A Sonic Youth

Some 243 episodes later, Oliver looks back at the album that started it all! It's Nada Surf's punky 1996 debut 'High/Low' on its 30th birthday. Led by the iconic 'Popular', this is an album which Oliver thinks strikes a middle ground between the brands of noise rock heard from Pixies and Husker Du. Plus, a tribute to one of the most iconic neo-psych songs, released on the same day as 'High/Low' in 1996, and a tribute to the late Oliver Tree. Tracklist: Nada Surf - Treehouse The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Anenome Nada Surf - Popular Nada Surf - Psychic Caramel Nada Surf - Deeper Well Oliver Tree - Welcome to LA Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver plays tracks from his favourite neo-psych album on its tenth birthday, Psychic Ills' 'Inner Journey Out'. Plus, loud indie rock from Ty Segall and Jackal Onassis. Then, a look at The Minus 5, including a cover of a Neil Young and Crazy Horse classic. Tracklist: Psychic Ills - I Don't Mind Psychic Ills - Baby Ty Segall - Black Paint Jackal Onassis - Runty Little Puppy The Minus 5 - Let the Rope Hold, Cassie Lee The Minus 5 - Pocahontas (Neil Young cover) Psychic Ills - All Alone Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out 'Philadelphia's been good to me', the new record from one of his favourite indie artists, Kurt Vile. Oliver reckons it's Kurt's best since his golden period in the early 2010s. Tune in to hear favourites from another hazed-out classic from Philly's constant hitmaker. Also, favourites from the now10-year old tribute album 'Day of the Dead'. It features legendary indie rock artists covering classics from The Grateful Dead. Tracklist: Kurt Vile - Red Room Dub Kurt Vile - 99 BPM Kurt Vile - Avalanches of Snow The War On Drugs - Touch of Grey Kurt Vile, The Violators, J Mascis - Box of Rain Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out a host of the best new indie rock singles. There's the disortion-drenched Americana indie of Wild Pink, surfy indie from Surf Trash, and jangly psych-rock from levitation room. Plus, new music from NZ's Office Dog and two songs from 'Piper Oz the Hound', an album by folk-rock oddity Art Lown. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver celebrates New Zealand Music Month with a collection of his favourite alt-rock tracks from Aotearoa. Including a classic 'genre forerunner' from The Clean and two great slices of guitar led indie from bands on Christchurch's Melted Ice Cream label. Then, a track from one of Hamilton's leading bands and a modern release from an 80s Flying Nun group. Tracklist: 1. The Clean - Point That Thing Somewhere Else 2. The Naenae Express - Phones 3. Bitter Defeat - Long Lash 4. Sneaky Feelings - Sun Is Shining 5. Wurld Series - Second Hit 6. Jim Nothing - Lucky Charm 7. Mako Road - The Green Superintendent Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver looks at another spaced-out indie gem from Kurt Vile's upcoming record. Also, new music from U.S. shoegazers The Asteroid No.4. Then, a song from U.K. post-punkers Cola's new record 'Cost of Living Adjustment'. Tracklist: 1. Kurt Vile - Fo Sho 2. Kurt Vile - Zoom 97 3. The Asteroid No.4 - Protostar 4. The Asteroid No.4 - Wicked Wire 5. The Asteroid No.4 - Shadowed 6. Cola - Hedgesitting Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver looks at 'I'm People', the great new album of sunny Americana from Hiss Golden Messenger. Also, Oliver's favourite Neil Young album 20 years after its release. 'Living with War' was a fiesty anti-war and anti-bush protest record, backed up by plenty of that inconic Neil Young guitar noise. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver looks at the new record from Californian psych rock and alt-folk musician Tim Presley's project White Fence. Also, a look at one of the great albums by alt-country group The Jayhawks ten years after its release. Plus, a taste of Oliver's Free FM 'De-Tour Du Jour', an hour long music show tangential to the usual sounds heard on A Sonic Youth. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out the newly reissued early Pavement release 'Perfect Sound Forever'. It's Pavement at their most abrasively rock 'n' roll. Plus, a great new cover by Deer Tick and a live performance of a favourite from Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Finally, a look at the super deluxe reissue of This Is Lorelei's enduringly brilliant 'Box for Buddy, Box for Star'. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

UK-based alt-country band Brown Horse released Oliver's favourite album of 2025. Now they're back with 'Total Dive', the group's third LP. Oliver checks out what is another great record. It evolves the Americana sound of Jason Molina, Uncle Tupelo and Wilco, and places the band firmly among contemporaries Wednesday and MJ Lenderman. Plus, Waxahatchee's cover of a favourite from This is Lorelei's album 'Box for Buddy, Box for Star'. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out the much anticipated new single from the upcoming Kurt Vile album 'Philadelphia's Been Good To Me'. Also, favourites from 'Waking on A Pretty Daze' on its 13th birthday. Then, covers of favourites by Father John Misty, Songs: Ohia and Bruce Springsteen. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out 'Ricochet', the highly anticpated third record from Snail Mail. Their early releases are some of Oliver's favourite modern indie rock albums, so what does he think of the latest batch? Plus, a new single from the upcoming record 'I'm People' from North Carolina's Hiss Golden Messenger, and a track from Courtney Barnett's new album. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver plays up and coming alt-country artist Brennan Wedl, including a great new cover also featuring Waxahatchee. Then, a track from Courtney Barnett's new album and the next single from Canadian post-punkers Cola. Closing off is Drive-By Truckers with one of the great rock 'n' roll tribute songs, 30-years after the death of its subject matter, musician Gregory 'Dean' Smalley. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver looks at some of his favourite songs about sport. Including two great tracks about

