The Black Keys Cancel An Arena Tour, GQ Cancels Band T-Shirts, + "I Saw The TV Glow" Revives Movie Soundtracks
The Black Keys Cancel An Arena Tour, GQ Cancels Band T-Shirts, + "I Saw The TV Glow" Revives Movie SoundtracksDigest
This episode of Indicass begins with Steven Heiden and Ian Cohen discussing their experiences in New York City, including the best way to eat pizza. Steven then talks about his upcoming book event for his new Bruce Springsteen book, "Born in the USA in the End of the Heartland." He also discusses a hypothetical scenario where one of them dies before an episode is posted, leading to a conversation about contingency plans and tributes. The episode then transitions to a discussion about the Timberwolves' playoff run and the concept of jinxes, with Steven admitting to potentially jinxing the team with his predictions. The conversation then shifts to the ethical dilemma of rooting for Luca Dončić in the playoffs, given his personality and the "Mamba Mentality" he embodies. Steven and Ian then discuss the Black Keys' recent cancellation of their arena tour, speculating on the reasons behind the decision and the state of arena rock in 2024. They also discuss the GQ article "The End of Merch" and their own experiences with band t-shirts, arguing that the article doesn't fully understand the market for band merch. The episode concludes with a discussion of the I Saw the TV Glow soundtrack, which they see as a summation of indie rock in the 2020s, and a recommendation corner where they discuss their favorite releases of the week.
Outlines
Intro and New York City
This Chapter introduces the hosts, Steven Heiden and Ian Cohen, and their location in New York City. They discuss the quality of pizza in the city and the proper way to eat it. Steven also mentions his upcoming book event for his new Bruce Springsteen book.
Bruce Springsteen Book and Death Planning
This Chapter focuses on Steven's new Bruce Springsteen book, "Born in the USA in the End of the Heartland." He discusses the book's reception and his upcoming book event. The conversation then shifts to a hypothetical scenario where one of them dies before an episode is posted, leading to a discussion about contingency plans and tributes.
Arena Rock, Merch, and I Saw the TV Glow
This Chapter discusses the recent trend of arena rock bands canceling tours, with the Black Keys as a prime example. The hosts speculate on the reasons behind the cancellations and the state of arena rock in 2024. They also discuss the GQ article "The End of Merch" and their own experiences with band t-shirts, arguing that the article doesn't fully understand the market for band merch. The episode concludes with a discussion of the I Saw the TV Glow soundtrack, which they see as a summation of indie rock in the 2020s.
Timberwolves Jinx and Luca Dončić
This Chapter focuses on the Timberwolves' playoff run and the concept of jinxes. Steven admits to potentially jinxing the team with his predictions. The conversation then shifts to the ethical dilemma of rooting for Luca Dončić in the playoffs, given his personality and the "Mamba Mentality" he embodies.
Recommendation Corner
This Chapter features the hosts' recommendations for music releases of the week. Ian recommends the EP "Actually the Quiet is Nice" by the shoegaze band Drag, while Steven recommends the box set "1985" by The Water Boys.
Keywords
Indicass
Indicass is a podcast that discusses indie music news, reviews albums, and hashes out trends. It is hosted by Steven Heiden and Ian Cohen.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He is known for his powerful and evocative songwriting, often focusing on themes of working-class life, Americana, and social commentary. His most famous albums include "Born to Run" (1975), "Born in the U.S.A." (1984), and "The River" (1980).
Black Keys
The Black Keys are an American rock duo from Akron, Ohio, formed in 2001. They are known for their blues-rock sound, often incorporating elements of garage rock, psychedelic rock, and soul music. Their most famous albums include "Rubber Factory" (2008), "Brothers" (2010), and "El Camino" (2011).
I Saw the TV Glow
I Saw the TV Glow is a 2024 film directed by Jane Schoenbrun. It is a psychological horror film that has been described as a trans allegory and a tone poem. The film features a soundtrack curated by Schoenbrun that includes music by artists such as Caroline Polachek, Bartees Strange, and Phoebe Bridgers.
Luca Dončić
Luka Dončić is a Slovenian professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is considered one of the best young players in the NBA and is known for his exceptional ball-handling skills, passing ability, and scoring prowess. He has been criticized for his "Mamba Mentality" and his sometimes abrasive personality.
Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Timberwolves have been a relatively unsuccessful franchise, but they have recently shown signs of improvement with the emergence of young stars like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Merch
Merch is a term used to describe merchandise, especially that sold by bands, artists, or other entities to their fans. It can include items such as t-shirts, hats, posters, and other memorabilia. The article "The End of Merch" in GQ argues that merch is no longer a fashionable trend, but the hosts of Indicass disagree, arguing that the article doesn't fully understand the market for band merch.
