Playing By Ear - Episodes Tagged with “Indie Rock”

Big Red Letter Day (Buffalo Tom)

Doug Lief — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Buffalo Tom's "Big Red Letter Day" may not have commercially been the big red letter day the band was looking for, but it exemplifies the feelings and soundscapes of grunge-era college rock. We're joined by musician and comedian Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com and www.themoonunits.com) to throw on some flannel and think about our so-called lives in the early 90s.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is Boston's self-titled album.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium!

Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All songs from "Big Red Letter Day" by Buffalo Tom

Goths (The Mountain Goats)

Doug Lief — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0800

Moody, beautiful, deep, dark, all words that describe goth music. And yet, while The Mountain Goats' "Goths" explores all the themes of goth music, the bands that played it, and the subculture that embraced it in the 1980s, the album occupies a woodwind-heavy guitarless soundscape wholly unlike its black-draped synth-heavy subject matter. We're joined by guest Rick Firestone of the Pixel Project Radio podcast to explore this album's sundrenched wistful look back at a gloomy subject.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "I've Tried Everything But Therapy, Pt. 1.5" by Teddy Swims.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by The Mountain Goats

The American Egypt (Mike Viola)

Doug Lief — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:15:00 -0800

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.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Revolver" by The Beatles.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

For more of Sophie's music, check out www.themoonunits.com and

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Mike Viola

Sha Sha (Ben Kweller)

Doug Lief — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:15:00 -0700

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.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "9 Lives" by Aerosmith.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All Songs from Sha Sha by Ben Kweller
Happy-Go-Lively - Lauie Johnson
Crepe Suzette - Cyril Waters