7 essential music podcasts you should subscribe to
Podcasts are more popular than ever at the moment. There are a plethora of music related series out there on Spotify and Soundcloud that cater to every taste and preference, be it music industry, songwriting or producing, and it can be a daunting prospect trying to decide which one is for you. We’ve picked some of our favourite ones below.
1.
And The Writer Is…
Hosted by Ross Golan (Ariana Grande, P!nk), And The Writer Is… is a series about songwriters for songwriters. Each week, Golan meets a venerable songwriter for an hour long conversation about what goes on behind the scenes in co-writing sessions, the music industry and how they got to where they are today.
Favourite episode: Jack Antanoff
2.
Setlist
Setlist is CMU’s official podcast hosted by Andy Malt and Chris Cooke. It’s perfect travel companion for for any music business nerd, with episodes ranging in content from ticket touting and Spotify royalties to tips on choosing your first manager.
Favourite Episode: YouTube, YouTube and YouTube
3.
Song Exploder
Most artists will be familiar with Song Exploder. Host Hrishikesh Hirway invites prolific artists onto the show to explain how they wrote their songs as well as to share stories and anecdotes about the writing process. Guests range from all genres and styles of artists from Lorde to Wolf Alice to Sylvan Esso.
Favourite Episode: Lorde ‘Sober’
4.
Couch Wisdom – Red Bull Music Academy
Couch Wisdom is a weekly podcast that exhibits some of the best lectures and conversations from the Red Bull Music Academy archive. The Red Bull Music Academy is a global institution that fosters creativity in music, particularly through their annual workshop each year which 61 artists are selected globally to participate in. Previous guest lecturers include Björk and Steve Reich.
Favourite Episode: Robyn Lecture
5.
Pensado’s Place
Pensado’s Place is often cited as a reference document for mixing and producing. Hosted by founder Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick, the pair discuss mixing techniques with a guest mixer, producer or artist each week. The episodes grant listeners an insight into the tricks and tips that big producers follow when mixing a potential hit for a big artist, as well as the experiences of front of house and acoustic sound designers amongst others.
Favourite Episode: Amanda Davis (Live Front of House Mixer for Janelle Monae)
6.
George Ezra and Friends
More commonly known as an artist, George Ezra launched his own podcast series earlier this year in an effort to offer fans an alternative insight into life as a successful commercial artist. The episodes differ from usual interviews with famous artists in that these artists speak to Ezra as an equal as opposed to as an interviewer. The episodes are successful in illuminating the downsides and realities of touring and recording. Ezra boasts an impressive list of guest interviewees including Ed Sheeran, Hannah Reid and Sam Smith. Singer Jessie Ware launched a similar podcast series called Table Manners last year.
Favourite Episode: Justin Young (The Vaccines)
7.
The Future Of What
Hosted by president of independent record label Kill Rock Stars Portia Sabin, The Future Of What delves a little deeper into the subjects that other music business podcasts touch on. Sabin invites several guest speakers from varying backgrounds to the show each week to offer different insights into the given topic which is beneficial; sometimes one to one podcasts are limited in the range of perspectives that they can offer. Topics range from playlist curation to unpacking the music modernisation act to contracts.
Favourite Episode: The Aesthetics of Album Art
