PODCAST · music
Records & Riffs
by Matt Norlander
A gabfest podcast on all things music-related. This listener-interactive pod encompasses the ever-expanding universe of popular music and touches on everything from interviews with well-known musicians to episodes debating the legacies of bands spanning dozens of genres. For any fan of music, it's a must-listen.
Episodes
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Episode 26: A great group hiding in plain sight: how the pandemic halted the rise of so many bands
I recently stumbled upon a band I knew nothing about — and immediately loved their sound. Isn’t it great when that happens? Their name: Maj Deeka. Their style: Steely Dan meets Umphrey’s McGee meets Galactic meets Dopapod meets Reign of Kindo meets Herbie Hancock … and a dash of a lot of other...
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Episode 25: DMB's Busted Stuff 20 years later
The previously untold story of just how rocky this album-making process was at a critical time in DMB's history. Producer Steve Harris reveals the highs and lows of DMB's fifth major studio LP, with never-before-told stories from the studio. He also goes track-by-track with each song, detailing...
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Episode 23: The Lillywhite Sessions (Part 1)
In 2000, Dave Matthews Band was the biggest rock act in America. The group set out to record a fourth record, on the heels of its massive hit, 1998's Before These Crowded Streets. It was a doomed process. The album's sessions eventually leaked anyway—to widespread positive reviews. The band...
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Episode 22: The end of the iPod also marks the end of an era we'll never get back
In May of 2022, Apple announced it was no longer manufacturing the iPod. RIP. Of course, this is the perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on the so-called "iPod era," a particular near-decade of music obsessiveness that paved the way for the streaming-service dominance we live in now. Matt...
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Episode 21: Bob Mould + Hüsker Dü + Sugar
I’m thrilled to have noted author, Chopped champion and robe enthusiast Drew Magary join the pod. His most recent novel, Point B, is available in electronic and print form now. If you’d like to purchase a copy — and I do recommend that! — there are multiple ways to do so, but print versions can…
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Episode 20: Bob Dylan
This episode was handled with care and with special attention for Chris’ family, most specifically his wife and daughter. It is a gift to be able to bring him back to life in this way. Rest in peace, Chris Chase, you are so missed.
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Episode 19: Is the jam-band genre past its peak -- forever?
Relix co-editor-in-chief Dean Budnick joins R&R to look at the legacy of the Grateful Dead, discuss what's changed with the jam-band scene and offers up thoughts on how the genre has evolved -- and not.
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Episode 18: The Rolling Stones (The Lost Episodes)
Records & Riffs returns from hiatus with a surprise: a batch of old episodes, recorded in 2016 and 2017, will be published in the coming weeks before new episodes go into the feed. This episode doesn’t just discuss the Rolling Stones and their discography, but also features a conversation and...
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Episode 17: Steve Lillywhite on Before These Crowded Streets (Part 2)
Before These Crowded Streets was a game-changer for DMB. The band never made another record like it. In this episode, Lillywhite talks with host Matt Norlander not just about the intricate details of each song, but gets into the working and musicianship dynamic of every member of the band. He…
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Episode 16: Producer Steve Lillywhite reflects on 20-year anniversary Dave Matthews Band's "Before These Crowded Streets" (Part 1)
The most celebrated album of Dave Matthews Band's career is 1998's reputation-bending Before These Crowded Streets, a 70-minute magnum opus that features the band at its biggest and best. Steve Lillywhite produced the album, in addition to other DMB records from the 1990s, and joins the podcast…
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2016: The Year in Music
From Chance the Rapper to David Bowie, Kanye West to Culture Abuse, Sturgill Simpson to Bon Iver, a look at what did and didn't land in music in 2016. Matt Norlander runs down his 15 favorite records, and 15 more than he thought were overrated or under-delivered.
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2015: The Year in Music
So, how good was 2015 for mainstream music? Matt Norlander runs down more 40 of the most notable albums that were put out over the past 12 months.
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Episode 13: Guitar Gods
The epic conclusion to the first season of the Records & Riffs podcast is a self-indulgent and entirely enthusiastic 90-minute examination into some of the best mainstream guitarists in music history. What makes/made them great, who are the underrated would-be gods, who are the best guys going...
