Over the past couple of months, my podcast addiction has officially gotten out of control! Podcasts have become an absolute staple of my daily routine and I regularly listen to everything from daily news updates to fiction podcasts, comedy chit-chat and musical content. Given that there are so many great podcasts out there it can sometimes feel a tad overwhelming when choosing what to listen to. So, for all of my fellow podcast enthusiasts out there I have compiled a list of my top musical picks to keep you entertained during lockdown.
Rolling Stone ‘Music Now’
For those of you who enjoy staying up to date with the world of music, esteemed magazine Rolling Stone’s podcast ‘Music Now’ is the pick for you. Taking you through some of the biggest weekly stories, the podcast is a brilliantly curated resource that often takes advantage of it’s reputation with various high-profile guests. I would certainly recommend their episode with the wonderful Phoebe Bridgers exploring her groundbreaking 2020 album ‘Punisher’.
Bitesize Bodacious Babes Podcast
Hosted by the brilliant Gabrielle Corbett, Bitesize Bodacious Babes is a career-focused, bi-weekly podcast by women in music featuring a huge variety of women from across the music industry (incl, Music Photographers, A&R, Radio PR, BBC Radio Presenters, Songwriters, etc.). For anyone starting out and looking for advice on how to get involved with it truly is an invaluable resource and a lovely listen!
James Acasters’ ‘Perfect Sounds‘
If you are looking for something more comedic, look no further than James Acaster’s BBC Sounds podcast, ‘Perfect Sounds’. The podcast is based around James’s argument that 2016 was the greatest year for music ever and sees the whacky comedian attempt to convince a new guest of this ‘fact’ each week. It’s a great laugh, a hilarious premise and an all round joy to listen to.
Carhartt WIP presents ‘Relevant Parties’
For those of you more interested in exploring behind the scenes, Relevant Parties by Carhartt WIP is the podcast for you. Hosted by music journalist Chal Ravens, it is a monthly series that delves into the stories behind some of independent musics’ most important tastemakers. With interviews featuring founders of incredible record labels such as PAN, DFA Records and Ninja Tune it really is a great resource for anyone interested in navigating the world of music business.
Dissect Podcast
This amazing podcast will come as no surprise for any of you interested in the production, context and meaning behind popular music. Dissect is an award-winning podcast that breaks down some of modern musics’ greatest masterpieces (from Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ and Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’) and analyses them in a thoroughly approachable and eye-opening way. For anyone who scoffs at popular music as a complex form of expression, Dissect is my go-to link to prove them wrong!
Apocalypse Music
I couldn’t write about podcasts without slipping in a quick plug for our very own Apocalypse Music podcast! Hosted by co-founders Hermione and Pia, the podcast is a regular chat about music news with a helping of current affairs and general existentialism along the way. Featuring special guests and a good dose of laughter, we hope to provide a moment of respite from the lockdown blues.
For us here at AM, making our podcast has been one of the most enjoyable forms of creativity and distraction during this period of uncertainty. If you have ever had the urge to put something out there we really couldn’t recommend the process enough so be brave and go for it!
As always, do get in touch with us on social media or drop us an email on apocalypsemusicsite@gmail.com
Words by Hermione Kellow
Photo © Apocalypse Music
