Explore the trailblazing era of late 70s and early 80s jazz fusion, led by Japan's iconic band Casiopea. Dive into their groundbreaking 1982 album, 'Mint Jams,' a live-recorded yet studio-polished gem that embodies a futuristic essence. Discover how diverse cultures interpret and excel in this genre, surpassing conventional Western norms.

Soundcloud is one of the most ubiquitous "tools" used by artists and industry professionals alike since the collapse of the MP3 blog culture. Communities have built up within it, artists have been discovered through it, and 

Earlier this month, the music service announced that they were laying off 40% of their workforce, closing two offices, and, it was discovered, may only have enough cash to run for another 50 days.

On our 300th episode (!!!) Kevin, Marcus and special guests April George and Matt Vista (April + Vista), are discussing what this collapse could mean for artists, the blogosphere and the industry at large, and figuring out how to save the music industry in the process*

PLUS: Thoughts on the future of the cast, and a listen to a track that is nearest and dearest to our hearts. 

*Spoiler: We don't save the music industry

In a recent article on artist advocacy site CASH Music, journalist Liz Pelly investigated "The Secret Lives Of Playlists", and what she found out has sparked another cycle of controversy for the world's largest provider of streaming music, Spotify.

Is payola running rampant in the world of playlists? Is that really a problem? Do streaming services have a "moral" obligation to artists or has the label system simply evolved, meet the new boss, same as the old boss? Casey Rae (The Priest They Called Him: William S. Burroughs & The Cult of Rock 'n' Roll) and Michael Kentoff (The Caribbean) join Kevin in the basement to try and navigate this hyper-complicated landscape and hopefully come up with some answers.

PLUS! Indie-Folk collective The Good Graces are back with a new LP (Set Your Sights) and we've got listen to one of it's best tracks for ya!

Like a sexier version of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, you can now mix your Tinder with your Spotify. Join us as three middle-aged men discuss the implications, you've obviously come to the most qualified source for these sort of things.

Scottish indie-rock legends Teenage Fanclub are back with a new label (Merge!) and a new album (Here!). Kevin's neighbor (and lifelong Teenage Fanclub fan) Michael Zwirn joins us in the basement to get to the bottom of what makes their latest power-pop gem tick.

Stronger Sex is a band from Washington, DC. Stronger Sex is a band you should KNOW from Washington, DC. Good thing we've got their latest track, "Dating", for you to hang all of your hopes and fears on...or just dance to.

A free tier is all fun and games, until you start getting served malware in it's ads. We're getting to the bottom of this so-obvious-we-can't-believe-it-hadn't-happened-yet "crisis" so you don't have to. 

On her latest album Day Breaks, nine time Grammy winner Norah Jones is returning to the jazz sound that made her famous. Join us as we dig into this modern greats' newest chapter.

Moses Sumney is rad AF. But don't believe us. Check out the track "Lonely World" of of his new EP Lamenatations, and join the converted. 

As the idiocracy draws ever closer, we take a look a new spin on the reality show where nine strangers are picked to makes some tunes and get judged by...Spotify.

After fifteen years, Australian sample kings The Avalanches return with their new album, Wildflower. Carrie's spawn joins us to discuss this comeback and drop some serious knowledge on our ass.

To celebrate ten years of being awesome, Portland Cello Project have released their version of the Prince classic (because every Prince song is a classic) "How Come U Never Call Me Anymore". We've got a listen and a look for you to dig into before the group plays here in DC on 9/21.

Spotify may be winning the streaming wars, but with a new round of rights negotiations ahead, will they be stopped in their tracks by the labels.

Chicago's Ryley Walker makes guitar music. Heady guitar music. On his latest album, Golden Sings That Have Been Song, we take yet another trip into the cosmos searching for answers that we may never find.

Sylvan Esso is back AF. Witness their new single "Radio". Rejoice.

David Bowie is dead.

LCD Soundsystem is putting the band back together.

David Lowery is suing Spotify for $150M. 

Welcome to 2016

Two weeks ago pop/country superstar Taylor Swift very publicly pulled her entire catalog from streaming music Spotify, and teh internets…well…it asploded. Some artists (like Swift) feel that they’re being “robbed” by this new format; some feel that streaming is not just the future, it’s the savior, of the music industry. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Who’s getting paid? How much are they getting paid? Where does the consumer fit into all of this?

Tune in as guests Ali Sternburg (Policy Council, CCIA) and Marcus Dowling stop by the basement and go full “wonk” on the truth, lies, and harsh realities of this technology that impacts musicians and music fans alike. It’s an impassioned discussion about a topic that’s near-and-dear to our hearts on Episode 90 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast.