Stars of the States

The audio in me recognizes the stereo in you.

Comedians and cousins Maureen Begley and Ang Buxton highlight 2 musical artists from Mississippi. This is the Stars of the States. We'll tell you some reasons to stay alive, our favorite We Sing bops, dads, Cobra Kai, Human Resources, and of course, cats. Stay tuned for our hit single, Pastries by the Park.

Ang tells the story of The Weeks, Mississippi's gutter punk band and insists you listen to 2 of their songs specifically (you'll have to listen to know which.)

Maureen tells us about a few women out of Mississippi including Tammy Wynette, who did the twang so that Lee Ann Rimes and Shania Twain could sang. She also touches on Bobbie Gentry, the OG.

And OF COURSE we have to talk about This kiss, this kiss. Impossible. Faith Hill. I'm a Rime Song Cowboy.

Our first in person episode! EVER. Crazy.

Comedians and cousins Maureen Begley and Ang Buxton highlight 2 musical artists from Minnesota. We also catch up on all things life and comedy, get to hear Maureen's amazing Paul Hollywood impression, and see a real life hawk! or falcon! or eagle! Tune in to find out which.

Maureen talks to us about the life of Eyedea, a rapper, poet and freestyle battle champion. Ang highlights some interesting facts about Prince. May they both rest in peace.

Of course we had to talk about the prominence of Atmosphere and Rhymesayers, because this is the Minnesota episode. We also talk about the RETURN OF THE CLOSE TALKERS. They are back!!

Mich me once, shame on you. Mich me again, shame on me.

In this episode, comedians Maureen Begley and Ang Buxton each pick a musical artist from Michigan and tell their story. We also talk about Aaliyah, what we make for dinner, best episodes of Verzus, the Echo Park riots, and the passing of DMX. Maureen also hypes us on the show The Lost Pirate Kingdom (not a sponsor lol).

Maureen tells the story of Mike Posner. This son of two civil rights activists started in the world of hip hop and is now renowned for his songwriting and producing.

Ang tells the story of The Temptations. This legendary group has so many classic hits like My Girl, Cloud Nine and Aint Too Proud to Beg. Listen to find out about the ultimate goat move they pulled in the early 90s.

Recorded April 11, 2021.

We've finally made it to our home state -- Massachusetts. We're so happy to have you with us on this journey across the United States. This description cannot convey how excited we are to have made it here. 

In this week's episode we shout out as many local bands as we can pronounce. We also tell as many wicked stories as we can. We pahk the cah in the hahvahd yahd or whateveh.

Maureen Begley covers the Quincy-based band The Dropkick Murphys. We've all screamed or been punched to one of their songs before.

Ang Buxton talks about Boston-based band The Pixies. This band directly influenced the likes of Nirvana, The Strokes and David Bowie, among others.

Maureen has some big life news this week. She also talks to us about pop punk phenomenon Good Charlotte. Or as they will be referred to from now on: Good Chrolate. We medley through all the hits, and come to a shocking discovery about who each of the Madden Brothers married.

Ang tells us the story of Mark Andrews, or as you may know him: Sisqo. This former Dru Hill singer was full of life and energy, and his enthusiasm landed him the track we know today as The Thong Song.

You can follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Hit us up with your thoughts for a fan shout out :)

Recorded February 26, 2021

This episode is sponsored by Ant on a Log. Subtly the world's best snack.

In this episode, Ang Buxton and Maureen Begley, comedians from Massachusetts, tell the stories of musicians from the state of Maine. This was a surprisingly tricky one to find artists for, so if you are a local musician in Maine, please hit us up! We want to talk to you!

Ang's voice is getting low like an East Side Boy. They quickly touch on the very badass Juliana Hatfield, and then covers the shitshow that is Howie Day, in hopes of attraction rather than promotion.

Maureen does so many hashtags. She gives us the promo info for The Fogcutters, a modern big-band.

We zoom out for a minute and think longterm about the podcast. Emerson fucked around and found out. We talk about going to the doctor in sobriety vs in active addiction and alcohol-free beers. We get an update on this year's female-heavy Grammy nomination.

Like and subscribe on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Hit us up and let us know: Do you think an artist with a real abusive history could ever clean up and redeem themselves?

Comedians and cousins Ang Buxton and Maureen Begley talk life, love and the pursuit of serenity. Jk kinda but not really. This week we talk about musicians from the state of Louisiana. Featuring a great quote from Danny the Grammy Man, some talk of the state of things, and some times where our attempts at humor definitely backfired.

Maureen covers Lucinda Williams, Americana songwriter with a distinct voice. Ang tells the story of Jelly Roll Morton, the man who claims to have invented Jazz, a claim that has yet to be fully debunked. Tune in to learn more and to hear Maureen's update on her notes.

To take any of the implicit bias tests, click here: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

The world's longest mini-sode. We talk about mental health, winter depression, 2020, and how we're getting through these late-stages of the pandemic. Send us your favorite sad songs, or at the very least, the music that is getting you through the day to day. Shout out to new listeners Etta, Mike, Tim and Jules. Follow us on Twitter @starsofthestate.

Recorded some time mid-December 2020.

*AIRHORNSSSSS* Spanning over the course of at least a week, plus a whole month to edit, you are in for a wiiiiild riiiiide. Comedians Ang Buxton and Maureen Begley touch base about the holidays, the pandemic, sobriety, trauma...You know, the usual. And of course there's a little talk of musicians from Kentucky, Ken Burns and his dang documentaries, and the impact of fame. Hopefully our longest episode, we are sorry.

Maureen covers the story of Skeeter Davis. You might know one of her songs from the iconic scene in Girl, Interrupted. Ang covers the story of Cage the Elephant. Their newest album, Social Cues, just won a Grammy and has Ang's recent sad boi bop, Ready to Let Go.

We're pretty sure this was recorded throughout the month of November 2020. But alas. What is time.

Comedians Maureen Begley and Ang Buxton discuss musicians from Kansas while drinking fancy non-alcoholic beverages. Shout out to Kin Euphorics and Bravus Brewing (not sponsors but...hit us up.) We got a shout out from Sasha Go Hard while she ate crab legs. And we ask the age old question: WHAT day is it.

As for Kansas musicians, we briefly touch on Sarah Buxton because of her great last name. We then deep-dive into the story of Abby the Spoon Lady, who, although she currently resides in Asheville, NC, was born in Kansas and is as transient as they come. Maureen covers the story of the dandy Janelle Monae, pansexual spacesuit-wearing android extraordinaire.

They also discuss their first in-person comedy show together since February 2020. It was outdoors... on a farm... standing on a wagon.  And this episode does include more about the grieving process, as addiction takes more folks that are close to us.

Recorded October 25, 2020.