The week on the podcast we’re headed down the deepest, darkest, music-nerd hole yet. Born in the late 60’s, the band Yes isn’t just one of the greatest prog-rock bands that ever was, they may have been one of the greatest bands period. Joining Kevin on a musical journey through space and time are his old friend Brian, and The Beanstalk Library’s very own Yes super-fan, Brian Pagels.  Yes has traveled through many incarnations, sounds, and seismic shifts over the years, and we’re here to expose you to them all. A deep exploration of a band and three fans that love them, it’s Episode 128 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

This week on the podcast Kevin sits down with the Rainbow Lady and Guitarmony Gus (aka Kate Moran and Derek Evry) to talk about the Rainbow Rock Band! Grown up rockers in their own right, Kate, Derek and a whole host of other familiar names in the “IOTA scene” are giving back to the community in the best way they know how: PLAYING MUSIC! “Rocking the rainbow” at libraries, children’s hospitals, schools – pretty much EVERYWHERE – Kate and her crew are bringing joy and knowledge to kids throughout the DMV area and beyond with their smart, fun, and educational original songs. With their debut CD, Meet The Rainbow, released earlier this year they are poised to take over the world, Kate and Derek tell all about the group’s beginnings, deeper ambitions, importance of their mission and more. It’s a kid friendly, rated G for GREAT time in the basement on Episode 127 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast 

This week on the podcast, we’re talking BIG releases from two of the biggest indie bands around.

First up: Wilco got their start out of the ashes of alt-country legends Uncle Tupelo, and while their sound might not have fallen far from the tree at the beginning, over their twenty-plus year career they’ve consistently reshaped their sound, lineup, and even the musical landscape around them to become known as one of the most adventerous bands in rock history. For their latest “trick” the band released Star Wars, their ninth album proper, unannounced and for free last week on their website. Kevin, Patrick and Carrie dig into the history of the band, why this album matters, and most importantly: is it any good?

Next: Kevin Parker and his band Tame Impala are your guides through a headtrip worthy of the roller-rink most hip, but is their new album Currents a sonic step forward for the band, or a cold, harsh reminder of how cruel a Bee Gee’s B-Side could really be? We buy the ticket and take the ride to get to the bottom of this critically acclaimed sonic adventure.

PLUS! You want a hot new track from North Carolina’s See Gulls? We got you covered! Deep thoughts on the sad double standards of entertainment journalism? CHECK! It’s a smack-talking, mega-fanboying, super-catified hour of fun, and it’s all for you on Episode 136 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

This week on the podcast we’re talking new albums from Jason Isbell and Kacey Musgraves! Both artists delivered highly acclaimed records in 2013 - Southeastern and Same Trailer Different Park respectively – and now are back with their hotly anticipated follow ups. Are Something More Than Free and Pagent Material worth the wait? Can these immensely talented artists charged with, for better or for worse, changing the face of country music strike lightening twice? Kevin, Paul and Patrick dig deep into both records and try come up with the answers.

But first! Returning to the podcast after what seems far too long, Ben Tufts, the hardest working musician in the DC Scene, swings by the basement to fill us in on his upcoming annual Ben Tufts and Friends Benefit show on August 22nd at Jammin’ Java. Started as a way to honor the work of his father, the all day concert fundraiser has grown steadily from year to year, and this time out it’s bigger than ever.

So tune in, grab a seat and get ready for a super-charged, super-informative audio adventure. Coming to you live-ish from the baddest basement in DC, it’s Episode 125 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast! 

This week on the podcast we’re talking to Washington, DC’s Sara Curtin! For years she’s been wowing audiences as one half of The Sweater Set, and more recently singing backup DC’s “supergroup” Justin Jones and the B-Sides, but now it’s time for Sara to stun on her own…again. Michigan Lilium, out July 24th, is Sara’s second solo album and in advance of her release show in New York City on July 17th, Kevin sat down with the illustrious singer/songwriter to talk about singing, family, cats, the DC scene, and, most importantly her fantastically adventurous and sublime new record.

Whether you’re just discovering Sara Curtin’s music or are a longtime fan, this is a chat you’re not going to want to miss on Episode 124 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

In this week’s episode, we’re talking Apple Music, Prince, Foo Fighters and more! Apple Music launched this week to much fanfare…and then fairly immediate internet derision. Kevin has been testing it out and share’s his thoughts on its current state, and the verdict on if anything can really ever replace Rdio in his life. In other news, Washington City Paper fired a shot across the bow of crappy photo releases that concert photographers are often asked to sign by publishing the release for the Foo Fighters 4th of July blowout in DC. Is the outrage justified? Can we all just get along?

All of this PLUS Kevin and Paul pulling their best Statler and Waldorf on the new album from jazz bass master Thundercat, and a track from DC’s incredible The North Country taboot? Come on down for the basement, it’s time for your weekly dose of curmudgeonly love on Episode 123 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached the midway point of 2015, but besides being a flat circle (obvs) time, the great equalizer, ever marches on. This week on the podcast, guests Marcus Dowling and Quinn Myers join Kevin and Paul as they dig deep into some of the year’s best music that slipped through our cracks/might not have received the attention it deserved down in the basement. It’s  the end of the “list", Taylor, Kendrick, shaolin monks and more on Episode 122 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

This week on the podcast, Kevin and Paul are talkin’ METALLLL! Melding medieval instrumentation with the blackest and loudest sounds found in rock, Tanner Anderson’s Obsequiae project leans hard into the dungeons of old to create ear-quaking cacophonies of doom…but does it satisfy his dark lords? Meanwhile, somewhere in outer space, Boston’s ELDER hurls towards our home.  Their new album Lore promises sweet, sweet oblivion with a side of Yes-worthy prog, but does it rain hellfire supreme from the heaven’s below or does this trio still have a ways to go before their Charisma points are as maxed out as their Strength?

Plus! MORE Apple Music talk, SoundCloud might be breaking the blogosphere , Skyrim addictions and much, much more on Episode 121 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast! This one goes to 11.

On this week’s podcast, Apple music finally jumps into the streaming music pool, but is it too little too late? Does the hardware giant have what it takes to deliver a “revolutionary” product that will save the music industry, or is this just a warmed over Beats destined to go the way of the Ping. 

PLUS! Kevin and Patrick talk bad practices in music journalism (we’re looking at you Pitchfork), unleash a new track from Dale Watson, and review the latest album from dream-punkers Eternal Summers. It’s all high speculation and old-school vibes on Episode 120 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

This week on the podcast, we’re back from vacation just in time for Kevin and Paul to team up with the unstoppable Marcus Dowling to talk one of 2015’s most anticipated releases, Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment’s Surf.  The unofficial follow up to Chance The Rapper’s 2013 mixtape Acid Rap, Surf smashes genres, destroys expectations, and elevates the hip hop game in ways that only Chance and his crew could do. Jazz, Hip Hop, Pop, Rock – Surf celebrates an entire history of music, while pulling it gleefully into the future with youthful abandon and surprising sophistication that belies this young crew's years.

PLUS! Record Store Day every week? A Netflix for Vinyl? The details of Spotify’s deal with Sony leaked? A new track off of Louis Weeks’ outstanding new record haha (OUT NOW!!)? We’re talking all of this and more on the podcast you’ve been waiting for all your life, it’s Episode 118 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast! 

This week on the podcast, Louis Weeks returns to the basement with his friend/collaborator Noah Berman in tow to talk about their upcoming release, haha! Recorded with a live band and greatly expanded instrumentation, haha builds on the the fantastical foundation laid down by 2014’s Shift/Away, and launches Weeks’ musical horizons into the stratosphere. 

Tune in to hear Louis and Noah tell all about how the album was made, what it’s like transitioning from being a largely solo musician to the leader of a seven piece band, bass drops, and get a taste of one of 2015's best albums. It's all happening on Episode 117 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

This week on ye olde podcast we’re strong with indignation, curmudgeon, and wonder.  First up, Prince’s “surprise” show in Baltimore last Sunday was billed as a “Rally 4 Peace”, but with millions in potential monetary donations to be generated, and only a “portion” of the proceeds going to charity, should “good vibes” really count as currency? We resurrect our fan favorite “Prince is a dick” segment to investigate.

Next up, tune in as we review new records from power-pop wunderkind Mikal Cronin and Montreal’s masterful Patrick Watson.  Both albums are two of the mostly hotly anticipated albums of 2015, but do they deliver the goods?

PLUS!!! Are you a Dylan Fan? Ryan Adams? How about just a great song? If the answer is yes “The Jester and the Queen” by Chicago based singer/songwriter PM Buys is the track for you!

This week on the podcast, we’re still talking about TIDAL, questionable streaming service Grooveshark bites the dust, and DC finally has their very big-time music festival. Will Landmark save the mall or unleash hordes of angry custies upon our nation’s capital? PLUS!!! We review the heartbreaking final album from Rhode Island’s Brown Bird, and take a trip into the surreal with the latest from sax-man Colin Stetson and Sarah Neufeld (Arcade Fire). It’s the only podcast you’ll hear this that features a Henrietta Porkchop – it’s Episode 115 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast.

This week Kevin sits down with Beauty Pill front-man/mastermind Chad Clark to talk about their astounding new record Beauty Pill Describes Things As They Are. Initially conceived of in 2006, the project was unexpectedly put on hold when Clark fell ill in 2007. Multiple life-saving surgeries and a new outlook on life later, Clark and his cohorts have crafted a rare, exploding-with-life masterpiece that sounds as big as the universe while managing to tackle smaller, more personal matters of the heart (often quite literally) with sophistication and ease. 

Tune in for a deeply human, moving, and life affirming conversation on Episode 114 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast.

*Photo courtesy of PJ Sykes

In our latest podcast, the TIDAL wave of fail continues for Jay Z’s newborn streaming service. CEO firings and cold calls from Jack White? We dish the latest news on TIDAL, then dive into the messy realities of “poptimism” and what it means for you. PLUS!! The gang takes an Ivy Tripp with singer/songwriter Katie Crutchfield aka Waxahatchee, and Escape From Evil with one of Baltimore’s best, Lower Dens. It’s a jam/schadenfreude packed hour of deep feelings, hard truths and a bit of outlaw country on Episode 113 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

On this week’s podcast, Andrew Grossman and Michael Hernandez of DC’s The North Country stop by the basement the morning after a most triumphant show at Babe City to talk about their upcoming album There Is Nothing To Fear. A pastiche of early 2000’s indie rock (think Arcade Fire, Wilco, My Morning Jacket) mashed together with whip-smart observational lyrics and sublimely honest, observational, lyricism, Fear not only marks the arrival of a major musical force on the DC scene, but happens to be one of the best albums of 2015 to date.

Whether you’re already a fan, or just getting hip to The North Country, this is one conversation you’re not gonna want to miss on Episode 112 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

On this week’s podcast, Kevin, Carrie and Patrick explore the often hilarious, and hilariously verbose world of Australian singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett and her debut LP sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit. But not before dishing all of the dirt on Jay Z’s Tidal, the newest player in the streaming landscape. Artist owned and curated, will Tidal, with its “hi-fi” stream and no free tier subscription, follow through on its promise to save the music industry, or is it just more of the same with megastar backers.

PLUS!! Richmond, Virginia’s AVERS has been hard at work on their sophomore album and we’ve got the first single, “Vampire” for you to put in your ears, where it belongs! Get ready to tune in and rawk out on Episode 111 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

In 2012 Kendrick Lamar stunned with Good Kid M.A.A.D. City, leaving fans and critics alike wondering what he could possibly do to follow up his magnum opus. Two weeks ago, the world got their answer when To Pimp A Butterfly dropped a week early, selling over 300,000 copies in its first week alone, and breaking the first day record for number of streams, finding its way into a whopping  9.6 sets of ears. After taking some time to digest this sonic and sociopolitical masterpiece, Kevin and Paul are joined by Andy Johnson (@ndyjohnson) and Marcus Dowling (Freelancer - about.me/marcuskdowling) in the basement to share some thoughts, ponder what the long term impact of To Pimp A Butterfly will be and more.  It’s a can’t miss podcast about a can’t miss album on Episode 110 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!

On our latest podcast, we check in on Boston noise rockers, Pile, and their new album You’re Better Than This, then take a long, strange trip with Chicago-based songwriter/guitarist Ryley Walker and his latest van-worthy collection of jams, Primrose Green.

PLUS! Kanye West may have been pegged to headline this year’s Glastonbury Music Festival, but all may not be well in the land of yeezy.  NINETY THOUSAND signatures stong and counting, a petition launched last week by a group of dissatisfied music fans seeks to convince the organizers that soon to be Dr. West may not be the right fit for this annual musical throw-down. Will they prevail? Should Kanye back out? Are music festivals even worth it anymore? We ponder these questions and more on Episode 109 of ChunkyGlasses: The Podcast!