk, Tristen, James, Melt Banana)
00:25:20 - The robots take over... Hello Hazel.
00:26:06 - Interview: Chance Bair of HEAVY HEAVY
00:54:40 - Desert Island playlist
01:00:00 - END
An old friend of the podcast, Move Johnson, comes back to tell us more about his latest works including a folk-rock release and a bunch of orchestral pieces he is working on based on the stories from his grandfather. Plus we discuss why double albums simply do not work - ever. And we play a game of Fact or Fiction for band names.
Check out the music of Moves Johnson on Spotify or www.movesjohnson.com
Follow BPM Pod on Instagram @bpmpod and on Facebook @BPMPod
It's been a while since we last uploaded an episode. But today we hail in a new era - the era of TWO hosts on BPM Pod.
Please welcome: Chris Weinhardt!
Chris and I will be jointly hosting the show over the coming weeks, committing to a two-per-month schedule.
There will be new features, games, jokes and more, which we talk about here in this introduction episode. We'll focus more on gear, on the latest music that's come out, and we'll be speaking to the best unsigned talent that's out there today.
A big bumper edition of BPM Pod to close out 2020. We talk to multi-instrumentalist Kris Sinister about his work across a range of bands, why The Beatles might be the best band ever, and how important good gear and horror films are to his music.
Plus we spend a while looking back at the achievements of BPM Pod over 2020 and hand out the first BPM Pod awards. Timecodes and award categories are below.
Happy new year!
Timecodes
- 00:00 Introduction and review of BPM Pod over 2020
- 05:30 BPM Pod Awards
- Song of the Year = Phoebe Bridgers, I Know The End
- Album of the Year = Fiona Apple, Fetch the Boltcutters
- BPM Pod Song of the Year = Molly's Peck, Hope You Don't Mind + Moves Johnson and the Boxhoppers, Wet
- BPM Pod Album/EP of the Year = Heavy Heavy, Wait Where Is My... Oh There It Is
- BPM Pod Interview of the Year = Birgit Jones
- Most Gushing Moment of the Year = King Buffalo episode
- Best Guest Gift Award = Orange Utan for a vinyl copy of their album Katastrophil
- Most Airtime Award = Chris Weinhardt
- 23:45 Kris Sinister interview
On the podcast we regularly hear from upcoming artists. Don't get me wrong: there are some interesting, compelling stories there. I love them all.
But what we don't hear all that often about is how to become a better musician - what pros are out there to help you tap into your potential.
One of these true musical guardians is Kara Johnstad, a talented, inspiring voice and music coach.
With over 30 years experience, as well as her own stocked back-catalogue of releases, Kara comes to BPM Pod to talk about why finding the why in your music is so important, how you can become a better musician and person through your musical journey, and how strategically thinking about your musical career might ironically be the most creative thing you can do.
Find out more about Kara and School of Voice Berlin
So when you're podcasting there are a few things you hope for:
- Decent recording quality (meh, sometimes this happens)
- Good questions (again I think it happens sometimes)
- Decent guests (oh this one happens a lot!)
But another perhaps fourth hope is this: an easy time editing. Editing is hard. Even though it sounds like I just rocked up, recorded and left, it's not like that at all. Dear listener you see, like much of your entertainment out there in other forms, podcasting is also a lie. It sounds like the conversation went smoothly, without hesitation, without error or retakes. Rarely is this the case though.
Now a podcasting pedant might say BPM Pod is too rambling - and that might be true. But when you have such a good time with your guests it's really hard to limit the conversation.
And that's why editing this episode was really, really hard.
Birgit Jones are awesome (or should I say is awesome as Birgit herself is a person?) This hard-rock-glam-doom trio not only absolutely kill it on stage but they kill it in a conversation too. Open, funny, down-to-earth and not all too serious, I had an absolute blast recording this session and editing it too.
A wonderful band, Birgit Jones have just released their first proper single 'Fire' which you can hear in the podcast. For more information check out their website.
And of course a woman as damn badass and sexy as Birgit is all over social media. Find out more on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
On this episode I am delighted to talk to Sean McVey of the mighty stoner-psych-heavy-blue-rock-jam band King Buffalo. Sean joined me from his home in Rochester, New York, and we talked about the beginnings of the band, how their awesome jams come to fruition, and what the musical future holds for the band and the industry. Plus we answer your audience questions. Check out Kingbuffalo.com to listen to their latest release, Dead Star, plus find out what they're up to with their Quarantine Sessions.
Also on this episode is a review of the latest EP from the band Heavy Heavy. The EP Wait where is my... Oh there it is is brilliant and well worth checking out wherever you get your music. Buy the album today from Bandcamp.
Next time: Birgit Jones (which was supposed to be this week originally but we made a switch).
Reupload due to previous issue with the podcast.
So I usually like to script my own intros here, but today I cannot do this better than the band have themselves. So here goes:
Straightforward blues punk.
Not mainstream, German lyrics, danceable, and loud.
FragFrank distills the essence of rock music and appeals to hedonistic instincts. Like an engine, the band is best appreciated revved hot and live. The essentials are the energy of the fast riffs, crisp drum beats, and independent bass rhythms.
FragFrank has a number of suggestions for improving the world, is bursting with political statements, but mostly blasts heavy music straight to the brain. No more and no less.”
FragFrank have just released their album – titled number 1 (stylised as # 1) – and are currently in the process of promoting that. Joining me on this episode is Martin (guitarist/songwriter), Andre (bassist/singer) and Keith (drummer).
We talk musical beginnings, how to make the world a better place in the post-covid world and what's next after number one for FragFrank.
To listen to FragFrank, go to Soundcloud or wherever you listen to your music. For more information on the band, go to FragFrank's website or Facebook.
Also on this episode, we review the debut EP from singer-songwriter Noir Yon. Worth a listen for sure. Check it out.
Quick update on bpmpod.com which is no more.
Why?
A combination of cost, time, return on investment, energy levels and anxiety. Listen to the podcast for mroe information.
So I usually like to script my own intros here, but today I cannot do this better than the band have themselves. So here goes:
Straightforward blues punk.
Not mainstream, German lyrics, danceable, and loud.
FragFrank distills the essence of rock music and appeals to hedonistic instincts. Like an engine, the band is best appreciated revved hot and live. The essentials are the energy of the fast riffs, crisp drum beats, and independent bass rhythms.
FragFrank has a number of suggestions for improving the world, is bursting with political statements, but mostly blasts heavy music straight to the brain. No more and no less.”
FragFrank have just released their album – titled number 1 (stylised as # 1) – and are currently in the process of promoting that. Joining me on this episode is Martin (guitarist/songwriter), Andre (bassist/singer) and Keith (drummer).
We talk musical beginnings, how to make the world a better place in the post-covid world and what's next after number one for FragFrank.
