Best Amoeba Music Podcasts (2024)

1
Ep. 55: Charli XCX - Charli 1:16:37

2h ago1:16:37

1:16:37

As we cruise through the tail end of #bratsummer, EarWax takes a look at one of the records that helped Charli XCX dominate the conversation this year. "Charli" comes on the heels of her rise to fame, at a time when she was about to break even bigger than she already was. Dealing with pop stardom, ravenous fans, and a devastating hack that leaked h…

1
S2E7: Jamcel Sigma 34:17

21h ago34:17

34:17

There's no other way to say this. Episode Seven is a special dark episode of Jam Mechanics. If you want to blame someone, blame Sam Damask of Grand Commander for his prompt! But we still have fun, and you will, too! Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we are challenged to write a song demo …

1
Ep. 54: Françoise Hardy - La question 1:12:43

7d ago1:12:43

1:12:43

We're getting cultured af this week. EarWax goes French! Françoise Hardy's "La question" is a gorgeous statement made by an artist intentionally transitioning into a new phase in her career. In partnership with guitarist and songwriter Luca, Hardy made a record drenched in yearning, love, and poetry. "La question" took Françoise Hardy away from pop…

1
Ep. 53: The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde 1:21:38

13d ago1:21:38

1:21:38

Pack your bags and get ready to take a trip to a world of wonderful weirdness! Hilary and Cody immerse themselves into the universe of the Pharcyde. Filled with in-jokes, yo mama jokes, and jokes just because, this record occupies a very specific, very important part of West Coast hip-hop. Rarely does an album feel so lived-in, so loved, and so una…

1
S2E6: A Feral Yeehaw 37:52

15d ago37:52

37:52

On Episode 6 we get tripped up on cantrips before Joshua David MG gives us a songwriting prompt that'll make you ask: Did they just write the songs of the summer???If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (and the demos we showed off), ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you can go to our Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to pay-what-you-want to support us! ⁠…

1
Ep. 52: Melvins - Houdini 1:09:45

19d ago1:09:45

1:09:45

Bolt down anything that might shift due to the crushing weight of the heaviness, EarWax is going sludge! Hilary and Cody discuss Melvins' legacy through the lens of arguably their most famous record. The story behind Houdini is a little sad, but ultimately this record serves as a fantastic gateway into a band that casts an extremely large shadow. A…

1
Ep. 51: Curtis Mayfield - Curtis 1:10:09

27d ago1:10:09

1:10:09

Let's get funky, smooth, and our heads in the game. Curtis Mayfield is coming in hot! Cody and Hilary discuss the scope of Curtis Mayfield's work, and how much his thumbprint is all over the Civil Rights movement. Mayfield's growing voice and subject matter was personal enough for him to step away from the Impressions, setting the stage for a solo …

1
S2E5: Get Ranked, Bozos 43:03

29d ago43:03

43:03

On Episode 5, we record an episode in the same room for the FIRST TIME EVER. Come listen to us reminisce about the tour with PapaBug and rank all our favorite moments (Bug even reveals his favorite fan!!). Oh, and we write some songs, too! Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we are challeng…

1
Ep. 50: David Bowie - Station to Station 1:15:01

1M ago1:15:01

1:15:01

EarWax ushers in the 50th episode by pulling down a true heavy hitter off the shelf - David Bowie's "Station to Station." This record's story is full of unbelievable stories and adversity, both of which were largely self-imposed. Bowie's drive for reinvention is present throughout his discography, and Station to Station is arguably his most pivotal…

1
Ep. 49: The Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo 1:10:26

1M ago1:10:26

1:10:26

Change out your granny glasses and paisley shirts for cowboy hats and bolo ties! Hilary and Cody talk bout The Byrds' 1968 "Sweetheart of the Rodeo." A different direction for a very different-looking Byrds, this record took the group to Nashville, where they received a...less than warm reception from the local media. Gram Parsons' influence on thi…

