Helio-Tropes

Latest Episodes:

Anna Zanes May 05, 2025

Show notes

Anna Zanes is the editor in chief of Alternative Press Magazine. She joins us to talk about honoring the magazine's legacy while driving it forward—diversifying coverage, spotlighting new voices, and pushing the envelope beyond the sausage fest of yesteryear. We also chat about Corbin's very good new album 'Crisis Kid' and some of the history Yash has with the artist formerly known as Spooky Black. We break down Deafheaven's stellar new album Lonely People With Power—what makes it so powerful, their leap from indie to major label, and how they've stayed true to heavy music without compromise. Anna also shares her Top 5 songs of the moment including tracks by Comet, Mould, Viagra Boys, and Sextile. Don't sleep.

SAD PRT Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode our guest is the founder of SAD PRT, a platform based on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube that showcases emerging underground artists. We talk about how the platform highlights artists and storylines that often don't appear in traditional media, and the ways in which they've successfully built a community of passionate followers around niche music. We get into the rise of 2Hollis and his polarizing major label debut album star, the intentions behind how albums are crafted, and how clips of crowd reactions at live shows have become a critical marketing tool in breaking new artists. We also talk about buzzing UK rapper Fakemink, the sonic world he's built, the art of actually writing down raps, and how he's become a mystical figure to fans, with a dedicated following that continues to grow worldwide. Genre-bending artist Crucify April is also is discussed and we explore the influences and sounds that shape his music, from video game samples to Crystal Castles. And of course, we dive into the current SAD PRT Top 5, featuring tracks from Ghost Mountain, Feng, LUCKI, Eric Aharzoth, and Stiffy & PILF (Zell, Turrobaby, Agus). Banger.

Kieran Press-Reyonlds Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Kieran Press-Reynolds is a writer with a weekly column at Pitchfork called "Rabbit Holed," exploring songs and scenes at the intersection of music and digital culture. He has written for publications such as The New York Times, Business Insider, No Bells, and more. This episode of HT is a journey into the sprawling world of ASMR, as documented in one of Kieran's latest stories on the topic. Yash admits he is an ASMR truther, while Kieran expands on the many layers and complexities of the styles he has encountered in his everyday life—and those thriving beneath the surface. We also discuss how music relates to ASMR and the bright future of this potential billion-dollar industry. Kieran shares his Top 5 picks, including Crucify April, Kurtains, Playboi Carti, Smerz, and EQ (Estratosfera, Qiri).

Andrew Matson of Finals Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Matson is the co-founder of Finals, a music blog that is rumored to be among the best. He joins us to talk about J Critch and long-time producer cohort Laron's expansive collaborative album titled Plus Ultra and the evolution of both their sound and chemistry, which has history that pre-dates college and record deals. We go deep into contemporary New York rap and how pre-drill artists have had a hard time staying relevant as rap shapeshifts in the city. We also get into Fish Narc's excellent new album Frog Song and how his GothBoiClique roots with Lil Peep don't define him but inform a not-so-completely-new, authentic sound. We also talk about Andrew's website Finals as a publication that is irreverent to the status quo, how blogs are back, and Andrew shares his Top 5 songs by Oklou, 1010benja, Steph X, Ksuuvi, RealYungPhil, and more. Lotta gems.

Will Schube of The Hobbyist Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Will Schube is The Hobbyist—a writer and music critic based in New York with bylines in GQ, FLOOD, Pitchfork, Passion of the Weiss, and many more. He joins us from Austin following the launch of his aptly titled newsletter, The Hobbyist, to talk about the best hobby we both indulge in: Golf—with a capital G. We discuss how the culture has co-opted golf in the fashion space while somehow leaving music out of the equation. We also dive into Life Is Beautiful—the new album from Larry June, The Alchemist, and 2 Chainz—and how 2 Chainz steals the show by design. We explore the "playlistification" of our lives in relation to Apple Music's newly launched radio show and playlist called… wait for it… Chill. The show is hosted by none other than the legendary Brian Eno and Apple Music's resident therapist, Zane Lowe. Will shares insights from his conversations with both hosts about using the show as a means to find peace in the chaos of our lives. We also attempt to get to the bottom of the eternal debate: art vs. commerce under the guise of wellness. Will shares his Top 5, featuring music from Venturing, Skrilla, Eiko Ishibashi, Ghais Guevara, and EBK Jaybo.

