Earshifter

Kevin Morby – the Kansas City-raised songwriter on the most compelling creative run of his career. Still buzzing from his Toronto show the night before, Sean and Rene dig into nine albums, how a TV soundtrack Shazam led Rene to listen on loop for an hour, and why Aaron Dessner says Little Wide Open is the best album he's ever produced. Plus, the Waxahatchee love story, and a baby on the way....

Gil Scott-Heron – the poet-musician who foreshadowed rap and political hip-hop before any of it existed. On the 15th anniversary of his death, Sean shares two intimate concerts and why songs written in 1970 sound like they were written yesterday. Plus, the final album Damon Albarn played on, why "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" landed in a 2025 Leonardo DiCaprio film and why the pr...

my bloody valentine – the Irish band that single-handedly created shoegaze. Sean and Rene deliver a Shoegaze 101 alongside the MBV story: who influenced them, the bands they inspired, and why Loveless – recorded over two years across 19 studios – is still the genre's blueprint. Plus, the Kevin Shields disappearance that drew Brian Wilson comparisons, why Rene says Loveless is a no-skip album,...

Nomeansno – the underknown Canadian band that smashed punk, prog, jazz and funk into something completely new. Sean and Rene dive into the group’s complex song structures, dark humour, explosive live energy and refusal to play by industry rules. From acapella hardcore experiments and fake band mythology to seeing them live and how that changed everything for Sean. Spotify Songs Playlist Apple Musi...

Parquet Courts – the Brooklyn band with Texas roots who constantly evolve and do whatever they want. Rene calls them "one of the most overlooked" out of all 20 bands Earshifter's covered, despite Light Up Gold hitting #85 on Rolling Stone's best albums list. Hear about their collab with Karen O (from yeah yeah yeahs), their punk rock ethos, constant evolution from 1-minute punk...

Dinosaur Jr. – the band who brought guitar solos back and nearly broke apart forever. Hear about J Mascis ignoring Kurt Cobain's invite to join Nirvana, the bitter 10-year split, Lou and Murph's forgiveness, and why friendship matters as much as the music after 20+ years reunited. Plus, Sean talks about seeing them three times: 1989 Lee's Palace (J demanding lights off), 2013 Riot F...

Waxahatchee Part 2 – The alt-country transformation that changed everything. Rene struggled through the rock-heavy Out in the Storm, but Saint Cloud and Tigers Blood brought him back strong. Hear about producer Brad Cook's impact (MJ Lenderman, Snocaps) and the full-circle Snocaps reunion. Plus, why both hosts independently picked Snocaps for Best of 2025, and Rene's 11-year gap between...

Katie Crutchfield whose first two melancholy lo-fi albums make Rene limit himself to 4 listens, despite loving them. Learn about the connection to her twin sister, her progression from intimate 2014 performer to commanding 2025 presence (Rene's top 25 concerts of all time) and why Ivy Tripp is his first no-skip album. Part 2, Sean explores her continual musical shift and MJ Lenderman collabor...

MJ Lenderman – the "musician's musician" who played with what seemed like every band at the Wilco Festival in Mexico. Learn how his Guitar Hero obsession led to real guitar and his links to Wednesday, Waxahatchee and Snocaps. Sean picks Long Black Veil to troll Rene again, and they debate mondegreens and the mysterious Himbo Dome. Plus, Sean's Rock Band existential crisis over...

Wet Leg – the Grammy-winning British band who dominated UK and Australia but remain underknown in North America. Rene gives Sean song choices then plays both anyway, prompting Sean to ask "is free will a real thing?" Hear the Chaise Longue pronunciation debate, how Eddie Vedder covered them live and the hairy armpit controversy. Plus, strobes make a comeback. Spotify Song Playlist Apple...

Wednesday – the NME Album of the Year band blending Southern Gothic tales with shoegaze country. Sean curates "November," knowing Rene will love it. Rene discovers why Karly Hartzman ranks as a top 50 lyricist for Sean and obsesses over the line "loiter in my heart," and Sean dives into their cathartic screams and a cover of the Smashing Pumpkins done Wednesday-style. Spotify S...

Courtney Barnett – the Grammy-nominated Australian who deserves more North American recognition. Sean and Rene discover they both love "Elevator Operator," debate her Kurt Vile collaboration, and unpack her critically acclaimed debut. Plus Rene deep-dives into the vulnerable "Anonymous Club" documentary and its haunting ambient soundtrack. UPDATE: New album release (Creature of...

Best of 2025 – Sean and Rene share their top new albums you need to hear, from Wet Leg's no-skip "Moisturizer" to Cameron Winter & Geese's weird genius. Hear which album both hosts picked independently, and editor Joe's under-the-radar gems. PLAYLIST LINKS BELOW. Plus, best concerts including Grandaddy, Sparks & Sean touching Nick Cave's hand. Spotify Playlist...

Meat Puppets – the Arizona brothers who mixed cow-punk and psychedelia on legendary SST Records. Discover their iconic Nirvana MTV Unplugged connection that exposed them to millions. Rene admits this was his toughest episode yet, struggling with all tracks but loves "Up on the Sun." Plus, Sean and Rene discuss what punk really means and why musical knowledge is sexy. And stay tuned for o...

Car Seat Headrest – the lo-fi indie rock rebels who should be household names. Sean and Rene chat about Will Toledo's rise from backseat-of-car recordings to major label, and Rene's unexpected love for the epic 13-minute "Beach Life and Death". Plus, in a podcast first, Rene gives Sean a song buffet and lets him choose. Sean teases Rene about his "haters to lovers" jo...

Sparks – the quirky art-pop pioneers who deserve more recognition. Join Sean and Rene as they explore the eccentric world of Ron and Russell Mael, from their theatrical stage presence to their genre-defying sound. Discover why Sparks' influence spans decades, inspiring artists from the Sex Pistols to New Order to Beck. With tales of unexpected collaborations with Gorillaz and Franz Ferdinand,...

Neutral Milk Hotel – the enigmatic indie legends who deserve more recognition. Join Sean and Rene as they explore Jeff Mangum’s surreal world – from unique soundscapes to abstract lyrics. See why Rene might prefer "On Avery Island" over the iconic "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea," and learn about the mysterious origins of their name and Jeff’s sudden disappearance. This episode...

The Mountain Goats – the prolific lo-fi storytellers who deserve more recognition. This is the band that was made for Sean NOT Rene – find out why. And tune in to tales of Andrew Eldritch being rude behind a bouncer, and another round of Sean hating Radiohead as they explore why this goth-adjacent, boombox-to-studio evolution should get more attention. From 23 studio albums (and counting) to wrest...

Band of Horses – the genre-bending American band who deserve more recognition. Sean and Rene discuss their history and evolution, how Rene forced the first album on Sean, Sean's surprise at Rene's reaction to BOH live, and their album-ranking fight. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0ZWhBJY5fR4dCEW0rDoF7N?si=5abe516a325b4624 Send us Fan Mail

The Weakerthans – the post-punk, introspective Winnipeg band who deserve more recognition. Sean and Rene discuss their history and evolution, and “fun” facts about Winnipeg. Plus, hear Sean's Riot Fest coincidence that blows Rene's mind. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QcYyKd8tX6wuLavitI9KP?si=d50427e4638744a7 Send us Fan Mail

Grandaddy – the Modesto post-skatepunk atmospheric pioneers who deserve more recognition. From Jason Lytle's skateboarding origins to their unique sound blend, Sean and Rene discuss their history, evolution and more concert amnesia. Plus, CLICK, Sean surprises Rene with strong feelings about the band. Earshifter playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6bDzK72WMGg4k0VJMBapiY?si=8b2a6593af3...

New York poet Jim Carroll gets the spotlight as the hosts dig into his world of basketball, heroin, and punk poetry. Between debates about song picks, how Jim Carroll got Sean free drinks, and the question of playing sports high, they explore why this Lou Reed-connected artist needs more recognition. From Andy Warhol's Factory to Patti Smith collaborations – discover this junkie-turned-clean...

Welsh band The Joy Formidable get the spotlight as the hosts dig into their overlooked catalog and massive sound. Between an AI guessing game gone wrong, some serious concert amnesia, and thoughts on music therapy, they explore why this sonic-rollercoaster band deserves way more recognition. From "The Big Roar" to Utah wilderness vibes - check out this dynamic trio. Earshifter playlist:...

In the debut episode of Earshifter, hosts Rene and Sean dive into Toronto's Change of Heart, reflecting on their significant but overlooked influence. Amid tales of teenage button collections and record exchanges, they discuss the band's history, evolution, and why they're deserving of more recognition. Earshifter playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4xT3qcagxiU1wsHNNaVOwR?si...