1
S2E4: Sticky Mitts 36:15

1M ago36:15

36:15

On Episode 4, we get some Bug lore and catchup with our friend Spence Hood. This award-revoking episode covers the full spectrum -- from cowboy to vampire Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we are challenged to write a song demo from scratch every episode.If you'd like downloadable files f…

1
Ep. 48: The Shining OST ft. Mia Lee Vicino 1:32:13

2M ago1:32:13

1:32:13

Classic film? Yup. Soundtrack with a weird backstory? Yup yup. Siiiiiick guest spot? Three times the yup! West Coast Editor for Letterboxd Mia Lee Vicino drops by the show to tackle the leviathan that is Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining." A score that is also a soundtrack, this film uses original music by electronic music pioneers Wendy Carlos and Ra…

1
Ep. 47: Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid 1:21:24

2M ago1:21:24

1:21:24

An R&B record whose scope is bigger than most prog rock epics, this week's episode covers Janelle Monáe's debut studio album "The ArchAndroid." Cody and Hilary talk about the influence of sci-fi in music before diving into this epic - in a very literal sense - of an album. The love and collaboration that went into this album is apparent not only fr…

1
S2E3: What's Your Jam, Amoeba? 38:35

2M ago38:35

38:35

It's Episode Three! We chat food (and pizza knives) with Jesse Gallaway and write two not-in-a-lifetime song demos! Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we are challenged to write a song demo from scratch every episode.If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (and the demos we showe…

1
Ep. 46: Pet Shop Boys - Actually 1:30:43

2M ago1:30:43

1:30:43

Nothing like a healthy dose of synth pop and British government, and that's just what we have this week! Pet Shop Boys' "Actually" is 80s perfection, tackling big issues using outrageously smart songwriting and catchy hooks. The content of "Actually" is still extremely relevant, and this record has aged as well as the Boys themselves. Clever, earne…

1
Ep. 45: Dusty Springfield - Dusty in Memphis 1:24:14

2M ago1:24:14

1:24:14

We've got the silky smooth Swingin' Sixties coming your way this week! Dusty Springfield was a staple of the era, with hits in both the US and the UK. A fixture on the charts and on TV, Dusty's pop vocal stylings ran perpendicular with the rock zeitgeist. But she had a finger on the pulse, and could sense the tide turning in the late 60s. "Dusty in…

1
S2E2: Smooth E-Boy 36:43

2M ago36:43

36:43

On Episode Two, we catch up with Bug Hunter's drummer Kyle Hodgkinson to talk about college hijinks -- and get a couple of song prompts!Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we are challenged to write a song demo from scratch every episode.If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (an…

1
Ep. 44: PJ Harvey - Rid of Me 1:25:18

3M ago1:25:18

1:25:18

Make sure your mouthguard is in, because we're trying to kick some teeth in this week! PJ Harvey had risen to fame rapidly, and that had taken its toll. Having taken some time away to get right, she charged back onto the scene with her second record. With Steve Albini behind the boards, Rid of Me packs all of the punch of peak 90s rock, with the ad…

1
Ep. 43: Louis Prima - The Wildest! 1:18:12

3M ago1:18:12

1:18:12

Get prepped to jump, jive, and wail from start to finish, the EarWax crew is covering The Wildest, Louis Prima! With Keely Smith, Sam Butera, and the Witnesses alongside him, Louis Prima set Las Vegas on fire, five sets a night between 12 AM - 6 AM. The template that Vegas lounge acts would follow, Prima and his crew were going to give you a pro's …

1
S2E1: The Jam McCabin 43:40

3M ago43:40

43:40

And. We. Are. Back! Jam Mechanics returns for season 2 with our first guest prompter (Our longtime collaborator and artist, DeepBlueInk!). In our first episode back we reveal the fate of Jam Mechanics Mansion (Castle?) and reflect on the ocean that separates our two co-hosts Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bu…

1
Ep. 42: Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak 1:14:57

3M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

How many power chords do you have? Because this week we've got plenty to spare! Thin Lizzy had been more or less given one final shot to break big. Despite big creative differences, perhaps a little too much "hydration," and maybe not enough discipline early on, the crew behind Jailbreak all recognized the stakes. Packed with rock radio staples and…

1
Ep. 41: Justice - † 1:16:14

3M ago1:16:14

1:16:14

Hunker down, because we've got a record full of absolute bangers this week. Part electronic, part disco, part hard rock and all teeth, this duo found their footing with a series of remixes, before heading into the basement of an old club and chapel to record what would be their first studio album. Justice's debut album † (Cross) brings the heat. Wi…

1
Jam Mechanics S2 Update & Announcements! 5:33

3M ago5:33

5:33

The Bug Hunter & The Narcissist Cookbook US tour kicks off in June 2024! You can find all the ticket dates and links right here: ⁠https://bughunterbug.com/collections/bug-hunter-and-the-narcissist-cookbook-2024-tour ⁠ We'll be back for SEASON 2 shortly -- Put May 20, 2024 on your calendar! The Jam Mechanics are coming back! If you missed our theme …

1
Ep. 40: Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club 1:03:28

3M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Come on now, you know we got geared up for this one. One of the heaviest hitters in the world music conversation, Buena Vista Social Club's self-titled debut is this week's focus on EarWax! Let's head to Cuba (by way of Mexico, if you're Ry Cooder), find some legendary Cuban musicians, get them in the studio and see what magic unfolds. After their …

1
Ep. 39: Carly Rae Jepsen - E•MO•TION 1:10:27

4M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

We love our shiny, glossy pop albums here on EarWax, and this week we've got one that is among the shiniest and poppiest - Carly Rae Jepsen's "E•MO•TION." After rocketing to the top of the charts with the monster single "Call Me Maybe," Carly Rae Jepsen needed to take some time to figure out where she fit in the pop landscape, and more importantly,…

1
Ep. 38: Muddy Waters - At Newport 1960 1:17:35

4M ago1:17:35

1:17:35

We are heading into familiar territory this week as EarWax revisits the Newport Jazz Festival! Cody and Hilary pick up four years after we last left Newport to tell the tale behind Muddy Waters' incredible live album "At Newport 1960." This record is an absolutely scorching set of blues set against a weekend that was marred by capacity limits, Berm…

1
Ep. 37: Vince Staples - Summertime '06 1:32:52

4M ago1:32:52

1:32:52

Looking for a breezy jam to cruise into the summer season? Nah, we're hitting you with beats, bars, and Vince Staples' debut album. Cody and Hilary talk about our responsibilities as fans, how to respectfully engage with weighty material, and how in the pocket Vince Staples is throughout this whole record. Weaving together a tapestry of matter-of-f…

1
Ep. 36: Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral 1:19:54

4M ago1:19:54

1:19:54

Are you having a wonderful day? Full of joy perhaps? Just really, fully, live/laugh/loving life? Welp, good luck! Hilary and Cody careen through Nine Inch Nails' magnum opus, "The Downward Spiral." Trent Reznor was fully in his bag on this one, and it pushed him into places that would take a good long while to rebound from. What does it say about u…

1
Ep. 35: Rilo Kiley - The Execution of All Things ft. Jeremy Bolm 1:03:32

5M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

Worlds and genres collide as the EarWax crew welcome our first guest onto the show! Post-hardcore meets indie rock as Jeremy Bolm (Touché Amoré, The First Ever Podcast) joins Cody and Hilary to dive into Rilo Kiley's indie masterpiece "The Exection of All Things." This album is where LA meets Omaha, where success meets sustainability, and where Ril…

1
Ep. 34: The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go 1:02:16

5M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Tease your beehive hairdo waaaaaaay up, and put on your most gorgeous flowing dress, the GOAT girl group makes their EarWax debut! Our first 60s record is Motown perfection, although the Supremes' rise to the top was anything but perfect. Ultimately, they became standard bearers for both the label and the genre, and the hits from this record are ab…

1
Ep. 33: Le Tigre - Le Tigre 1:04:42

5M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

Let's dismantle systemic oppression with post-riot grrrl! Hilary and Cody dance and groove to the infectious, crackling first album by Le Tigre. Fronted by the legendary Kathleen Hanna, Le Tigre is a response to the implosion of a movement she championed. Le Tigre talks about all of the stuff you're gonna hear in the riot grrrl scene, but it candy-…

1
S1: Retrospective 55:05

5M ago55:05

55:05

SEASON ONE IS DONE! Let's Celebrate by discussing YOUR favorites (and least favorites), taking audience questions, and showing off some old demos to put Jam Mechanics demos into perspective! Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every …

1
Ep. 32: Shania Twain - Come On Over 1:01:38

5M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Okay...so you need a 32nd episode. Well, let us impress upon you how much we loved covering Shania Twain's ridiculously influential album "Come On Over." Cody and Hilary weave through the career path of the Queen of Country Pop, and all of the struggles and successes that culminated in the making of this album. You want catchy? Got it. Songs built …

1
Ep. 31: Alice Coltrane - Ptah, the El Daoud 54:35

6M ago54:35

54:35

What better way to usher in the Leap Year than to cover an artist who is arguably even more unique? Alice Coltrane is one of the most dynamic names in jazz history. Cody and Hilary explore her journey to this record, and Ptah's journey from ancient Egypt to 1970. This lineup is absolutely stacked with jazz legends, and they are all locked in and ta…

1
S1E10 - The Great Toilet Heist 39:15

6M ago39:15

39:15

On Episode of Ten of Jam Mechanics, we have clearly never played never have I ever. Things come full circle for season 1 and we end things on a cliffhanger (or do we??)Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter)- SPOILERS FOR THIS EPISODE BELOW -BUG'S SONGChallenge: CliffhangerTitle: The HookIt started o…

1
Ep. 30: Flying Lotus - Until The Quiet Comes 1:05:53

6M ago1:05:53

1:05:53

Everyone get real serious...now throw that all away and gear up for a total vibe of an album - Flying Lotus' "Until The Quiet Comes." Cody and Hilary talk about floating bathtubs, lucid dreaming, and Adult Swim. All of these are integral to Flying Lotus, a true master whose talents are on full display on this record. A seamless blend of jazz, hip-h…

1
Ep. 29: D'Angelo - Voodoo 1:09:31

6M ago1:09:31

1:09:31

Light some candles, turn off the lights, and slip into something a bit more...comfortable. We've got a whole vibe this week. Hilary and Cody break down the funk, the grooves, the voice, and the poetry that is D'Angelo and his second album - Voodoo. Chock full of absolute stars, this album's personnel is a who's who of 90s soul, with D'Angelo at the…

1
S1E9: Alpacas Can't Jump 34:48

6M ago34:48

34:48

It's Episode NINE of Jam Mechanics. We learn about Matt's casual relationship with the 5-second rule and Bug forgets to come up with a prompt (don't worry, his wife bails him out!) Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every episode.If…

1
Ep. 28: Bad Brains - Bad Brains 1:07:41

6M ago1:07:41

1:07:41

Make sure you're properly stretched, because this episode is full of backflips, stage dives, and a raucous dose of hardcore royalty. Cody and Hilary explore the dichotomy that is Bad Brains. They are immensely talented musicians who helped shape a genre that relishes in its simplicity. They are furious bursts of faster-than-life music, followed by …

