Playing By Ear
Every episode of this podcast breaks an album down, track by track, to cover why it's not only worth playing, but replaying.
Displaying all 3 Episode of Playing By Ear with the tag “indie”.
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The American Egypt (Mike Viola)
December 9th, 2025 | 2 hrs 35 mins
indie, indie rock, music, rock, rock music, songwriter, songwriting, that thing you do
Wistul, emotional, cheeky, and melodic, Mike Viola's "An American Egypt" uses inventive stream-of-consciousness lyrics to paint a dreamy picture of life as a middle-aged parent in Los Angeles. Sometimes silly, sometimes sad, and often both, Doug, Ami, and Kyle had a blast unpacking this album along with guest musician Sophie Gonzalez (www.themoonunits.com) to discuss an album she loves so much she wants to be buried with it lik a true American Egyptian.
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Songs For You, Truths For Me (James Morrison)
November 25th, 2025 | 1 hr 58 mins
gospel, independent, indie, james morrison, music, rock, rock and roll, songwriting, soul
Soulful, heartfelt, and powered by James Morrison's unique raspy vocals, "Songs For You, Truths For Me" strings together one spectacular song after another, but is it too much of a good thing? Ami, Kyle, and Doug talk about which songs light our fire and break on through, and which ones feel like they could be the end.
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Sha Sha (Ben Kweller)
September 23rd, 2025 | 1 hr 54 mins
00s, 2000s, indie, indie rock, music, rock, rock music
This episode we're revisiting Ben Kweller's freshman album, Sha Sha, as he brings his Weezer-esque sincere and heartfelt music straight from his soul to your ears. In the early 2000s indie artists were trying to break through the pop music brick wall built by NSYNC, Brittney Spears, and others. Although this particular album did not break through, its thoughtful approach and lack of polished prouction makes it worth replaying as part of that indie scene.