Are you a musician looking to stay updated on the latest music trends? If so, you should check out these top 10 podcasts for musicians. From interviews with industry professionals to discussions about the craft of music, these podcasts are a great way to stay up-to-date. They can also be a source of inspiration in the music world. Whether you’re a singer, songwriter, producer, or enthusiast, you’ll surely find something interesting in this podcast list.
The 10 Best Podcasts for Musicians to Check Out
Let’s take a look at 10 different top-notch podcasts.
Bandsplain
Yasi Salek hosts the Spotify podcast “Bandsplain,” providing an in–depth look at some of the biggest, most influential musical acts of all time. The podcast focuses on iconic legends, both huge and cult. And with each episode featuring a special handpicked playlist of music selected to complement the artist being discussed.
Episodes are lengthy and detailed, with some stretching past the upto four-hour mark or are separated into two parts that add up to even more. Yasi Salek takes a deep dive into each act’s music and provides valuable insight into their creative process, discography, and what makes them unique.
Song Exploder
Presented by Hrishikesh Hirway, Song Exploder is a fortnightly podcast that dissects the creative process behind some of the best-known tracks of our times. Each episode runs for around half an hour and features classic and contemporary tracks that the artist has deconstructed.
In each episode, Hrishikesh discusses the track‘s origins and how it was created, offering a fascinating insight into the creative process. Moreover, without descending into abject nerdery, he provides an interesting look at the process. Ultimately, it’s one of the best podcasts for musicians to polish their skills.
Lost Notes
Lost Notes is one of the best podcasts for musicians series from US radio station KCRW that focuses on ‘the greatest music stories never told.’ The show is a diverse collection of rare and previously unreleased music, interviews, and other audio materials. And it focuses heavily on the ‘80s and the heyday of independent and alternative music.
Deirdre O‘Donoghue, an influential underground LA DJ, loosely centers the 2021 series Bent By Nature. Plus, it features quite a few big-name guests, including Michael Stipe and Henry Rollins. Each episode in the series delves into the development of Los Angeles’s underground music scene in the ’80s and ’90s.
Switched On Pop
Writing a good pop song requires skill, talent, and genre knowledge. That’s why the Switched on Pop podcast is so valuable. The show is hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding, and it covers a wide range of topics from the world of popular music. Each episode usually runs for around 30 minutes to an hour.
The hosts explore topics ranging from specific recordings and music pieces to trends in popular music. They also discuss the creative techniques used by renowned pop artists.
The New Music Business With Ari Herstand
This podcast for musicians focuses on the business side of the music industry and is hosted by Ari Herstand, the author of the bestseller How to Make It in the New Music Business. It features interviews with producers, booking agents, talent buyers, singers, and songwriters. It aids the tools, techniques, and strategies to help aspiring musicians succeed.
The podcast has been running since 2020 and has received recognition, including a Webby Award. Besides, it was also named one of Variety‘s ten best music business podcasts for musicians of 2022.
Louder Than A Riot
NPR’s ‘Louder than a Riot‘ is an eye-opening podcast for musicians hosted by Rodney Carmichael and Sidney Madden. It examines the interplay between hip-hop music and mass incarceration in the US prison system. Every week, the show focuses on different artists, exploring their experiences with prison and how their music shaped by their time in the system.
It is certainly one of the heaviest-going entries on this list but also among the most rewarding.
Tape Notes
Hosted by John Kennedy, this music podcast brings together an artist and their producer(s) to discuss the collaboration and its highlights in the studio. Each episode is over an hour long and gives the listener a comprehensive walk-through of every stage of the creative process. You will immerse yourself in the unique insight into various artists‘ work and production methods while hearing early demos and stems from the original session recordings.
Popcast
The New York Times’ music podcast Popcast is a dynamic force of nature, changing shape from week to week. From artist profiles to esoteric trends to stories from foreign countries, Popcast offers a wide range of content. It has the scrappy outsider charm of the Death Star and the brilliance of big-budget music journalism, which is quite possibly the best in the world.
Not just for the music industry insiders, this podcast provides an immersive experience that appeals to all kinds of listeners.
Dolly Parton’s America
This podcast for musicians is written and hosted by Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad and has an iconic soundtrack. This podcast has an iconic soundtrack, weaving Abumrad’s personal history into the narrative. Nic Dobija-Nootens praised the show for demonstrating how parasocial relationships can positively influence. This type of audio series is becoming increasingly popular, with Anything For Selena as another great example.
Dolly Parton’s America is an essential listen for fans of the singer and anyone interested in learning more about the life of this incredible artist.
Ongoing History of New Music
Few personalities can credibly warrant an entire podcast devoted to their life. Still, Dolly Parton’s music, personal life, and politics have made for a fascinating listening experience with the podcast Ongoing History of New Music. The show has an iconic soundtrack that pairs perfectly with the stories told in each episode.
The Ongoing History of New Music provides an entertaining and informative look into the past, present, and future of modern music. The host takes his listeners on a journey through the history of genres such as indie rock, punk, pop, hip hop, and more. While, it also exploring the cultural contexts behind them.
This podcast is great for musicians looking to brush up on their musical knowledge. Not to mention, it’s perfect for anyone who loves music and wants to understand it better.
Conclusion: The Best Podcasts for Musicians to Stay Inspired and Learn from the Pros
Podcasts about music are a great way to stay updated on the industry. And these ten podcasts are some of the best available on the internet.
Whether a beginner or an experienced pro, these podcasts can help you stay informed and inspired. By listening to these podcasts, you’ll gain valuable knowledge about the industry, build your network, and stay ahead of the trends.
