Stereothematica

The future is now, or maybe a second from now. THE FUTURE is also a vibe, and we’ve got music to match it or maybe even set the stage for it. No transhumanistic fantasies here, just some transcendent tunes to cope with the downfall of humanity perpetrated by tech billionaires.  SONGS: Jantra: Gedima (2023) Javelin: Estevez (2011) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Jantra on Bandcamp ( Ostinato Records ) Th...

Have you ever been on hold and all of a sudden you find yourself dancing to the sweet, sweet hold music? Or maybe a friend sends you a song saying, "Hey, I think you might like this!" And even though you don't think you will... you do? Well, welcome to the unexpected jams episode! We're going to dive into some weird places where the music is unexpected and yet still hits. SONGS...

They're not all creepy! And sometimes they actually make a great song greater, or a bad song better. Biases aside, in this episode we celebrate the contributions of children to music history.  SONGS: Joubert Singers: Stand on the Word (1982) Human Skab: Screamin' Demon (1986) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: PS 22 Chorus’s YouTube page The Tangled History of the Joubert Singers’ “Stand on the W...

What started as another theme turned into a real life pity party when Christine and Christina recorded in person for the first time EVER. And we had a rich conversation about one of music's most self-pitying artists—Harry Nilsson. We hope you join our pity party this week and learn more about Nilsson's legend status and stick around for some truly despicable imitations . SONGS: Harry Nil...

Ever hear a song and say, "Yeah, this is nice. But what would it sound like in French/Spanish/Greek/Swahili/Urdu?" Well, then, friends, you're in the right place. This week we take songs that are already good in English and some how get even better in a foreign language. And the best news? No one picked "Yesterday"! SONGS: Freedom Fry: Stayin’ Alive (Cover 2021) (Bee Gees...

Happy Pride Month! Queer and LGBTQ music is incredible for ALL audiences, every day of the year (not just Pride month, of course!). This week we share some under the radar gay anthems and celebrate the queer musicians who made them. SONGS: Lavender Country: "Cryin' These Cocksucking Tears" (1973) Elton John: Philadelphia Freedom (1975) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Hundreds Turn Out for...

Shortest songs don't always yield the shortest episodes, but they do pack a punch! And while this isn't technically our shortest episode, it does come in second, after our SECOND episode Pump Up Songs . Enjoy the brevity and levity, and please share your favorite shorties on Instagram.  SONGS: ¡Ay, Paquita! (Performed by Rosalía) - Paquita Salas (2018) Dang Me - Roger Miller (1964)   RES...

The Seattle sound. Flannel shirts. Rejecting conformity. Embracing dirty hair. What is "grunge"? Join us this week as we dive into a couple of grunge songs (and make some interesting connections to musical influence on the grunge scene).  SONGS: Silverchair: Tomorrow (Australian version, 1995) Nirvana: Turnaround (1990) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Hey Millennials, Grunge Was Never A Moveme...

Forget “please allow me to introduce myself” or “my name is….” What if your introduction were a song, or a mesmerizing opening credit sequence, or maybe even a reference you can’t stop thinking about? This episode is about the art of introduction through music, because before a single word is spoken, music can tell us exactly who we’re meeting and what kind of world we're about to enter. SONG...

Ever feel like skipping ahead to see what's in store for the next chapter? Understandable, but it's probably best to let your next chapter unfold naturally. That's what we're doing this week--embracing next chapters and the music we listen to as we mentally settle into a new path. Welcome to Season 3, friends! SONGS: Broadcast: Before We Begin (2003) Canned Head: Going Up the C...

Memorable melodies. A theatrical flair. A note only a Broadway star could hold. It's showtime, baby! This week we're puttin' on the ritz and singing along to our favorite showtunes. Join us in the chorus line, won't you? SONGS: Big Spender from Sweet Charity (Original, Broadway cast 1966)  Cats Memory Reprise (Original Broadway cast 1983)  RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Big Spender...

"Not knowing is the most intimate." We might not be Buddhists, but we can definitely get behind this logic. Join us as we lay bare our ignorance and learn some really cool stuff along the way (to enlightenment???). SONGS: Flying Burrito Brothers: If You Gotta Go (1970)   Minnie Riperton: Lovin’ You (1974) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Bob Dylan - If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Or Else You Got to S...

What makes a perfect road trip song? That depends on countless factors and combinations, it's really its own sort of equation. And while we don't go through all the possibilities, we do talk about a couple of our favorite tracks for trippin', and we hope you'll share yours on Instagram. SONGS: Ana Tijoux: 1977 (2010) Steely Dan: Reelin’ In the Years (1972) RESOURCES AND REFEREN...

Natural beauty can be ephemeral. Take wildflowers, for example. They bloom and often quickly disappear, leaving you wishing it were springtime again. How do you capture that feeling of fleeting beauty? Maybe with a song. And that's exactly what we attempted this week. SONGS: Hot Chip: Colours (2006) Dina Ögon: Undantag (2021) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: How Did the Bluebonnet Become a Symbol of...

Do you have a personal motto? Should you? We think it's fine. After all, nothing matters... but music. Join us this week as we dive into the songs we utilize as our personal mottos of sorts. SONGS: Bomba Estéreo: Soy Yo (2015)   Charli XCX: Twice (2022) RESOURCES AND REFERENCES: Merrell Wrapt (POOG 20% OFF: HAGFOOT20)  Bomba Estereo: Huepaje (2005) NPR with Bomba Estéreo Founder Simón Mejía a...

Can you remember what you were listening to in 2016? It was a different world, an end of an era, a sad time, in fact, a shit year, some might say–we say it pretty unequivocally. But the music we listened to provided an escape, relief, and sometimes just a pleasant enough distraction. Join us on this (brief) trip down memory lane! SONGS: Julia Jacklin: Pool Party (2016) Gal Costa: ​​Vou Recomeçar (...

As we established back in March of last year, all protest songs are love songs ! If you're confused, check out the episode . And if you're intrigued, join us for this week's sweeping statement: Resistance is NOT futile. The world might seem like it's imploding. You might be mad as hell (we are). So join us, and the resistance. We need you.  SONGS: Nina Simone: Mississippi Godda...

"Nepo babies." Pejorative term or celebration of creative lineage? We don't care, as long as the outcome is good! And the outcome from our nepo baby musicians is, indeed, good. Whether your parents are indie folk legends or you're part of Hollywood royalty.... it doesn't really matter to us. Keep making the hits!   SONGS: Going to a Town: Rufus Wainwright (2007)  Coconut R...

One of the things we love most about music is its power to transport. It can carry us somewhere locational, philosophical, psychological, even quantal (as we explored more overtly in our Time Machine episode ). A single song can shift the room, unlock memories, or reveal a door we didn’t even know was there. Music is the vessel that cracks open our hearts and minds, taking us on a long and winding...

Brr. Did someone just open a window? Or did I catch a crazy vibe from this funky ass song? Ok enough silliness. This week we deep dive into the songs that give us the literal chills. You know, the type of song that makes the hairs on your arm stand up. A song that makes you sit up a little straighter... makes you "lock in" as the youth say. And no, we DIDN'T just explore this theme...

Music has the power to soothe, excite, stir emotions, or make you get up and dance ! And sometimes it elicits a visceral reaction that you weren't expecting... even after the umpteenth time you've heard the song. That's right, this week, we're talking about songs that wreak havoc on your nervous system. SONGS: David Bowie: Blackstar (2015)  Bjork: hyperballad (1996) REFERENCES...

Fa La La. Shoo ba doo bee. MmmmBOP! Did you read those out loud just now? Congratulations. You can scat! All jokes aside, this week we’re focused on made up words in music! Some of the greatest hits of all time have a nonsensical word (or two!) in their lyrics, and we’re deep diving into some of our favorites in this episode!  SONGS :  Ooh Poo Pah Doo: Jessie Hill   Serge Gainsbourg: Shu Ba Du Ba...

We’re not making any friends with this episode. But hopefully we don’t lose any either.  We’re just being honest …and mildly obnoxious. Please listen until the end (unless you’re a Swiftie!). SONGS: Tom Waits: All the World is Green (2002)  Beyonce: 7/11 (2014) EXTRAS: Live Circus Live at Jacksonville (2008) Tom Waits Library   Tom Waits - IMDb Cinematic Appearances of Tom Waits and His Music Tom...

Ever think there might be an invisible thread holding things together that you cannot see, but perhaps... you can feel? This week's theme centers on the question, "Are these songs related somehow?" And the resounding answer: "No." SONGS Pino D'angio: Ma quale Idea (1980)  Brian Eno: Baby’s on Fire (1973) EXTRAS Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It Sister Sledge: He’...

Happy New Year! We are kicking off 2026 with a deadly fall and a sliced off ear! That's right, movie magic music is back, and this time we’re talking about the most haunting use of a song in a movie. Brace yourself for spoilers!  SONGS Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band: P.I.M.P. (2008) Stealers Wheel: Stuck in the Middle with You (1972) EXTRAS P.I.M.P. Scene from Anatomy of a Fall   Stuck in the...