Podcasts are great. Lately, I’ve gravitated toward podcasts. The modern version of radio shows is an exciting communication method, and there are more than 500,000 of them out there.
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It’s a beautiful thing that anyone with recording technology can become a host and get their thoughts out there in a very accessible way. There’s something for everyone. Here are five that I’ve been listening to these days.
Your Favorite Band Sucks
If you’re a music nerd, and you also enjoy a nice, light-hearted roast of some of the most revered artists of all time, this might be the podcast for you. It’s a good example to start this list on, as most people should be able to name the acts they mock. It does get vulgar from time-to-time, but not in an offensive way. From the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to Fleetwood Mac and the Smashing Pumpkins, no one is safe.
When I first started listening, I nearly quit, as they come off a bit like jockish frat brothers. But as I got deeper into it, and heard more episodes, I came to realize that’s just their sense of humour. Most episodes run around forty minutes to an hour, so it’s somewhat long. But there are a few under a half hour. Check it out and hear for yourself.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
This is a good one if you enjoy true crime as I do. I find gruesome stuff to be fascinating. Hosted by a pair of comediennes, I’ve only begun listening to this podcast.
The episodes are a tad long and freewheeling, but the hosts are funny and laid-back, which imbues the show with a certain casual tone. At times, it feels improvisational, with the two doing what they’re known for and just riffing on the topic.
Song Exploder
Music is a craft, and, as a fellow artist, I enjoy hearing from current artists how they apply themselves to their work to go from a blank slate to a finished piece to be enjoyed by their fans.
If you’re not into music enough to care about the nuts and bolts of the art form, I’d recommend skipping over this one. No need to waste your time. But if you’re an aspiring songwriter – or if you just like knowing a bit more about how it all goes down – this might be just the ticket. And it’s short, too. Episodes are well-under a half hour, and at the end, the full song is played.
And the Writer Is… with Ross Golan
Hosted by Ross Golan (who has written songs for Selena Gomez, Flo Rida, Ariana Grande), this is a lengthier podcast about the songwriting process. It’s much more conversational than Song Exploder, which feels almost like a TED Talk. Which isn’t a bad thing, but, being more developed, there’s a lot more information packed in.
Golan and his guests interact in charming ways, which makes for an enjoyable sixty-to-ninety minute. It should appeal to more people than Song Exploder, since it isn’t just about the craft but also about the lives of the people behind much of the music of today. There’s something in it for everyone.
Creepy
I feel like no list of podcasts would be complete without this one.
Creepy is a podcast devoted to creepypastas. For those who don’t know, creepypastas are fictional horror stories posted on websites like creepypasta.com. They’ve been called the modern-day campfire story, and that’s exactly what this show aims to do: tell the stories as they should be heard.
But it isn’t just one person reading the stories. Guest are brought in from time to time, to give the stories a fresh change of pace. Sound effects and music are added for an overwhelming outcome that puts you into the mind of the characters and the narrative within the pieces, which are often taken from Reddit. It’s a great podcast if you love scary stuff.
So this is just a shortlist of the podcasts I enjoy. Give em a listen! You might find something that catches your interest.
