The B-Sides

Latest Episodes:

Miniseries: The Glee-Sides, Part 3 Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

The time has come to wrap up our three-part miniseries on Glee, the critically-acclaimed musical comedy-drama that aired on FOX from 2009 to 2015. For Part 3, we now turn to season 3 and another instant-classic episode: Mash Off (3x06). Oof. This episode is particularly bittersweet: Naya Rivera and Cory Monteith act as its biggest stars, and boy do they shine (especially Naya, not that we're keeping score). There is so much going on in this episode...

Mash Off centers around mashups - very much trending in pop music at the time, and Glee really embraced them. In fact, this episode features one of the most iconic mashups of all time, and perhaps one of the greatest scenes in music television history. It all goes down at the end of the episode, so...stick with us.

But the broader theme of Mash Off appears to be "conflict": conflicting songs, conflicting ideologies, conflicting identities. These conflicts manifest as everything from a spirited dodgeball game to a ruthless political campaign, from eviscerating insults to vulnerable admissions.

So please join us as we finish, with 2020 vision, this short but substantial and sentimental journey through an Obama-era staple.

If you didn't know, Part 1 and Part 2 of the Glee-Sides are also out now (duh, probably) - they cover the Pilot (1x01), Laryngitis (1x18), Rumours (2x19), as well as a brief discussion on how this miniseries came to be and some other crucial musings.

Also! Season 2 of the pod is launching on October 14. So if you've subscribed and left a review, thank you!

And let's let the conversation continue...

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Miniseries: The Glee-Sides, Part 2 Sep 18, 2020

Show notes

So here's what you missed on Glee...

That's right - we're back with Part 2 of a three-part miniseries on the critically-acclaimed musical comedy-drama that aired on FOX from 2009 to 2015. And now it's time to turn to a season 2 episode that some would consider an instant classic: Rumours (2x19). Titled after Fleetwood Mac's 1977 album of the same name, this episode is the first and possibly only centered around a single album - and the songs really work together to push the plot forward in ways that we don't often see on Glee. It's tight.

Rumours also gives us a rundown on the dangers of what we might now call "alternative facts," a strong case for journalistic integrity, an even stronger case for socialism, one of the best ever covers, and so much more. So please join us as we continue, with 2020 vision, on this wild ride through an Obama-era staple.

If you didn't know, Part 1 of the Glee-Sides is also out now (duh, probably) and covers the Pilot (1x01) and Laryngitis (1x18), as well as a brief discussion on how this miniseries came to be. And stay tuned for Part 3, where we'll be discussing none other than Mash Off (3x06).

After the Glee-Sides wrap up, season 2 of the pod will launch on October 14. So if you've subscribed and left a review, thank you!

And let's let the conversation continue...

You can now leave us a voicemail! Click here to record a voicemail for us.

Make sure to follow us on insta: instagram.com/listentothebsides and join the facebook group: bit.ly/bsidesfbgroup

Buy our MERCH!

Find us everywhere you find your podcasts! Including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Miniseries: The Glee-Sides, Part 1 Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

Have you been looking for the right moment and excuse to (re)watch Glee, the critically-acclaimed musical comedy-drama that aired on FOX from 2009 to 2015? Of course you have, and we ask that you look no further. The B-Sides is here with a three-part miniseries on Glee, seasons 1-3 (the best seasons, sorry)!

Together, we'll look back at a few choice episodes + the legacy of this Obama-era staple with 2020 vision. These days it all feels so foreign yet familiar, and certainly bittersweet.

In Part 1, join us as we recap and heavily editorialize on two episodes from season 1: the Pilot (1x01) and Laryngitis (1x18). Back then, Glee was just finding its footing - some of our inevitable faves hadn't yet grown into the roles they were meant to play, but at least Lea Michele seemed pretty self-aware. It's a mixed bag, can't win 'em all, etc.

And stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 of the miniseries, where we'll dip into Glee's seasons 2 and 3. For those next eps, we'll be watching Rumours (2x19) and Mash Off (3x06) - in case you want to watch them too! We'll all have fun, either way. <3

Also! After this miniseries, season 2 of the pod will launch on October 14. So if you've subscribed and left a review, thank you!

And let's let the conversation continue...

You can now leave us a voicemail! Click here to record a voicemail for us.

Make sure to follow us on insta: instagram.com/listentothebsides and join the facebook group: bit.ly/bsidesfbgroup

Buy our MERCH!

Find us everywhere you find your podcasts! Including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Folklore: The E(mergency)-Sides Jul 25, 2020

Show notes

Folklore just dropped.

