Put a Record On: Podcast Edition

Listening about music, not to it

By Marissa

First off, shout out to Natalie for taking them helm on things here the past few weeks. I won’t get into it in depth yet (though I am sure I will eventually, because I process things by writing about them and now I have the ability to put those thoughts in a newsletter and..ho boy) but I lost my mom at the end of June. It’s been a long couple of months and a longer couple of years, with a lot of travel, and sometimes when my mind is racing I’ve found I actually need to take a break from music to help keep my emotions in check – i.e. when you don’t want to cry in transit, or start daydreaming to a song behind the wheel. Enter: podcasts. The perfect distraction from my own brain, because I get to spend an hour or so in glorious disassociation, all while learning a thing or two.

If you’re like me, or just want to dip your toes in the country music podcast waters, here are some of my favorite episodes. And a reminder that you can also listen to some of our interviews in podcast form, too. Happy disassociation!

Yasi Salek of Bandsplain and 24 Question Party People

24 Question Party People: Jason Isbell and Orville Peck episodes

I have listened to all episodes of the Bandsplain spinoff, and of course have become very invested in sauna culture (yes) and raw milk (no!) along with host Yasi Salek, and really enjoyed these two in particular. Both Jason and Orville are incredibly entertaining, witty and smart, and their rapport with Yasi felt super fresh and fun while also being insightful into their art. I laughed a ton. Also, light a candle for a future David Matthews episode (IYKYK).

60 Songs that Explain the 90s: “Goodbye Earl” episode

Amanda Shires and Rob Harvilla discussing the Chicks? That’s an easy sell. 60 Songs that Explain the 90s has kept me comfortable on many a drive, and this one provides great context and Rob’s signature humor and lived perspective. I’m not just picking it, either, because Rob generously mentions Her Country, or because I also appeared on an episode of 60 Songs about Shania Twain (recorded during covid on a break between my kids’ virtual school on my closet floor, if I could get a redo!!!), but even if I did who cares, it’s our newsletter! You can’t go wrong with any 60 Songs episodes, but I love the country interludes.