To listen to FragFrank, go to Soundcloud or wherever you listen to your music. For more information on the band, go to FragFrank's website or Facebook.
Also on this episode, we review the debut EP from singer-songwriter Noir Yon. Worth a listen for sure. Check it out below.
Tarzan Grip: pretty original band name there. Not one I would have thought of quickly. What's behind the name though? Is the music something that Tarzan would like? Perhaps the band members love swinging on vines?
Who knows. But certainly one person who has a grip on me is guitarist and singer Dom Jones. Dom and I go back a couple of years, thanks to a shared love for the (currently on hold) Laksmi Bar open mic night. I hosted it a few times, introduced Dom, shared a few drinks and caught coronavirus. (Just kidding, though certainly nowadays it seems like our previous social habits would lead to this unpleasant fate.)
We hung out a fair bit at Laksmi, chatting absolute musical nonsense and congratulating one another for our acoustic musical performances. Yet despite our circles overlapping from time to time, we never found the time to sit down and properly talk music in this podcast format. Until now.
Dom and I had a lovely, long chat that covered a bunch of topics, some of which have been edited out here due to length. However the primary reason for a lot of the editing was the poor sound quality on the episode this week. I am not sure why it was so poor -- it certainly did not sound like this on the call -- but it unfortunately means a lot of our conversation had to be deleted. A shame as you'll never hear the story about Dom, the donkey, the hosepipe and the LSD. Good story, that.
What you will hear a lot about though is how Tarzan Grip are kicking your punk ass, albeit at a leisurely pace, from their 2016 EP Members of the Bored up to their upcoming EP release. Also Dom and I talk about musical beginnings, the past, present and future of Tarzan Grip, how the coronavirus pandemic has affected creativity and what's missing from the life of musicians right now in this weird, fucked up world we're in.
For more Tarzan Grip go to:
- Bandcamp
Also on this episode
I've been feeling quite down and pissed off recently around the pandemic and, unfortunately, a lot of my rage is towards my musician friends.
There are so many people I cherish and respect seemingly going about life as if everything is normal - organising large gigs, packing out small rooms for their vanity projects, travelling to some exotic country and uploading bullshit Instagram pictures. It's driving me insane.
Partly jealous? Maybe, I don't know. But partly annoyed because, in an ongoing pandemic, it's wholly irresponsible and indefensible? Yes.
There's a long, long way to go in fighting this coronavirus fuckery and if we cannot even now stick to what are pretty simple rules, we are fucked. There won't be any kind of normal, let alone a new one.
So please, please, please: wear a mask, wash your hands, keep your distance, avoid unnecessary contact and stay the fuck at home unless you need to go out for something. It's tough on us all - I for one have missed gatherings, weddings, parties, vacations, introducing our newborn daughter to our family - but it is necessary. Your actions affect everyone, not just your little bubble.
For anyone still in doubt, the Startalk Radio podcast on covid (though US focused) puts it pretty bluntly.
Finally, to start the episode, I want to quickly mention the sad passing of Eddie Van Halen, who died at the age of 65 after a battle with throat cancer. Rest in peace, guitar god.
Usually I've got a good description of the people on the podcast. I can scribble something witty, poetic, elegant and the guest (typically) won't do a better job.
Not in the case of Jem, who goes by the moniker of Rookling. Jem is such a poet, such a storyteller, his way written expression goes beyond anything this aging 31-year-old writer can muster.
Having moved to Berlin in 2018, Jem has already gained quite the popularity and following in the local music scene. With a wonderful Joni Mitchel, Fleet Foxes, Leonard Cohen inspired blend of folk-rock tales, Jem is becoming quite the sought after talent. And despite the heavy lyrics, mature reflections and somewhat old-timer tales, he's only 23. (Age is only a number of course, but christ.)
In this episode, Jem and I talk folk inspiration, keeping in touch with fans through tender letters, and what we won't miss about the music industry once things establish some kind of normal.
(And to prove a point about storytelling and how good Jem is at it, I'm going to post his bio below as he wrote it. You'll agree it's much, much better than mine.)
In the autumn of ’18, Rookling swapped the spires and hills of England for the Berlin underground.
He stepped off the plane with a guitar, a suitcase, and a dream: to share his music with the world.
The city sent him reeling. He escaped into his songbook and the solace of storytelling, evoking love, death, and landscapes strange and dear. All the while, the hearth-fire warmth of Fleet Foxes and Nick Drake were helping mould his harmonies.
Each Rookling song blends the solemnity of an altar with the urgency of a church bell. The influence of the greats is unmistakeable: he channels the uncommon poetry of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, adding a more archaic thrill of his own. At a tender twenty-three, Rookling is a folk-prophet in the making.
Hans and I first met back in 2014, in Malmö in Sweden. I was nervous ahead of an acoustic gig at a club I had never played - a gig attended by a bunch of my colleagues who did not even know I sang my own music.
Right before I was due on stage, coming ahead of the band Shuvit, this guy bounded up to me and asked if I could join him in the studio sometime. "It'll be fun," he said, and gave me his card.
I called him the next day. Now, years later, we've exchanged a bunch of musical stories, helped each other write, record and release songs, and become friends. (Though we don't see each other as much as we should these days, what with one thing and another.)
There's no easier way to say it: Hans is somewhat of a musical genius. Unbound by genre, musically knowledgeable like no one I have met before, and incredibly humble to go with it, Hans perhaps hasn't found the fame or fortune he wants or deserves, but by god he has a legacy for sure.
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, drummer, producer, mixer, teacher, and one of the biggest Frank Zappa fans you'll find, we talk all that and more in this episode. It's a long journey but a great one.
For more of Hans' music, go to: http://www.annellssongs.com/
While I spend a little more time editing the upcoming episode with Hans Annellsson, here's a quick mention of some of the newest music out there currently from some people you might not have heard of before.
We kick things off with Molly's Peck and their album Hope You Don't Mind. Smooth, soulful, sensitive yet playful, it's certainly worth your time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwDIG-c3rxA
Weinhardt, who are friends of BPM Pod, also released a new track titled Sunset Rails. Summery, indie-rock anthem which will stick in your head, for sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpBDPQV-LEA
Thanks to Weinhardt, I was made aware of something called Strock.tv and their series of concerts from Huxley's in Berlin. Weinhardt did a great set there, which led me down the rabbit hole to discover more artists, notably Nader Rahy and Birgit Jones.