Let's talk about it. Welcome to: The E-Sides!

Our wary quarantine minds and bodies needed this album more than we realized. Our moodiness found purpose when Taylor Swift gave it a body of work to hold onto.

But some people are using Taylor's "acoustic" project as a way to diss her earlier, pop-y work. We won't stand for it! Let's talk about that. Let's talk about *how* to talk about Karlie Kloss. Let's talk about how we think this album stacks up to others, and let's talk about each song one by one.

The conversations gotta continue with each and every one of you, so make sure to follow us on insta: instagram.com/listentothebsides and join the facebook group: bit.ly/bsidesfbgroup

We are in between seasons 1 and 2 right now - if you subscribed rn you would seriously be helping Hannah, Becky, and Mimi so much.

Thank you for subscribing and leaving a review!
Find us everywhere you find your podcasts! Including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Mini Episode: The Death of Pop May 29, 2020

Show notes

How do you record an album in quarantine?

Find out in this special interview with Frass Green, a DC band that Hannah had the honor of interviewing for the pod.

Frass Green's EP, "Death of Pop," drops TODAY, May 29. Our interview covers what the album means to them, what it's like to be a DC band that some people think might be pop, what impact the violin solo in "Ocean Avenue" had on the band's musical journeys, and whether or not you have a moral imperative to listen to an Ariana Grande album in order.

Informed in equal parts by the rambling energy of early garage rock coupled with the simple sounds and harmonies of the 1960’s, Frass Green, comprised of Joe Antoshak (rhythm guitar, vocals), Tyler Rippel (bass, keys, vocals), Antonio Peluso (drums) and Matt Lachance (lead guitar, violin, vocals), makes basement beach pop from the heart of Washington, D.C.
We are in between seasons 1 and 2 right now - if you subscribed rn you would seriously be helping Hannah, Becky, and Mimi so much.

Thank you for subscribing and leaving a review! Make sure to follow us on insta: instagram.com/listentothebsides and join the facebook group: bit.ly/bsidesfbgroup
Find us everywhere you find your podcasts! Including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

17. The Rise And Rise Of Kesha Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

Kesha is a queen. But did we always appreciate her as such? We dig into not only Kesha's talent and resilience, but start to shed a spotlight on the toxic music industry that fed on her success and ended up hurting her greatly. But of course - she took the Higher Road. As always we have three segments: - A-Sides - 9:15 - B-Sides - 20:10 - U-Sides - 57:43 Here are some links 4u: 1. THE B-SIDES ZIIIINE! bit.ly/buybsideszine2019 2. The B-Sides NEWSLETTER! bit.ly/listentothebsides 3. The second B-Sides newsletter EVER in Feb. 2017 about Kesha and Dr. Luke: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=8b3473bed77cfff96ccea4435&id=b99ec94ccd&e=13fa5c1d60 4. A timeline of Kesha and Dr. Luke. This one is from 2016 so it's old but it has some helpful context: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kesha-and-dr-luke-everything-you-need-to-know-to-understand-the-case-106731/ 5. And finally, because we're incredibly proud, here's the link to the Bello Collective Top 100 podcasts which, spoiler alert, we’re on: https://bellocollective.com/100-best-podcasts-of-2019-7f4c083d43f7 Thank you for subscribing and leaving a review! Make sure to follow us on insta: instagram.com/listentothebsides and join the facebook group: bit.ly/bsidesfbgroup Find us everywhere you find your podcasts! Including Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-sides/id1466173939 And Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KLSwKrVhgCwbIuIfTwRNS?si=MQCputEnROSjluLxe21h-g

16. Music, Activism, and Accelerated Capitalism ft. Dan Baggarly Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

This week's episode is pure B-Sides: we're devoting the whole thing to an interview with a very special guest, Dan Baggarly of Philly-based bands Trash Boy and Little War. Dan has been a versatile musician and progressive activist for most of his life, and the thoughts that spill from his brain are well worth your time and ours. Together, we talk through questions like How do we align our music consumption with our politics? Accelerated capitalism's influence on the music industry is bad, no? What does it mean to care without giving in to despair? Should we be dunking on Spotify more often? Is indie pop a defined sub-genre? and Who will take the trash out when we're gone? Songs played: 20:36 - Government Skatepark by Trash Boy 1:08:19 - Hellaware by Trash Boy For more of Dan's music and thoughts: Check out any/all streaming apps under "Trash Boy" Facebook, Instagram, Twitter - @trashboyphilly & Littlewarhxc.bandcamp.com And lastly, thank you for subscribing and leaving a review! Make sure to follow the B-Sides on Instagram: instagram.com/listentothebsides and join the Facebook group: bit.ly/bsidesfbgroup You can find the B-Sides everywhere you find your podcasts! Including Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-sides/id1466173939 And Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KLSwKrVhgCwbIuIfTwRNS?si=MQCputEnROSjluLxe21h-g

