The Listening Party Podcast

We're joined this month by singer-songwriter, guitarist, drummer, writer, and editor Zachary Bernstein. When he's not drumming for friends of the show Velodrone, you can find him biking to work, making music as The Bicycats, or writing musicals. Now, he's adding marathon podcaster to his list of talents. We're talking long songs, how fitting.

Featured Songs:

"The Soft Parade" by The Doors

"Desolation Row" by Bob Dylan

"Humpty Dance" by The Digital Underground

Also in this episode: Cycling. Song-riding. Who came up with the first Neapolitan-style song? Blues Sonata by Charlie Byrd. CD's are back. No more Beatles, try Bicycats instead. The history of the three-and-a-half-minute song. Creative constraints. Taylor Swift on SNL. The mistake stays. Musician v. Performer. Songwriting styles. Musicals. And more!

Zachary's links: Website | Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: Instagram

This month, Cesar bails us out after we struggle to book a guest. We're sharing songs by woman who rock.

Featured Songs:

"Hit Me Over The Head With It" by Lucille Klement

"Lottery" by Kali Uchis

"Pushing" by Bandit

Also in this episode: Daisy Chain Fields. Festival line-ups. Denise stalks bands. Crowd sizes. Ska is forever. Collaborating with Deefur. Band t-shirts. Cat distribution system. And more!

Cesar's links: Personal | East Side Agents

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: Instagram

This week we're talking about our roots with the Executive Director of the Fullerton Museum Center, Elvia Rubalcava.

Featured Songs:

"Cuido Tu Recuerdo" by Laura Itandehui

"Hasta la Raíz" by Natalia Lafourcade

"Guacamole" by Texas Tornados

Also in this episode: Your life as an art exhibit. Safeguarding someone's memory. Chicana chillona. Different ways to mother. Living a creative life. Leaving a legacy. What do we do with our time? Becoming a museum executive director. SANCHO. Inspiration. Ghost stories. We read an email from Avi. And more!

Elvia's links: Instagram

Fullerton Museum Center's Links: Instagram | Website

Episode references: Natalia Lafourcade's Song Exploder episode

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: Instagram

We're globe-trotting with Stephanie and bring you travel songs.

Featured Songs:

"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman

"Gratitude" by Brandon Lake

"On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson

Also in this episode: Window or aisle seat. The ambiguous Tracy Chapman. Fast Car covers. Journaling vs. souvenirs. Failing memory. Gratitude. Planning trips. Rockband parties. Playlists for everything. The power of music. Preparing your funeral playlist. Places to return to. And more!

Stephanie's links: Instagram | Previous Episodes

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: Instagram

Jesse Cohen of All The Kings Men makes his triumphant return to the podcast after ten long years to discuss TV theme songs.

Featured Songs:

"Frightening Fishes" by Benjamin Gibbard

"At Least It Was Here" by The 88

"You're Dead" by Maria Tanega

Also in this episode: Jesse catches us up on the last ten years. Jesse's not a fan of Shrinking. Denise is not a fan Ben Gibbard. Star Wars nights. Religious services. Community cameos. You never know when something will get popular. Is it time to use the C word? And more!

Jesse's links: Instagram | Twitter | Podcast | YouTube | Website

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: Instagram

We're joined this month by Denise's favorite comic to perform at the Chatterbox in Covina, KJ! You can catch him there Thursdays and Sundays. We're talking R&B love songs.

Featured Songs:

"Let's Stay Together" by Al Green

"You Give Me Something" by James Morrison

"Every Time I Close My Eyes" by Babyface ft. Kenny G

Also in this episode: Detroit's Big Tire vs. Inglewood's Big Donut. Detroit style pizza. Is it a love song or a love-making song? Sleeping over at grandma's. John Leguizamo's first time with a black girl. Al Grits. Comedy scenes. Comedy origins. New vs. old relationships. Babyface on repeat. COVID, and more!

KJ's links: Instagram | Bookings | YouTube

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: InstagramMore podcasts: Talking Is Hard

We continue Denise's favorites series, this time with one of her favorite restaurant owners, Tirzah! She is the co-owner of Tirzah's Mexi-Terranean in the heart of El Sereno, CA. She has over a decade of experience in the restaurant business and is an incredibly supportive member of the community. We figured no better theme than community songs.

Featured Songs:

"Everybody Everybody" by Black Box

"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" by Backstreet Boys

"Yes We Can Can" by Pointer Sisters

Also in this episode: Running a restaurant is a labor of love. Mexi-Terranean origin story. Where did Backstreet Boys come back from? The love-hate relationship with delivery apps. Never ending societal struggles. Learning to cook. Building community, and more!

Episode references: Cafe Calle in South L.A. | Coyotl + Macehualli (El Sereno lending library)

Tirzah's links: Instagram

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: InstagramMore podcasts: Talking Is Hard

It's Johnny Roque month at the LPP. He's Denise's favorite comic that she's seen at Horseplay Comedy. When he's not posting reaction videos on the socials, you can catch him IRL at the World Famous Comedy Store, the Laugh Factory, or hosting his own comedy show at the Sunset Room in Hacienda Heights.

Featured Songs:

"Oh My God" by Guns N' Roses

"All The Small Things" by Blink-182

"Sour Girl" by Stone Temple Pilots

Also in this episode: Y2K. Conspiracy theories. The early Internet. Stand-up in 1999. Temp agencies. Time capsule music. Only bullies listen to Blink-182. Staying up late to watch music videos on PAX. Ska is making a comeback. Bar comedy shows. Aging out of things. Rich versus poor MAGA. Being an artist is hard. Good dick can change your life. Long-term partnerships. Success in comedy. Comedy logistics.

Johnny's links: Instagram | Linktree

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: InstagramMore podcasts: Talking Is Hard

Self-described heart-on-his-sleeve songwriter Steven Wesley Guiles joins us for songs about deconstructing religion and not waiting for perfection.

Featured Songs:

"In My Mind" by Dubious At Best

"I Was A Teenage Blood Sacrifice Cult Member" by Steven Wesley Guiles

"Say" by Monica Martin

Also in this episode: Covers. February Album Writing Month. The freedom to write a song about anything. Growing up Evangelical. Fear of everything. Current political climate. Misogyny. Building community. Still patiently waiting for Monica Martin's album. Lessons in teaching.

Episode references: Monica Martin on The Third Story Podcast

Steven's links: Instagram | Bandcamp | The Lounge Lazers | Future Kings Of Denmark | Pushstart Wagon | Linktree

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: InstagramMore podcasts: Talking Is Hard

We continue our annual tradition of Wrapping™ sharing our favorite songs of the year, 2025 edition.

Featured Songs:

"Jump Rope Gazers" by The Beths

"Powerwalker" by Low Ceilings

"The Ocean" by Against Me!

"Macho Man" by Hell Tüpét - Music Video

"Knifey" by Amyl and the Sniffers

"Don't Take My Side" by The Psychotic Reactions

"woke up knowing everything (opening theme)" by Open Mike Eagle

"Play House" by Sweetmelk

"Tiny Threads" by Deep Sea Diver

"It's Raining Now" by sewerbitch!

Also in this episode: the lonely male (and lady?) epidemic. Denise continues hating on everything. We'll never make it to Connecticut. Rod's finally taking drums lessons. Being an expert in a dying field. We finally clear up Denise's love of wrestling. Oceania gets a lot of love. We gush about Open Mike Eagle. Opening acts. Loud banging. We gush about sewerbitch!

Email the show: [email protected] Denise: InstagramMore podcasts: Talking Is Hard