And Introducing

Oops! We podded again. We are ever so slightly back with a fresh episode on…Britney Spears’ ‘The Woman In Me’! Along with Black Bubblegum Podcast’s Jasmine Danielle, we get into Brit’s chaotic Southern Gothic childhood, her ‘cosmic consciousness’ and paranormal experiences, her misguidedly Method acting for Crossroads, and the conservatorship that almost took her down. Listen to Black Bubblegum Pod: https://blackbubblegum.com/

And Introducing film correspondent, Blank Check pod & the Atlantic’s David Sims returns for two more recent musician biopics: James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown & Michael Gracey’s Better Man. Two very different movies about very different musicians that nonetheless explore similar themes on the nature of fame, talent & musicianship. We talk Timmy, Bobby, Robbie & more, and see if there’s still juice to squeeze from the biopic genre. Plus of course: does the monkey play? Listen to David on Blank Check wherever you get pods and subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/blankcheck Check out David’s writing in the Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/david-sims/ Read Molly’s music blog: https://www.ienjoymusic.net/

Welcome to the Willenium, baby! We’re joined by YouTube’s Todd in the Shadows to look at the musical career of Will Smith. From growing up under the influence of his demanding father, to discovering his performing (and lying) abilities in school, clicking with Jazzy Jeff, indulging in “chicken wings,” his super-star turn to acting & extremely self-conscious return to hip-hop, we track Will’s music & celebrity up to “the slap” and beyond from his 2021 memoir Will. As Todd says, may be one of the weirdest guys he’s ever encountered. Check out Todd’s Trainwerckords video on Will Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNm0HDCRdnc&ab_channel=ToddintheShadows Plus Todd’s always great year-end videos, Worst Songs of 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ssUcZSqV8&ab_channel=ToddintheShadows Best songs of 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkXpvScL94Q&ab_channel=ToddintheShadows Songs in order: DJ Jazzy Jeff - Peter Piper Routine DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Girls Ain’t Nothing but Trouble DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime Will Smith - Don’t Say Nothing Will Smith & Joyner Lucas - Tantrum Neil Cicierega - Wow Wow

And introducing…on lead vocals, it’s Serj Tankian! We delve into the life of turn of the millennium metal icons System of a Down’s frontman Serj Tankian. Repping Armenia via Glendale, Serj’s life covers everything from founding software companies to composing whale-themed orchestras. We look into his politics, nu-metal in general, a passion for espresso, his signature growls and yelps, and revolutionary participation, as with SOAD’s wild musical success along the way. Songs in order: System of a Down - Sugar System of a Down - Prison Song System of a Down - Chop Suey System of a Down - I-E-A-I-A-I-O System of a Down - Boom System of a Down - BYOB Serj Tankian - Empty Walls Serj Tankian - Orca Act II - Oceanic Subterfuge System of a Down - Protect the Land System of a Down - Toxicity

It's part 2 of our excavation of Phil Collins' memoir Not Dead Yet: The Memoir. We've reached the mid-1980s and the boy is absolutely everywhere...can he sustain the breakneck pace of being one of the most celebrated (and oversaturated) Brits in pop music history? We cover his stressful transcontinental Live Aid experience, his Disneyfied '90s, his vibrant but turbulent romantic life, his big band era, and much much more. The book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/538475/not-dead-yet-by-phil-collins/ Songs in order: Phil Collins - Against All Odds (8-Bit cover by HumanDaikon) Phil Collins - Invisible Touch Led Zeppelin - Rock And Roll (Live At Live Aid) Phil Collins - Everyday Phil Collins - Sussudio The Phil Collins Big Band - Pick Up the Pieces (Average White Band cover) Phil Collins - You'll Be In My Heart Phil Collins - No Way Out (Theme from Brother Bear) Phil Collins - Uptight (Everything's Alright) (Stevie Wonder cover) Phil Collins - Take Me Home