15. From Broadway to Beverly Hills Nov 20, 2019

Show notes

On this week's b-sides we take you from Broadway to Beverly Hills. Focusing in on three "stars" (Ben Platt, Lea Michele, and Ariana Grande), we take down the winding road that lead them from the broadway stage to (maybe) platinum studio albums. Why did only one of these three make it in the pop world? Can Lea Michele read? Why does Ben Platt dance like Robyn in the RAIN video? Listen to find out! As always we have three segments: - A-Sides - 4:02 - B-Sides - 15:42 - U-Sides - 48:19 Thank you for subscribing and leaving a review! Make sure to follow us on insta: instagram.com/listentothebsides and join the facebook group: bit.ly/bsidesfbgroup Find us everywhere you find your podcasts! Including Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-sides/id1466173939 And Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KLSwKrVhgCwbIuIfTwRNS?si=MQCputEnROSjluLxe21h-g

14. Pop Music Qs And As Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

The world is full of questions. Luckily, we have answers. Like literally all the answers you’d ever need for real. Today we A’ed your burning pop music Q’s that you submitted through our Instagram (listentothebsides) and FB group (bit.ly/thebsidesfbgroup)! Questions such as: -Does pop music matter as much as it did 10 years ago? -Are we all saying Avril Lavigne’s name wrong? Why isn’t it la-vin-yay? -Is taylor swift gay? -What’s up with the “music from this episode” phenomenon in teen shows in the early 2000s? And how did shonda get such good music on her shows? -Who was the first pop star? Are there “historical” pop stars? Like, was Judy Garland a pop star?? -Which 2 artists do you want to see collaborate? -Tell us about times when pop has intersected with other genres, and which ones you enjoyed. -How do different charts measure ratings? What is top 40 measuring and how is that different than the billboard 100? And are there different metrics in other countries? -Who are some up and coming artists? -what happened to fergie -What’s your favorite song about a place? -Which pop star has the most famous non-musical spouse? (Shakira and Piqué for example) Which pop star has the least famous spouse? Like, is anyone married to a librarian or a chemist? You can find our 2 segments at: -A-Sides: Some recent pop news - 4:32 -B-Sides: Pop music Q and A - 15:35 -BONUS! Listen to Hannah completely ruin Becky and Mimi’s lives with a Rapid Fire Q and A interlude at 34:30. Links we promised you: -Gaylor Masterpost: https://svnshineswift.tumblr.com/post/164948320592/major-gaylor-swift-evidence-masterpost/amp and https://kaylorevidence.com/ -Karlie+Taylor powerpoint called “Reputation is about Karlie Kloss”: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rE33nMNB8twCdPLVQudM4kN0N5gv7UnnYQfYy0t3ObI/mobilepresent?slide=id.g3b692fe12f_0_378 Thank you for subscribing and leaving a review! Make sure to follow us on insta: instagram.com/listentothebsides and join the facebook group: bit.ly/bsidesfbgroup Find us everywhere you find your podcasts! Including Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-sides/id1466173939 And Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KLSwKrVhgCwbIuIfTwRNS?si=MQCputEnROSjluLxe21h-g

12. Pop and Masculinity ft. Logan Bayroff Oct 10, 2019

Show notes

On today’s podcast we talk to our resident straight cis white man, Logan Bayroff, about pop music and masculinity. We explore feminism and misogyny and what it means to be a straight white man who likes Ariana Grande. Time stamps: -A-Sides - 5:30 -B-Sides Interview with Logan Bayroff - 13:00 -U-Sides - 1:02:52 And shout to Jared of Jared and Ashley I (Bachelor/Bachelorette fame) for using his platform to highlight is love for the Backstreet Boys and the Jonas Brothers. Thank you for subscribing to The B-Sides! Make sure to follow us on insta: instagram.com/listentothebsides and join the facebook group: bit.ly/bsidesfbgroup Find us everywhere you find your podcasts! Including Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-sides/id1466173939 And Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KLSwKrVhgCwbIuIfTwRNS?si=MQCputEnROSjluLxe21h-g

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