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Here's YET ANOTHER gift BONUS MxTRA episode. It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for TWO reasons. ONE - so you know what awesome bonuses you get if you join Patreon (link above & below). TWO - Season 7 is DONE, Season 8 doesn't start until late September, and I don't wanna leave you hanging. 

In this BONUS MxTRA, I go over the history of CDs. The technology stretches way farther back than you could possibly guess. And though streaming now rules the day, no format has ever topped the market share of CDs.

If you like these BONS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 50+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon.

Enjoy!

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!

Join Patreon

Get some merch

~~~~

Here's YET ANOTHER gift BONUS MxTRA episode. It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for TWO reasons. ONE - so you know what awesome bonuses you get if you join Patreon (link above & below). TWO - Season 7 is DONE, Season 8 doesn't start until late September, and I don't wanna leave you hanging. 

In this BONUS MxTRA, I talk British invasions. You probably know the ones from the 1960s & 1980s. Did you know there were TWO MORE? And I contend we're on the cusp of a FIFTH British invasion.

If you like these BONS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 50+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon.

Enjoy!

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FEATURED SONG

NICK – “Too Good To Me” (from WHAT IT IS)

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To close out Season 7, I’m doing the 18th volume of Death is DUMB. Every year sees its share of major music deaths, but some years & year clusters have more significant deaths than others. It’s looking like 2025 is one of those.

I talk about the major music deaths so far this year, focusing on a prominent handful of the hundreds who have died since January and up to August 7. 

Do you feel like we’ve lost more major stars in 2025 than in recent years? Which music deaths hit you the most? Do you believe deaths come in clusters? Did I leave out any music people you feel should have been included? Discuss dammit!

BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: Significant Music Death Clusters in History

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*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"

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This week’s PODFAST you could call the SUMMER EDITION. Taking down the rhetoric and literally jumping into the fun.

I do a big ol’ verbal mashup of songs featuring the word “jump”, starting with its first surge in the 1930s and going right up to this year. 

I break down why this word has been so ever-present, and why that’s important. AND I rank the TOP TEN JUMP SONGS.

Have you ever noticed how there are almost always songs with “jump” in the air? Why do you think that is? What arethe ones you remember most? What are your favorite “jump” songs? Discuss dammit!

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*intro/outro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020)

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Here's YET ANOTHER gift BONUS MxTRA episode. It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for three reasons. ONE - so you know what awesome bonuses you get if you join Patreon (link above). TWO - it's been a hell of a busy year and gig season. THREE - I don't wanna leave you hanging for a week.

In this BONUS MxTRA, I rank my TOP 40 songs by The Police. Some surprises in there for sure, not the least of which is what a HUGE percentage of Police songs I rank as favorites, considering how few songs they released. You can also see my enthusiasm first hand - and what my face does when I attempt to sing these - by checking out the BONUS MxTRA video: 

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE

If you like these BONS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 30+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon.

Enjoy!

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FEATURED SONG
REC – “Rhythm 77” (from KITE TO CAMDEN)

This week’s PODFAST is the return of Quick Takes from the Continuum, but with a twist. 

I usually give overviews of new albums, but it’s been hard finding complete albums worth talking about. Instead, I’m doing a midyear check-in on my 2025 playlist. I do one every year, and this year it’s called “2025alive”. 

You’re gonna hear about a TON of new music, from both new and legacy acts, as well as some old music I discovered this year that deserves mention. It’s already pretty damn robust & eclectic, and I guarantee you’ll be surprised more than once.

It’s only on Spotify. If enough people request it, I’ll recreate it on YouTube. 

Nick's 2025alive PLAYLIST

Anything from my playlist that sparks your interest? Anything you’re already listening to? Anything I missed? Anyone remember the fruity drink that inspired my playlist name? Discuss dammit!

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*intro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020)

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FEATURED SONG 

REC – “Linear A (five12four)” (from KITE TO CAMDEN)

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MUSIC is EVERYTHING is really making up for lost time! For #37 of the series, I throw in my 28 cents on some dos & don’ts for struggling music creators – by which I mean ALL of us who aren’t in the top 1% of earners. AND I conclude with a VERY SHORT LIST of the only things you need to do to succeed. 

I’ve been a struggling music creator my whole life, and have learned through trial and error what works & what doesn’t, what moves the ball forward and what stands in your way. I’m going to go over as much of that as possible, and hopefully leave you with some good info to act on. 

If you’re a struggling music creator – or thinking of jumping in, you’ll get a lot out of this. If you’re not after a career in music, you’ll get some insight into what we go through year after year. And some of it may apply to your situation.

If you’re a music creator, what’s your journey been like? Any common roadblocks? Or anything that always works for you? What do you wish was different? If you’re not a music creator, what have you learned? How can this apply to your situation? Discuss dammit!

BONUS MxTRA: Mega successful artists who were repeatedly rejected

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*intro music: REC - "In Your Dreams Tonight"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper

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Here's YET ANOTHER gift BONUS MxTRA episode. It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for three reasons. ONE - so you know what awesome bonuses you get if you join Patreon (link above). TWO - in the middle of tons of gigs, I went and got sick, so I really need this week break. THREE - I really want your opinion on this topic.

This BONUS MxTRA is all about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and years of issues its had finding an identity that's both distinctive and inclusive. I go through the Rock Hall's history, talk about the major issues it's had, and discuss what it's done (if anything) to fix them. Then I go through a short but impactful list of artists who should be in the Hall but still aren't. To see the video of this episode, go here: 

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE

If you like these BONS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 30+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon.

Enjoy!

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The Song Coach

For the past several episodes, I’ve been promoting my new song coaching service. This 28th PODFAST is an introduction to that. 

It’s not just an introduction, it’s a tutorial. I lay out the basics, tell you my approach, and clue you in to what you’ll learn when you hire me to help you write that song you’ve been sitting on for years. 

Are you ready to take the step, and finally finish your song? Does this episode serve as a solid introduction to how I coach? Have any questions for me? Discuss dammit!

And then let's get to work!

The Song Coach

And stream REC's new album, Kite to Camden!

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*intro/outro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020)

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FEATURED SONG 

NICK – “Your Sister” (from THE METROGRANDE SESSIONS)

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This is the era of back-to-back MUSIC is EVERYTHING episodes! For #36 of the series, I get real about music critics and criticism.

Music criticism has taught us a lot, and often distilled what we need or want to know into digestible forms. But like social media, it’s often filled with assumptions, errors, and biases that color that knowledge in sometimes irreparable ways.

I examine music critics and criticism – the origin and development, the different types of music writing, the pros and cons, and explain why all of it is ultimately somehow wrong, and often misses the point by a mile.

Do you read music criticism? Are you a fan of music writing in general? Have you learned something from it? Do you tend to trust critics? Discuss dammit!

BONUS MxTRA: How to use music critics for good

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*intro music: REC - "In Your Dreams Tonight"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"