Steffanee Wang Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Steffanee Wang joins us today to talk about 67th GRAMMY Awards that aired earlier this month and more. She is a New York City-based professional editor, writer, and reporter who currently is an associate editor at The FADER. She previously served as the music editor at NYLON, has written for Teen Vogue, The FACE, Billboard, NPR Music, and other notable publications. We talk about the best looks at the GRAMMY's, Kanye and Bianca's shenanigans on the carpet, Rap Album of The Year nominees, Chappell Roan's controversial speech, world-building via performances, YouTube's algorithm vs Spotify's, and Steffanee's Top 5 songs of the moment including heat from Theodora, YHWH Nailgun, Yves and more.

Jane Marie Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

This is the first podcast of 2025 and we're calling it Monetizing Hope with Jane Marie, an award-winning podcaster, podcast producer, writer, and author of Selling The Dream: The Billion Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans. Jane joins us from her home in LA, just after the devastating wildfires had somewhat subsided. This episode was recorded a few weeks prior to its release. Jane shares stories from her formative years in Michigan where she grew up, including her experiences seeing Nirvana live at The Blind Pig, watching LL Cool J hump women uncontrollably on stage, Insane Clown Posse, and her close encounter with a vertically challenged Eminem. We also get into her book, which pulls back the curtain on MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) and the origins of pyramid schemes. We dive into the companies that continue to thrive by preying on people looking to make an extra buck, using mind control tactics, empty promises of future wealth, and celebrity and political endorsements to bolster their deceptive pitches. Press play.

Gary Suarez of CABBAGES Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

Gary Suarez is a writer and podcaster who founded CABBAGES, a media outlet and podcast dedicated to covering independent artists. A Queens, New York native, Gary has contributed to esteemed publications such as The Quietus, Forbes, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, The New York Times, NPR, and more. In this special two-hour year-end finale, Gary joins us to share his favorite albums of 2024—including standout projects from Cavalier, Roc Marciano, Vayda, and Your Old Droog—and reflect on the journey of launching his own publication and podcast via a newsletter during the pandemic, back when having a Substack wasn't as common for journalists as having a cellphone. We explore his experiences breaking into music writing in the days when advance copies arrived by USPS, his perspective on covering independent artists, the use of samples in Jersey club and drill music, the "rap trap" that is pain music, and his Top 5 songs of the moment. Come for the year-end album breakdown, and stay for the tangents on cringe vulnerability in hip-hop and the legacy of Jay-Z and more.

Aurielle Sayeh Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Aurielle Sayeh is a mom, creative director, brand consultant, strategist, creator, and DJ based in Los Angeles. A true multi-hyphenate, she shares how she got her start in culture through modeling and DJing in Paris and Amsterdam back in 2013. As an Atlanta native who hustled her way through the global zeitgeist, Aurielle reflects on her journey of tapping into different creative scenes and building relationships and collaborating with brands like Adidas and VFILES. To be in the club—or not to be in the club—north of 30: that is the question. We also dive into topics like patriotism, how it's kind of like an ex, as well as the differences in creativity between LA and NY. Aurielle talks about her work in the wellness space, while Yash shares his own self-care regimen and more in this soothing episode—arguably the closest thing to a sound bath we've ever had.

Yak Ballz on 'YOUNG YASHAR' Nov 18, 2024

Show notes

Yash breaks down the newly released Yak Ballz EP titled 'YOUNG YASHAR' produced by longtime collaborator Mondee. This marks the first official Yak Ballz music in over a decade.

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