Nader Rahy has some kind of cool quality about him which I cannot quite put my finger on. His acoustic stuff in the performance I saw is somewhat like Cat Stevens, albeit modernized. Really quite pleasant stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU5uJ6Fms_0
And what to say about Birgit Jones except: THEY ARE KICKASS. Heavy gloom-doom-jam-stoner-alternative-heavy-rock from a group of amazing female badasses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LhHm1eYAiY
Finally, I turn my attention to the wonderful Phoebe Bridgers, who released a track not too long ago from her brilliant album Punisher. The track - I Know The End - is not only one of my faves this year, but of the past decade. It's simultaneously haunting, inspiring, melancholic and hopeful. And the ending is absolutely superb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ9-xN6dCW4
Balancing music at any time in life is tough, let alone with a family, job and (currently) a pandemic to keep in mind. Yet somehow, superheroic singer-songwriter Alex Spencer does it all - forms bands, plays shows, looks after the kids, and remains positive and optimistic through it all. It's pretty inspiring.
Recorded back in March 2020, before the world all went a little crazy, Alex and I sat down to talk about keeping the musical spark alive, harnessing the energy of live music gatherings to form bands, and how one defines oneself in a field of singer-songwriters.
Alex is currently working on an EP, which has been delayed with the coronavirus pandemic. Until then though, I completely recommend checking out her work on Spotify, Bandcamp and more, beginning with her most recent jazz-influenced release Shine.
Also on this episode: Haim and My Morning Jacket
So the reviews aren't exactly random these days; they tend to be of artists I appreciate. This time it's no different.
Haim's latest effort, Women in Music Pt.3, is great and well worth checking out if you need a breezy soundtrack to your summer. Also out now is The Waterfall II from My Morning Jacket - a sort of collection of b-sides to their previous album, The Waterfall, which is just as stunning as the origin.
Plus a word from our correspondents
A new feature on BPM Pod is our lockdown/home correspondents. (Thanks to the Kermode and Mayo Film Review for the idea.)
It's pretty simple: if you're got something to say on anything you've listened to recently, and you can keep your opinions to around 30 seconds or so, send a clip in.
The very first home correspondent is a friend of the show: the fabulous, sassy Chance Bair of the band Heavy Heavy. (Check out their episode here.) He reviews War With the Newts track Refugee. Get ready for a smack in the chops indeed (listen below).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HsMfS6ByqE
And so the time has come - we are into the final two parts of the Chris Weinhardt marathon. (Except it has four parts, not 26 miles of audio, so that doesn't really work as a description, but you get what I mean.)
It's been a long journey from lip-syncing, to autotune, to Led Zeppelin, to The Smurfs. Yup, The Smurfs. In the final two parts of the interview - combined here into one 30-minute episode - the Weinhardt weirdness does not let up.
Dishing the Durst
For whatever reason, Limp Bizkit (specifically the antics of Fred Durst) turn up a lot on BPM Pod. But so far the stories have been urban legend, with no one really knowing the guy personally.
Until Chris Weinhardt comes along - the damn hero has met the guy. Yes, the actual Fred Durst. It's quite a claim to fame.
In this episode, we talk about that meeting backstage (which sounds like a terrible family reunion, quite frankly) and what it meant for the music of Weinhardt.
Is the album format dead?
The first topic we tackle in this episode is the album format. There are a bunch of artists still putting out wonderful albums which take you on a journey, but it's an exception rather than a rule.
Today the single is king (the Kingle? Bad joke.) Albums usually flow, but not in an adventurous, journey sense. Instead, they represent a compilation of previous bi-monthly released three-minute singles. Gone are the long cuts, the middle-album jams, and the little secret tracks.
But is this really a bad thing? Has the album died at all? We discuss.
What a country
Final topic we talk about is country music - because we were a few beers down at this point, so why the hell not?
Country music isn't necessarily reflected in the music of Weinhardt, but Chris loves it all the same. We exchange views on the topic and discuss some of the country artists we like today. (Not Ryan Adams, though he does get a mention, albeit in a disdainful way. Prick.)
Revisit the previous parts
Listen below if you missed the previous parts of the interview with Chris Weinhardt. And, of course, don't forget to check him out. There's a new single out too called 'Sunset Rails' which is also below.
Sunset Rails - Weinhardt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpBDPQV-LEA
Parts 1 and 2
A while back, before the whole coronavirus thing, I went drinking with long-time podcast regular, Chris Weinhardt. As expected, we talked for quite a while about a long list of random topics.
Was it all good? No. Not at all. But some of it was, in between pizza, regular toilet breaks, beer resupplies, and a hell of a lot of podcast mistakes.
Still our wide ranging conversation was fun and enlightening, as I am sure you will agree.
So here's part two of our chat. In this part, we discuss the use of autotune in live performances and if it makes you less of a singer. Plus, we discuss what our first music purchase was, the first music videos that we fell in love with, and the first album we bought.
Check out part 1 here.
Coming up on BPM Pod
We'll be looking at parts 3 and 4 with Chris Weinhardt, plus we'll be hearing from one of my favourite music producers in the entire world, Hans Annellsson. Also Berlin-based singer-songwriter Alex Spencer swings by.
Hello and welcome to this episode of BPM Pod, the podcast where we get behind people's music.
I hope you're doing well out there in these strange times and am glad you're taking the time to listen to the podcast. Thanks for your continued support, love and dedication. Remember if you want to get in touch with me here at BPM Pod, you can do so via the social channels, so definitely check those out. And I'd like to know what music you've enjoyed recently too so, if you want to submit a quick 30 second clip of you reviewing some music you've encountered recently – good or bad – then head over to the Facebook page at BPM Pod and drop me a message.
So for now, it's time for another episode of The Pulse here on BPM Pod, where I look at some of the music I've recently encountered – some new, some old, some finished, some not.
On this episode, I look at new music from Haim, Perfume Genius, and Fiona Apple. But first, I want to turn my attention to one of my favourite singer-songwriters today, and someone we've heard a bit of before on this podcast, and that is Jason Isbell with his album Reunions.
Jason Isbell – Reunions
The fourth album from American alt-country soft-rock blues-rock singer-songwriter Jason Isbell, accompanied here by The 400 Unit. Follows The Nashville Sound – a great album – from 2017.
Now I read somewhere that Isbell thinks Reunions is his strongest work yet and that set me up for expecting a lot, so do keep that in mind. But overall, Reunions for me was good, not great.
On the plus side, the sound here is different and has a lot more resemblance to a well produced Jackson Browne album, or offcuts of Dire Straits. There's a lot of overdubbing and layering here with some dreamlike effects, stereo landscapes and so on.
In terms of the songwriting, it's largely strong, with stand out tracks such as Overseas, Be Afraid and Only Children really stealing the show. A couple for me fall by the wayside, including St Peter's Autograph, Running With Our Eyes Closed, and controversially What've I Done To Help – a track which people seem to love for the Bill Withers slash Walk on the Wild Side blend, but is a track I think is overly long, repetitive and quite weak lyrically.
There are excellent performances from the band members, as always. Dave Cobb does brilliantly with the production too. But unlike his previous releases – Southeastern and Something more than free particularly – there's something in Reunions which brings distance and unrelatability. It's not somehow as touching or heartfelt, even though individual elements are excellent, whereas his other releases demand repeat listens to understand all of the emotions underneath.
