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EarWax

EarWax Team

EarWax is a deep-dive music podcast hosted by two longtime record store clerks, Hilary and Cody, who are steeped in music history.

Each week, we unpack the story of a single album - how it was made, where it fits in the cultural moment that shaped it, and why it still matters. From iconic classics to cult gems, we explore the music that moves us and the stories that stick.

You’ll also hear about the latest releases and what’s buzzing in our world of vinyl bins and liner notes. Think of it like your favorite record store hang, just in podcast form.

EarWax is for anyone who loves music with context, history, and heart.

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28 episodes
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English

Episodes 28

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Friday · 1 hr 21 min
Ep. 114: Lil' Kim - Hard Core
We don't do parental advisories here, because we're cool. But if we did, this week's episode would be plastered with warnings so the youths' ears are not exposed to the intense, raw, unfiltered glory that is Lil' Kim's "Hard Core". Kim unflinchingly tackles basically everything to do with her sexuality with candor far ahead of its time. "Hard Core" is really the only title befitting the debut album from one of hip-hop's pioneers. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
Friday · 31 min
Music this Week 9-25-2026
Hey, enjoy this episode of Music This Week. Because next week, you won't have one to enjoy. Why? How dare you pry. Don't fret, it'll only be a one week absence. But for now, enjoy Spencer guiding the EarWax crew along a stable of new releases, a follow-up to a story from last week, oh and William Shatner making a metal album. That'll be great. For sure it will be. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
September 18 · 1 hr 20 min
Ep. 113: Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy
We need you folks to help determine whether or not this week's album is truly a concept record. Cody and Hilary debate (not really, it's not a concept album) the conceptness of Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy". In the midst of a career slump, relative to his stellar career, of course, Campbell linked up with a couple of pop producers and churned out a record full of proto-yacht rock grooves and earnest sadboy lyrics. Gorgeous production and immaculate execution, "Rhinestone Cowboy" rocketed Glen Campbell right back where he belongs among the music royalty. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
September 18 · 28 min
Music This Week 9-18-26
New releases galore! How about Neil Young crossing the 50 album mark? But really, we all know what the big headline is this week. Bon Iver writing a bar jingle! Meatloaf dippers! But really really, Spencer leads the way as we chat about what's coming out, as well as the public outcry from Macklemore being removed from Ed Sheeran's tour. Tune in and hear our takes on all the new drops and headlines. Free Palestine. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
September 11 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep. 112: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
Crank this one up well past the point of your ears hurting. It's only fitting you walk away from this week's episode with a touch of tinnitus. Hilary and Cody try to get their arms around the story behind My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless." The narratives clash, compete, and careen - much like the music on this record. Is Kevin Shields a genius? Perhaps. Is 19 studios too many studios? Also perhaps. But without a doubt, "Loveless" is a cornerstone of shoegaze, and its story is as fascinating as the tunes within. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
September 11 · 25 min
Music This Week 9-11-26
We got a hot batch of new releases headed your way, and stories fresh (or day-old but still good) off the presses! 2Pac's murder solved! A rock/country beef that is totally justified and very cool, jack. Don't get it twisted, Music This Week is all gas...as it always is. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
September 4 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 111: Chaka Khan - I Feel For You
We are baaaaaaaaaack!!!! The EarWax crew braces the unrelenting heat to bring you a fresh episode. And what an album to bring us back - Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You". Where does one go after almost a decade of fronting the unbelievably funky Rufus? She goes out on her own and rules the early 80s, obviously. With appearances by Melle Mel, Stevie Wonder, a song written by Prince, and plenty of Chaka's fire, "I Feel For You" showed that she was going to stay around well beyond the 70s. Chaka Khan stays crushing it to this day, and this record...well, just go listen. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
September 4 · 24 min
Music This Week 9-4-26
Welcome welcome to Music This Week. Spencer guides our return through a few albums that dropped during the break. But really, this one is all about Dolly, as it should be. The biggest music news of the summer, and of the year, is the passing of country music royalty. Dolly Parton was and is an icon, and it was an honor to spend a few minutes talking about her legacy - in and beyond music. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
June 26 · 1 hr 36 min
Ep. 110: Lady Gaga - Born This Way
One more before the EarWax crew takes a summer break, so let's make it iconic, yeah? Born This Way. Lady Gaga. You already know it. Now come learn about Mother Monster and one of most "most" albums of the 2010s. Hilary and Cody try to get their arms around an album that is a relentless onslaught of pop, helmed by an artiste who makes no bones about pushing to be a superstar. Whether gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender life, Born This Way was made to be cranked waaaaaaaay up. Thanks for hanging with us since we've come back, and we will see you all on September 4th! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
June 26 · 22 min
Music This Week 6-26-26
Whatever will you do without us talking about Music This Week for the next couple of months? Well, don't worry about that right now. Instead, tune into what we've got going on one more time before our summer break! Spencer hits us up with some new releases, and stories about a Tarantino/Kylie Minogue collab, the resurgence of The Cardigans (hell yeah), and plenty of other goodies. We got the news. We got the tunes. Once more as we head into summer! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
