Best Synth History Podcasts (2025)

1
Sinead O'Connor 'Nothing Compares To U' 6:30

16h ago6:30

6:30

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story behind Sinead O'Connor's iconic ballad "Nothing Compares 2 U". Originally written by Prince in just under an hour, the song didn't quite fit with his image at the time and was instead recorded by a group called The Family. It wasn't until Sinead O'Connor's hauntingly beautiful rendition in 1990 th…

1
🎥 Talkabout 26: Good Game Devs are Rare (with James Thomas) 31:49

2d ago31:49

31:49

Walkabout Mini Golf creator Lucas Martell and Lead Tech Artist Chase Shields are joined by James Thomas (Assoc. Tech Director of Rare), where they discuss live service game development, the success of Sea of Thieves and the power of community perception! ⛳

1
Queen 'Somebody to Love' 6:51

8d ago6:51

6:51

Join us on this episode as we delve into the captivating story behind Queen's iconic track, "Somebody To Love," released in 1976. Discover why this particular song holds a special place in Freddie Mercury's heart, making it his personal favorite within the band's extensive repertoire. During the mid-70s, Queen established themselves as a prominent …

1
Joe Jackson 'Steppin' Out' 5:34

15d ago5:34

5:34

Join us in this episode of our podcast as we dive into the captivating story behind one of Joe Jackson's iconic tracks, "Steppin' Out." Released in 1982, this song showcases Jackson's unique ability to blend genres and create a sound that resonates with listeners even decades later. The tale begins with the birth of David Ian Jackson in 1954, into …

1
Ep54: October 1980 (pt.2) 1:23:01

20d ago1:23:01

1:23:01

The lads continue their examination of October 1980 with debuts from Bauhaus, Killing Joke and U2. Plus, has J discovered his new favorite "Post-punk Country Death Rock" album? Listen to the full playlist on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Gsh93r Email us at [email protected].

1
The Beatles 'Strawberry Fields Forever' 5:12

22d ago5:12

5:12

Welcome to our podcast, where we take a deep dive into the story behind The Beatles' classic song, 'Strawberry Fields Forever'. This song marked a turning point for the band, both in terms of their musical style and their creative process. After completing the album 'Revolver', the band started working on their next project, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely H…

1
🎥 Talkabout 25: Fore-Handed Thinking with Playin Games 31:49

22d ago31:49

31:49

N/A

1
🎥 Talkabout 24: Putting even more Awe in Mini G(awe)lf — Part 2 21:30

26d ago21:30

21:30

In part 2 of our conversation with Michael Frederickson, Principal Technical Artist at Pixar Animation Studios (Coco, Inside Out, Up, Luca, Cars 2) and Walkabout Mini Golf superfan, he and senior art director Don Carson continue climbing the tree and mantle in Holiday Hideaway. In this episode, they talk about riffing in environmental design, inten…

1
Texas 'Say what you want' 5:48

29d ago5:48

5:48

Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we take you behind the scenes of some iconic songs. Today, we have a backstage pass to the story behind "Say what you want" by Texas, a track that changed everything for the band back in 1997. In this episode, we delve into the journey of Sharleen Spiteri, the lead singer of Texas, and how "Say what you…

1
🎥 Talkabout 23: Putting the Awe in Mini G(awe)lf — Part 1 46:12

29d ago46:12

46:12

For this special two-part Walkabout Talkabout, Lucas Martell and senior art director Don Carson are joined by Michael Frederickson, Principal Technical Artist at Pixar Animation Studios and Walkabout Mini Golf superfan. As they climb the tree in Holiday Hideaway, they talk about the Pixar production process, environmental storytelling, how VR can h…

1
Ep53: October 1980 (pt.1) 1:22:53

1M ago1:22:53

1:22:53

In the first of four parts, R+J tackle the very formidable tenth month of 1980 with debuts by the Circle Jerks and INXS, among others. Listen to the full playlist on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Gsh93r Email us at [email protected].

1
Eric Clapton 'Wonderful Tonight' 5:23

1M ago5:23

5:23

Join us in this episode as we dive into the captivating story behind one of Eric Clapton's most iconic songs, "Wonderful Tonight." Released in 1977, this timeless ballad carries a tale of love, rivalry, and heartbreak that shaped the life of the legendary guitarist. During the late 1960s, Clapton was hailed as one of the greatest rock guitarists of…

1
Talkabout #22: The Red Fraggle Meets the Worm... Karen Prell! 44:06

1M ago44:06

44:06

Our 22nd episode of Walkabout Talkabouts features the puppeteer of Red Fraggle from Fraggle Rock and The Worm from Labyrinth herself... Karen Prell! Watch as she tries out the new Fraggle Rock avatars and goes back to Labyrinth to discuss Jim Henson, Muppets, and being a computer animator on Portal 2.…

1
Radiohead 'Creep' 5:58

1M ago5:58

5:58

In this episode, we unravel the captivating story behind the iconic track "Creep" by the renowned band Radiohead. From its humble origins, composed in a student's room, to its meteoric rise as a 90s anthem, this episode traces the captivating narrative of the song's evolution and reception. As we delve into the backstory, we discover how the lead v…

1
Chris De Burgh 'The Lady In Red' 6:01

2M ago6:01

6:01

Join us in this episode as we uncover the captivating story behind the iconic track "Lady in Red" by the renowned artist Chris de Burgh. With a global album sales record exceeding 40 million, Chris de Burgh's journey from his international upbringing to his musical breakthrough is a tale of resilience and passion. Born in Argentina to a diplomat fa…

1
Phil Collins 'Easy Lover' 6:12

2M ago6:12

6:12

Welcome to "The Backstage Pass," where we unlock the captivating tales behind musical masterpieces. In this episode, we turn our spotlight on the genre-defying hit "Easy Lover" by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey, released in 1984. Our journey begins in Denver, where Philip Bailey's soulful roots take shape. From singing in his local church every Sun…

1
BONUS: Pop? Quiz? (Sept-Aug 1980) 1:23:15

2M ago1:23:15

1:23:15

Tony returns to stump R+J with a bunch of August-September 1980 related questions. Email us at [email protected].

1
Al Stewart 'Year Of The Cat' 7:03

2M ago7:03

7:03

Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat" (1976) - In this episode, we explore the story behind Al Stewart's hit song "Year of the Cat." Despite its title, the song has little to do with Vietnamese astrology. Instead, it's teeming with references to one of the great moments in cinema history: the film Casablanca. Join us as we delve into the creative process …

1
Talkabout #21: Crackin' Cheezy Crazy Golf with Aardman, Wallace and Gromit! 41:40

2M ago41:40

41:40

Finbar Hawkins, Creative Director of Interactive and Bram Ttwheam, Head of Post and at Aardman meet Walkabout Mini golf creator Lucas Martell at 62 West Wallaby Street to talkabout all things Wallace and Gromit, cheese, tea, contraptions, and very crazy golf. Find out how Mighty Coconut collaborated with UK's beloved animation studio to bring this …

1
David Bowie 'Let's Dance' 6:48

2M ago6:48

6:48

Welcome to a musical journey through the dazzling resurgence of the iconic David Bowie, marked by the chart-topping anthem that dominated both sides of the Atlantic in 1983. In this episode, we unravel the untold story behind the song that heralded Bowie's triumphant return - 'Let's Dance.' As Bowie grapples with personal demons, including a cocain…

1
Electric Light Orchestra 'Mr Blue Sky' 6:50

3M ago6:50

6:50

Discover the story behind Mr. Blue Sky, the pop rock classic by Electric Light Orchestra. Released in 1977, this song story blends classical influences, rock instrumentation, and unexpected studio tricks—from guitar solos to a fire extinguisher! Learn how Jeff Lynne, often called the Fifth Beatle, crafted this backstage pass to pure joy, inspired b…

1
Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black' 6:04

3M ago6:04

6:04

Explore the story behind Back to Black, Amy Winehouse’s iconic 2007 hit. Struggling with heartbreak and addiction, Amy transformed her pain into this pop rock classic, blending soulful vocals, indie vibes, and raw emotion. Despite an 18-month creative block, her turbulent relationship with Blake Fielder became the catalyst for one of the most power…

1
Kate Bush 'Wuthering Heights' 5:58

3M ago5:58

5:58

Step into the story behind Wuthering Heights, the ethereal hit that launched Kate Bush to stardom. Discover how a young indie voice with a backstage pass to musical greatness caught the attention of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. From her family farm to London’s music scene, Kate overcame early doubts to craft a unique song inspired by Emily Brontë’s …

1
BONUS: Notable EPs of 1980 (pt.1) 1:21:57

3M ago1:21:57

1:21:57

Join the lads as the they examine the debut EPs from Oingo Boingo and the Payola$. Email us at [email protected].

1
Talkabout #20: A Strong History of Playing A Round 27:13

3M ago27:13

27:13

Andrew Borman, Director of Digital Preservation and Christopher Bensch, VP for Collections at the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York join David Wyatt, Mighty Coconut's head of business strategy to talk about the transformative nature of play, a museum full of toys, video game culture, and "Playful Putters: The History of Miniature Golf", …

1
Kasser Synths 41:01

3M ago41:01

41:01

Let's talk with Abraham/Kasser Synths about renting video games, the meaning of art, and just how many displays you can fit on one device. Their products include the DAFM Genesis, Arcade and Blaster FM synthesizers. Kasser Synths Website https://kassersynths.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kassersynths/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Bra…

1
Keane 'Everybody's changing' 5:28

3M ago5:28

5:28

Keane’s "Everybody’s Changing" is a story behind perseverance. From their small-town roots in Battle to London’s music scene, the trio struggled through setbacks, financial strain, and rejection. Returning home in doubt, they found inspiration and created the song that changed everything. Discover how this indie hit became a defining moment in pop …

1
Queen 'A Kind Of Magic' 6:13

4M ago6:13

6:13

Join us on a captivating journey through time as we unveil the backstage secrets behind one of Queen's iconic tracks, 'A Kind of Magic,' released in 1986. In this episode, we delve into the enchanting tale behind the song and its significant role as part of the soundtrack for the epic film Highlander. Picture yourself amidst the misty Scottish high…

1
Rainy Day Electronic Instruments 38:48

4M ago38:48

38:48

Let's talk with Toby Hendricks/Rainy Day Electronic Instruments about lesser-known hip-hop, demonic Speak & Spells and weather adjacent, touch modulated, glitchy beat machines. His products include the Hailstorm percussion sequencer. Rainy Day Electronic Instruments Instagram - Otem Rellik https://www.instagram.com/otem_rellik/ Instagram - Rainy Da…

1
David Bowie 'Life on Mars' 5:36

4M ago5:36

5:36

Welcome to the podcast where we dive into the fascinating story behind one of David Bowie's most iconic songs, 'Life on Mars'. Our tale begins in 1968 when Bowie was seeking success and was asked to work on the English adaptation of 'Comme d'habitude', the song performed by French artist Claude François. Despite his initial interest in working on t…

1
George Michael 'Freedom' 7:14

4M ago7:14

7:14

Welcome to our podcast, where we'll explore the fascinating story behind one of the biggest hits of the 1990s, George Michael's "Freedom". Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in 1963 in the south of England, George Michael was the son of an English mother and a Cypriot father who changed his name to Jack Michael to better fit in with the local commun…

1
Cheerful Electronic 47:50

4M ago47:50

47:50

Let's talk with Maarten Janssen/Cheerful Electronic about 1980's computers, electronic crickets and old Yamaha FM sound chips. His creations include the OPL2 Audio Board and the OPL Studio. Cheerful Electronic Github https://github.com/DhrBaksteen Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/cheerfulelectronic.bsky.social⁠ Store https://www.tindie.com/stores/c…

1
Eurythmics 'Miracle of Love' 6:32

4M ago6:32

6:32

In this podcast, we'll delve into the story behind one of Eurythmics' most beautiful and poignant songs, "Miracle of Love". We'll explore the origins of the song, its lyrical and musical themes, and the creative process that went into making it a hit. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart's backgrounds couldn't be more different. Annie, a classically train…

1
Roxy Music 'More Than This' 5:20

4M ago5:20

5:20

The story behind the Roxy Music song 'More Than This' starts with the band's frontman Brian Ferry. Growing up in Newcastle, England, Ferry's parents wanted him to become a lawyer, but he had other plans. He developed a passion for music and would often distribute the famous magazine Melody Maker to immerse himself in the industry. He later formed R…

1
Infinite Digits 51:51

5M ago51:51

51:51

Let's talk with Zack Scholl/Infinite Digits about primitive AI jazz, slicing and dicing samples, and turning software into hardware. His creations include the nyblecore, picocore, zeptocore, ectocore and an imense assortment of scripts for the monome norns. Github https://github.com/schollz⁠ Instagram https://instagram.com/infinitedigits⁠ Store htt…

1
Ep52: September 1980 (pt. 2) 1:21:38

5M ago1:21:38

1:21:38

M+J pull out the big guns for the case that September 1980 qualifies as one of the greatest months for Punk and New Wave with releases from the likes of XTC, the Dead Kennedys, Simple Minds and Comsat Angels. Listen to the full playlist on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/40eoP0G Email us at [email protected].…

1
Sade 'Your Love Is King' 5:08

5M ago5:08

5:08

In this podcast, we delve into the story behind Sade's iconic song 'Your Love Is King'. We explore the early life of the woman behind the music, Sade Adu, who was not always the confident, sultry artist we know today. Despite her shyness, Sade occasionally worked as a model while studying. One day, while on campus, she meets a group of students who…

1
Dexys Midnight Runners ‘Come on Eileen' 5:30

5M ago5:30

5:30

Join us on this episode as we delve into the story behind the hit song "Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners. The song's origins trace back to Kevin Rowland, the band's enigmatic leader, who had a tumultuous adolescence marred by violence and drug use. However, through the guitar, he found a new sense of direction and discovered a love for roc…

1
Ep51: September 1980 (pt.1) 1:23:15

5M ago1:23:15

1:23:15

For us, September has been the most anticipated month of 1980. Was it worth the wait? M+J think so! Listen to the full playlist on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/40eoP0G Email us at [email protected].