So I overall like the direction Isbell has taken with this album, particularly in terms of the new sounds he has created, but for me it is not his best. Still a very worthy addition to his catalogue, and I recommend fans buy it, and newcomers give it a listen at least.
Haim
women in Music Part 3
Now this is not strictly a review, as the album has now been delayed until June sometime, due to the current nonsense in the world. But with that said, I want to talk about it because the first handful of tracks from the upcoming album really point to something special.
Now I have been a Haim fan for a long time, even when I had people saying they were poppy Fleetwood Mac rip-offs. To me they've always had some kind of sense of humour and gravitas about them, as well as a tonne of talent. And while I still don't fully understand or hear the influences that Haim tout so often – such as Destiny's Child, TLC and so on – I do get the pop sensibilities that they evoke.
The tracks that are out there so far are Summer Girl, Now I'm In It, Hallelujah, The Steps, I Know Alone, and Don't Wanna. So there's almost half the album out there right now.
For me, the strongest tracks are Don't Wanna and The Steps, but I guess this is because it appeals to my previously mentioned Fleetwood Mac tendencies. Summer Girl was released a while ago now kind of out of the blue and has a definite – again I mention this – Walk On The Wild Side vibe. It's very non-Haim but also very Haim.
One track that sounds very non-Haim is I Know Alone, which has a strange but somehow alluring music video of the sisters dancing in a socially distant manner. It's a song that sounds more akin to something from Caroline Polachek, notably the song Doors, and therefore is not so far removed from the Haim sound, but is a little different. Lyrically, I find the Haim track I Know Alone pretty weak, and it's too repetitive for my liking, too generic, and too electronic for my taste. However, a bit like the directional change I praised Jason Isbell for earlier, I like that Haim are trying something new.
So the album Women in Music Part 3 is not out for a little while but, based on the tracks so far, I think we're in for an absolute treat from Haim and I cannot wait to get stuck into the album for real.
Perfume Genius
Set My Heart on Fire Immediately
Perfume Genius, the moniker of singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas, released this album this week to absolute critical acclaim.
I confess: I had never heard of Perfume Genius before. But I guarantee you I will be tracking music from Perfume Genius in the future.
I wasn't blown away by this album quite to the gushing same level of reviews from Alex Petridis in The Guardian and so on, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The tracks here are certainly pop, but of a candied late seventies early eighties vibe, somewhat like Paul Young or Bryan Ferry.
Vocally, this album is excellent. There's real longing, hurt and strain across the album, particularly on songs like Just A Touch. The singles – notably On The Floor – have an almost Vampire Weekend vibe to them. And for an artist who writes a lot about addiction, bullying, and sexuality, there's a happiness in many places on this record.
A couple of tracks here can't be put into the same synth-driven slick pop bucket as the rest though, notably Describe, which is a kind of noir-ish pop-grunge track, which I actually kind of feel like is what Neil Young was trying to go for with his eighties New Wave slash grunge idea but never really achieved. It's a weird track for sure, and I heard someone describe it as 'gay grunge' which I don't know is an appropriate or correct description, but equally I cannot quite put my finger on how to describe it either.
I do think the album is a little long, with 13 tracks stretching the limit a little, although they are all short pop affairs.
And yeah, it is a strange album for sure, and won't be at the top of everyone's list. It's not the top of mine either, but I will say that as a throwback to an era which never existed kind of sound, this certainly hits the mark.
Fiona Apple
Fetch the Boltcutters
This is one I only just got around too, released back in April. Fiona Apple is someone I've dabbled with in the past, and someone I knew about, but not someone I paid much attention to musically. So when I was faced with album, not knowing all that much about her previous work, you can probably sympathise that this very atypical, bizarre album hit me like a train.
And I loved it. Musically, it's like a part-improvised, percussion poetry session. Fiona cries out, scratches, scowls, shouts, and rages on the topics of bullying, sexual assault, confinement, lies, truth, friendship and more. It's angry, yet oddly darkly humorous
What's more, this album is largely recorded on the fly and at home, and that could be a criticism but it really isn't. It helps breed the unpredictability, the explosiveness, the sudden changes in rhythm, tempo and keys. I hear shades of Joni Mitchell here, of Suzanne Vega, even of something completely different like J Dilla or Sharon Van Etten. It's a maddening yet exciting mix of music. It's not polished, it's not perfect, and that's what makes it great. There's no messing around here, and for an album about getting the boltcutters and cutting yourself free from whatever prison you've created, the sound does exactly what Fiona preaches – it breaks free of the usual routines and structures and offers something unique, insightful, and certainly divisive. I love it, and would urge you check it out, that's Fiona Apple with Fetch The Boltcutters.
And that's all for the Pulse for now here on BPM Pod. You can find all of the releases I just mentioned on BPM Pod dot com, and on the social channels (Facebook and Instagram). And you can read more on BPM Pod dot com, and revisit all of the previous episodes there, or on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
On the next episode, we'll have part two of the extended podcast with Chris Weinhardt, so stay tuned for that.
Stay safe and stay lucky, and thank you for listening to and supporting BPM Pod.
It was way back in episode two - the first 'proper' episode' - where I met Chris Weinhardt, somewhere distant and dark on the outskirts of Berlin. (Okay, Wildau isn't that bad, but it is a little far away. Listen to episode 2 here.)
I was nervous. Despite experience in the radio broadcasting field, it has been a while since I ran the show, doing the interviewing, editing, uploading and so on. I felt the pressure.
Chris? Well he couldn't have been more relaxed or accommodating, offering to collect me from the train station, offering to get me food and drink, and being welcoming and warm to this weird British guy who, with no podcasting experience, wanted to talk to him about music.
Almost two years later, Chris and I are still in touch, albeit not as often as we should be, and our musical journey has taken some wonderful turns. It was with this in mind that Chris asked me to come round for a beer so we could talk more generally about music, the next steps for Weinhardt, and how the adventure looked in 2020.
And then came coronavirus
After recording this episode over beer and pizza back in February 2020, Chris and I had planned to meet again on a more regular basis to transform elements of BPM Pod into a two-man show. We'd talk absolute crap, review music, review gigs and so on - a bit like the Kermode and Mayo Film Review, if you know that.
And then everything stopped.
Within a matter of weeks the restrictions came in. People freaked out, bought far too much toilet paper, and prepared for the end of the world. In my own little bubble, I was freaking out too, especially as my wife and I were having (and did have, I am glad to say) a baby in April.
It all became a bit much and the podcast took a backseat.
The thing is though: Chris and I talked for hours back in the Spring and a lot of it was good. We had such a flowing, different chemistry that it felt odd to simply abandon the episode. At the same time, the conversation was so rambling and weird (thanks alcohol) that it felt strange to put it out as one episode.
