A Sonic Youth

Music old and brand new from Philly indie rock legends The War On Drugs! Plus, new release garage punk from Aussie band The Grogans and Christchurch's Best Bets. Then a look at favourites from The Fizzgates, which take sonic influence from Dinosaur Jr, Husker Du, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Tracklist: 1 - The War On Drugs - Comin' Through 2 - The War On Drugs - Brothers 3 - The War On Drugs...

The Hold Steady is one of Oliver's favourite bands, one that's all about rock ‘n’ roll power chords, frothing energy, and really fun lyrics. 'Boys and Girls in America' is the final record from the band's 3-album golden period. Oliver checks out favourite tracks and tells the interconnected stories behind the songs. Plus, Drive-By Truckers' bold 2016 protest album 'American Band'. It's an album th...

Oliver was a massive fan of This is Lorelei (Nate Amos)'s first 'full' album, 'Box for Buddy, Box for Star'. Now, he's signed to Matador Records and has released another great album of music which finds a space between slacker indie and alt-country. Also, Silver Jew's sophomore record 'The Natural Bridge' 30 years on. Oliver plays favourite tracks and tells some of the story of enigmatic band lead...

We are joined in the FreeFM studio this week by Nicholas Joseph, the day before the album release gig for his debut solo record ‘Sailing’. Nicholas talks to Oliver about his music history and influences, playing in post-punk bands in the Auckland scene, and writing this new guitar-based album after settling back in New Zealand after a period living in Shanghai. Tracklist: 1. Nicholas Joseph - Make...

Oliver checks out the beautiful cosmic Americana of Dylan LeBlanc's 'Coyote' and his latest album with The Family. Then, the psych-influenced power pop of Exploding Flowers. Also, Wand's Cory Hanson and a brilliant track omitted from his much revered 2023 solo album. Tracklist: 1. Dylan LeBlanc - Coyote 2. Dylan LeBlanc - Hate 3. Dylan LeBlanc, The Family - Wicked Kind 4. Exploding Flowers - Self...

It's a full noise episode of the show this week! Oliver looks at the new Dinosaur Jr album, one which many, (Oliver included), are calling one of the best of their 'modern' reformation period. Also, 'Chrome', the new album of sludgy guitar-based indie rock from Californian modern garage punk legend Ty Segall. Tracklist: 1. Ty Segall - Black Paint 2. Ty Segall Band - Diddy Wah Diddy 3. Ty Segall -...

NYC-based loud Americana band Wild Pink have released the follow-up to their brilliant 2024 record 'Dulling The Horns'. Can this new record, 'Still Coming Down' maintain the distortion-drenched brilliance of the previous? Also, Scottish jangle rock legends Teenage Fanclub, and the first single from their upcoming thirteenth record. Tracklist: Wild Pink - Disitengrate Wild Pink - Round Of Applause...

In what was supposed to be the episode 250 special (before last week's short-notice interview with Courtney Barnett), Oliver looks at some favourite 'storytelling' protest songs. Including an incredible unreleased song by MJ Lenderman about the Vietnam War, Jason Isbell and Drive-By Truckers with more introspective tales of U.S. involvment in The Iraq War, and a brilliant song about ex NRA Leader...

Oliver did have another episode 250 planned... But, last week he had the late notice opportunity to interview a long-time favourite artist, Courtney Barnett. So tune in as Oliver asks Courtney about her new album 'Creature of Habit', her new home in California, and her upcoming New Zealand tour! Tracklist: Courtney Barnett - Scotty Says Courtney Barnett and Waxahatchee - Site Unseen Courtney Barne...

Oliver prepares for episode 250 by clearing up the "loose ends" from his A Sonic Youth playlists. We start by paying tribute to the legendary self-titled 'The Modern Lovers' album on its 50th birthday. Then, tracks from Defiance, Ohio, Ryan Adams and 764-Hero. Plus, two great covers, one of a psychedelic Beatles classic, and a punk cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Tracklist: 1 . The Modern L...

Oliver looks at music new and old from a favourite from the Australian indie rock scene, Carla Geneve. Her's is a powerful brand of Australian indie, led by a strong voice, emotionally-dense lyrics and a good dose of proper indie rock noise. Plus, new garage punk from the upcoming Ty Segall album, and surfy indie rock from Aussie band Surf Trash. Tracklist: 1. Carla Geneve - Don't Wanna Be Your Lo...

The Go had it all going for them. They had a great sound, mixing garage rock with power pop and a bit of glam rock. They were signed (alongside Nirvana, Mudhoney, etc.) on Sup Pop Records. And, on their first record, their lead guitarist was a certain guy named Jack White. So why haven't you heard of them? Well Oliver can't answer that, what he can do is play a selection of brilliant tracks from T...

