Addicted to the Needle: Recent Episodes
Patrick Foisy
Are you addicted to collecting records? Do you have black wax coursing through your veins? Has your vinyl dependance gotten out of control? Amassing 45s has become an obsession? This podcast will help you get you through until your next fix. Do our hosts Ben Shulman and Patrick Foisy offer a cure? No they don't. In fact, they are afflicted by the same sweet disease. Get ready for a fresh new podcast to hit your data stream. When analog clashes into the digital world! Addicted To The Needle - The podcast where a vinyl addict meets his dealer.
What happens when three vinyl addicts with no sleep end up in front of microphones? Two and half hours of pandemonium, mayhem, stupid inside jokes, laughter and some great 60s records. After an intense weekend of DJing and tasting local delicacies, this is what you end up with. Parka Pat, Mod Marty and Al aka Sweet Daddy Soul recount the highs and lows of the 2023 edition of MODtreal. You've been warned. Available here or from your favorite podcast app.
Our addict Patrick just touched down from 2 weeks spent in Spain and will regale you with tales of his adventures. He brought back from a few records with him but he still has space in his DJ box and our dealer Ben is happy to provide him with some choice platters. 60s RnB, Garage and Psych is on the menu.
Every time the dealer and the addict meet, they are continuously amazed at how much solid 60s music is still out there, yet to be discovered. Pounding Northern Soul, French Ye-Ye, filthy raw RnB is ready to be unearthed.
Special episode! Your two favorite addicts are reunited once again. Mod Marty and Parka Pat are back from another intense weekend of record digging and DJing in Toronto. Hear of all their wild tales of debauchery and mayhem.
Our dealer Ben may have tied the knot but that doesn't slow him down from finding incredible records. He recently put his hands on a collection that came directly from a Detroit radio station. Any gems in there for our addict Pat?
For the first on this show, our dealer and our addict are going to spin a 45 that they have never heard before. A true mystery record. Nothing is know about the band, the song or the label. The world wide web offers no info. Curious? Just press play!
This is a first for our travelling addicts. An episode recorded on the road. Literally! Go where the records are, as they say. Our addict Pat is at the wheel with his fellow co-pilot Mod Marty puts a new found record on his portable turntable while keeping an eye on the exits of Interstate 87. They are back from the Keystone Northern Soul Weekender with tales to tell. And they have many!
What can our dealer Ben possibly bring back from a digging trip in faraway small towns in Nova Scotia, Canada? You'll be surprised. Our addict Pat is not only feeding his vinyl dependency but he is also gripped by his hi-fi equipment obsession. Northern Soul, Funk and Yé-Yé are all up for grabs on this one.
Our addict Patrick broke ranks and went digging on his own and expended his collection of Mod Revival 7". Does that mean he's all tapped out? Don't be silly. Of course not! Our dealer Ben has some choice 45s for sale. One rare Latin Boogaloo will render our dear addict speechless.
Aside from his usual fix, our addict Pat needs to put his hands on some killer wax for two big upcoming gigs. He managed to strike a major Northern Soul anthem off his want list. Our dealer Ben will be put to the test, once again, on another edition of Name That Fake Moldie Oldie. Warning: A naughty Funk track will certainly raise some eyebrows!
Our dealer Ben just got back from a vacation in Maine with a trunk full of a thousand 45s. He put some Garage, Soul and Latin Boogaloo aside for our eager addict. And our audiophile addict Pat just put his hands on his dream hi-fi stereo system.
Is there a difference between a selector and a DJ? Our dealer and addict tackle the issue. A heap of different styles of 45s is tossed on the turntable: 60s Beat, RnB, Popcorn, Garage & Northern Soul. This episode is sponsored by the defunct 60s pantyhose company Cantrece.
A very special episode with the incomparable Mod Marty. What happens when two addicts are let loose in Toronto with pockets full of money and droves of records for sale at their disposal? Mayhem, I tell you... MAYHEM! Northern Soul, Mod Beat, Latin Boogaloo and Reggae are just a fraction of what they put their hands on.
