General Admission with Gen & Aless: Recent Episodes
General Admission
An Australian music podcast where Gen and Aless give you your front row ticket to the stories behind the sound.
Before the release of debut album 'Supergiant' in Australia, we welcomed the lovely Natalie Carol, vocalist of LA indie rockers Valley Queen, to the GA family. Nat originally lived in Arkansas, and she takes us through finding her calling as a musician in LA after being surrounded by the medical and art worlds, the myth-making at the heart of songwriting and music recs from her friends in Cosmo Gold to tour mates The Wild Reeds.
Featuring tracks from Twin Shadow, Ecca Vandal, Cosmo Gold, Stella Donnelly and The Wild Reeds.
Melbourne-based heavyweights The Beautiful Monument get personal on new release 'I'm The Reaper', out on June 28, delving into dealing with the death of multiple loved ones and strained relationships. Vocalist Lizi Blanco settles in one night to chat all about the record, how her Spanish roots shaped the first songs she listened to growing up, and seeing the world through an animal's eyes on album track 'The Silencer'.
Featuring tracks from Gideon, Melanie Martinez, Mary J Blige, Crimson & Clover, Clarissa Mei and Sam Fender.
The GA team have decided to bring in more content - and a more personal side to the pod - by stripping it back down to how the podcast first started: conversations between two friends. On the first monthly catch-up, the two break down what's been happening this past year, from Gen starting a new job, to Aless joining the New Age Noise Collective for women in electronic music. The pair also discuss how content is changing in the GA world, as well as their setlist tracks this past month.
Featuring tracks from Snail Mail, LPX, Orla Gartland, Redhook, Between Friends and Black Eyed Peas.
Sydney mathcore band Totally Unicorn go to a new place with forthcoming album, 'Sorry', its stripped back sound allowing vocalist Drew Gardner's dynamic and fiercely personal lyrics to come to the fore. He sits down with Gen for an in-depth episode about the record, the waxes and wanings of punk rock, overcoming bullying over his weight and saying a big "screw you" with latest track, 'Prized Pig'.
Featuring tracks from Party Dozen, Gravel Pit, Caravãna Sun and The Living End.
It's been a huge year for the General Admission (GA) family, with the podcast celebrating turning one this month. In tandem with the milestone, and toasting a second one, music journalist Genevieve Gao sat down to discuss the iconic album 'Breakfast at Fatboys' turning 15 with 'Evil' Eddie Mark Jacobson, lead vocalist of Brisbane hip hop band Butterfingers. Parts seriousness and all laughter, the two let the chips fall where they may, from discussing the roots of relatable rap and hip hop, to Eddie singing a snippet of his kids' favourite song from a family trip.
Kicking things off in 2019, Gen sits down with guest host Jen Skulander from NZ heavy band Devilskin, ahead of their tour supporting Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators. In a banter-fuelled yet rich chat, the two delve into shooting their latest music video, as well as the group's brand new track 'Endo' - Jen cracks open her struggles with endometriosis, a common but often debilitating condition in women causing severe period pain, heavy bleeding and fatigue among other symptoms.
Featuring tracks from Halestorm, Rage Against The Machine, Esoterik and The Cat Empire.
This week, Gen and Alessandra are joined by Trophy Eyes vocalist, John Floreani. With third album The American Dream releasing tomorrow (3rd Aug), John shares some deeply personal moments that helped shape the record.
We delve into a discussion on genres and developing your sound, and John shares the inspiration behind one of Trophy Eyes' newest tracks, 'A Cotton Candy Sky'.
Featuring tracks from Trophy Eyes, Turnstile, Lizzo, Slothrust and more.
This week, Alessandra and Gen are joined by Melbourne pop artist Sannia. Having just released her haunting, vulnerable debut single "Go And Get Over", she sits down to have a raw chat about her musical origins, feeling charged by sad energy as a songwriter, and where old and new music intersects.
We also chat our love for sad-girl music and guilty pleasures.
Featuring music from Soccer Mommy, Odette, G-Flip, Slowly Slowly and more.
This week, Alessandra and Gen are joined by Tasmanian artist Emma Anglesey, to talk about debut record Some Things Can't Be Undone, released last week, and an exciting album tour on the horizon.