1
Ep. 27: Grace Jones - Nightclubbing 55:45

7M ago55:45

55:45

Grace - a name, an attribute, a vibe, and an attitude. And this week we are covering an artist and album that is all of these and so, so much more. Hilary and Cody put on their sharpest shoulder pads and strike their most stunning poses as they talk about Grace Jones' "Nightclubbing." Full of ambitiously reworked covers and autobiographical origina…

1
S1E8: Burger Stripper 35:36

7M ago35:36

35:36

In this episode, Matt shares some old band names, Bug talks about his burger preferences, and we spread the good news about the internet's saddest raccoon video. Oh, and we write some songs, tooJam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch eve…

1
Ep. 26: Traveling Wilburys - The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 1:02:26

7M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

We're pulling out all the big guns at once for this one. You want legends? Psh, how about five of them? No big deal. Here's a few names you might have heard: Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and George freakin' Harrison. Cody and Hilary chat about this most super of the supergroups; from the storybook way they came together to the bri…

1
Ep. 25: Selena - Amor Prohibido 56:43

7M ago56:43

56:43

We found 1994 so cozy last week that we're staying right there for our twenty-fifth episode! How about a trip down to Texas to visit an absolute icon - Selena! Amor Prohibido is a flashpoint for Tejano music, and a huge influence on Latin music's injection into the pop consciousness. Hilary and Cody talk about the value of "crossing over" onto the …

1
S1E7: Nerd Osmosis 31:29

7M ago31:29

31:29

Episode 7 finds Matt and Bug writing some 4-chord pop songs and talking hedgehogs, Aliens, and Dr. Who. Bug disappoints Reginald Kenneth Dwight in a big way. Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every episode.If you'd like downloadabl…

1
Ep. 24: TLC - CrazySexyCool 1:05:09

7M ago1:05:09

1:05:09

Put on your comfiest baggy pants and unopened-condom-as-accessories, we are talking 90s slo-jams this week! Cody and Hilary weave through the history of one of the top girl groups of all time, and the album that simultaneously solidified their place in the R&B lineage and almost put them out of business. TLC is a group whose collective voice shines…

1
Ep. 23: Judas Priest - Stained Class 1:01:33

7M ago1:01:33

1:01:33

Put on your leather jacket, chaps, hat, vest, and anything else that has studs - EarWax is going metal once again! Hilary and Cody headbang their way through Judas Priest's unbelievably charged record "Stained Class." Acting as the bridge between the godfathers and the new wave of British heavy metal, this album showcases proto-thrash riffs, toweri…

1
S1E6: Oh No, The Bird 37:14

8M ago37:14

37:14

Happy New Year! On our 6th episode of Jam Mechanics, we go down memory lane (way, WAY down memory lane). Get your new Calendars pinned up and mark "Jam Mechanics" for every other Monday. Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every epis…

1
Ep. 22: Beck - Midnite Vultures 1:06:19

8M ago1:06:19

1:06:19

We are back and getting crazy with the Cheez Wiz! This week we are taking on the smorgasbord of sounds and genres contained within Beck's "Midnite Vultures." Hilary and Cody jump headfirst into this amalgamation that somehow sounds like the weirdest party album you'll hear. Beck is in full control of the show, and the result is a fascinating look i…

1
Ep. 21: Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas 1:14:17

8M ago1:14:17

1:14:17

Ho-ho-holy good grief, we have a truly special one this week! Hilary and Cody unwrap the story behind a legendary holiday album - A Charlie Brown Christmas. Ever wonder who those kids are on the recording? They're just kids, of course! Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson understood the necessity for authenticity. This soundtrack has transcended beyond…

1
S1E5: Give Me Cash For These Pants 34:36

8M ago34:36

34:36

On the 5th episode of Jam Mechanics, we make amends to Bug for all the lost ice breakers. This is as close to a "Holiday Episode" as we get, and we almost got it right!Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (The Narcissist Cookbook) and Bug (Bug Hunter) where we challenge each other to write a song demo from scratch every episode.If you'd like d…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Amoeba Music Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide