In The Mix

What happens when an artist makes a song no one expected them to make? That is the question posited by Andy and Alex, aka NJ new wave band Sailor Boyfriend, who join Steve and Dave for a discussion of the random choices artists make and why they make them. Why did rock stars keep trying to rap in the 80s? What is Charli XCX's legacy in pop music? Why did Rush decide to sell out 20 years into being a popular band? All that, plus the worst cover of a Velvet Underground song you could ever hear, await you. Check out Sailor Boyfriend's music on Bandcamp and Spotify!

Where were you in 2002? We mostly spent it listening to music, and so did Avery Mandeville, who joins us to discuss why she thinks 2002 was the greatest year for music. Some of the finest hit songs and indie gems from 16 years ago lead us to discussing the importance of knowing what's punk when you're 12, how Missy Elliott's legacy has evolved, and whether Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" deserved the vaunted Pitchfork 10/10. Check out the new album from Avery Mandeville and the Man Devils, "Happy Birthday Avery Jane," on Bandcamp and Spotify. And check out the music video for her new single, Get Real!

Returning champion Jessie McCormick is back, and for one week these nerds are total jocks. From favorite teams to favorite players, these are the songs of the sporting world. How did Seven Nation Army become a universal chant? How did wrestling come back? And how does an MLB owner get so thoroughly hosed in a Ponzi scheme? Go see Jessie's new staged musical God, Forgive These Bastards at the 2018 Fringe Festival in Philadelphia starting September 6th!

Halloween... in August?! Yes dear listener. Nothing matters and time isn't real, so when Adam Bird of aBIRD asked if he could do a Halloween episode, we leapt at the chance. Spooky songs and even spookier off-topic discussions about horror movies, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and AFI await you. Check out aBIRD's music, available on Apple Music and Spotify.

The boys return after a bout of technical difficulties for a solo episode, detailing some of their favorite songs by artists they otherwise do not enjoy. Along the way they figure out if there's a song that could live up to the Garden State headphones scene, Dave's days at Christian camp, the nostalgic days of trying to be a post-hardcore fan, and just exactly what makes John Mayer so insufferable to people.

Darrel from Quality Living returns to the show as we discuss some of the most notable examples of emo and some we think should be. From mid-80s to the early 2010s, we get into it all, plus a surprising amount of Jason Mraz talk. If you wanna hear about post-hardcore bands that almost made it and Get Up Kids side projects, this is the episode for you. If you don't, well, that makes sense. But listen anyway, please.

Singer and ukulele artist Devon Alana returns to the show and, in between our thoughts on Apu, discusses some of the finest examples of artists who recorded one full album, and only that one album. From Reel Big Fish side projects to Conor Oberst side projects, ska-punk to baroque pop, our discussion ranges from why Hozier didn't choose a different lead single to how Dave's musical brand is "Game Over" music.

Our bud Dave Lynch joins us for a discussion of some great songs to have on when you're on the road. What's the best Springsteen album for someone who hasn't gotten into Bruce yet? How did Head Automatica never get big? What the hell was Killer Mike doing talking to the NRA? All that plus our new video game idea, Daddy Dom Me, awaits you.

The fellas decide it's time for a solo ep and come together to discuss some of their favorite songs that have made it all the way to the top - number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Spanning six decades in ten songs, we discuss the consistency of Usher, Dave's passionate thoughts on the movie Miami Vice, and debut our brand new spinoff podcast Good Delicious.

It happened. We did a whole Mountain Goats episode, determining what we think are the best songs to choose to turn someone into a fan. Along for the ride is massive Mountain Goats fan and musician Chris Dubrow (The Burns, Avery Mandeville and the Man Devils, OneMore with Brian Erickson) who curated some of his favorite tracks and live performances. We discuss the tendency to put hero worship onto John Darnielle and the different "eras" of The Mountain Goats. From the early stuff to Goths, we got it all - plus our expected diversions into Weezer and Billy Joel.

Chris Fox of Ruby Bones joins us last minute to talk about some songs we listen to - even if we know they aren't actually good. We learn about the surprising depth of Mr. Roboto, disagree about Meghan Trainor, and explain how Train become the Hallmark card of music. Plus, we listen to the grossest song in rap-rock history and Steve gets a present. More people should give us presents!

Ukulele player and Puppy Grease member Jessie McCormick returns to the show/allows us to return to her house to talk about her latest obsession, the concept album! Jessie details her process of trying to adapt a modern punk concept album into a musical and why it spoke to her. Meanwhile, the three of us discuss how the crushing mundanity of the suburbs makes for interesting stories, the progression of Childish Gambino over the past decade, and how Boys Night Out went from pop punk to creating one of the most unsettling stories in concept album history.

We've talked about bad cover songs before. But now good ones?! YES. Ruby Bones drummer James Janocha joins us for a discussion of some of the most classic covers of the past few decades, plus some you maybe haven't heard. A ska vs. hair bands debate, Dave's love of video game music, and a reminder that The Black Crowes exist await you.

Ah, the river. The perfect place to lounge around on a raft while wearing a large straw hat. But you also need some tunes while you're there. Max Resnick from We're Ghosts Now returns as we all create the perfect playlist for your journey on the river. We notice which artists use rivers as a running motif, the ways men of a certain age accidentally watched But I'm a Cheerleader, and Max regales us with boy scout stories and the tale of when he saw Neil Young. He even brings a gift for Dave!

We're back! And so is NJ radio personality Megan O'Shea, who drops by to talk about her Singles Only Anti-Valentine's Day Song Challenge event in Asbury Park. We discuss some of our favorite songs for heartbreak, loss, and just plain old not caring about love on Valentine's Day. How does country work so well for heartbreak? What makes Miranda Lambert stand out from the crowd? And is Dave secretly in love with Kyle Chandler, or outwardly in love with him? Meg's event is at The Asbury at 8:00 on Wednesday night, aka Valentine's Day, and is totally free. Check out the finalists' songs on Facebook under the hashtag #SinglesJingle!

In the final episode of the year, the boys talk some of their absolute favorite releases this year, while Fun While You Wait's Devon Moore returns to discuss some of her favorite new releases from the local Asbury Park scene. Plus some surprise messages from guests of episodes past! From The National to Paramore, join us in celebrating the year in music.

It's the holiday season! To celebrate, Chris from Ruby Bones returns to the show and the boys all discuss the Christmas songs that are near and dear to them. How dark do Weird Al holiday songs actually get? Why does a Bob Dylan Christmas song sound like a bar mitzvah? How creepy actually is Baby It's Cold Outside? All that, plus some impeccable Tim Allen impressions. So turn the fireplace on, grab some eggnog, and don't have a blue Christmas - spend it with us!

Mere HOURS ago, the boys met up after an exhausting day to discuss, with their brains fully fried, songs that bring out the winter spirit. We discuss the emotions of New Year's Eve, whether it's appropriate to make winter songs if Beach is in your band name, and come up with pilot ideas.

We're Ghosts Now drummer/YouTuber Jake Resnick returns to the program as we talk about some of the various songs that provoke real, palpable emotions within us all. We cover all the emotions we can think of, like sad, driving, and Steven Universe.

We thought of a theme called Salad Days. It could be about songs from your youth or literally songs about salad and vegetables. So... we went with both! Joining us is our pal, Asbury Park musician Alex Iannone. The three gents talk about their childhoods of the 90s and early 2000s, from summers in Staten Island to middle school days of discovering indie and writing fanfiction. Also, songs about vegetables, complete with salad recipes. Dave makes salad!