Our addict Pat is back from an intense trip to Toronto to meet up with his good mate Mod Marty. Stories of crate digging all over the city and spinning some 60s tunes at the With It night are aplenty. And who pops up at our dynamic duo's gig out of the blue? Our dealer Ben who was out digging for 7-inch gems on his own. Out of the 2000 he picked that weekend, are there any for our addict?
Very special edition of Addicted to the Needle! We are live from the Face Radio studios in Brooklyn, New York with the man behind the empire, Kurtis Powers. Two addicts going head-to-head in an epic DJ battle. Will we dispel the rumours flying around that Patrick and Kurtis aren't on speaking terms? All the answers here!
Our addict Patrick is back from a whirlwind trip to New York city with tales of a very eventful last 24 hours. He not only brings back lasting memories but a few choice records from his digging excursions also. Our dealer Ben is welcoming him home with some select records for sale of his own. Northern Soul, British Garage Psych and Mod Jazz are all featured on this packed episode.
Special episode! For the first time on the podcast, two vinyl addicts meet but there's no dealer to be seen. The need for good records is strongly felt. The one and only Al Aitchison aka Sweet Daddy Soul from New York's Soulfinger Dance Party will go head to head with our resident addict, Patrick. This is one is coming to you live from the soul of Brooklyn!
Here at Addicted to the Needle, we like to spin obscure tracks that you may have never heard before. But we don't just play music. We tell the stories behind the music. How about the story of a Canadian DJ who went to Jamaica in 1971 with Johnny Nash and got so high with Bob Marley that he started talking to his dead relatives. That's the ATTN commitment.
Our addict Patrick needs some bangers for his upcoming DJ gig in New York. Will his trusty dealer Ben come through with some primo slabs of wax? And don't miss the birth of a new segment, Hip or Slip. Rare Northern Soul, obscure Popcorn RnB and 60s New Zealand Beat are on the menu.
According to our dealer Ben, he has discovered the best record he has ever heard. Period. It's unknown. It's 60s RnB. And it has never been played in public before. How will Patrick, our addict, react? This one is for the history books.
Our addict Patrick goes off on one of his rants. Maybe it's a withdrawal symptom from his vinyl dependency? Our dealer Ben has to keep him from going off the deep end by selling him prized 45s. And you won't want to miss another edition of Name The Style Of That Moldie Oldie!
Our addict Pat is back from a 5-day DJ and record digging road trip with a stack of old 45s and a lifetime worth of stories. Our dealer Ben is ready to siphon his pockets of his remaining few dollars. Garage, Psych, Rocksteady, RnB and some witty banter awaits.
Our addict needs some killer 45s for his upcoming DJ gig at With It in Toronto. Will our dealer provide the goods? Ben also offers an ultra-rare recording that will leave our addict speechless. Classify that one as weird. This episode is heavy on the Northern Soul and Mod RnB. Available here or from your favorite podcast provider.
This episode has a heavy Jamaican connection through Soul, Ska and Reggae. Northern Soul, Mod RnB and Garage fans will also be well served since Ben has just acquired a collection of 3000 45s. Nothing will stop him from offering only the cream of the crop, not even a 14-hour drive in the middle of a winter blizzard.
This episode doesn't have one, but two record dealers to contend with. Bargains are flying left and right! Our special guest Félix B. Desfossés is not only an author, a radio personality and an endless fountain of musical knowledge but he's also a record collector like no other. Northern Soul, RnB, Garage, British Freakbeat and Power Pop are all up for grabs.
For our holiday special, we welcome our new celebrity mascot and a special guest all the way from Vancouver, BC. A Northern Soul Wigan Casino classic exchange hands, a few Canadian obscurities are played for the first time in decades and one of the best Mod RnB records ever laid on vinyl is featured. Festive fun for the whole family!
Our addict is living a double life as a collector and a record picker, just like our beloved dealer. While Pat went to check a collection of 1200 records, our expert negotiator Ben picked up a mere 15 000 45s. A few gems inevitably surfaced. Some 60s Garage punkers, driving Northern Soul and a Mod cover of a country staple made its way into our addict's collection.
This one is an all-Garage extravaganza with our special guests, legendary Montreal band The Gruesomes! On this episode, a ton of fuzz laden rare 45s with drunk singers that don't know the lyrics to well-known covers. Plus, The Gruesomes confront our unsuspecting addict Pat with a bold, unvarnished intervention. Don't miss this one!
How does our dealer just keep on supplying some quality 45s to our addict over and over on a steady stream? Will he reveal his secret this time? If there's one common theme on this episode, it's that we have some RARE stuff for your listening pleasure. A little bit of Garage, Northern Soul and New Breed RnB are just waiting to be discovered.
Ben is back from a mega pick in rural New Brunswick, Canada with more than a thousand 45s in tow. It was plentiful but was it fruitful? Will it pay for Patrick to be the dealer's most loyal customer? 60s Soul, Latin Boogaloo, RnB Popcorn and Garage Punk are all up for grabs.
Join our addict and our dealer on all-expenses-paid musical voyage to the US, Mexico, Belgium and the Philippines. The 60s are celebrated with some Mod Popcorn RnB, Soul, Garage and Psych. Expend your mind!
Is there a controversy brewing over a rare Northern Soul record? Did our dealer Ben risk his decade long friendship over a desirable Garage 45? Did our addict Pat retaliate by boasting about his new Soul acquisition? All the answers will be revealed on this episode.
Our hosts needed to hide behind shields to protect themselves from the number of bombs that were played on this episode. Northern Soul, Mod anthems, classic Punk and low-fi RnB will blow your mind! Join us and have a blast!
Our addict and our dealer really seem to be on the same wavelength during this episode. They are vibing, that's for sure! This one is heavy on classic Northern Soul anthems and obscure gritty RnB. Don't miss another epic DJ battle where tunes from 1968 go head-to-head.
In this episode, Juneteeth is celebrated exclusively with talented black artists from the 60s that have given us some of the best Soul, RnB and Funk to have ever been pressed to vinyl. Plus our dealer and our addict face off in another epic DJ battle with tracks from 1967.
One of the side effects of being a vinyl addict is being tormented by the thought of not having a regular wax fix. Can our dealer curb that craving? Ben is back from rummaging through 15 000 45s. Surely there was a gem or two in there for Pat?
Our dealer Ben is back from a mega pick where he filled his car with 8000 records. Any in there for our addict Pat? This episode has it all! Northern Soul, Psych and a Latin cover. Dig it!
Our addict Patrick is no stranger to needles, hence the title of this podcast. Freshly inoculated, he's ready for another shot. This one is a strong dose of Northern Soul and RnB expertly administered by our resident Dr. Ben. He's an MD: an expert in Massive Deals!
Contrary to conventional wisdom, this episode will show that battles can serve to bring people together. Our addict might be addicted to the needle but the only thing he will inject here is fun, the urge to dance and some bad jokes. Our dealer will leave you speechless with his knowledge of Soul and 60s music. A heavy dose of Northern Soul and a shot of Garage awaits.
This episode has everything. Deals are made. 45s are sold. Money is exchanged. An epic no holds barred bloody DJ battle is fought followed by bonding over Chinese food. You know, your typical dealer / addict relationship.
Surviving a pandemic is not the only noteworthy event in our friend's lives. And when you live through major milestones, you need music to enhance the experience. This is what our duo does best. Featured on this episode is some rare Northern Soul, gritty RnB, obscure Psych and hot Latin Soul.
As 2021 starts in a turbulent and unsettling way, Pat and Ben offer you another episode that is entirely dedicated to black American music. Northern Soul and gritty RnB is on the menu. Plus, our duo face-off in the first round of the most anticipated DJ battle in history!
Our dealer Ben has a few boxing day specials for our addict Pat. Let's finish 2020 with some solid rarities. This one is heavy on the Northern Soul and Mod sounds. You're also invited to vote in the comment section bellow on our double sider challenge.
2020 keeps throwing curve balls but our intrepid vinyl fanatics will not lose faith! Speaking of keeping the faith, this episode is chock full of Northern Soul bombs! For the latin Boogaloo and Garage fans out there, do not despair, there's something in there for ya!
Holy smokes Batman! This episode is so full of great 45s, it's scary! Wigan approved Northern Soul, an unreleased Mod Jazz acetate, British Freakbeat and more! It's a record collector's treasure trove!
While Patrick has resumed his duties as a teacher in class during these uncertain times, our dealer Ben is about to teach our addict a thing or two about good music. Featured on this episode is some rare Mod RnB, classic Northern Soul, raw Garage and a tribute to reggae legend Toots.
Our dealer Ben delivers a holy grail Soul 45 to our addict Patrick. Another test pressing is featured in the Mystery Record Zone and a mixture of obscure Soul, RnB, Psych and Garage are spun at 45 rpm.
As Della Reese would say: "It was a very good year... for buying records!" Aside from that, it's up for debate. Let our dealer and addict raise your spirits with silly banter and some Northern Soul, Psych and a Cha-Cha Twist. Plus, back by popular demand, The Mystery Record Zone!
Still respecting the social distancing guidelines, Pat & Ben have reunited under the Parka Avenue HQ roof for the first time in months. Unlike our neighbours to the South, as Jackie Shane would point out, the numbers are comin’ down! Plenty of new / old records on this episode! Northern Soul, RnB, fuzz drenched Garage and out of the mystery record zone, an unknown acetate
This episode is dedicated to all the black artists we've admired over the years. The most obscure Northern Soul, Funk, RnB and early Reggae you've heard in a while. All played at 45rpm. Cover art by Corey Poluk.
This is a first! Our dealer Ben will sell our addict Patrick some rare 45s remotely. Will his power of persuasion work long distance? One thing is certain, they obviously miss each other and this worldwide lockdown is taking its toll on them because this episode is long! Grab a cocktail, hunker down and get ready for some classic Northern Soul, a space age instrumental, some cool French Yé-Yé tracks, an obscure RnB single and an unexpected early reggae cover.
Unprecedented times calls us to adapt. Social distancing dictates a pause on our dealer selling records to our addict in person. Instead, Pat and Ben reminisce about some of the top 45s that were sold during their many years of friendship. Some of the most obscure and under the radar 60s Soul, RnB and Garage are featured on this 50th episode.
This is part 2 of Apocalypso, live from the secured studio of the Parka Avenue bunker. Our addict Patrick reminisces about his last gigs where he would DJ records to a packed dance floor while our dealer Ben builds himself a little nest egg by selling him some rare 45s. Northern Soul, Garage, Ska and Funk will temporarily make you forget the crazy times we are going through.
Ben and Patrick are hunkered down in the safe and sanitized confines of the Parka Avenue bunker, sharing their love of vinyl instead of spreading the deadly coronavirus. One thing is certain, the Northern Soul, Mod Jazz and Fuzz drenched Garage tracks featured on this show are indeed infectious. Be warned!
Patrick is back from a whirlwind weekend in Baltimore and Ottawa with a nice stack of his latest finds. Our dealer Ben had to dig deep in his impressive collection to satisfy our addict's insatiable needs. Prepare your ears for some Northern Soul, local Surf, a Tittyshaker and for the first time on the show, an ultra rare unknown acetate.
Our addict Patrick is back from Toronto with a box full of wax and some good digging stories that came along with them. Our dealer Ben is there to extract the remaining few bucks from his pockets with some choice platters. Has he no shame? Northern Soul, classic Funk, Ska and Garage are just a click away.
We have reached a milestone! The big 4 - 5. This episode ecapsulates everything that our hosts are passionate about. That little black disk that spins at 45 revolutions a minute. Plus, Ben and Pat celebrate a decade of friendship! There won't be any wheeling and dealing or cash exchanging hands on this one. Instead, they will each play the 4 most prized records from their collection. You have been warned!
A Northern Soul mystery record, a 1 minute 28 second 70s Funk Psych number with a drum break, some Mod Soul from a tap dancing singer, a space-age guitar instrumental and an R-Rated movie trailer about naughty stewardesses is just a glimpse of what awaits you in this jam packed episode. Plus, a special guest joins us in our usual nonsensical banter.
One of the symptoms of vinyl addiction is that you often end up babbling about records for hours on end. To curb our host's obvious affliction, this episode is going to be heavy on the music for a change. That is undoubtedly a good thing. Expect some solid Northern Soul, obscure RnB, unknown covers and loads of fuzz.
Signs of withdrawal are plaguing our addict Patrick but Ben has a solid vinyl fix on hand. From a dirty old barn to the Toronto record convention, a mix of Garage, Northern Soul, Funk and Moog Space Age music are all seing the light of day.
This one is all about Soul music! Our addict Patrick gets to scratch off a big Northern Soul banger form his want list. Our record expert Ben is put to the test with a new game show. Will he live up to his reputation as the ultimate connaisseur?
Our dealer Ben digs deep to satisfy our addict's insatiable hunger for vinyl. But Pat went on his own to scour flea markets and the basement of record shops for these rare elusive 7". A fellow addict, Jorgen, joins our pair to witness the fruits of their labor. 60s Popcorn / New Breed, Mod RnB, Psych and Northern Soul are all up for grabs.
Our addict Patrick is back from Detroit full of memories, stories and of course... records. He also has a big surprise in store for Ben. The fruit of a top secret project is about to be revealed! And Ben has scored big the last few weeks. Will Pat benefit from our dealer's highly effective digging skills? 60s Soul, dirty Funk, New Breed RnB, Latin Boogaloo and Garage will all be spun at 45 rpm.
Pat surprised Ben with an undocumented 45 that nobody knew existed. Faced with this puzzling enigma, detective Shulman is now on the case.
Pour yourself a hot cup of black coffee for this one! Patrick, our addict, is riding high from signing his first contract with a talent agency and Ben, our dealer, is back from a jet-set trip to Toronto. Featured in this episode is a Batman related 45, some cool jazzy Mod RnB, uptempo Soul and raw Garage.
To be a good record pusher, you need to know your customer. And Ben knows Pat very well. The good news is that our record addict got to strike two 45s off is want list. The bad news is that he's still an addict. The funny thing is, most of the tracks for sale are drug and alcohol related. Uptempo Northern Soul, dirty Funk and hot Boogaloo are all up for garbs.
Warning: This episode is dark and heavy. Pat & Ben tackle some serious issues. After both watching the controversial documentary Leaving Neverland, they ask themselves if they should stop spinning Micheal Jackson records. The good news is that some local Garage, thomping Northern Soul and classic Surf music will eleviate the tense atmosphere.
Episode 33 is dedicated to the memory of the iconic Soul singer Jackie Shane and Irma the Detroit dog. Pat unveils his new purchase, a true Northern Soul holy grail. Ben has some Mod classics by the Small Faces and The Action up for sale. His intrepid border crossing almost prevented him from putting those records into Pat's hands.
On episode 32, Ben and Pat try to answer the age-old question: "What is Go-Go music?" They also dive into the Grammy's controversy about Jennifer Lopez' tribute to Motown. Plus a few 60s rarities, Soul instrumentals, Boogaloo and Tittyshakers are up for grabs.
For the first episode of 2019, our dealer and record addict have a dream... To unite and fill your ears with thumping Northern Soul, rare 60s grooves and fuzz drenched Psych. Ben recounts his digging trip to a house that reeked of cat piss in Southern New Hampshire while Pat was spinning at the With It, the monthly 60s night in Toronto.
Episode 30 is full of holiday cheer! We have beer. We have gifts. We have a jolly good time. But most importantly, we have records! Northern Soul, Surf, Psych. Something for the whole family! Available here or from your favorite podcast provider.
On episode 29, you'll learn what being a DJ is all about! Plus a lot of solid Soul! And don't miss Ben, our record dealer, telling us how he survived selling vinyl in a church basement during an Elvis impersonators convention. All 45rpm. Even the ads!
Our record addict, Patrick Foisy, meets his dealer, Ben Shulman, on a monthly basis for his vinyl fix. Are you a wax junkie? This podcast is for you! In episode 1, learn how these two met and how a business relationship turned into an unlikely solid frienship.