Shoegaze
Shoegaze is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the late 1980s in the United Kingdom. It is characterized by its use of distorted guitars, ethereal vocals, and atmospheric soundscapes. Some of the most famous shoegaze bands include My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Ride.
The Water Boys
The Waterboys are an Irish rock band formed in 1983. They are known for their eclectic mix of folk, rock, and Celtic music. Their most famous album is "Fisherman's Blues" (1988), which was inducted into the Indicass Hall of Fame. The band recently released a box set called "1985" that documents the making of their album "This Is the Sea."
Garden State
Garden State is a 2004 film directed by Zach Braff. It is a coming-of-age drama that features a soundtrack curated by Braff that includes music by artists such as The Shins, Frou Frou, and Nick Drake. The soundtrack was a critical and commercial success and is considered to be one of the best film soundtracks of the 2000s.
Q&A
What is the proper way to eat pizza in New York City?
According to Ian Cohen, the proper way to eat pizza in New York City is to fold it in half and then eat it.
What is the ethical way to approach the NBA playoffs?
According to Steven Heiden, the ethical way to approach the NBA playoffs is to root against the Celtics, as their "Mamba Mentality" is a cancerous influence on the league.
Why did the Black Keys cancel their arena tour?
The Black Keys canceled their arena tour because ticket sales were reportedly disastrously slow. They cited a tour of midsize venues in Europe as inspiration for playing smaller venues in the future.
Is merch really dead?
The hosts of Indicass disagree with the GQ article "The End of Merch," arguing that the article doesn't fully understand the market for band merch. They believe that merch is still alive and well, especially among fans who are not interested in fashion.
What is the I Saw the TV Glow soundtrack like?
The I Saw the TV Glow soundtrack is a collection of indie rock songs that the hosts see as a summation of the genre in the 2020s. It features artists such as Caroline Polachek, Bartees Strange, and Phoebe Bridgers.
What is the best way to make a band t-shirt?
According to Ian Cohen, the best way to make a band t-shirt is to keep it simple and straightforward. It should feature the band logo, the band name in a cool font, or an album cover. Tour dates can be added to the back.
What is the "Mamba Mentality"?
The "Mamba Mentality" is a term coined by Kobe Bryant to describe his relentless work ethic and competitive spirit. It has been adopted by other athletes, but it has also been criticized for its emphasis on individual achievement over teamwork and its potential to create a toxic culture.
What is the difference between arena rock and amphitheater rock?
Arena rock typically refers to bands that play in large indoor arenas, which can hold 10,000 to 15,000 people. Amphitheater rock refers to bands that play in outdoor amphitheaters, which are typically smaller than arenas and can hold 3,000 to 4,000 people.
What is the "Crow" soundtrack like?
The "Crow" soundtrack is a collection of dark and alternative rock songs that were popular in the 1990s. It features artists such as The Cure, Stone Temple Pilots, and Nine Inch Nails. The hosts of Indicass wonder if it would be possible to create a similar soundtrack in 2024, given the current state of indie rock.
Show Notes
This week's episode begins with Steven talking about his visit to Brooklyn as part of the promotional tour for his new book, There Was Nothing You Could Do: Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The U.S.A." And The End Of The Heartland (7:15 ). They also commence a quick Sportscast to talk about the state of jinxes and reverse-jinxes concerning the Minnesota Timberwolves (10:59 ).
From there, they talk about how the Black Keys announced a change in tour plans from playing arenas to more "intimate" venues in light of weak ticket sales. Is this a sign of bigger changes in the live concert business (20:26 )? They also discuss a recent article about the so-called "end of merch" and their respective feelings about band t-shirts (34:13 ). (Ian is indifferent, Steven has passionate opinions.) Then they address the recent soundtrack to the 2024 cult film I Saw The TV Glow, and how the album comments on the glory days of movie soundtracks from the 1990s (47:40 ).
In Recommendation Corner, Ian talks up the latest release from shoegaze band Draag while Steven stumps for a box set from The Waterboys documenting the making of an '80s alternative classic (57:36 ).
New episodes of Indiecast drop every Friday. Listen to Episode 191 here and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can submit questions for Steve and Ian at indiecastmailbag@gmail.com, and make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news. We also recently launched a visualizer for our favorite Indiecast moments. Check those out here.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Table of contents
United States