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Episode 12: Ben Folds Five
How could a band that came to be in the heart of the 1990s alt-rock spell find a footing adn a following without a guitar player? That's what Ben Folds Five did, and the band's reputation continues to remain in good standing despite just one album released from the group in the past 15 years.…
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Episode 11: Talking Real Estate -- with Real Estate!
What is it about certain bands' sounds that make them stand out? Is it luck? Timing? Some of that, but songwriting and sonic conviction is also key. Few indie rock acts over the past 15 years have had as strong a three-record showing to start a career as Real Estate. Martin Courtney is the…
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Episode 10: The State of Pop Music in 2015
What makes a good pop song, and has the value of a good pop song changed? In many ways, yes. Has the "soul" of a song been altered in a new landscape for music-making and music listening? Absolutely. Tom Junod is an award-winning writer-at-large for Esquire, and he's the guest on this episode....
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Episode 9: David Bowie
All told, David Bowie is probably one of the three most important and influential solo artists to come out of the 1970s. That's the premise of the ninth episode from season one of the Records & Riffs podcast. The guest? Bomani Jones, most known for his comprehensive commentary on sports, is also...
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Episode 8: Phish
It's the perfect podcast episode about Phish. Enough information and minutiae to appease the diehards, but plenty of primers for casual and newbie Phish fans. The band has finally graduated to a level of no longer being a pop culture joke. This is a group that's become one of America's most...
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Episode 7: Talking Umphrey's McGee -- with Umphrey's McGee!
Go ahead and do the research: You'll discover few, if any, rock acts out there today are as multifaceted, talented, nimble and forward-leaning as Umphrey's McGee. The band has an EXTREMELY dedicated hardcore fan base. Band bassist Ryan Stasik joins the pod to discuss all things Umph, including…
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Episode 6: Vinyl records
Let's go beyond the surface discussion of the "vinyl boom" and look at the good and the bad that's come with the hobby's massive rebirth over the past eight years. Chris Lantinen runs modern-vinyl.com. He joins host Matt Norlander to discuss how the music business is putting one foot in the grave...
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Episode 5: Taylor Swift
Yes, it's OK to admit: You love Taylor Swift. Or maybe you really don't get it at all. But that's why this episode was recorded. Is Taylor Swift the most powerful person in music? And how did she get so big by the age of 25? Deadspin culture writer Rob Harvilla joins the pod to explain how Swift...
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Episode 4: Nirvana
Nirvana is considered by most to be among the most influential and important rock acts ever. Does that mean it's true? How has the band's influence and standing in popular culture and music culture changed in the past decade? Writer/journalist Will Leitch, a well-versed Nirvana fan, joins the pod...
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Episode 3: Talking Guster — with Guster!
Guster has achieved national acclaim as an ever-evolving alternative pop band for more than 20 years now. Its drummer, Brian Rosenworcel, joins the podcast to discuss the origins of the band, what comes next, how it ever got to this point, and so much more.
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Episode 2: Favorite album-opening tracks
A great album has to start with a great first track. Here are some of the best. Grantland staff writer Steven Hyden joins host Matt Norlander to talk some of their favorite side one, track ones of all-time.
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Episode 1: An introduction.
Matt Norlander's introductory episode of the Records & Riffs podcast quickly details what to expect from a music podcast that, hopefully, us unlke any you've listened to before. And just what you've been hoping to find.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A gabfest podcast on all things music-related. This listener-interactive pod encompasses the ever-expanding universe of popular music and touches on everything from interviews with well-known musicians to episodes debating the legacies of bands spanning dozens of genres. For any fan of music, it's a must-listen.
HOSTED BY
Matt Norlander
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Records & Riffs have?
Records & Riffs currently has 26 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Records & Riffs about?
A gabfest podcast on all things music-related. This listener-interactive pod encompasses the ever-expanding universe of popular music and touches on everything from interviews with well-known musicians to episodes debating the legacies of bands spanning dozens of genres. For any fan of music, it's...
How often does Records & Riffs release new episodes?
Records & Riffs has 26 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Records & Riffs?
You can listen to Records & Riffs on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Records & Riffs?
Records & Riffs is created and hosted by Matt Norlander.
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