Best Musichistory Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 217: Dianogah 1:37:06

7h ago1:37:06

1:37:06

Jay Ryan and Jason Harvey, bassists for the Chicago-area trio Dianogah, describe the route to -- and surprise release of -- their new, career-spanning 5LP box set. Visit landland.bandcamp.com to order this limited pressing, and follow @dianogah_official on Instagram for more updates.By Jim Hanke; Dianogah; Jason Harvey; Jay Ryan

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Ep. 16 : Key_Changes_&_Modulation_Part_2 23:53

9d ago23:53

23:53

Send us a text 🎶 Welcome to "Key Changes and Modulation Part 2" – a deep dive into one of music theory’s most expressive tools! In this episode, we explore advanced concepts behind key changes and modulation, building on the foundational principles from Part 1. Perfect for music theorists, music students, educators, everyday musicians, and professi…

1
Episode 216: Sean Nelson of Harvey Danger 1:31:22

13d ago1:31:22

1:31:22

Harvey Danger vocalist Sean Nelson makes a good case for his group being, in his words, "the last band through the door" of the alternative revolution: Though the quartet went gold thanks to the frenetic, inescapable "Flagpole Sitta" as the nineties closed, the landscape for them (and cohorts such as Cake, Semisonic or Fastball) would look much dif…

1
Episode 215: Minus the Bear on “Menos El Oso,” Track-By-Track 1:40:11

28d ago1:40:11

1:40:11

After 15+ years on the road, Seattle's Minus the Bear said goodbye in 2018... but not for long. Marking two decades since the release of their second album, Menos El Oso -- heralded by both critics and fans alike -- the five-piece are back this year to play the album in full across the country. A sprawling, math-rock masterclass, Menos takes listen…

1
Ep. 15 : Key_Changes_and_Modulation 29:00

1M ago29:00

29:00

Send us a text In this episode of The Harmonious Blacksmith, we dive deep into key changes and modulation—two fundamental concepts that every musician, music theorist, and music student should understand. Whether you're a guitarist, pianist, or composer, mastering key changes can elevate your compositions and performances. We'll explore different t…

1
Episode 214: Bob Mould 1:07:39

1M ago1:07:39

1:07:39

On the heels of a fiery new album (Here We Go Crazy), influential indie icon Bob Mould reflects on how record store culture informed Hüsker Dü's formation and why the jukebox singles of his youth still help him get out of the occasional songwriting stalemate. Visit bobmould.com for tour dates, social media and more.…

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SECOND SPIN: Tommy Prine (August 2023) 46:55

2M ago46:55

46:55

This is an encore presentation of a previous episode, originally airing in August 2023. --- The two sounds Tommy Prine says he remembers most growing up were having the AM radio on or his father (renowned singer/songwriter John Prine) workshopping tunes at the kitchen table. Journeying through adolescence, his eclecticism later manifested through a…

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Episode 213: Adam Richman (Man v. Food) 1:07:53

2M ago1:07:53

1:07:53

Long before Hot Ones became a viral sensation, there was Man v. Food. Over four seasons on the Travel Channel, host Adam Richman cruised the country going toe-to-toe with fiery chicken wings, monster-sized pizzas, pizza-sized burgers and more. Though the Brooklyn native demolished eating challenges that boggled both the mind and the belly, the hear…

1
Ep. 14: Improvisation_Part_2 25:00

2M ago25:00

25:00

Send us a text Welcome to The Harmonious Blacksmith, your go-to podcast for mastering music theory and unlocking the secrets of musical improvisation. In this episode, Ep.14 Improvisation_Part_2, we dive deeper into the art of improvisation and how to apply essential music theory principles on the fly. Whether you’re a music student, a professional…

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Episode 212: Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy 54:03

3M ago54:03

54:03

Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon (Knives Out, The Shape of Water, Boardwalk Empire, Groundhog Day) and acclaimed musician Jason Narducy (Split Single, Bob Mould Band, Superchunk, Verböten) discuss their friendship through song, and their current tour performing Fables of the Reconstruction -- R.E.M.'s third album -- which celebrates its 40th a…

1
Ep. 13: Improvisation_Part_1 27:51

3M ago27:51

27:51

Send us a text Episode 13: Improvisation_Part_1 – Unlock the Secrets of Music Theory & Improvisation Welcome to Episode 13 of our music theory podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into improvisation, a critical skill for musicians and composers alike. Whether you're a seasoned music theorist, a music student, or simply a music theory enthusiast, …

1
Episode 211: Eef Barzelay (Clem Snide) 1:06:14

3M ago1:06:14

1:06:14

Championed over the years by the likes of Americana superstar Scott Avett and music mogul Seymour Stein, the music of Clem Snide mainstay Eef Barzelay has become an optimistic, yet matter-of-fact touchstone in a weary world, whether crafting his own musings or covering the inspirational hits of Journey. NPR dubs him "the most underrated songwriter …

1
Ep. 12: Arpeggios 28:40

3M ago28:40

28:40

Send us a text In this episode of The Harmonious Blacksmith, we dive deep into the world of arpeggios, a cornerstone concept in music theory that every music student, theorist, and music theory enthusiast should master. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced musician, understanding the mechanics of arpeggios is crucial for improving your musical …

1
Ep. 11: Season_1_Review/Season_2_Preview 24:31

4M ago24:31

24:31

Send us a text In this special episode of our Music Theory Podcast, we dive deep into a comprehensive Season 1 Review and provide an exciting Season 2 Preview. Whether you're a passionate music theorist, a dedicated music student, or a seasoned musician, this episode is packed with valuable insights and analysis that will help you elevate your unde…

1
Episode 210: Jeff Parker (ETA IVtet / Tortoise) 1:02:58

4M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

With high marks from The New York Times, Pitchfork and more -- plus overwhelming support from the indie record store community -- Jeff Parker's latest album The Way Out of Easy is inarguably one of the most discussed and heralded jazz LP's of the 2000's. Fully improvisational and recorded live to tape with the ETA IVtet, monikered after Parker and …

1
Ep. 10: Keys_and_The_Circle_Of_Fifths 30:56

5M ago30:56

30:56

Send us a text Podcast Episode: Keys and The Circle of Fifths In this episode of our music theory podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of musical keys and the Circle of Fifths, two fundamental concepts every musician, composer, and music student must understand. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, mastering the Circle of Fi…

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Episode 209: Atmosphere (Slug & Ant) 1:13:40

5M ago1:13:40

1:13:40

In 1995, a fervent and wry rapper (Sean Daley, aka Slug) and a dexterous deejay (Anthony Davis; Ant for short) helped co-found a platform to help put Midwest -- and more precisely, Minnesotan -- hip-hop on the map. Three decades later, Rhymesayers Entertainment is one of the most popular and influential modern rap labels in existence, releasing sem…

1
Ep. 9: Ear Training_Part_1: Intervals 29:07

5M ago29:07

29:07

Send us a text In Ear Training_Part_1: Intervals, we dive deep into the foundational concepts of ear training and intervals, tailored specifically for beginner music theorists and aspiring musicians. Whether you're a guitar player looking to improve your aural skills, a music student starting your journey in music theory, or simply seeking to sharp…

1
Ep. 8: Chord Progressions(Part 2-With Review) 25:36

5M ago25:36

25:36

Send us a text Podcast Episode Title: Chord Progressions | Unlocking the Secrets of Harmony in Music Theory In this episode of [Podcast Name], we dive deep into the fascinating world of chord progressions and their pivotal role in music theory. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced musician, understanding chord progressions is key to unlocking t…

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Episode 208: LIVE! with Craig Finn of The Hold Steady 58:48

5M ago58:48

58:48

Bruce Springsteen once said that the secret to good songwriting was striking a balance between the personal and the universal: Get specific with people and locations first before shading in the rest with the kinds of generalities that make your listener relate, and hopefully, feel something. Craig Finn -- leader of the rough-and-ready, Grammy-nomin…

1
Ep. 7: All About Minor 30:59

5M ago30:59

30:59

Send us a text All About Minor Scales – A Complete Guide to Minor Scales in Music Theory Welcome to this deep dive into minor scales! In this episode, we explore everything you need to know about minor scales in music theory. Whether you're a musician, music educator, or guitar player, understanding the minor scale is essential for mastering music …

1
Ep. 6: All About Scales(Part 2) 27:44

6M ago27:44

27:44

Send us a text All About Scales Part 2 | Music Theory Podcast In All About Scales Part 2, we continue our comprehensive exploration of scales in music theory. Whether you're a music theorist, music educator, musician, or music student, this episode dives deeper into the complexities of scale construction, modal theory, and how scales shape harmony,…

1
Episode 207: Superdrag's John Davis 1:08:52

6M ago1:08:52

1:08:52

Between his father's banjo picking and his mother's love of Motown, Superdrag's John Davis eventually began writing tunes that would channel Stax's classic soul and Big Star-adjacent power-pop through the blurred guitar wall of My Bloody Valentine -- an eventual blueprint for the band's cult classic debut album Regretfully Yours in 1996. But betwee…

1
Ep. 5: Triads and Chords(Part 2) 30:05

6M ago30:05

30:05

Send us a text Triads and Chords Part 2 | Music Theory Podcast Welcome to Triads and Chords Part 2 on the Music Theory Podcast! In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the world of triads and chords, building on the foundational concepts covered in Part 1. Whether you're a music theorist, music educator, musician, or music student, this epi…

1
Ep. 4: Chords and Chord Progressions 30:09

6M ago30:09

30:09

Send us a text Chords and Chord Progressions Part 1 | Music Theory Podcast Welcome to the Music Theory Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of chords and chord progressions, essential concepts for any music theorist, musician, music educator, or music student. Understanding chords and how they move through progressions is k…

1
Episode 206: DC Glenn of Tag Team ("Whoomp! There It Is") 1:14:05

6M ago1:14:05

1:14:05

On a random night in August 1992, while DJ'ing at an Atlanta strip club, Cecil Glenn pops in a tape he and his musical counterpart Steve Gibson have been working on. Influenced by the pulsing Miami Bass scene, it's also layered with fast-paced Georgia swagger and an infectious call-and-response chorus. Immediately, patrons rush Cecil's audio booth …

1
Ep. 1: The Beginnings of Music Theory 15:36

6M ago15:36

15:36

Send us a text The Beginnings of Music Theory | Music Theory Podcast In this episode of THE HARMONIOUS BLACKSMITH, we explore The Beginnings of Music Theory, taking a historical journey through the roots of musical thought and structure. Whether you're a music theorist, music educator, musician, or music student, understanding the origins of music …

1
Ep. 3: Triads and Chords(Part 1) 31:08

6M ago31:08

31:08

Send us a text Triads and Chords Part 1 | Music Theory Podcast In this episode of the Music Theory Podcast, we explore the foundational concepts of triads and chords—key elements in Western music theory. Whether you're a music theorist, music educator, musician, or music student, understanding triads and chords is essential for mastering harmony, c…

1
Ep. 2: All About Scales(Part 1) 31:08

6M ago31:08

31:08

Send us a text All About Scales Part 1 | Music Theory Podcast In this episode of our Music Theory Podcast, we dive deep into the fundamental building blocks of music: scales. Whether you're a music theorist, music educator, musician, or music student, understanding scales is crucial for mastering music theory. All About Scales Part 1 covers the cor…

1
THBS_Preview_Episode_0 1:44

7M ago1:44

1:44

Send us a text This is a preview of my upcoming Music Theory Podcast titled: 'The Harmonious Blacksmith'. Launches on Friday, October 25th, 2024. Subscribe now! Episodes will be released Weekly on Fridays. Support the show Linear Music Theory Learning For Everyone!By Kevin Patrick Fleming

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SECOND SPIN: Amythyst Kiah (January 2022) 58:42

7M ago58:42

58:42

This is an encore presentation of a previous episode, originally airing in January 2022. --- Championed by some today’s biggest names on the fringes of country music, singer/songwriter Amythyst Kiah released her breakthrough album Wary + Strange in 2021 to rave reviews. Upon its release, Pitchfork dubbed the record “an intensely personal document (…

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Episode 205: Smoking Popes 1:26:30

7M ago1:26:30

1:26:30

It’s not out of bounds to say that the Smoking Popes began as a bit of a joke. Vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Josh Caterer deems the earliest incarnation of the band as “a Spinal Tap version of hardcore punk,” choosing song titles first and how those songs would actually go later. But after finding a propulsive drummer in a teenage Mike Felumle…

1
Episode 204: The Get Up Kids' Rob Pope & Jim Suptic 1:03:08

8M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Today's guests are more than just bandmates. Friends since the first grade -- with matching tattoos to boot -- being founding members of the influential Kansas collective The Get Up Kids has taken Rob Pope and Jim Suptic (along with Matt Pryor and Rob's brother Ryan) to seemingly every corner of the world since their 1995 formation. This year marks…

1
Episode 203: Matthew Caws of Nada Surf 1:17:07

8M ago1:17:07

1:17:07

Not everyone can say that both their first and last jobs were behind the counter of a record store. But that's how things ended up for Matthew Caws, before his beloved power-pop act Nada Surf became his main gig in the mid-2000's. Shifting time between New York City and Paris growing up, he points to an eclectic list of influences (classical, disco…

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