Sonic Midlife

Episode 7 of Sonic Midlife kicks off with Jeff’s deep dive into the BFF Festival, where he caught performances from an incredible lineup including Home is Where, Pinback, Foxing, American Football, Fiddlehead, The Dismemberment Plan, Algernon Cadwallader, Cap’n Jazz, Braid, Jawbox, Built to Spill, Unwound, Mannequin Pussy and Sunny Day Real Estate. If you’re a fan of emo, post-hardcore, and indie rock, Jeff’s festival recap is a must-listen.

Next, Zach brings a massive week of new music releases, starting with Christopher Owens' track “I Want to Run Barefoot Through Your Hair,” followed by High Vis’ punk-influenced Guided Tour, Bon Iver’s ethereal SABLE, and Japanese Breakfast’s Sable. Zach’s picks span from indie rock to atmospheric soundscapes, offering something for every listener.

In the literary corner, Jeff discusses Caitlin Dickerson’s gripping article “Seventy Miles in the Darien Gap” from The Atlantic’s September 2024 issue, while Zach shares his thoughts on The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Jeff also tantalizes the taste buds with his review of a Hatch Green Chile Bacon Burger and Yukon Pizza.

In the 'Watching and Listening' segment, Jeff covers the Hell 99 music video, while Zach recommends the YouTube channel Books are Sick. This episode is packed with stellar music, compelling reads, and mouth-watering food suggestions.

This week on Sonic Midlife, Jeff and Zach serve up a wild platter of music, books, and, of course, the best cheeseburgers they’ve ever tasted!

They dive into albums like Lift to Experience’s apocalyptic concept record The Texas Jerusalem Crossroads and Being Dead’s Eels. Zach brings his thoughts on Tommy Orange’s Wandering Stars, touching on generational trauma and addiction, while Jeff’s got a review of The Dead Are Arising and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Plus, there's talk about Texas as the promised land, horns galore, and an unforgettable cheeseburger experience that might just be the best ever. Tune in for all this and more, including some fantasy baseball trophy talk!

In this episode of Sonic Midlife, Zach dives into MJ Lenderman’s latest tracks and Wall of Eyes by The Smile, while Jeff takes a nostalgic look at the 90s radio rock inspired albums, discussing Supercrush’s Sodo Pop, Webbed Wing’s What’s So F***ing Funny?, and Last Day On Earth by Slumped.

On the literary side, Zach shares his thoughts on Hank Aaron’s autobiography, I Had a Hammer, while Jeff is reading The Dead Are Arising, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Malcolm X by Les Payne. Jeff also talks about his current watch, English Teacher on FX and Hulu. The duo rounds out the episode with comfort food highlights—Applebee’s and pizza—and some discussion of The Athletic Football Show with Robert Mays. Plus, don’t miss their countdown of favorite fall albums.

In Episode 4 of Sonic Midlife, Zach, Jeff & old college pal, Thome mix music, books, and football as they dive into their latest discoveries and predictions. Here’s what they’re talking about:

Jeff's Highlights:

PACKS - Melt the Honey: A slacker guitar pop album full of nutritious hooks, with a Honey vs. HFCS analogy.

Book Recommendations: Mexikid by Pedro Martin and the Front Desk series by Kelly Yang.

Food Find: Pita Way.

Matt Berry Appreciation: A deep dive into his work, from The IT Crowd (featuring Chris O’Dowd, Richard Ayoade, and Noel Fielding) to What We Do in the Shadows (Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schall), and his role in AD/BC - A Rock Opera.

Zach's Highlights:

High Vis - "Mind’s a Lie": A track that blends punk, hardcore, and house with a unique talk/sing delivery. Zach anticipates their new album, Guided Tour, dropping on October 18.

Literary Spotlight: Beauty Land by Marie-Helene Bertino, a book that may sound like sci-fi but isn’t. It explores an alien’s observations of Earth. Currently Reading: Hank Aaron’s autobiography, I Had a Hammer.

Custard Delight: Key Lime Pie Concrete from Andy’s Frozen Custard.

Binge-Worthy TV: Just A Dash with Matty Matheson, the cooking show for people who don’t like cooking shows. Imagine Ford hosting a cooking show—without the swearing.

NFL Preview with Thome Widdison:

Zach and Jeff are joined by their old college buddy Thome Widdison to preview the NFL season. Topics include:

Join Jeff and Zach for another dynamic episode packed with music discoveries, book insights, and bold football predictions on Sonic Midlife!

Sonic Midlife Episode 3: Wayne Bass, College Football, Classic Albums, and Celebrity Homes

In Episode 3 of Sonic Midlife, Jeff, Zach & Professor Wayne Bass cover a wide range of topics, from college football dynamics to cultural deep dives. Here's what's on the agenda:

The Cowboys' Sultan of Squat: Jeff introduces a new patio music classic 

Dashboard Confessional’s album Dusk & Summer: Revisiting the iconic album and its impact.

Literary Dive: Exploring Stoner by John Williams and Bats Out of Hell by Barry Hannah.

Culinary Corner: A review of Baba’s Pantry in KC, where Middle Eastern flavors shine, and a love for chilaquiles.

YouTube Discoveries: Zach shares his obsession with Architectural Digest’s "Open Door" series, highlighting celebrity homes.

TV Picks: Poker Face makes it onto Jeff’s must-watch list. A modern who-done-it 

2024-25 Season Preview: Predicting the future of college football with Wayne Bass, focusing on how the landscape will change.

Realignment Discussions: Breaking down the SEC and Big 10 shake ups and the significance of the transfer portal.

Big 12 Relevance: Debating if the Big 12 still matters in the new order of things.

Heisman Watch: Who are the favorites this season?

Deion Sanders and Colorado: What to expect from Coach Prime and his team.

Playoff Expansion: Thoughts on this year's changes and what an ideal playoff structure might look like.

Wayne Bass can only choose one in a lightning round of tough choices:

Bob Stoops vs. Barry Switzer

Josh Heupel vs. Sam Bradford

Jim Harbaugh vs. Jim Tressel

George Strait vs. Garth Brooks

Tim McGraw vs. Toby Keith

Red Hot Chili Peppers vs. Oasis

Bitter Sweet Symphony vs. The Freshman (Bands named Verve)

Lincoln Riley vs. Judas Iscariot

Jeff & Zach's Highlights:
College Football with Wayne Bass:
Rapid Fire:Join Jeff and Zach for an episode packed with music nostalgia, college football insights, and a dash of celebrity glamor on Sonic Midlife!

In this episode of Sonic Midlife, Jeff and Zach bring an engaging mix of music, books, and entertainment to the table. Tune in as they dive into:

In addition to their musical journeys, Jeff and Zach discuss:

Join Jeff and Zach for an episode filled with nostalgia, discovery, and lively discussions on Sonic Midlife!

Welcome to Sonic Midlife, the podcast where Jeffrey Poole and Zachary Gibson navigate the vibrant crossroads of indie rock, literature, film, and culinary delights. In our inaugural episode, we dive into a spirited debate about the best Bruce Springsteen album, share our thoughts on the band Good Looks, and explore the music of Zach Bryan and Sturgill Simpson.

But that's not all – we also delve into the books currently on our nightstands and recount our latest culinary adventures. Whether you're a music aficionado, a book lover, or a culinary enthusiast, our lively discussions and personal insights are sure to resonate.

Join us on this midlife journey as we celebrate the art, stories, and flavors that enrich our lives. Tune in to Sonic Midlife for your dose of inspiration, discovery, and good conversation.