Waterproof Records with Jacob Givens

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026. In this episode of Waterproof Records, I’m kicking things off by reflecting on time, age, and how music continues to meet us exactly where we are—and then diving headfirst into my Top 10 Albums of 2025, along with a very necessary list of honorable mentions.

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Merry Christmas — and welcome to a special holiday episode of Waterproof Records.

Whether you’re listening on Christmas Day, sneaking away from family chaos with earbuds in, or finding this episode weeks (or months) later — this one’s meant to feel like a personal Christmas mixtape made just for you.

In this special holiday episode, I share 10 Christmas songs that live a little outside the standard holiday playlist. Some are joyful. Some are nostalgic. Some are emotional gut-punches. And some might surprise you. This is less “department store Christmas” and more music that actually meant something to me.

We talk about:

Why alternative & 90s-leaning Christmas songs deserve more love

Building a Christmas mixtape with a Side A / Side B flow

The Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Low, Run-DMC, Chris Cornell, and more

Why certain songs hit harder as we get older

Christmas memories, belief systems, loss, hope, and finding meaning through music

This episode is about what music does to us during the holidays — the joy, the sadness, the reflection, and the kindness we wish lasted all year long.

So throw on your headphones, step out of the noise for a bit, and join me for Jacob’s Christmas Mixtape.

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Primus sucks.
…or do they? 😏

If you know, you know. And if you don’t know, this episode is about to bring you fully into the weird, wonderful world of Primus.

In this episode of Waterproof Records, I dive deep into Sailing the Seas of Cheese — the 1991 album that introduced a generation to Les Claypool’s alien-level bass playing, bizarre humor, nautical nonsense, and one of the most misunderstood inside jokes in alternative music history.

Primus isn’t for everyone — and that’s exactly the point. Whether you grew up with this record or you’re hearing about it for the first time, this episode is a celebration of creativity, risk-taking, and embracing the strange.

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Smashing Pumpkins fans — this one’s for YOU.
Today we take a deep dive into Machina / The Machines of God, the fifth studio album from the original Smashing Pumpkins era and one of the most fascinating chapters in the band’s entire history.

From the chaotic label politics, to D'arcy’s departure, to the abandoned double-album concept, to the mythic story of Glass and the Machines of God — this episode unpacks it ALL. I even pull out my original Machina CDs, concert tickets, and memories from catching the band on the Sacred & Profane Tour.

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It’s Halloween, and I'm back with a special Waterproof Records bonus episode! This week, I'm setting the mood for your haunted house, late-night drive, or dance floor with ten underrated songs that belong on your Halloween playlist. Forget the same old Monster Mash and pop hits—these tracks go darker, moodier, and way cooler. From Poe’s haunted beauty to Nine Inch Nails’ chilling cover of Joy Division, from Portishead’s eerie orchestration to The Cure’s gothic masterpiece, I've got you covered with deep cuts that sound like Halloween feels.

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Sometimes a concert weekend hits you so hard it demands its own episode — and that’s exactly what happened at this year’s Best Friends Forever Festival in Las Vegas. From lightning storms and soaked sneakers to emotional sets from Mineral, Cursive, Knapsack, and Elliott, this weekend reminded me why I created Waterproof Records in the first place: to celebrate those transcendent, life-changing moments only music can deliver.

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From pounding out his first beats on pots and pans to becoming the rhythmic heart of Failure, Kellii Scott opens up about his wild musical journey, creative philosophy, and the emotional roots that shaped his drumming. It’s a funny, heartfelt, and raw conversation—filled with stories of 90s alt-rock, artistic purpose, and the joy of still creating.

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This week I’m trying something brand new on the podcast — I’m making you a 90s mixtape! These are ten tracks that never fail to wake me up, keep me energized, and remind me why music is pure fuel for the soul. Expect deep cuts, anthems, personal stories, and the kind of nostalgia only a true 90s mixtape can deliver. Whether you grew up blasting these tracks on a road trip, or you’re discovering them for the first time, these songs will give you the same rush they’ve always given me.

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This week, I’m thrilled to welcome Luke Bentham and Kyle Fisher of The Dirty Nil — a band I’ve been championing since their explosive debut hit my ears back in 2016. We go way beyond the music to talk about their almost 20-year journey as bandmates and childhood friends, their beginnings with basement jams, and their shared love for blistering riffs and emotional resonance.

If you're into authentic rock stories, deep musical dives, and the spirit of DIY grit, this one's for you.

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After a short break and a brand-new studio setup, we’re turning our focus to one of the most powerful albums of the 90s — In Utero by Nirvana. This episode unpacks the raw energy, rebellious spirit, and creative fire that fueled Kurt Cobain’s final masterpiece. From the thunderous Steve Albini production to the chaotic brilliance of “Scentless Apprentice” and the unforgettable visuals of “Heart-Shaped Box,” this is a full-blown nostalgia trip through a record that shook the world. Plus, I share personal memories of hearing these songs as a teen and what they meant back then — and still mean today.

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