Oliver plays favourites from Boston-based neo-psych/shoegaze band Magic Shoppe. Plus, music from two of the greatest and most influential alternative rock bands. One of whom is gearing up to release their next album. The other has just announced a bunch of exciting New Zealand live dates. Tracklist: 1. Magic Shoppe - Blowup 2. Magic Shoppe - Trip Inside This House 3. Magic Shoppe - Something's Wro...

Israel Nash's 'Rain Plans' is one of Oliver's favourite albums, a perfect blend of folky Americana and psych rock. Recently, we received a deluxe reissue featuring demos and cut tracks, and it lives up to the original. Then, new music from This Is Lorelei, and tracks from Bristol-based punk-rockers Langkamer and their latest album 'No'. Tracklist: 1. Israel Nash - Who in Time 2. Israel Nash - Wich...

Oliver looks at EIGHT indie new releases. We start with NZ's Office Dog, playing tracks from their new LP 'Prime Corner'. Also, Canadian neo-psych band Elephant Stone, Aussie indie from Julia Jacklin, Dutch indie rock from Pip Blom, and another great new song from Wild Pink. Then two new bands, one from Brighton, one from Montana, and their awesome sounding new indie rock releases. Tracklist: 1. O...

Some 243 episodes later, Oliver looks back at the album that started it all! It's Nada Surf's punky 1996 debut 'High/Low' on its 30th birthday. Led by the iconic 'Popular', this is an album which Oliver thinks strikes a middle ground between the brands of noise rock heard from Pixies and Husker Du. Plus, a tribute to one of the most iconic neo-psych songs, released on the same day as 'High/Low' in...

Oliver plays tracks from his favourite neo-psych album on its tenth birthday, Psychic Ills' 'Inner Journey Out'. Plus, loud indie rock from Ty Segall and Jackal Onassis. Then, a look at The Minus 5, including a cover of a Neil Young and Crazy Horse classic. Tracklist: Psychic Ills - I Don't Mind Psychic Ills - Baby Ty Segall - Black Paint Jackal Onassis - Runty Little Puppy The Minus 5 - Let the R...

Oliver checks out 'Philadelphia's been good to me', the new record from one of his favourite indie artists, Kurt Vile. Oliver reckons it's Kurt's best since his golden period in the early 2010s. Tune in to hear favourites from another hazed-out classic from Philly's constant hitmaker. Also, favourites from the now10-year old tribute album 'Day of the Dead'. It features legendary indie rock artists...

Oliver checks out a host of the best new indie rock singles. There's the disortion-drenched Americana indie of Wild Pink, surfy indie from Surf Trash, and jangly psych-rock from levitation room. Plus, new music from NZ's Office Dog and two songs from 'Piper Oz the Hound', an album by folk-rock oddity Art Lown. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0...

Oliver celebrates New Zealand Music Month with a collection of his favourite alt-rock tracks from Aotearoa. Including a classic 'genre forerunner' from The Clean and two great slices of guitar led indie from bands on Christchurch's Melted Ice Cream label. Then, a track from one of Hamilton's leading bands and a modern release from an 80s Flying Nun group. Tracklist: 1. The Clean - Point That Thing...

Oliver looks at another spaced-out indie gem from Kurt Vile's upcoming record. Also, new music from U.S. shoegazers The Asteroid No.4. Then, a song from U.K. post-punkers Cola's new record 'Cost of Living Adjustment'. Tracklist: 1. Kurt Vile - Fo Sho 2. Kurt Vile - Zoom 97 3. The Asteroid No.4 - Protostar 4. The Asteroid No.4 - Wicked Wire 5. The Asteroid No.4 - Shadowed 6. Cola - Hedgesitting Fol...

Oliver looks at 'I'm People', the great new album of sunny Americana from Hiss Golden Messenger. Also, Oliver's favourite Neil Young album 20 years after its release. 'Living with War' was a fiesty anti-war and anti-bush protest record, backed up by plenty of that inconic Neil Young guitar noise. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Ma...

Oliver looks at the new record from Californian psych rock and alt-folk musician Tim Presley's project White Fence. Also, a look at one of the great albums by alt-country group The Jayhawks ten years after its release. Plus, a taste of Oliver's Free FM 'De-Tour Du Jour', an hour long music show tangential to the usual sounds heard on A Sonic Youth. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook....

Oliver checks out the newly reissued early Pavement release 'Perfect Sound Forever'. It's Pavement at their most abrasively rock 'n' roll. Plus, a great new cover by Deer Tick and a live performance of a favourite from Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Finally, a look at the super deluxe reissue of This Is Lorelei's enduringly brilliant 'Box for Buddy, Box for Star'. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Ins...

UK-based alt-country band Brown Horse released Oliver's favourite album of 2025. Now they're back with 'Total Dive', the group's third LP. Oliver checks out what is another great record. It evolves the Americana sound of Jason Molina, Uncle Tupelo and Wilco, and places the band firmly among contemporaries Wednesday and MJ Lenderman. Plus, Waxahatchee's cover of a favourite from This is Lorelei's a...