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© Nick DeMatteo
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MUSIC is not a GENRE goes beyond music critique, opinion, and gimmicks to get at the heart of music & how it connects to the world - from the perspective of a TRUE MUSIC INSIDER. Every kind of music is discussed and connected to cultural, social & political issues in unexpected ways. It challenges music lovers to think as if THERE IS NO BOX AT ALL. No music can be confined to a genre. And music itself can't be separated from the rest of the world.
SUPPORT MxG @ patreon.com/MUSICisnotaGENRE
Nick DeMatteo is a singer/songwriter/producer for the band REC
Listen @ recarea.bandcamp.com or stream anywhere!
SUPPORT MxG @ patreon.com/MUSICisnotaGENRE
Nick DeMatteo is a singer/songwriter/producer for the band REC
Listen @ recarea.bandcamp.com or stream anywhere!
332 Episodes
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SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~Here's yet another BONUS MxTRA for Season 8! It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for TWO reasons: 1. This is a fascinating topic I'd love your opinion on; and 2. This podcast needs your support, and I want you to know what kind of exclusive content you get when you join me on Patreon. In this BONUS MxTRA, I rank the TOP TEN POWER POP acts in history. Guaranteed you will disagree, and I'm hoping that gets us talking!If you like these BONUS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 60+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon. You can get in for as little as ONE DOLLAR A MONTH.Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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FEATURED ART
All of Nick’s album cover designs
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One of the great joys of listening to music is absorbing the art. The visual representation of the music can tell us more about the artist’s intentions, and the statement they’re trying to make.
I’d argue that these direct representations of the music are even more vital than music videos. And though few of us still get physical media – vinyl, cassettes, CDs – we still pay attention to the digital thumbnails, because the art still matters.
This is a history of album art, and is the first in a series on visual art connected to music (the next episode will be about band logos). I review notable album covers by decade, give you my favorites, and explain every album & EP cover in my catalog.
Are you into album art? Do you remember how checking out all the art was a necessary and fun part of your first listen to a CD, cassette, or vinyl? What are some of your favorite album covers? Discuss dammit!
BONUS MxTRA: Banned album art
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*intro/outro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High"
*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~Here's yet another BONUS MxTRA for Season 8! It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for TWO reasons: 1. This is a fascinating topic I'd love your opinion on; and 2. This podcast needs your support, and I want you to know what kind of exclusive content you get when you join me on Patreon. In this BONUS MxTRA, I talk about ALL Western music would not be what it is today if not for the contributions & innovations of Germany.If you like these BONUS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 60+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon. You can get in for as little as ONE DOLLAR A MONTH.Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Check out Steve Erickson's show, "Radio Not Radio", on Mixcloud!~~~~In ROUND 7 of BackTalk, Steve Erickson & I discuss the book MOOD MACHINE: THE RISE OF SPOTIFY AND THE COSTS OF THE PERFECT PLAYLIST, by Liz Pelly. It dissects Spotify’s history and its effect on the music industry, recording artists, fans, and music itself.We use the book as a jumping off point to finally get into exactly why Spotify has been so detrimental to music culture for all but the casual fan, and try to get to some solutions.Are you a Spotify user? Were you aware of how poorly Spotify has treated its artists? Did you know how intently Spotify works to manipulate its users? Do you think there are any viable alternatives, aside from other streaming services? Discuss dammit!BONUS MxTRA: My chapter-by-chapter take on MOOD MACHINE~~~~*intro/outro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt"*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~FEATURED SONGNICK – “Punch Your Soul” (from the upcoming album, VALLEY OF THE UNRELEASED) I couldn’t wait any longer. My must-hear list was growing to the point where it was stressing me out, and since January & February are slower months for work, it’s the perfect time to catch up on my listening. Gotta stay current!I do quick takes of 23 albums & EPs from ALL KINDS OF GENRES, and end with my top 10 favorite releases. If you wanna hear selections from 19 of them, check out my 2026 playlist: What is a 2026?Were any of these your favorites? Do you like how eclectic the selections were? Did you discover something you now love? Did I leave out some you wish I’d covered? Are you able to keep current with your listening? Discuss dammit!~~~~*intro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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FEATURED SONG
REC feat. Pescelet – “Mind Repüljön” (from IT WASN’T ME!)
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This week’s episode may be one of the most important of Season 8, if not this entire show. And it might be one of the timeliest.
The US has an amazing array of music, but we don’t know everything. While we’ve often gotten crossover artists from the UK, Canada & Australia, as well as a few other non-English countries, most of what we hear is homegrown.
That means there’s a literal WORLD OF MUSIC we know nothing about. Other countries have hugely popular, legendary, million selling artists we’ve NEVER HEARD OF. This episode is my small effort to correct that, and expose us to music we SHOULD KNOW that’s every bit as good as what we DO KNOW.
I profile artists from 25 countries that never quite broke in the States, and hopefully inspire you to give them a listen.
What bands or artists from other countries come to mind that you think American listeners don’t know at all? Are you surprised that the artists I mentioned were so huge? Does any of this make you want to listen for yourself? And does it make you think differently about other cultures? Discuss dammit!
BONUS MxTRA: All Western music has been shaped by Germany
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*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High"
*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Join Patreon
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FEATURED SONG
REC – “Almost Everything About You” (from KITE TO CAMDEN)
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Part 4 of my Great Producers series takes us to the 1980s. The synth & drum machine experiments of the 1970s went everywhere. Disco & punk permeated nearly every genre. And production went from midrange & mellow to bright and big.
I go over all those changes, and discuss many of the top producers of the decade, including some you may have been missing from previous years. And I discuss how very different the production values of the first & second halves of the decade really were.
How do you feel about 1980s production values? Can you hear a clear difference between the first & second halves of the decade? Who were your favorite producers? Which production developments do you feel most shaped the music in subsequent decades? Discuss dammit!
BONUS MxTRA: The 1980s production divide – recommended listening
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*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~Here's yet another BONUS MxTRA for Season 8! It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for THREE reasons: 1. We were just in Vegas, baby, and I needed a week to recover; 2. This is a fascinating topic I'd love your opinion on; and 3. This podcast needs your support, and I want you to know what kind of exclusive content you get when you join me on Patreon. In this BONUS MxTRA, I talk about all the death clusters that seem to happen in the music world every decade or so, and I rank them from least to most impactful.If you like these BONUS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 60+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon. You can get in for as little as ONE DOLLAR A MONTH.Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~FEATURED SONGREC – “If It Feels All Right”(from PARTS AND LABOUR)~~~~This week I give you a long overdue lovefest on Fountains of Wayne, possibly the greatest power pop band ever.Melding driving rock with hooky pop, Fountains of Wayne set the standard laid out by bands like The Beatles, Squeeze, and Big Star. Every album is full of gems that go far beyond “Stacy’s Mom”. I go over their history, every album, Adam Schlesinger’s untimely death, and argue that they were one of the most important unsung bands in history.Do you know Fountains of Wayne beyond “Stacy’s Mom”? Are you a power pop fan? Are you aware of how prolific Adam Schlesinger was? Do you think Fountains of Wayne deserve more recognition? Discuss dammit!BONUS MxTRA: Where does Fountains of Wayne rank in the POWER POP TOP TEN?~~~~*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~FEATURED SONGREC – “Let It Wreck Your Mind”(from SYNCOPY FOR THE WEIRD)~~~~Part 3 of my Great Producers series is on the 1970s, the decade when music recording realized its full sonic potential. This was due to massive expansion in both technology and creativity. Those developments influenced each other in ways that propelled music forward like never before. This episode will discuss that, as well as the producers who made the greatest impact on the music of this decade.Do you agree that 1970s production values were head over heels above those of previous decades? What are some of your favorites from the decade – genres, producers, artists, albums, songs? How do you think music production from this decade influenced subsequent decades? Discuss dammit!BONUS MxTRA: Sylvia Robinson – a LEGENDARY music force YOU SHOULD KNOW~~~~*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~Here's yet another BONUS MxTRA for Season 8! It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for THREE reasons: 1. It's just after the holidays & I need an extra week to get new content ready for you; 2. This podcast needs your support, and I want you to know what kind of exclusive content you get when you join me on Patreon; and 3. It's a vital topic that might benefit some listeners out there, especially anyone creating new art.In this BONUS MxTRA, I talk to MUSIC CREATORS about how NOSTALGIA might be killing both their career prospects AND their creation process, and offer tips for how to use nostalgia in ways that will reverse that.If you like these BONUS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 60+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon. You can get in for as little as ONE DOLLAR A MONTH.Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~FEATURED SONGREC feat. The Drop – “You Know You’re Right (No Fun Pushy Mix)”~~~~To close out 2025, I’m doing a slightly premature catchup episode – your comments, my corrections & thoughts, etc. After I flesh out everything y’all have said in the final third of this year, I’m going to talk about what kind of music podcast you really need to be listening to, by comparing other formats with whatever it is I do.Did I mention you? Did I miss something? How do you think Season 8 has been going so far? What do you really want from a music podcast? And what would you like me to talk about in 2026? Discuss dammit! BONUS MxTRA: What I really think of other music podcasts~~~~*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~FEATURED SONGNICK – “My Xmas Wish” (from the upcoming album, VALLEY OF THE UNRELEASED) In the sixth installment of Quick Takes from the Continuum, I wrap up my 2025 playlist, and the year itself.I’ll sum up where my playlist was midyear, then fill it out with everything I’ve added since then. I’ll also weigh in on my favorites for the year, and the overall quality of music in 2025.And since it’s the holiday season, I’ll also catch up on my Christmas playlist, and assess the overall quality of 2025’s Christmas additions. 2025alive PLAYLISTChristmas PLAYLISTWhat’s your take on the music from this year? Any favorites? Any old music you discovered for the first time? What about holiday music? And how do you feel next year’s music will be? Discuss dammit!~~~~*intro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~FEATURED SONG REC – “Fall” (from PARTS AND LABOUR)~~~~Life is long – if we’re lucky. The longer it is, the more we look back. If that looking back is with fondness – and maybe even a desire to return to the “good old days”, it’s called nostalgia.As music lovers, we ALL experience nostalgia. Those songs & bands we grew up with tend to mean more to us than anything that came after, so we assume they were qualitatively better. They give us warm feelings. They’re comforting.In this 38th MUSIC is EVERYTHING, I’m going to explain why nostalgia is detrimental the more we indulge it, how it closes our minds & hearts to experiencing and maybe even loving new things – music and otherwise, and how it prevents us from fully enjoying the life we’re living right now. Are you generally a nostalgic person? Do you indulge in nostalgia from time to time? Or do you mostly live in the past? How does nostalgia make you feel about the present? Discuss dammit!BONUS MxTRA: How nostalgia can kill your music career~~~~*intro music: REC - "In Your Dreams Tonight"*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~Here's yet another BONUS MxTRA for Season 8! It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for THREE reasons: 1. It's a microtopic on producers, something I'm really passionate about; 2. It's the holiday season & I need an extra week to get new content ready for you; 3. This podcast needs your support, and I want you to know what kind of exclusive content you get when you join me on Patreon.In this BONUS MxTRA, I delineate the FIVE PRODUCER ARCHETYPES, name some examples, and discuss which is MY main archetype.If you like these BONUS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 50+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon. Until the end of the year, you can get in for as little as ONE DOLLAR A MONTH.Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
I spend an hour with Shaka Mitchell - father, education advocate, and creator of the Come Together Music ProjectCome Together Music Project WebsiteConnect even more with Shaka:YouTubeiTunesSpotifyInstagramShaka's Substack BONUS MxTRA: Shaka & Nick Come Together Through Music~~~SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~*intro/outro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt"*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~FEATURED SONGNicky DeMatteo – “I’ll Be There” The first PODFAST of Season 8 is all about Northern Soul. It was a movement of music fans, shops & labels starting in the North of England in the late 1960s, that centered around old American soul records with a beat you could dance to, and especially the more obscure tracks.I go through the prehistory, history, songs & artists, legacy, and why Northern Soul still matters.Have you ever heard of Northern Soul? Are you a fan of ‘60s & ‘70s soul music with a strong backbeat? Do you think it’s important that less successful songs and artists get recognized and appreciated? Discuss dammit! ~~~~*intro music credit: REC - "You Make Me Wanna" (from RECcollection: The Best of REC 2007-2020) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
I spend an hour with Doug Gouger of NovA and the Black Holes. He's a musician, songwriter, producer, magician, video director, balloon twister, face painter, and standup comic. We get into all things music and beyond, including his run-ins with Jerry Garcia & the Hell's Angels.Hear all of Doug's music here:www.novaandtheblackholes.comAnd stay to the end to hear the FEATURED SONG: NovA and the Black Holes - "All Fall Down"BONUS MxTRA: Doug Gouger and Standup Comedy~~~SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~*intro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt"*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~FEATURED SONGNICK – “Sample” (from the unreleased home EP, BLACK-EYED SUSAN)~~~~I’m jumping right into Part 2 of my new series on great producers through the ages. This week is all about the 1960s, when multitracking became a thing pretty much everywhere.I’ll name some prominent producers from the decade, talk about the tech, and list my favorite producers, albums, artists & songs.Are you into 1960s music? What are some of your favorites from this decade? Were you aware of the huge leap in production values & options from the 1950s? Discuss dammit! BONUS MxTRA: The five producer archetypes~~~~*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~~FEATURED SONGNICK – “That Is All I Need”~~~~Introducing a new series – The Great Producers. I’ll be covering seminal producers decade by decade.Producers are a vital part of the music recording process. But that wasn’t always the case. In this first episode, I go over their pre-history & origins, and the early development in the 1940s-50s of what it meant to be a music producer.AND I give you the only definition of “producer” you’ll ever need.When you listen to music, do you realize how important production considerations were in shaping the sound? Do you wonder who produced it? How it was produced? What decisions were made? Discuss dammit! BONUS MxTRA: The First Self-Produced Artists~~~~*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High"*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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MUSIC is not a GENRE . 295. #28 A Song Writing Tutorial. . Nick DeMatteo is a singer/songwriter/producer for the band REC.