Better late than never
So to relive the pre-coronavirus days, to hear the absolute nonsense Chris and I talked about, I'll be releasing all parts of the chat Chris and I had over the coming weeks, starting with part one.
Each part is around 10-20 mins, discussing a bunch of different topics from Fred Durst, to country music, to backing tracks and if you should be able to use them in live performances.
It's nonsensical, it's all a bit stupid, but it's exactly what we need in these trying times. So check out parts one and two above, and stay tuned for more to come.
Inspired by the excellent YouTube movie review channel YMS (thanks for all your great work, Adam) I've decided to transform the regular 'The Pulse' feature into a kind of quickie review segment.
This month, I turn my attention to three absolutely awesome releases, all in the stoner-rock heavy-metal field, as I review the latest releases from King Buffalo, Heavy Heavy and Gyoza. Don't miss it.
"Have you heard Jason Isbell?" said my record producer, Thomas. I sheepishly said no, trying to hide how I may just have missed someone I should know about. He could tell.
"Oh don't worry - I don't think that many people have heard of him. But you should hear his stuff. I'll start you off with Southeastern."
And there we sat, in Thomas's vinyl-stacked basement studio, and listened to the album all the way through. We did not talk, we did not offer opinions, we sat silently and absorbed what we heard.
I have been hooked ever since.
Isbell's catalogue, while relatively short, is crammed with stunning stories of love, loss, hope, fears and occasionally political standpoints. The former guitarist for the Drive-By Truckers - another band I absolutely adore - Isbell is today one of the most in-demand songwriters out there, having most recently broken more into the mainstream with his contribution to A Star is Born.
Ahead of new album Reunions from Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, I thought I'd give you what are, in my opinion, the top 10 best Jason Isbell songs to date.
Do you agree, disagree, or perhaps you've never heard of Jason Isbell and you want to offer your thoughts on this introduction to him?
Listen to the podcast, read the list below, and let me know.
On the next episode
We'll be going back to a friend of the podcast, Chris Weinhardt, for a dose of pre-lockdown musical fun. Plus we'll have an episode coming soon with singer-songwriter Alex Spencer so stay tuned.
Everyone and anyone who knows me - or even if you only listen to this podcast - knows I am a massive Queen fan. From watching their music videos over and over on VHS as a kid, through to owning pretty much all of their music as I grew up, there's something about the band that has allured me ever since my grandfather turned me onto them.
I make no apologies at all for saying that, to me, Queen are the greatest rock band ever. There's been no one better since, and I don't see anyone bettering them soon. Their shining star was, of course, Freddie Mercury. And again, I don't mind relying on hyperbole when I declare that Freddie is the best rock singer of all time either. Again, no one has come close, or is coming close.
The music of Queen is not all great though. Their albums were rarely consistent in terms of track quality, and their styles were a little too varied and unfocused at times (even within one single song). But the fact that Queen need three greatest hits albums to even scratch the surface of their back catalogue speaks volumes about the quality of music the band created.
And let's not forget their incredible live prowess too. Of course, led by the showman Freddie, there was the sense you were watching a circus ring leader rather than a rock singer - and that's meant as an entirely positive thing, I assure you.
Queen are thoroughly entertaining, stunningly talented, and quite simply irresistible. So picking their top 10 songs is a stupid endeavour, right?
Yes, you're correct. But did that stop me? Does my own stupidity stop me doing anything on any given day?
Nope, it does not. So without further ado, here are my personal favourite Queen tracks.
And before I go
You might think: "Hey, I did not follow BPM Pod to hear about the things you like. Where are the interviews?"
Well first off, that is a legitimate thing to wonder. There has been a decline in interviews recently, and it's been a real shame.
The reason?
My wife and I now have a baby. You're sure to hear little Ella on the podcast sometime soon, probably crying in the background. Of course, this has somewhat drained my time and energy, so bear with me.
Rest assured though: there are not many of these short list podcasts left before we get back into the swing of things.
Stay safe everyone.
Jackson Browne is, without question, my favourite musical artist of all time. Perhaps someone else will come along one day and take the crown, but I don't see it happening any time soon.
Browne is, to me, one of the most sensitive, soulful, poetic songwriters of all time. Sure you've got Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Gordon Lightfoot and so on, but none of them - despite similar styles - really capture the beauty, sorrow and confusion this life holds.
A wonderful storyteller, pianist and guitarist, Jackson Browne is my biggest musical inspiration and certainly my most listened to artist.
Does this mean everything he touches is golden? Not at all. There have been some dreadful albums along the way, including Hold Out, Lawyers in Love, and Lives in the Balance.
But in an attempt to showcase just how brilliant Browne is, I've compiled what I consider the best Jackson Browne songs out there.
If you like what you hear, definitely check out anything from his discography, though I would recommend Late for the Sky first, and possibly For Everyman and Jackson Browne shortly afterwards. Once that's under your belt, I'm Alive wouldn't be a bad bet.
For solo acoustic fans, check out either his Vol.1 or Vol.2 solo acoustic stuff. Really haunting renditions of some superb songs.
Browne is still making music today - most recently with his album Standing in the Breach - and tours relatively consistently. Right now, Browne has the dreaded coronavirus, which has somewhat paused his musical progress. Still, he released his latest single A Little Soon to Say in March 2020, ahead of his upcoming album Downhill From Everywhere which is slated for release in October 2020. (I also mentioned this in the most recent Pulse blog.)
Check out my top 10 and let me know what you think.
Go on, say Orange Utan. Oran-gee Uu-tarn. Orang-Utan. Orrrr-angje Uo-tan. Like many of the great mysteries of the world, we may never, ever know how to properly say this mystical name. (And that doesn't go for us only, but the band too.)
Yet Orange Utan know this causes confusion. They know it's interesting. And, in properly refreshing self-referential humour, they don't care.
The thing that stuck out to me about the band (I spoke with bassist Soren, and drummer Christian, but I assume the other two are the same) is how relaxed they are. There's no bullshit, no fakery, no nonsense. They're honest, open, and certainly having a wonderful time.
Orange Utan are part prog-rock, part punk, part thrash, part stoner rock - it's pretty tough to describe, but certainly worth checking it out. Given the wide range of genres in their music, there's a wide range of topics to touch upon to see how the band got to this point. From talking about the happiness they feel on stage, to the musical ambitions of the band going forward, we had a delightful, long chat touching on far more than what is in this episode. (Some of it got political; we cut that out.)
With two albums down, Orange Utan are still going strong, recording their third album and currently touring (coronavirus fuckery pending) in Spring 2020. Certainly a band to watch and track in the coming months and years.
To find out more about the band, click here to go to their website.
PLUS: You might hear a bit of a different intro song on this episode. Clever listeners will know it is Warren Zevon's 'Splendid Isolation'. Kind of apt given the virus situation. (I hope the joke is well received and royalties aren't claimed.)
Nights out, singalongs, soulful chats, and a damn lot of fun - Lucas Castillo and I have had a pretty decent run through it all. And, finally, he made his way around to BPM Pod.
The thing is: podcasts with friends sometimes become a bit dull. You have so many inside jokes, so many nearby references, and so much history, that you can easily abandon the listener.
Not with Lucas Castillo. A pro musician, with the ability to critically self-reflect on his journey, we talked through the night about mental health, being away from family, musical ambitions, and much, much more.
There's nothing I can say that can really capture the warmth, humour and appreciation captured in the podcast up top. Thanks to Lucas for appearing on the show, and for all the good times at Laksmi bar and beyond.
To find out more about Lucas Castillo, go to Facebook or search on le Instagram. (You'll also find him at Laksmi Bar quite a bit.)
The problem with Limp Bizkit is that they're misunderstood. Are they cool? No. Do they make good music? Meh, not really. Are they relevant? Good lord no.
But are they fun? Yes.
See I've always seen Limp Bizkit as a weird 90s/00s remnant of angry white-guy rap-rock. I'm not necessarily advocating a comeback of the genre, themes, or style, but I have always had a soft spot for their music somehow. I was pretty unsure as to why, until I met Dean Schweitzer of Tidal Wave.
"It's because it's fun. It's just '1, 2, 3, 4' and now we're going to jump, or shout, or whatever the fuck we want to do," says Dean.
"I like that fun element. It's not clever or cool. It's just fun."
I think Dean is right, and the fun element is certainly something he too puts into his music. Alongside an absolute bucket load of heart, soul, and ragged rock riffs, of course.
Check out the new song for proof (if you needed any).
Fight Song by TIDALWAVE
From reliving the nineties to musing on today's scene
Tidal Wave - fronted and run by Dean - is primarily a studio project. Different musicians form, and have formed, the band in every country Dean has lived.
It brings new flavours to old material, and it is a fun way to prevent the complications of committing to a permanent band, but when the only constant is one member and their vision, it takes a lot of drive and mental strength to keep reinventing again and again.
And that's a lot of what we talk about in this episode: maintaining a healthy mind, heart, and soul. What do you do when the music just isn't coming? How do you stay motivated and focused to keep pushing? And when do you give yourself a break for the success you've achieved?
In this podcast, you'll hear all of these topics, and more (Limp Bizkit included). You'll come away feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and with a new found understanding of how hard it is to keep chasing something you love.
Speaking with Dean was an absolute pleasure. Tidal Wave is a superb project, with some cracking tunes out there. Thanks to Dean for taking the time to talk, and for being such a welcoming, open host.
For more information on Tidal Wave, go to Bandcamp, or their website .
'So how do you best describe your music?' That's a pretty tough question for any musical artist but, for Forest Island, it gets pretty complicated. They combine effects, guitar, cello, and vocals into a sublime, swirling ambient mix.
But how did it get to this point, what are the inspirations, and what are the hopes for the future? Find out in this short and sweet podcast, capturing all of this and more.
Also in the episode: Warren Zevon top 10 songs
It would have been Warren Zevon's 73rd birthday in January 2020 - not a particularly significant one for most people. For me though, Warren Zevon is one of the absolute greatest singer-songwriters of all time.
Sure, he was a pretty damn horrible guy, with a terrible temper, and a string of violent misdemeanors to his name. They cannot, and should not, be downplayed. Read I'll Sleep When I'm Dead for an in-depth look at the dirty times.
Zevon though was responsible for an enviable body of work, part nonsense, part fun, part sardonic, and part sensitive like nothing else before it.
So to mark the belated birthday of Warren Zevon, I put together my personal top 10 list of Warren Zevon songs.
Whether you're a seasoned Zevon fan, or an absolute newbie, give it a listen and I am sure you'll learn something.
It was pretty damn tough to narrow down the list, but here are some honourable mentions:
- Don't Let Us Get Sick
- Gridlock
- Reconsider Me
- The French Inhaler
- Splendid Isolation
- Dirty Life and Times
- I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
- Detox Mansion
- Accidentally Like a Martyr
- Frank and Jesse James
- Disorder in the House
- Werewolves of London
- Hasten Down the Wind
On the next episode
Next time, we look at nu-metal, heavy rock band Tidal Wave. Stay tuned for that, and check out Tidal Wave already here on their website.
One guitar. One week. One song. It's a pretty simple concept, but it's the creative simplicity of The Acoustic Guitar Project which partly owes to its success.
But behind the concept itself is tireless work from the volunteers helping The Acoustic Guitar Project spread across the globe. To date, there are over 700 songs recorded - so that's 700 people, from all walks of life, from all musical backgrounds, who have submitted songs for everyone to hear, for free.
The idea behind the concept came from David Adams, a self-confessed habitual artist who, in his own words, "just wanted to start something cool" in the beginning. And that he has done.
In this episode, recorded between Berlin and New York, we talk about The Acoustic Guitar Project, where it all started, and where it's heading in the future.
To find out more about The Acoustic Guitar Project, click here.
Also this week
There's been the latest edition of The Pulse, which takes a look at new music from Tame Impala, Danko Jones, The Big Moon, and Justin Bieber. Yes, Bieber (it ain't pretty).
On the next episode, we'll journey back to Berlin to catch up with the cool singer-songwriter duo Forest Island. Stay tuned for that.
And so, we end 2019. We've had 30 episodes of BPM Pod to date, each one of them telling their own unique story, but it has to come to a close for 2019.
In 2020, we've got loads of new content lined up, including musicians from across the world, not just Berlin. For now though, we catch up with two artists we featured just over a year ago - Chris Weinhardt and Molly's Peck.
Softly spoken, sensitive, and soulful - that's not only the way to describe Ella Fuchs as a guest, but also her music too.
Originally from Berlin, Germany, Ella still strolls the streets, spreading her guitar-driven melodies of love and loss. With early beginnings in a somewhat musical family, Ella soon discovered that music is not only a good personal outlet for problems, but a way to connect with people, to have fun, and to tell a story.
One-half of the duo Ella & Nik, Ella and I talk about how to get started in music, the competitiveness of the scene, and who the music (of anyone) is actually for.
- Listen to Ella & Nik on Soundcloud
- Follow Ella & Nik on Facebook
Also in the episode Not much else this time, due to illness (trying to save my voice). But I am playing live on 20 Nov 2019 - tickets available here.
Also, I quickly ran through some of our upcoming episodes with Tidal Wave, Forest Island, and the Acoustic Guitar Project (certainly worth checking out in advance).
'Grizzly Bird? You sure it's not Grizzly Bear?' That was my initial thought when Hans got in touch to talk about his musical adventure with the band. I mentioned it to him off-air.
