RECOMMENDATIONS
Stu Whiffen’s top 5 music podcasts
As a huge music fan I’ve always been interested in learning as much as I can about it, whether it’s how specific songs were made, what influenced my favourite artists or how music can elevate a film or TV show. Lucky for me there are hundreds of music podcasts out there that cover every area of the industry. Here are five of my favourites…
Song Exploder
Song Exploder is for people that like to know the nuts and bolts. Artists break their songs down to the individual tracks and instruments from a recording, and then tell listeners exactly how a track was made. Host Hrishikesh Hirway asks some of the most well-known musicians in the world about specific decisions that created their most well-known tracks. Hrishikesh actually removes his side of the conversation, so what we hear is a story of how the guests brought their songs to life. Guests include some of the biggest names across all genres: Fleetwood Mac, Billie Eilish, U2, Metallica, Solange, Lorde, Yo-Yo Ma, The Roots, Bon Iver, and more. Listen now on Acast >>
Sodajerker On Songwriting
This show is created and hosted by Simon Barber and Brian O’Connor, otherwise known as the songwriting team Sodajerker. There are hundreds of episodes devoted to the art and craft of songwriting. Simon and Brian have interviewed some of the most successful songwriters in the world – from Burt Bacharach talking about bringing songs to life with arrangement, to the one and only Sir Paul McCartney giving us an insight to his process. Listen now on Acast >>
Soundtracking with Edith Bowman
We’ve interviewed Edith Bowman about her passion podcast. In Soundtracking, she sits down with a variety of film directors, actors, producers and composers to talk about the music that inspired them and how they use music in their films, from their current release to key moments in their career. The actual soundtrack is woven into the interview and it’s a really interesting listen. Edith’s spoken to some of the greats: Trent Reznor, Sofia Coppola, Tim Roth, Ben Wheatley and many more. Listen now on Acast >>
Desert Island Discs
Not only is Desert Island Disks a British institution but it’s still one of the best music interview-style podcasts out there. It’s been through a few hosts over the years, but currently Lauren Laverne is in charge. You all know the formula by now: you get eight tracks, a book and a luxury to take to a desert island – what do you choose? Many guests have talked about the soundtrack of their lives, including Ricky Gervais, Yoko Ono, Bruce Springsteen, Dame Judi Dench and so many more… the back-catalogue goes back to the 1970s! Listen now on Acast >>
Off The Beat And Track
I couldn’t complete the list without shouting about my own podcast, could I? It’s released through fellow Pod Bible co-founder Scroobius Pip’s Distraction Pieces Network and for each episode, I ask my guest to pick seven songs which have sound tracked their own creative journey. We hear what the songs mean to them, and what they are reminders of, from growing up to their clubbing days and so much more. I have spoken to some fantastic guests including Foo Fighters, Motley Crue, Idles, Fatboy Slim, Suede, Chic, Sleaford Mods andPublic Enemy. Listen now on Acast >>
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Do you agree with Stu’s choices? Let us know on Twitter, or get in touch at info@podbiblemag.com if you want to recommend your own top 5 music podcasts.
