Ben talks about learning a new recording process during the pandemic, on the influences of David Byrne and how underrated Byrne is as a lyricist, and how honoured Ben is to work with the wonderful Josephine Stephenson on an upcoming opera.

Check out more of Ben's music at http://ben-osborn.com/ 

And put 15 April in your diary for the new EP. We'll review it on the show in the future.

A bunch of stuff on this packed episode with the guys. Yes, while this is a music podcast, none of us can avoid what's going on in the world at the moment, so Ashley and Chris spend a bit of time in the beginning talking about that and the sadness of it all. Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine.

But to try and celebrate Ukraine a bit, Ashley mentions some of the wonderful Ukrainian music he's been listening to including Postman, Me'Leron, Poweder Echo, Mandarinaduck, House of Flowers, and Jinjer (by Chris' request). Big shout out to The Quietus for their excellent article around Ukrainian music, and to Rolling Stone for their feature. Check them out.

The special guest this week is Chris himself, who talks about getting out gigging again, the energy he's gotten from as we emerge from COVID lockdowns, and where we can check out Weinhardt going forward.

Plus, we mention the latest music news of Epic Games acquiring Bandcamp (read more here), and the tracks that have caught our attention including Ed Sheeran, xxxtenacion, and Sabaton

Music featured on the episode this week:

Powder Echo - https://powderecho.bandcamp.com/album/bung

Mandarinaduck - https://mandarinaduck.bandcamp.com/album/long-life

Me'Leron - https://meleron.bandcamp.com/album/r

Postman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXlPVhm4HDI

House of Flowers - https://hofbandukraine.bandcamp.com/releases

Jinjer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQNtGoM3FVU

Stormtroopers - YouTube

Ed Sheeran - Overpass Graffiti [Official Video] - YouTube

what are you so afraid of - YouTube

In this bonus edition of BPM Pod, Chris reviews, comments on the use of, and demos the Line 6 HX Stomp XL - a multi-effects guitar pedal, which is the smaller version of the Line 6 Helix unit.

Say goodbye to ridiculous amps, hundreds of pedals, and a bunch of cables and potential gig issues. Say hello to everything combined in one small, handy, sturdy box. 

Find out more here: https://www.thomann.de/gb/line6_hx_stomp_xl.htm

On this edition, Ashley takes the reins for a solo podcast, reviewing the sublime debut album from Lisa Akuah titled 'Outgrowing Nymph' (out 25 February wherever you find good music).

Plus, Ashley celebrates the music that has caught his attention recently, including Ben Osborn, Vizard, and Manchester Orchestra. 

The next episode of BPM Pod will be a little later than usual as the boys take a break. Check out past episodes wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch via Facebook and Instagram for more. Don't forget: the best reviews on Apple, Amazon etc. get free stuff!

Music on this episode

Ben Osborn (bandcamp.com)

Vizard - Tornado https://open.spotify.com/track/4E6qB3GtzZ1oINFR5mUCH9?si=60a5a71bcfb34598

Manchester Orchestra - Angel Of Death (Live) – The Stuffing at Fox Theatre Atlanta - YouTube

Manchester Orchestra - Telepath (Live) – The Stuffing at Fox Theatre Atlanta - YouTube

Outgrowing Nymph | Lisa Akuah (bandcamp.com)

Quite shoutout to three incredible artists, two rather well known, and one who certainly should be more well known. 

For more BPM Pod, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Give us a review and we'll read it out on the show, plus send you a thank you gift!

 

Music in this episode

Caroline Polachek - Billions (Official Video) - YouTube

Lisa Akuah - Fluid Suits [Official Video] - YouTube

Sharon Van Etten - Porta (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube

Big thanks to Moves Johnson for stopping by the podcast this week to tell us about his upcoming musical projects, one of which involves his grandfather and an orchestra to boot. 

Plus, the gang reviews the music that's caught their attention including stuff from Jim James, Lane 8, Aesop Rock, and more. 

Also, Ashley reviews the latest release from psych-singer-songwriter Mabloni called 'Lotta Freaks', available from 11 February on all streaming platforms.

And to round off the episode, the gang talk all things guitar gear, as they choose some of their favourite guitar tones before advising how you can achieve them.

For more about Moves Johnson: www.movesjohnson.com

For BPM Pod on social media: @BPMPod

And for the BPM Pod Desert Island Playlist, head to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ES1QBww3CwmmzPf8sXbDL?si=4409e10c7b5841e2 

 

Music featured in this episode

Tame Impala - The Less I Know the Better (Official Audio)

Same Ol' Road - Dredg - YouTube

Porcupine Tree - The Incident - YouTube

Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger (Official Video) - YouTube

Queens of the Stone Age - Turnin On The Screw - YouTube

The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary - YouTube

Queen - I Want It All (Official Video) - YouTube

Lane 8 - Reviver (Official Visualiser)

Ricky Reed, Jim James & Duendita - Us (How Sweet It Was) (Official Audio) - YouTube

The Chemical Brothers - Wide Open ft. Beck (Official Music Video) - YouTube

Aesop Rock - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HEq8UqrujM

On this episode, the guys talk at length about what musical gear and equipment you really need if you're starting out on your musical journey, from pedals, to cables, to the instrument itself. Definitely worth a listen for amateur musicians, and any pros who might be having some gear-hoarding issues! (Spoiler: you NEVER need as much gear as you think to be a good musician.)

Plus, there's new music reviews of Lazer Beam, Julien Baker, Muse, Limp Bizkit, Volbeat, and one of Berlin's best darlings, the wonderful Tara C. Taylor with her newest release 'Under the Influence: A Tribute to 40 Years of Depeche Mode'.

Music in this episode

Tara C. Taylor - Under the Influence: A Tribute to 40 Years of Depeche Mode - YouTube

Julien Baker - Hardline - YouTube

Muse - Muse - WON'T STAND DOWN (Official Video) - YouTube

Limp Bizkit - Dad Vibes - Sing Along by Marcelo - YouTube

Lazer Beam - Lazer Beam - Turn N Burn (2021) (New Song) - YouTube

It's time for the BPM Pod End of 2021 Special! This means it is time for the BPM Pod Awards (categories and winners tagged below). Plus, we review Chris's year on Spotify (spoiler: he likes 21 Pilots), we talk Christmas music that we love (spoiler again: The Darkness), and we chat about random nonsense along the way.

Also, there's a quick chat about Avril Lavinge's newest single 'Bite Me' and how it transports us back to our naive, dumb years in the early 2000s. 

Before we list the awards, thank you to everyone for supporting this podcast. Don't forget: we're not monetized, and we do this only to connect with you, whether you're a musician or music fan. Whoever you are, wherever you are, thank you. Be safe, take care, and speak to you in 2022. 

Now... prizegiving time! (Note: your prizes are nothing. Sorry. Use our praise on your own PR material or something.)

Recurring guest of the year - Chance Bair

Tracks of the year - shortlist includes anything from Alexi Laiho, Shy Away by 21 Pilots, Harmonia's Dream by The War On Drugs, In Color by My Morning Jacket (especially the live version at Forest Hills), Hunger In Your Haunt by Biffy Clyro. But the ultimate winner for Ashley: Litte Things by Big Thief @pitchperfectpr)

Album of the Year - (Chris's pick) Scaled and Icy by 21 Pilots; (Ashley's pick) I Don't Live Here Anymore by The War On Drugs. Honourable mentions: Wolf Alice, Manchester Orchestra, Black Country New Road

Artists to watch - Lisa Akuah, D. $ahin, Samantha Crain, Natasha Jaffe

Timecodes

00:00:00 - Show begins

00:02:09 - New gear purchases inc. XLN Audio

00:04:20 - What we've been listening to (Blink 182, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Caroline Polachek)

00:11:35 - Chris reveals his End of Year Spotify list

00:16:08 - Christmas songs inc. The Darkness

00:21:57 - BPM Pod Awards

00:47:50 - We talk Avril...

00:52:45 - A heartfelt thank you

Music mentioned on this episode

Caroline Polachek - Bunny is a Rider (Official Video) - YouTube

Low - White Horses - YouTube

FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - The Violation (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) - YouTube

Twenty One Pilots - Shy Away (Official Video) - YouTube

PERIPHERY - Marigold (Official Music Video) - YouTube

The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) (Official Music Video) - YouTube

HEAVY HEAVY - Red Canvas (Official Video) - YouTube

The War On Drugs - I Don't Live Here Anymore (feat. Lucius) [Official Music Video] - YouTube

Shine - YouTube

Camel Song - Live from "Cello in Bloom" Release Concert - YouTube

Samantha Crain - Bloomsday - YouTube

Lisa Akuah - We Will Pass [Official Video] - YouTube

Avril Lavigne - Bite Me (Official Video) - YouTube

A review-packed episode this time, featuring music from a bunch of different artists including Cate Le Bon, Marissa Nadler, Big Thief, Cradle of Filth, Bodom After Midnight, Childish Gambino, In Flames, Anna of the North, Porcupine Tree, and even Justin Bieber. (Chris, are you feeling alright?)

In the second half of the episode, we talk about our biggest musical mistakes, from being too drunk at gigs, right through to forgetting equipment. We all make mistakes, so let's learn from each other.

On the next episode, it's the Christmas special, which means the BPM Pod awards. Stay tuned. Like BPM Pod on Facebook and Instagram.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - ASMR and starting nonsense 

00:02:10 - Proper introduction

00:03:25 - Chris gives an update on Weinhardt 

00:07:25 - Christmas special preview and awards categories

00:09:10 - What we've been listening to (War on Drugs, Cradle of Filth, Childish Gambino, Blackpink, Bodom After Midnight)

00:14:00 - Our K-POP section (Chris talks Blackpink) #clicks

00:18:41 - Bodom After Midnight legacy

00:20:28 - Music reviews (Cate Le Bon, Big Thief, Marissa Nadler, Porcupine Tree, Anna of the North, In Flames, Justin Bieber)

00:36:40 - Shitting on Justin Bieber

00:44:30 - Biggest musical mistakes we have made

01:09:00 - Desert Island Playlist

Music featured this week

Cate Le Bon - Moderation (Official Video) - YouTube

Big Thief - Time Escaping (Official Audio) - YouTube

Marissa Nadler - Lemon Queen

Porcupine Tree - Harridan (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube

Anna of the North - Someone Special (Official Audio)

IN FLAMES - I, The Mask (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)

The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber - Stay (Lyrics)

Childish Gambino - Because the Internet

Cradle of Filth - Crawling King Chaos'

Blackpink - Pretty Savage

It's time to get SPOOOOOOOOOKY. Joining this episode is a special co-host: the wonderfully talented, supremely knowledgable Kris Sinister. Kris talks about what music he's making these days, how horror inspires him, and joins in the discussion of the creepiest songs ever.

This one is not for the faint of heart as we delve into the world of scary music, including stuff from Wolf Eyes, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, The Cramps, ELO, Aphex Twin, Rob Zombie, Tom Waits, and Porcupine Tree. 

Plus, the gang talk about what they've been listening to, such as Ossuary, My Morning Jacket, and Lisa Peterson. 

More about Kris Sinister

Instagram - @mrsinisterkris

Facebook - @mrsinisterkris

Tiktok - Kris Sinister (@krissinister) TikTok | Watch Kris Sinister's Newest TikTok Videos

Timecodes

00:00:00 - "I don't have stuff..."

00:00:45 - Let's begin! New jingle

00:02:30 - Do you celebrate Halloween? How?

00:06:10 - What's That Riff?! = SOLVED! (Royal Blood)

00:07:15 - Kris Sinister joins!

00:12:00 - Ghost stories...

00:23:20 - Chupacabra rap

00:23:45 - What we've been listening to (Lisa Peterson, Ossuary, My Morning Jacket)

00:33:00 - Kris Sinister interview

00:42:40 - Creepiest songs ever (Cradle of Filth, The Cramps, Wolf Eyes, Tom Waits, ELO, Resident Evil OST, Silent Hill OST, War of the Worlds, Aphex Twin)

00:59:20 - Kris finishes us off with a history lesson

01:04:45 - Desert Island playlist (Ghost, The Beatles)

01:08:13 - End

Links to music we mention

My Morning Jacket - Regularly Scheduled Programming

The Ossuary - Ratking (Official Music Video) - YouTube

Ylvis - Old Friends [Official music video HD]

Soul Riders - Lisa Peterson | Official Music Video

Wolf Eyes--Half Animal, Half Insane - YouTube

Tom Waits - What's He Building - YouTube

ELO - Fire On High

Cradle of Filth - Satanic Mantra

Silent Hill 2 OST - Silent Heaven

Porcupine Tree - Heartattack in a Lay By (In Absentia)

Go Tell Aunt Rhody (RE7 Official Soundtrack Full Version) - YouTube 

Hurt - YouTube

I Was A Teenage Werewolf (Remastered)

Rob Zombie - Dragula (Official Music Video)