"Well at least I don't have to live by the Han Solo pun anymore," says Hans, referencing his previous artist name. But has much changed beyond the name?
"I would not say so, but that is intentional. Grizzly Bird still reflects this kind of folk, rock, pop sentiment, with some experimentation thrown in too."
The music of Grizzly Bird is hard to pin down (so much so that the latest press writer declared it 'multi-genre', which is either genius or lazy from the professional writer). But despite its genre blending, it is not hard to access, thanks to smooth storytelling, angelic vocals, and a wonderfully, wide sound combining drums with violins, horns, guitars, and more.
In this episode, Hans and I talk about musical ambitions, the difficulty of promoting music today, and how animals can teach us a thing or two about the world.
Also in this episode
I've been consuming music at a rather alarming rate recently (no, toilet listening is not on the agenda) so have so many recommendations.
Jim James' new album was different, and alright, but in this episode I focus on two recent stunners: You Deserve Love by White Reaper, and Remind Me Tomorrow by Sharon Van Etten. (Yes, I know I am late to the party on the latter.)
Heavy heavy - has there been a better band name on the podcast? It's clear, short, memorable, and a bit of a laugh. "We were thinking of a name, and our music is heavy, but not black metal heavy, but heavy kind of heavy. So the name Heavy Heavy just stuck," explains Chance Blair, lead singer and bassist.
And that was the first thing that struck me about the band: their complete non-bullshit approach. Chance, Linus and Val formed Heavy Heavy simply to play, to experiment, and to have fun.
"Sure, some kind of fame with it is great, but I just want to get out there and play," says Chance. "It's about spreading our music and having a great time."
Seeing the band live, you can tell they're all in it for the thrill. They're tight, composed, yet loose and chilled. It's a fine balance for some fine music.
How to describe Heavy Heavy's music? Well if you're into King Buffalo, All Them Witches, Queens of the Stone Age and such, you're certainly in the right vein - see, it's heavy, even heavy heavy, but not 'holy shit, what the fuck is this crap?' heavy.
A brilliant bunch, with a fantastic setup, and a killer acoustic recording at the end to boot, there is nothing more I can say about Heavy Heavy which they can't tell you themselves. So head west towards home, and let the episode play.
One year. Doesn’t seem possible, right? But that is how long BPM Pod has been running – just me, my guests, and this crappy 300-euro Packard Bell laptop pumping out episodes every two weeks. I did not think we would last a year. Yet here we are.
And while I am certainly content with the limited success of BPM Pod so far, the fact I have proved to myself that I can do this only gives me more drive for the future. There will certainly be more promotional stuff from BPM Pod in the next year, as I aim to get to at least 1,000 listeners per episode, up from the average 100 listeners today.
This week, we have a special episode then as we release the first BPM Pod Acoustic Album (called ‘Stripped Sessions’; more on this in a minute), and we talk to some of the most aware, self-reflective and honest guests we have heard on BPM Pod.
Relatiiv: A journey to vulnerability This balance between contentment and ambition is a feeling shared by my guests this week – the wonderful Laura and Markus from the hip-hop funk-electronic duo, Relatiiv.
In all professions, there are people with some kind of act. We all act at times. But real power lies in breaking down your act, removing the mask, and being yourself. It’s this openness and transparency that Laura and Markus really have nailed. And being content and open does not mean a lack of drive.
“The fact that we are content does not mean that we do not have goals. In fact, because you are detached from your ego, you approach music with a much more free mindset,” says Laura. “It is about keeping your mind in balance and enjoying the moment and what you do.”
Drawing inspiration from artists including Tom Misch, Mahalia, FKJ and Jordan Rakei – all the way through to Fredrik Chopin, no less – Laura and Markus have developed a downtempo beat common ground with love, laughter and longing at its core. It’s pretty mesmerizing stuff all in all from Relatiiv, and it’s doubtlessly one of the best episodes of BPM Pod. A great way to mark the one-year anniversary indeed.
To find out more about Relatiiv, go to SoundCloud, Spotify or Facebook.
BPM Pod: Stripped Sessions release Most episodes end with an acoustic version of an original song from the artist in that episode – it’s become pretty standard stuff here on BPM Pod.
But what if all of those songs were recorded and released in one package?
Well that’s exactly what I’ve done with BPM Pod: Stripped Sessions. Free to download from Bandcamp, I’ve compiled some of your favourite tracks from across the episodes.
Sure, the sound is not always amazing (I am recording live with two mics only) but you get at least a taste of the magic I experience first-hand at the end of each episode.
So go to Bandcamp and check it out and, as always, do spread the love far and wide.
Full track listing:
- Manono – I Want You
- Chris Winhardt – Spookghetti Western
- Ben Osborn – The Only Thing
- Promis – Will I Get A Chance To Sing My Songs One Day (Before I’m Dead)
- Otari – Escapade
- Maria Mørk – Let Me Float
- Blake Farha – For All The Good It’s Done Me
- Adamore – Dreamer, Believer
- Molly’s Peck – You Should Know
- Lisa Akuah – Bubbles
- Iadora Johnson – Improv jam session
- SCARS – Scars of Life
- Ohad Leev Roage – I Got It All
- Ella Fuchs – Berlin
- Heavy Heavy – High Rise Vultures
Listen to the album by clicking here, or by going through the player below.
Way back when, I critiqued music (I still do, I guess). I cannot recall the name of this one band I gave a negative review of, but I remember what I said: 'This is so depressing that I slit my wrists and am now bleeding out all over my desk. Seek help.'
Look, I am not proud of that line at all. It's not witty or clever, and I can see that it is not a helpful criticism. But I am pretty sure I did not deserve the hatred I received in an online forum after the review was published. Someone said they would kill me, someone said my family were going to die, someone told me to actually slit my wrists for real. It was pretty brutal.
Yet despite this, being a music critic taught me a lot of things. One: it improved my writing. Two: it is easy to become a music snob.
These are two lessons Lauren Piper learned too. Trawling through releases from amateur bands, all the way through to Lily Allen, and the brilliant 'Honky Tonk Bedonkadonk', Lauren soon developed a good musical bullshit meter.
Yet despite the tsunami of mediocrity coming her way, Lauren never lost faith. Now, with influences from The Pixies, Velvet Underground and more, Lauren fronts the musical project AEIOU (which is actually pronounced 'Vowels').
AEIOU - it's pronounced Vowels For Lauren, the term 'musical project' is probably the most accurate, given that the lineup of Vowels changes all the time. But there is one constant to Vowels - the power of Lauren's vulnerable, stripped-back songs.
Armed with a range of pedals and effects, Lauren/Vowels put on some powerful, hard-hitting performances of songs that run a fine line between artsy and plain weird. It's wonderful.
On this episode, we talk about moving from Washington DC, to New York, and now to Berlin; how you can easily become a music snob; and the musical ambitions for Vowels going forward (including a bunch of collaborations).
To find out more about Lauren and the music of Vowels (AEIOU), go to Facebook or Bandcamp.
Also on the episode: song battles, good or bad?
There are a bunch of good musicians out there. So how do we find out who is best? FIGHT!
Or is that wrong? Should musicians compete in such a way? Should the idea of song battles be re-thought?
To see what musicians today think of song battles, I went back and spoke with some of the previous guests of BPM Pod: Moves Johnson, Lisa Akuah, Iadora Johnson, and Tara C Taylor.
Their answers certainly differ, and that's totally fine, as the issue of whether song battles are good or bad is a pretty complex one. But what do you think? Let me know!
About this episode:
- We talk about the superb Sharon Van Etten, who I completely recommend you listen to. And I mentioned a black and white album which I loved - and mistakenly placed as being released in 2010 - called 'Are We There'. The best song from the album is this dreamy folk tune, 'Afraid of Nothing'. Go listen and cry. Seriously.
- We also look at a song called 'Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.' It is dreadful but, if you want to ruin your day, then give it a go, purely for some of the best lyrics ever penned:
She got it going on like Donkey Kong, Ooh wee, shut my mouth, Slap your grandma * Other mentions of artists in this episode include The Pixies, Velvet Underground, and someone I had never heard of called Mirah. Well I took a listen to Mirah, and I quite liked it. Here is the song that Lauren also did a cover version of, called 'Archipelago'. * As heard in the intro vox pop, there are a bunch of artists who has been on the podcast before. Check out Moves Johnson, Lisa Akuah, Iadora Johnson and Tara C Taylor. Thanks for your help. * Big thanks to Moves Johnson too for allowing me to use his song 'Skin Complexion' under the vox pop. * Completely unpaid promo, but thanks to Blue microphones for the new Blue Yeti Studio Pro. Brilliant service. Check out their range here. * And finally, we mentioned the band name AEIOU and how it reminded me of a song by Jim James (My Morning Jacket) called 'State of the Art (AEIOU)'. The studio version is solid, but the live My Morning Jacket version of AEIOU is better. Saw this live in New York in 2017 with my wife, and this blew us away. Here is the actual performance from that night. Good quality audio too.
Another week, another podcast. This time, we take a diverse musical journey from Jerusalem to Berlin, with singer-songwriter and guitarist, Ohad.
Also, a bunch of tracks that I have fallen in love with this week (either for the first time, or again) including Haim, The Black Keys, Angel Olson, Kacey Musgraves, and Derek and the Dominoes.
We have a full playthrough of the new EP 'Mythos' from the electronic music duo, Vizard. Also, we review 'Let's Rock' from The Black Keys.
We talk to Adam Sandahl about his musical journey from Sweden to Berlin, and we look at the track of the week from Emma Elisabeth.
We take a trip to Berlin's famous Funkhaus studio, where Ashley plays his part on a studio song from Moves Johnson. There's also a look at Richard Hawley's new album, 'Further'.
Sassy, cool, determined - Tara C. Taylor brings acoustic with attitude to BPM Pod. We talk about her beginnings, her inspirations, and exchange rockstar stories.
We catch up with poet, songwriter, and comedian Blake Farha on confessional songwriting, defeating depression, and making the most of musical opportunity. Plus, a special announcement from BPM Pod relating to a new album release.
With a vast musical knowledge, a love for Leonard Cohen, and enough beautiful poetry to make your eyes water, Ben Osborn really is a talent to watch out for.
Coming just as he releases his debut album, Letters From The Border, Ben and I talk about the complexity of writing music in new ways, the power of accepting any offer that comes your way, and how songs become so much more than music and lyrics.
We speak with Luc Andre from the funky pop band Un Ane Gonflable, and we review two new releases from Bibio and Adrian Tonceanu
The gentle, kind, but always-up-for-a-party Basti (from Vizard) swings by for an electronic dose of goodness.
Moves Johnson drops by BPM Pod to talk about his journey to Berlin, from busking on the streets of Toronto, to working security, to finally making it on the Berlin music scene. Includes a short three-song set to round off the podcast.
Darkness and light. Good and bad. Pain and joy. It is all about balance with Maria Mørk, and it certainly shows in her touching, soulful songwriting. Maria talks about her journey to Berlin, the struggles of making it work, and the best tips she has for becoming a better musician.
From cabaret, to pop, to dance, to piano bar music, Promis captures it all. Not bound by musical genre, Promis explores all aspects of music to bring his reflective, confessional lyrics to audiences across the globe. Here, he talks about the music industry today, whether social media is a positive thing in music, and ambitions of being a star.
SCARS aren't your typical thrash metal band. Starting out in the depths of Chile, SCARS amassed a band from a mix of cultures, influences and styles to create angry, hard metal music that still maintains clarity, melody and skill. Oh, and they just so happen to be the most chilled people I have ever met.
Blues lover Iadora Johnson talks to BPM about gear, childhood musical duels, and a whole lotta' love for Led Zeppelin.
The delightful Lisa Akuah sits down with me over a long, relaxed interview to discuss the important of vulnerability, honesty and sincerity in songwriting. You're also treated to the first album review on BPM Pod, thanks to a submission from Tihomir Zdjelarevic and his album 'Mikrowelt'.
This week we head into a dark headspace, as we let Vlad tell us the story of Zeug - a post-rock, noise-rock, industrial-rock blend that's surprisingly melodic and relaxing amidst the noise.
'You know, the guitar kinda sounds like John Mayer.'
And immediately upon recounting my wife's praise, Gui, Julia and I were friends. I mean it's a pretty good thing to hear.
Inviting, warm, friendly and just a pure joy to be around, this married couple blend funk, soul and pop into tracks you cannot help but dance to.
Dreamy soundscapes and ambient trance - Otari can create a mood in and instant with their chilled, melodic dance vibes. From events to bedroom gigs, this duo are just starting out in the music industry but have a wealth of knowledge behind them. Hear how they made their first steps, how they write together, and how they carve out a niche in a packed Berlin music scene.
Funk, soul, rock, pop - it's all in the mix with the stunningly talented Manono band, a four-piece gang based out of Berlin. We talk recording, gigging, travelling and just what the hell the name of the band means (it's attracted some rather strange-yet-cool attention).
In this first proper episode of BPM Pod, we talk to multi-instrumentalist, teacher, music producer, session musician, and all-round nice guy, Chris Weinhardt. Chris tells us about his life on the road, how he finds time for music today, and the influences he gets from the world around him (including a weird metal sound in the factories nearby).
For more information, and to keep up to date, go to: www.bpmpod.com
Your host Ashley Scrace Wendel introduces BPM Pod with a quick explanation about what's going on, and what you can expect from the podcast in the future.
For more information and to keep up to date, go to: www.bpmpod.com