Balancing music at any time in life is tough, let alone with a family, job and (currently) a pandemic to keep in mind. Yet somehow, superheroic singer-songwriter Alex Spencer does it all - forms bands, plays shows, looks after the kids, and remains positive and optimistic through it all. It's pretty inspiring.
Recorded back in March 2020, before the world all went a little crazy, Alex and I sat down to talk about keeping the musical spark alive, harnessing the energy of live music gatherings to form bands, and how one defines oneself in a field of singer-songwriters.
Alex is currently working on an EP, which has been delayed with the coronavirus pandemic. Until then though, I completely recommend checking out her work on Spotify, Bandcamp and more, beginning with her most recent jazz-influenced release Shine.
Also on this episode: Haim and My Morning Jacket
So the reviews aren't exactly random these days; they tend to be of artists I appreciate. This time it's no different.
Haim's latest effort, Women in Music Pt.3, is great and well worth checking out if you need a breezy soundtrack to your summer. Also out now is The Waterfall II from My Morning Jacket - a sort of collection of b-sides to their previous album, The Waterfall, which is just as stunning as the origin.
Plus a word from our correspondents
A new feature on BPM Pod is our lockdown/home correspondents. (Thanks to the Kermode and Mayo Film Review for the idea.)
It's pretty simple: if you're got something to say on anything you've listened to recently, and you can keep your opinions to around 30 seconds or so, send a clip in.
The very first home correspondent is a friend of the show: the fabulous, sassy Chance Bair of the band Heavy Heavy. (Check out their episode here.) He reviews War With the Newts track Refugee. Get ready for a smack in the chops indeed (listen below).
The final BPM Pod
New music, Fact or Fiction, Phileas interview
Does a city shape a sound?
Interview: Phileas
Music we love, Weinhardt’s new song ’Prism’, and Chris’s gear clearout
Interview: Hollow Frames
Bonus quickie: Heavy Heavy’s new single ’Too High To Cry’
Interview: Mischka (Michaela Tomanikova)
The forgotten episode: Sounding like The Black Keys, tape delay nerdiness, and music we love
Interview: Inspectre
DIIV live in Malmö review
Music we love, DIIV live review, and analogue vs. digital sounds contest
Music recommendations: Father Moon, Tara C Taylor, Sea Colour, Skovron, D $ahin, and Jerry Joseph
How to make a jingle, from writing to recording (with added linseed)
Vanda Essay, Dreamtheater and Drive-By Truckers gig reviews, plus musings on the pro vs. amateur musician labels
Interview: Annalisa Lombardo
Interview: Emma Elisabeth takes us to ’Some Kind of Paradise’
Welcome to Season 2
Let’s take a trip with the Vintage Time Machine (plus new music reviews)
Vanda Essay, Shadow of the Colossus & DOOM soundtracks, and a drum mixing education
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Superfancast
Derringer Discoveries - A Music Adventure Podcast
One Song
R&B Money
Switched on Pop