1
Elton John 'Crocodile Rock' 5:38

5M ago5:38

5:38

In this episode, we delve into the captivating story behind one of Elton John's most iconic tracks - Crocodile Rock. Released in 1972, this timeless song became the first of many chart-topping hits for the legendary Sir Elton John in the United States. Crocodile Rock stands out in Elton John's extensive discography with its irresistible fifties roc…

1
Queen 'Thank God It's Christmas' 6:29

5M ago6:29

6:29

In this festive episode of The Backstage Pass, we dive into the magic behind Queen's iconic holiday single, "Thank God It's Christmas." Released in 1984, this song has become a beloved anthem for the season, but its creation story might surprise you. Join us as we explore how the legendary quartet—Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon, and the incom…

1
Texas ‘Summer Son' 5:32

6M ago5:32

5:32

"Summer Son" by Texas is a catchy and upbeat pop-rock song that was released in 1999 and became a big hit in the UK and beyond. But do you know the story behind the song and the band's lead singer Sharleen Spiteri? In this episode, we'll dive into Sharleen's early years as a hairdresser and her struggles to find her true passion in music. We'll als…

1
Dave Stewart ‘Lily Was Here' 5:47

6M ago5:47

5:47

Candy Dulfer had started playing the saxophone at the age of six, inspired by her father Hans Dulfer, a renowned jazz saxophonist in the Netherlands. By the time she was 14, she was already playing with her father's band and attracting attention with her impressive skills on the instrument. It was in 1987 that Dave Stewart first heard Candy Dulfer …

1
Paul McCartney ‘Live And Let Die' 5:05

6M ago5:05

5:05

In the early 1970s, Paul McCartney was at the peak of his solo career following the breakup of the Beatles. At the same time, the James Bond franchise was thriving and looking for a new theme song for their upcoming film "Live and Let Die." McCartney had always dreamed of writing a song for James Bond, but the opportunity had never presented itself…

1
Amy Winehouse 'Rehab' 5:21

6M ago5:21

5:21

It's 2005, and Amy Winehouse has already had a small national success with her first album, "Frank." However, her demons are beginning to take hold, and her manager feels that she needs to go to rehab. He approaches her with the offer, but Amy is clear: No, no, no, she will not go to rehab. The song, which was released in 2006 as part of Amy's seco…

1
Peter Gabriel 'Sledgehammer' 6:19

7M ago6:19

6:19

In 1986, Peter Gabriel released one of his most successful songs, "Sledgehammer". The music video, directed by Stephen R. Johnson, is particularly famous for its use of stop-motion animation and claymation techniques. The song itself is an ode to the soul music of the 1960s, and specifically the work of Otis Redding, whom Gabriel has cited as a maj…

1
Ep50: August 1980 (pt.2) 1:20:47

7M ago1:20:47

1:20:47

R+J wrap up August 1980 with 7 more albums from the likes of the Cars, the Brains, Any Trouble, the Diodes and Polyrock. Listen to the full playlist on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YDRz1W Email us at [email protected].

1
Frankie Goes To Hollywood 'The Power Of Love' 7:09

7M ago7:09

7:09

Trevor Horn was impressed by Frankie Goes To Hollywood when he heard them on a radio show. He decided to produce their first single, "Relax," which became a massive hit in the UK. The band's second single, "Two Tribes," also topped the charts, and their third single, "The Power of Love," became another number one hit. The song was originally writte…

1
Stretch 'Why did you do it?' 5:26

7M ago5:26

5:26

Step into the intriguing world of Rock'n Roll's most notorious swindle as we delve into the captivating story behind the song "Why Did You Do It?" by Stretch, released in 1975. Join us as we uncover the chain of events that led to this audacious move and explore the impact it had on the music industry. In the late 1960s, Fleetwood Mac stood tall as…

1
Episode 6 - A Gospel Woman 31:38

7M ago31:38

31:38

https://www.patreon.com/Witch_Hunt This episode tells the story of Martha Corey, the fourth person accused of witchcraft. She was the wife of Giles Corey who is famously known for being crushed under a door while asking for “more weight”. The accusations against Martha marked the beginning of a dramatic escalation of the hysteria. The first three w…

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