We talk our favourite tracks of the week, Radiohead, and the evolution of songwriting. We then dive into the meaning behind Emma's track, 'Swells My Heart', which explores the deep passion that overrides reason in us as humans during certain moments.
Featuring tracks from Kota Banks, Haley Blais, Christine and the Queens, The Pale White and more.
Alessandra and Gen sit down with vocalist Jamie Hails of Sydney metalcore band Polaris, who are set to embark on a regional tour before heading to North America with heavyweights Parkway Drive.
We chat about the singer's vocal beginnings, why supporting Parkway Drive on their 'A Decades of Horizons' tour this year was so significant, and the particularly powerful fan interaction with track "Lucid" from debut EP The Mortal Coil.
Featuring tracks from The Midnight, Miguel and As It Is.
In this week's episode, Alessandra and Gen are joined by Luke Carra and Ant Beard of Caravãna Sun, who have a chat right before they head into the studio for the day to work on their upcoming EP.
We talk about the band's newest track, 'The Beauty and The Pain', and delve into how the song came to life. We also chat musical inspirations, pop music and our love for comedic music videos.
Featuring tracks from Caravãna Sun, Holy Holy, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Growlers and more.
This week, Gen and Alessandra are joined by frontman Declan Melia of Melbourne band British India. Currently in his last year of university, Declan joins us for an in-depth discussion on music, activism, literature and more, during one of his study breaks on campus.
We talk Declan's decision to go back to university after dropping out to pursue music some years ago, and ask him whether or not any of his classmates have recognised him or are fans of his band's music. Later in the episode we delve into discussions about activism within music, our fave tracks of the week, and the pub-book club that Declan is a part of.
Featuring tracks from British India, Now Now, Liz Phair, HalfNoise and more.
This week Alessandra and Gen are joined by Jake Taylor, lead vocalist of In Hearts Wake. Jake talks of the band's early beginnings in high school, their most recent album, 'Ark', and his love for the environment and the natural world.
We also discuss the importance of being environmentally conscious, how In Hearts Wake have experimented with new and weird sounds, and the story behind the Earth Walker Tribe - a foundation established by Jake to nurture and care for the natural world.
Featuring tracks from In Hearts Wake, Tonight Alive, Rackett, The Doors and more.
This week, Alessandra and Gen are joined by Melbourne artist Simon Paparo, following the release of his debut single, 'Gold At Midnight'.
Simon discusses his interesting and odd busking stories, as well as his passion for cooking and gardening, having previously worked as a chef. We also dive into our favourite tracks of the week, and breakdown the meaning behind Simon's track 'Gold at Midnight'.
Featuring tracks from Simon Paparo, Now Now, Wolf Alive, London Grammar and more.
This week, Alessandra is joined by friend, musician and journalist, Tru', aka Sara Tamim, who met whilst attending an electronic music workshop in 2017. Tru' talks her new EP, 'Make Believe' - a collaboration with Perth producer WULFE who she met in 2016 on twitter.
They discuss their love of '80s pop anthems and sad tunes, whilst also reflecting on the difficult dynamic between Australian women and the local pop landscape.
On this episode, Gen and Alessandra are joined by frontman Ben Stewart, of Melbourne's alt-rock act Slowly Slowly. They discuss the importance of pop music, finding inspiration, Slowly Slowly's upcoming album, St Leonards, and also relive some of their childhood memories.
Featuring tracks from Slowly Slowly, SALES, The Killers, BANKS and more.
This week, Gen and Alessandra are joined by Aussie rock artist Mastin, while on his national tour supporting his fresh EP Suitcase of Stories.
This latest instalment is made rich by the story of a musician who's found himself after experiencing pain, love, stigma and loss. We also discuss taking care of yourself, being your own boss and share some of the stories that have shaped us.
Featuring tracks from MASTIN, Eat Your Heart Out, The Temperance Movement, Nothing But Thieves and more.
On this episode, Alessandra hosts alongside special guest Camilla Hodgkins, of Aussie band Perch Creek! This installment is imbued by lessons learnt from shedding old selves and approaching what you love more openly, yet not forgetting your roots.
They talk shedding old identities, what it's like to tour with your siblings, Camilla's non-music projects and blending the creative with the practical.
Featuring tracks from Perch Creek, Phoebe Bridgers, The Barr Brothers, TomGirl and Soccer Mommy.
This week Gen and Aless are joined by the lovely & incredibly talented Haley Blais, who is a singer/songwriter/youtuber/podcaster from Vancouver!
We talk her new EP, Let Yourself Go, plus unsolved murders, who we were at seventeen (help), our weekly track favourites and what it means to let ourselves go.
Featuring tracks from Haley Blais, 5 Seconds of Summer, Donna Lewis, MASTIN and more.
Haley's music - haleyblais.bandcamp.com/
On the eighth instalment of General Admission, Gen gets personal with Ben David from Adelaide pair The Hard Aches. It's a chat fueled by reflections on what it means to be happy, or in a mess - two key concepts weaved in the duo's forthcoming second album Mess, out April 13.
Gen and Ben also delve into deeper issues surrounding the Australian music scene, particularly the prevalence of fans feeling unsafe at gigs. Ben's passion and dedication to make change is clear - "it starts with calling your friends out and vice versa, and that's where the change happens."
Featuring tracks from The Hard Aches, The Bennies, Camp Cope and Antonia and the Lazy Susans.
This week, Gen and Alessandra sit down for an insightful co-host with Melbourne multi-instrumentalist Moonlover (Quang Dinh). We talk culture, astrology, origins and get pretty deep into psychology and the universe.
We also talk about Moonlover's image-laden debut record Thou Shall Be Free, released early this month, with an in-depth review of the track "Mekong Delta Blues".
This episode also features tracks from HAIM, BØRNS and Perch Creek.
This week, Gen and Alessandra are joined by Doug and Leigh of Melbourne indie band, Shiva and The Hazards.
We discuss the band's success and experience in the UK, returning home to Australia, and their upcoming EP, 'Future Cult Classics'. Plus our favourite cult classics and conspiracy theories.
Featuring music from Shiva and The Hazards, LCD Soundsystem, PVRIS and Nic Cester.
This week, Gen and Alessandra are joined by the very talented Mick and Lauren of Sydney's Lennox Lust!
"After forming in Sydney, Australia they have toured much of the country and are now expanding their horizons in the United States with their largest goal, to play their music all over the world..."
We talk musical inspirations, decode song titles, whether or not you should cover songs by your favourite artists, and Lennox Lust's new single, 'Till I Find a Me to Defend'.
Featuring tracks from Lennox Lust, Turnover, First Aid Kit, Turnstile and Sampa the Great.
This week, Gen and Alessandra share a compelling new episode, guest-hosted by New York-based artist and record label co-founder Lizzy Plapinger (MS MR, LPX)!
This episode paints a picture of a conversation on a couch in a New York apartment, one that reveals Lizzy's sense of humour, presence as a creative visionary and surprisingly intimate relationship with Sydney.
Alessandra and Lizzy connect over the idea of not holding back as creators and performers, whilst Gen quizzes Lizzy on her favourite must-visit NYC spots.
Featuring music from LPX, King Princess, The Kills, The Aces, Beach House and more.
This week on General Admission, Gen and Alessandra discuss unlikely celebrity cameos in music videos and the importance of female artist representation. They then delve into an insightful conversation on the power of thinking for yourself and not letting external forces dictate your mindset.
Featuring music from Royal Blood, The Aces, SWMRS, Tonight Alive and more.
This week we discuss the concept of genres in music, particularly questioning 'What is hardcore?", stemming from Sydney hard-hitters Hellions. Gen makes a heartfelt tribute to Chester Bennington, while (through personal experience) Alessandra shares the power of live music to draw strangers together, with storms threatening to cancel Paramore's February gig in Brisbane.
Featuring music from Hellions, Bleachers, The Regrettes, Dizzy Reed and more.
Welcome to the first episode of General Admission. Join Gen & Alessandra as they talk what's on their playlists, first vinyls, breaking down music videos and more.
Featuring music from Eat Your Heart Out, LPX, Paramore, Haley Blais and more.