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Join music journalist Amanda Dobbins and writer Rob Mahoney as they engage in a spirited draft to create the ultimate holiday playlist. Amanda shares her rich background in Christmas performances while they dive into the emotional nuances of holiday music. Highlights include Rob's pick of 'Fairytale of New York,' Amanda's heartfelt selection of 'Baby Please Come Home,' and Yasi's quirky choice, 'Christmas Wrapping.' They even tackle CVS-core nostalgia with Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' and discuss funny holiday mishaps. It's a festive blend of music and laughter!

Chris Ryan, a savvy podcast host and music critic, joins Yasi to celebrate the standout albums of 2025. They share personal favorites instead of rankings, diving into the cultural impact of breakout band Geese and their track 'Getting Killed.' The duo also delves into the nostalgic vibes of Real Lies and the power-pop charm of The Berries. Discussing everything from Sharon Van Etten's artistry to the experimental sounds of Dean Blunt, Chris and Yasi highlight memorable tracks that shaped their music year, offering a delightful mix of insight and recommendations.

Yasi is joined by The Big Picture’s Sean Fennessey to dive into the brief, brilliant career of Jeff Buckley. They cover his rise on New York’s café stages and the making of his only studio album, 'Grace,' and they discuss how his singular voice, his wildly varied influences, and his tragic and untimely death helped to shape one of the most enduring myths in modern music. Episode Playlist Listen to the Jeff Buckley playlist HERE CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Sean Fennessey @seanfennesseyProducer: Rob SundermannEditor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Coscarelli, a New York Times culture reporter and co-host of Popcast, dives into the cult documentary Dig! Recognized for its raw footage and the rivalry between The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols, he explores the intricacies behind their intertwined legacies. Joe reflects on how the film shaped his career, comparing its narrative to classic storytelling. Discussions on authenticity in documentaries and why musicians often disown their candid portrayals are also highlighted, plus insights into the newly released Dig! XX.

Bre Morell, a musician from Crushed and expert on Massive Attack, dives into the unique origins of the iconic band. She reveals how they unintentionally pioneered trip-hop in Bristol’s vibrant scene. The duo discusses the Wild Bunch collective’s blend of punk, reggae, and hip-hop, and how key figures shaped the group’s aesthetic. They explore the groundbreaking album Blue Lines, emphasizing its genre fusion and collaborations. Insightful stories about their evolution, cultural impact, and darker sounds in Mezzanine round out this captivating conversation.

It’s mailbag time, and once again Rob Harvilla is here to help Yasi answer your most pressing questions. Is 31 too old to go to shows? What would you recommend to impress a hardcore Swedish punk gamer? Why do all the kids these days look like Geese (the band)? And who was stage diving at a Riff Raff show?! Next, Yasi is joined by Militarie Gun’s Ian Shelton to discuss their new album God Save The Gun. And along the way they talk getting over your embarrassment, therapy through songwriting, and some less controversial topics (like God).  CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek ⁠@yasisalek⁠ Guests: Rob Harvilla ⁠@harvilla⁠, Ian Shelton ⁠@militariegun⁠ Producer: Rob Sundermann  Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Chris Ryan, a podcaster and music writer, dives into the fascinating journey of Jimmy Eat World. He recounts their early days in Mesa, AZ, and the pivotal split seven-inch that connected them to the emo scene. The conversation contrasts the pop-punk era with their breakthrough album, Bleed American, exploring themes of panic disorder and emotional depth. Listeners will enjoy insights into their creative process, the impact of Napster, and the band's remarkable resilience in maintaining humility and longevity in the music industry.

Evan Dando is back with a long-awaited memoir and a brand-new Lemonheads album, and there’s only one guest who could do them both justice: the artist formerly known as Producer Dylan, aka Dylan Tupper Rupert. In this episode, Yasi and Dylan dive into their takeaways, learnings, and surprises from the book, Rumors of My Demise and also discuss the first original Lemonheads album in 19 years, Love Chant (it’s good!). CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Dylan Rupert Producer: Rob Sundermann  Video Editor: Kevin Pooler Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alicia Bognanno, the talented frontperson of the band Bully, joins to explore the profound influence of Alanis Morissette on emotional expression in music. They discuss how 'Jagged Little Pill' transformed pain into relatable pop poetry, providing a voice for a generation. Alicia shares her personal connection to Alanis's work, while they dive into themes of vulnerability, industry pressures, and the authenticity of Alanis's songwriting process. They also reflect on cultural impacts, from iconic singles like 'You Oughta Know' to Alanis's enduring legacy.

In today’s episode we’re heading back to the Sunset Strip — a leather clad world of teased hair, tight pants, and pure chaos. Guest Molly Lambert helps us remember the golden era of hair metal, when bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Ratt made the Sunset Strip their glitter covered playground. Turn it up, spray it higher and relive the excess and freedom of the 80s with us. Episode Playlist:Listen to Hair Metal Fall of Fame ⁠Here⁠CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Molly LambertProducer: Rob Sundermann Video Editor: Ashleigh SmithAudio Editor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles, Juliana RessTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices