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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20 episodes
Updated June 26
Explicit

Episodes20

Newest first

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
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
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
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
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
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
May 15 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep. 104: Brian Eno - Ambient 1: Music for Airports
Calm. Vibes. Futuristic. Ethereal. Brilliant. This is Brian Eno. And this is Ambient 1: Music for Airports - the focus of this week's episode of EarWax. Where do you go after Roxy Music? Oh, I don't know, how about a crazy run of incredible solo albums leading up to this one? Eno was already basically a legend, so why not just try something out? Recovering from a car wreck, my guy decided to spearhead a whole new genre. And so he did, and he channeled his...interesting take on airports into the glory we hear on record. Oh and also Hilary recounts the whole history of muzak (and Muzak) while Cody is amazed at it all. It's a scene, an episode, and f'n great record! 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
April 24 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep. 103: Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon
Kick ass music. I could really stop there and it would be a perfectly apt episode description. Hiatus Kaiyote's Choose Your Weapon is where we're headed for this week's episode of EarWax! A mix of jazz and soul and...video game music?...Hiatus Kaiyote takes us on a journey through time signatures, wisdom, and the mystical. Ohhh, and do you like Studio Ghibli? Well, so do they, and there may be some references buried (in that it's a literal song title). This is a smart record, a dense record that will have you coming back for more helpings. Choose Your Weapon delivers - lock into what you want, and enjoy the ride. 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
April 24 · 26 min
Music This Week 4-24-26
Well, well, well, what have we here? New Releases, you say? But wait, there's more! We've also got news about music, this week. We've got pop stars going country. We've got lost and found Coachella gear. And we've got Kanye shows being shuttered. What more do you want? Well, if you want more, let us know what more you want! 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
April 17 · 1 hr 22 min
Ep. 102: Usher - Confessions
You are not ready for this one. You think you are, and you probably are and I'm just hyperbolizing, but you're not ready for this one. EarWax. Usher. Confessions. Already on top of the world, Usher mixed messiness and sexiness and decided he was going to reign supreme in the 2000s. And so he did. Club bangers, salacious storytelling, and hooks that haven't left our heads since 2004. Confessions did everything right by talking about doing everything wrong. 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
April 17 · 26 min
Music This Week 4-17-26
More new releases hot off the vinyl pressing plant and coming at ya this week! Spencer and crew also talk about Justin Bieber's Coachella set (can you predict whether or not Cody will be a fan of the idea?), the Rock Hall inductees, and whether or not Sade is going to grace us with her presence and a performance when the time comes! Intrigue, opinions, and music...It's 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
April 10 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep. 101: Masayoshi Takanaka - Rainbow Goblins
Truly one of the most bonkers albums we have tackled on the show, this week the EarWax crew is taking on the genre of "Japanese funk-fusion rock based on an Italian children's picture book." That's right, Masayoshi Takanaka's "Rainbow Goblins"! A story about rainbow eating goblins with zero analogy attached at all, Takanaka makes maximalism razor sharp. Soaring guitar melodies backed with insanely tight grooves, all telling the story of seven color goblins who were just so hungry they HAD to invade paradise and eat the best rainbow of all time. Does Cody maybe side with the goblins? Well, you'll have to listen to find out exactly why he does! (Or does he?!) Shout-out to the Internet Archive, where you can find this album. The Budokan show? Heck yes we have it! Right here. 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
April 10 · 27 min
Music This Week 4-10-26
Alllllllright dudes and dudettes, we've got another batch of new releases and takes on music news! Led by the inimitable Spencer, we take on the latest development with the Michael Jackson biopic (and how much we just looooove biopics. Can we get 20 more in the pipeline please?), Kanye's unfortunately triumphant return, and Afroman's triumphant triumph. Wanna hear what's coming out? Wanna hear the music news? Tune. In. It's Music...This Week.
April 3 · 51 min
Ep. 100: They Might Be Giants - The World Is to Dig (feat. They Might Be Giants!!!)
Hey, look at us, 100 episodes. How about that? And what's a 100th episode without a legendary guest spot? Pfffffffft, we got it covered. John Flansburgh and John Linnell of They Might Be Giants dropped by the show to talk about their new record "The World Is to Dig", as well as touching on their illustrious career of over forty years! From their approach to arrangements, winning a Grammy for a sitcom theme, and a few historical side streets (shout-out William Allen White), these guys were thoughtful, kind, and cool as hell. The new record is a total jam, and it was a pleasure to hear it early and chop it up with John F. and John L. Huge thanks to They Might Be Giants, and thank you all who have stayed with us for 100 episodes! 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

EarWax

Ep. 110: Lady Gaga - Born This Way

Music This Week 6-26-26

Ep. 109: Queen Latifah - All Hail the Queen

Music This Week 6-19-26

Ep. 108: Dicks - Kill From the Heart

Music This Week 6-12-26

Ep. 107: Céline Dion - Falling Into You

Music This Week 6-6-26

Ep. 106: King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown

Music This Week 5-29-26

Ep. 105: Los Lobos - How Will the Wolf Survive?

Music This Week 5-22-26

Ep. 104: Brian Eno - Ambient 1: Music for Airports

Ep. 103: Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon

Music This Week 4-24-26

Ep. 102: Usher - Confessions

Music This Week 4-17-26

Ep. 101: Masayoshi Takanaka - Rainbow Goblins

Music This Week 4-10-26

Ep. 100: They Might Be Giants - The World Is to Dig (feat. They Might Be Giants!!!)