Earbuddies

On October 29th, 2024, Pitchfork published Shaad D'Souza's lukewarm review of Halsey's new album, The Great Impersonator. The same day, Halsey took to social media and called attention to D'Souza's review, inviting their followers to come after him online.

This online moment inspired music journalist Grace Robins-Somerville to write about the worsening cultural climate around fans, "stans," and toxic fandom. Grace's work can be found in Stereogum, Paste Magazine, The Alternative, and in her newsletter, Our Band Could Be Your Wife.

Grace joined Mat and Tim to discuss toxic fan culture – and to consider what a brighter future for music criticism and fandom might look like.

Discussed:

Stans vs. Music Journalism (Again) by Grace Robins-Somerville

Chappell Roan and the Perils of Parasociality by Grace Robins-Somerville

Songs Played:

Halsey - Lucky

Camila Cabello - I LUV IT

Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club

Charli XCX - apple

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

We're back! In this ep, Mat and Tim reflect on their time away from the pod – then they consider what the upcoming season of Earbuddies might look like thematically. Oh yeah, we're navel-gazing! Come along for the fun.

SONGS PLAYED:

Insane Clown Posse - Hokus Pokus

Alan Menken & Howard Ashman - Beauty and the Beast

Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.

Elton John - Circle of Life

DISCLAIMERS:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

Also, nobody actually sponsors Earbuddies. We're just joking.

Or is it... Pod Buddy Summer? In this ep, Mat and Tim suspend their summer hiatus to catch up on a momentous season for pop music, spearheaded by Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX. So many killer tunes in one summer! But where do Taylor Swift and Katy Perry fit into the mix?

This episode contains explicit language.

SONGS PLAYED:

Chappell Roan - HOT TO GO!

Chappell Roan - Good Luck, Babe!

Chappell Roan - Red Wine Supernova

Sabrina Carpenter - Please Please Please

Charli XCX - 360

Taylor Swift - The Alchemy

Katy Perry - Woman's World

Charli XCX - Girl, so confusing

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

In this season finale, Mat and Tim read excerpts from an article by Leonard Bernstein for The Atlantic entitled "Speaking of Music," published in December of 1957. Leonard's words cause the buddies to consider: what's the point of this entire podcast?

We thank you for your continued support of Earbuddies. Regular episode releases will continue in the fall of 2024. You may also receive bonus episodes in your feed as the summer progresses. So please don't unsubscribe! Please.

SONGS PLAYED:

Ludwig von Beethoven - Eroica Symphony

Shenandoah (arr. Frank Ticheli)

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Orchestral Version)

DISCLAIMERS:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

The British are coming! In this episode, Mat and Tim lead the Earbuddies Army to the battlefield. On the other side: the "21st Century Mozart," Jacob Collier. Who is he? What's his deal? Why does he make music the way that he does – and what's the difference between good music and good songs?

SONGS PLAYED:

Jacob Collier - All Night Long (feat. Take 6)

Jacob Collier - Over You (feat. aespa & Chris Martin)

Lizzy McAlpine - erase me (feat. Jacob Collier)

Jacob Collier - Summer Rain (feat. Madison Cunningham & Chris Thile)

Jacob Collier - Isn't She Lovely

Jacob Collier - Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing

Jacob Collier - Flintstones

Jacob Collier - With the Love In My Heart

Jacob Collier - Moon River

Jacob Collier - 100,000 Voices

Jacob Collier - Do You Feel Love (feat. Steve Vai)

Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You In the End

Jacob Collier - The Audience Choir (Live at O2 Academy Brixton, London)

Jacob Collier - Little Blue (feat. Brandi Carlile)

Bill Withers - Lean On Me

Nemo - The Code

DISCLAIMERS:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

Also, nobody actually sponsors Earbuddies. We're just joking.

Pucker up! In this ep, Mat and Tim reflect on a sub-sub-sub-genre of emo music that was, plain and simple, made for kissin'. (And for weeping over the kisses you'll no longer get.) Plus: circling back to the presidential canine situation.

SONGS PLAYED:

From First To Last - Emily

Secondhand Serenade - Fall For You

Taking Back Sunday - New American Classic

Something Corporate - As You Sleep

Dashboard Confessional - Screaming Infidelities

A Day To Remember - If It Means a Lot To You

Daphne Loves Derby - Hopeless Love

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Your Guardian Angel

Straylight Run - Existentialism On Prom Night

Boys Like Girls - Thunder

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

In this solo ep, Tim's thinking different! He recalls the remarkable history of the iPod and the rise of the digital music era – and suggests that the golden age of music consumption is in the rearview.

SONGS PLAYED:

Yuzzy - A Little Morning

Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl

Yuzzy - Running Wild

U2 - Vertigo

The Philadelphia Orchestra - Clair de Lune

Yuzzy - Elipse

Yuzzy - Thin Paper Hut

Yuzzy - Snow Morning

Prestige Podcast Background Music by Yuzzy: https://bit.ly/2nUbGqD

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

You smoked then ate seven bars of chocolate / We declared Earbuddies should be a bigger podcast

In this tortured ep, Mat and Tim share their preliminary thoughts about Taylor Swift's eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. As you can see from the title of this ep, they found it to be lacking! They hone in on the tunes and enter into evidence their talismans and charms, etc.

SONGS PLAYED:

Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department

Taylor Swift - My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys

Taylor Swift - Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)

Taylor Swift - Cruel Summer

Taylor Swift - I Hate It Here

Taylor Swift - The Black Dog

Taylor Swift - Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus

Taylor Swift - loml

Taylor Swift - How Did It End?

Taylor Swift - So High School

Taylor Swift - I Can Do It With a Broken Heart

Taylor Swift - So Long, London

Taylor Swift - But Daddy I Love Him

Taylor Swift - The Alchemy

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

In this episode, Mat and Tim are joined by Alvin Jones, otherwise known as "The Unseen VJ" – the man who created Rap City, a long-running music video program on BET. He tells the buddies what inspired him to push for greater hip-hop representation on BET in the mid- to late-80s, and reflects on the impact his advocacy has had on the tapestry of hip-hop and rap in the decades since.

FURTHER VIEWING:

The 17th Annual Blacks In Wax: Hip Hop: The Music, The Culture, The Struggle at The Kennedy Center, March 16, 2024

Welcome To Rap City - Three-Part Documentary on BET

SONGS PLAYED:

Excerpt from Rap City, 1990

Excerpt from Blacks In Wax at The Kennedy Center, 2024

Excerpt from Video Soul, 1987

Excerpt from Video Vibrations, 1986

Doug E. Fresh - D.E.F. = Doug E. Fresh

Excerpt from CBS News' coverage of the March on Washington, 1963

Excerpt from Rap City: The Basement

New Edition - Earth Angel

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

In this solo ep, Tim talks through the history – and indeed, the controversy – of Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. It's one of the most iconic pieces of American music ever composed. But its origin story is a little complicated. Leave it to Timmy to sort it all out!

SONGS PLAYED:

George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue

Eddie Cantor - If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie!)

Willie "The Lion" Smith - Keep Your Temper

W.C. Handy - St. Louis Blues

Paul Simon - Crazy Love, Vol. II

Béla Fleck - Rhapsody in Blue(grass)

FURTHER READING:

Arranging Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue and the Creation of an American Icon by Ryan Bañagale

‘We must face harms done”: Béla Fleck’s defense of George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.