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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
Avg 50 min
English

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#104
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
#102
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
#101
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.
#100
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

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