It's not quite Grammy season quite yet, but I have officially made my predictions for the major awards:  Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.  I also discuss the Save Our Stages Act and read my letter to my Senators and Representative, Eddie Van Halen, and my new blog, Feeling Groupie.

I have finally reached the final artists in the Rising Artists series.  In this episode, I discuss the remaining genres:  R&B and rock/alternative.  I also review two new albums and discuss another song in the Protest Music series.

After the death of Breonna Taylor, I thought a good song to focus on for the Protest Music Series was "Lift Every Voice and Sing", often known as the Black National Anthem.  I also briefly discuss my views of the verdict of the officers involved in Taylor's death and then continue the Rising Artists Series.

I originally hoped to do a special for Pride Month since the LGBTQ+ community has had a major influence in several genres of rock.  Since I missed doing something in honor of it while I was AWOL for over 2 months, I decided to have a belated segment for it now.  In particular, I discussed 3 influential artists who are not household names but have a major influence on their respective genres and music as a whole.  Additionally, I continued the Rising Artists and Protest Music series.

After 2 and a half months of being MIA from podcasting, I'm back.  In this episode, I discuss some updates about the podcast, some future projects I have in mind, some upcoming topics, rapid fire round of many events that have happened since my last episode, and a new segment of the Protest Music Series.

In the last week, Austin Carlile (formerly of Of Mice & Men and Attack Attack!) was accused of rape and sexual harassment by 15 women.  Alternative Press had a story ready reporting the allegations, but scrapped it...in favor of a story portraying Carlile in a positive light.  While Alternative Press's handling of the situation was largely criticized, it doesn't take away from the fact that rape, sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct is not a foreign topic in society or music, despite the rise of the #MeToo movement.  I discuss this issue and my concerns about how this has gone largely unmentioned in the industry and how individuals in the industry accused of such behaviors (or in some cases are even found guilty) continue to find success.  Prior to that, I discuss more event changes due to Coronavirus, something special Bandcamp is doing for Juneteenth, and continue the Protest music series.

Coachella and Stagecoach have both been cancelled and Musikfest has been moved to a virtual festival as a result of COVID-19.  I discuss these briefly as well as other news in the world of music.  I also continue with the Protest Music series by discussing a song by Sam Cooke and the Rising Artist series by discussing country artists.

Lollapalooza 2020 was finally cancelled.  In this episode, I discuss the humorous manner in how it was announced as well as what the next festivals to watch are.  Additionally, I discuss a new song from the Protest Music series and discussing punk artists in the Rising Artists series.

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the protests that have ensued, I am introducing a new series regarding protest music.  In this episode, I discuss music by Kendrick Lamar, Nina Simone, and Rage Against the Machine.  #BlackLivesMatter

My sister, Meaghan Kirby, joins the podcast again to discuss some music festival questions.  In particular, we discuss what is going on with Lollapalooza, whether Coachella will in fact occur, and what a new festival from Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman means.  Additionally, we play a game of guessing whether the other likes an artist or song.