Stay ConnectedThe Radio Ga Ga Podcast is a weekly album review podcast that explores why we like the music we like. Host Justine Piehowski dives into each album in depth, with artist backgrounds, song-by-song meanings, and notes from the recording studio. The goal of the Radio Ga Ga Podcast is to help you as the listener feel more knowledgeable and connected to the music you love, and maybe even music you didn’t know you would.
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https://radiogagapodcast.com/
It's Weezer week on Radio Ga Ga! The history of this band and its frontman, Rivers Cuomo, is pretty nuts. Cuomo was obsessed with metal growing up, idolizing Ace Frehley of KISS & shredding guitar in his own metal bands. And this was after growing up in the Yogaville ashram, practicing spirituality instead of toys and cartoons. In this episode, I explain how he got from the ashram life, to hair metal, to Harvard, to being the king of modern nerd rock. Bring your singing voice and your Flying =W=.
"American Pie" is one of the most well-known - and most cryptic - songs in American popular music. Though Don McLean has confirmed a few of the song's oft-rumored references, including 'the jester' Bob Dylan and the disaster at Altamont, most of the song's meanings are still up for debate. In this episode, I'm giving you a full breakdown of every line of American Pie and their possible meanings, with historical context that begins on February 3, 1959 - The Day The Music Died.
Radiohead's third studio album, OK Computer, is considered one of the most heralded albums of our generation. Many believe the album predicted the future of transportation, technology, and humanity in general, and it's spooky how true I found that to be. In this episode, my guest Kaylee Labor and I discuss the themes, lyrics and other unique things about OK Computer that have made the album so timeless, and why it's even more relevant more than 2 decades after its release.
As kids, the members of Kings Of Leon desired to walk in the steps of their Pentecostal preacher dad. But when they found out even he was only human, they realized they were too, and a whole new world opened to them. Their story is fascinating. My guest is Micah Brown, lead guitarist for the alternative/reggae band Iration! We talk all about how KOL inspires him as a guitarist and songwriter, what it's like as a touring musician, & why WALLS has been one of his most listened to albums in the past few years.
Bon Iver is no doubt one of the most polarizing artists of this generation, with some believing frontman Justin Vernon is the savior of indie music, and others not liking his music at all. In this episode of the Radio Ga Ga Podcast, I talk all about which side I'm personally on, what makes his music so polarizing, and the story of the legendary 'cabin in the woods' where his debut album, "For Emma, Forever Ago" was born.
"A Crow Left Of The Murder..." came at a very interesting time in the Incubus timeline - they had just hired a new bassist and new producer, and everything really seemed to click into place. This band has been together almost 30 years, and is still going strong. I dive into what makes "A Crow Left Of The Murder..." such a timeless album with my guest, Neil Schuster! He has some great takes about Incubus that made me think about this album in a new light.
This episode is a little different! I'm diving deep into an interesting and creepy production technique called backmasking. Listening to music backward can be traced back to the invention of the phonograph in the 1800s, and has since been associated with subliminal messaging, censorship, and in some cases, it's an homage to the devil himself. I'm sharing all my favorite examples, including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Motorhead, Tool, Prince, Pink Floyd, ELO and so many more. Be warned, this is a creepy one!
In the eighth episode, I'm talking about Kacey Musgraves and her stunning 2018 album "Golden Hour." I'm happy to welcome back Kelly Hawkins to discuss the ways this album has had a positive effect on both of our lives. This was one of those conversations with your friend where you don't have any more words, and you just hug each other at the end of it. This album is a must-listen and one to share with your friends.
In the seventh episode of the Radio Ga Ga Podcast, I'm branching out to an admittedly blind spot in my music knowledge ... rap. But I am so glad I did. This episode breaks down the elements that make up trap music and its cultural significance, as well as Jeezy's rise to fame - from hustling drugs as a teenager to becoming one of trap's pioneers. I'm excited to share my conversation with Phil Landes, who tells me about memories this album reminds him of, and the deeper meanings behind his favorite tracks.
Metamodern Sounds is a beautiful, psychedelic, outlaw country acid trip that explores why we're here and what it all means. Despite being all but blacklisted from the country music industry, Sturgill continues to create some of the best modern country today. I'm joined in this episode by ESPN senior writer Kevin Van Valkenburg, who has some of the best insights I've ever heard on Sturgill and his music. A must-listen both for Sturgill fans, and for those who aren't yet.
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