#109
June 19 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 109: Queen Latifah - All Hail the Queen
1989 was a year soooo fine in hip-hop. Queen Latifah was right at the top of the class with her debut album All Hail the Queen. DJ Mark the 45 King chose some elite samples to pair with Queen Latifah's buttery smooth flows. Packed with empowering bars, and what's that?...an electro club jam? Well, I'll be. Hilary and Cody marvel at the production of this album, the elegance of those who grace the mic, and the total radiance of Queen Latifah! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
June 19 · 25 min
Music This Week 6-19-26
Hey hey hey we've got some new jams and some stories to cover on Music This Week. Spencer dives into the collab between Olivia Rodrigo and Robert Smith (so dang cool), the Knicks winning the chip, and all the hot cuts coming out today. Muuuuuuusic. Thiiiiiis. Weeeeeeeek. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
#108
June 12 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep. 108: Dicks - Kill From the Heart
Is your rage at an all time high right now? Not sure where the outlet is? This record is your answer, and this week's episode will tell you all about it! The Dicks' Kill From the Heart is 0% subtle. All gas. Gary Floyd's pointed lyrics (he wrote all the songs, mostly, except the ones he didn't write) mix with the fiery energy of the Buxf Parrot, Glen Taylor and Pat Deason. The concoction is volatile, but you can't help but coming back for more. Cody and Hilary hang on for dear life talking about throwing liver into the crowd, why the dobro works on a hardcore record, and just how much Dicks emphasize precisely where they stand. It rocks. It educates. It confronts. It punches you in the face and tells you it's gonna do it again. Kill From the Heart lets you know...the Dicks are coming. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
June 12 · 27 min
Music This Week 6-12-26
Plenty of hot hot hot new release and some goss goss goss...eh, I don't love that one, but whatever, we're keeping it. Spencer leads the way, considering the new vanguard of pop stars, and giving flowers to a pop star making their way back to the spotlight. What's coming out this week? Find out here. What's the music news this week? Also find out here. It's Music This Week. Booyah. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
#107
June 5 · 1 hr 21 min
Ep. 107: Céline Dion - Falling Into You
Power ballads forever! That's our official take, especially after this week's episode of EarWax. More. MORE. MOOOAAAAR! That's the theme and vibe of Céline Dion's Falling Into You. With producers galore and vocals that soar, this record is ALL. Simply ALL, and then some. Motorcycles, intrigue, Meat Loaf, David Letterman? Oh, it all connects, baby. And the through line is Queen m'fn Céline. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
June 5 · 20 min
Music This Week 6-6-26
Spencer has all the new releases fit to print, and all the print fit to discuss on Music This Week. Paul McCartney's press tour rolls on. Backrooms is crushing it, and dropping new Boards of Canada tracks. And you know Vince Staples is gonna have something hot coming out. All that, more, and then a bit more even. Check out what we got goin' on, on Music This Week! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
#106
May 29 · 55 min
Ep. 106: King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown
If landmark records that are kinda remixes and also kinda historically murky are your jams, then look no further. The EarWax crew has you covered this week, chopping it up about the dub classic King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown. Cody and Hilary discuss very pressing matters such as the various Augustus Pablos, the coolness of names (and there are plenty of cool names on this album), and the unbelievable genius that was King Tubby. This record is on the ground floor of remixing culture, and its influence has spread far, far beyond reggae/dub. The players on the master tapes that Augustus Pablo brought in are a laundry list legends in the scene. To have them all on one album, and throw in King Tubbys immense talent as well...man, what an embarrassment of riches! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
May 29 · 25 min
Music This Week 5-29-26
Who wants moooooaaaar AI in their pop culture? We don't! But we do want to share Music This Week! Spencer guides us through the new releases, as well as stories about an AI Ozzy that is totally gonna be great, Drake's place atop the charts, and Stephen Colbert's place atop our hearts. We've got takes; they may not be hot, but they are Music This Week. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
#105
May 22 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 105: Los Lobos - How Will the Wolf Survive?
We love showing L.A. love. And Los Angeles (and more specifically, East Los Angeles) loves Los Lobos! How Will the Wolf Survive? was the group's breakthrough record, after finding a home inside the Sunset Strip punk scene of the 80s. The fascinating mix of rock, country, traditional Mexican music, and everything in between gives Los Lobos the keys to the doors of many genres. A smart, sharp record that cooks as much as it educates, How Will the Wolf Survive? took Los Lobos from playing sets alongside the Blasters and the Germs into the national conscience. And they have not only survived, but they are still absolutely killing it to this day. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller
May 22 · 24 min
Music This Week 5-22-26
Did you miss us? We thought of you the whole time, we promise. Well, we're back now with more Music This Week! Spencer gives us the low down on what's coming out today, and then we get into the oh so wonderful news about AI in music. Huzzah! But seriously, Jack Antonoff has a great take on being a musician. Doechii and Lady Gaga causing a kerfuffle for their song...kinda not causing a kerfuffle? Only 37 million views, what are we the minor major leagues? All that, and so much (well, a little) more! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

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