Oliver looks at the fascinating story of Saharan desert blues collective Tinariwen, including playing a track from their new album and one from their back catalog featuring Kurt Vile and Matt Sweeney. Also, favourites from the predicted setlist when The Brian Jonestown Massacre play in NZ next week. Then, a look at legendary hardcore group Hüsker Dü's 'Candy Apple Grey' on its 40th birthday. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out a favourite indie rock album on it's tenth birthday, Nada Surf's 'You Know Who You Are'. It's an album he thinks finds a perfect middle ground between the band's grungy early sound and their more pop-based indie sound. Then, a look at a reissue of the first studio release by Americana legend Jason Molina's band Magnolia Electric Co.. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Modern indie rock figureheads Snail Mail are gearing up to release a highly anticipated new album. Oliver checks out the latest pre-release single 'My Maker', and plays favourites from the iconic 2018 record 'Lush'. Then, another great new single from the upcoming Brown Horse record, this one with some shoegaze influences, and a look at Canadian post-punk group Cola. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out alt/americana group Hiss Golden Messenger, including a brilliant new single from a recently announced album. Plus, Philly punk rockers Remember Sports' pre-release single 'Across The Line' from their new album 'The Refrigerator' was one of Oliver's tracks of 2025. Now the full album has been released. Oliver checks out another favourite from it and plays a favourite piece of 'indie punk' from their back catalog. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out Canadian/Belgian neo-psych band GHOSTWOMAN, a brilliant group that he admits he's been late to the party on. Then, some indie rock 'sonic coincidences', great tracks with some uncanny sonic brothers, which means they're great tracks too. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out his favourite album across all of Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus' projects, his 2001 debut 'Stephen Malkmus' 25 years after it was released. It's an album which carries a strong sonic ancestry from Pavement, but also sees Malkmus experimenting with more instrumentation and involving folk and Americana sounds. Plus, a look at favourites from the 'Psych Box' compilation by two legendary neo-psych bands. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

U.K Americana group Brown Horse released Oliver's record of the year in 2025, and now they're back already with the first single 'Twisters' from their next project 'Total Dive'. Oliver plays favourites from 'All The Right Weaknesses' and then checks out the new single. Plus, pre-release singles from the much-anticipated new albums from Snail Mail and Courtney Barnett, then a new song from Cut Worms. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

The new collaboration record 'Destination Heaven' by American alt rockers Euphoria Again & Dogwood Tales. Plus, a lively garage rocker from 90s Japanese alt rock legends Yura Yura Teikoku and a beautiful cover by MJ Lenderman performed live and solo at the Chateau Marmont. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver plays of selection of "hidden gems" from the wide world of alternative and indie rock. Tune in to hear a unqiue take on alternative blues, Chilean neo-psych, underground Japanese shoegaze and a brilliant solo track from Pavement's Stephen Malkmus. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

We start 2026 off LOUD as Oliver plays a selection of favourite indie rock guitar solos. There's Dinosaur Jr (of course), Drive-By Truckers, Israel Nash and a cover of a Peter Green Fleetwood Mac epic. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

It's an end of year wrap up as Oliver looks at his favourite indie rock songs released in 2025 and played on A Sonic Youth. Central to the show is Brown Horse's 'All The Right Weaknesses', along with tracks from Wednesday, Colin Miller, MJ Lenderman and Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver takes a look at 'Holo Boy', the new record from Nate Amos' project This Is Lorelei. Then, a collection of alternative Xmas tracks, including a set from the 'Psych-Out Christmas' record. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

An exploration of modern garage rock legend Ty Segall, including a powerhouse hard rock cover of 'Diddy Wah Diddy' and a newly released live track. Also, a new live in studio version of L.A. psych rockers levitation room's greatest track. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

We have two of the greatest modern rock bands on this week's A Sonic Youth! First, The Hold Steady's 'Separation Sunday' 20 years on with a deluxe reissue. Then, Drive-By Trucker's greatest live performances with Jason Isbell including a recent feature on the Colbert late night show. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

New tracks from the soon to be released album from slacker Americana artist This Is Lorelei (Nate Amos). Iraqi/American shoegaze from the excellent nabeel, and two tracks to round up neo-psych November from The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Holy Wave. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

It's the final week of Neo-Psych November! Oliver looks at the stripped and repetitive sensory deprivation side of the wider genre. Listen in to hear beautiful stripped-back tracks from Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound, Moon Duo, Rose City Band, Psychic Ills, and more. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

It's week three of Neo-Psych November and it's time to look into the 'intricate sensory overload' side of the genre. Oliver plays tracks which merge neo-psych with acid psych (Moon Duo), shoegaze (LSD and the Search for God), and dream pop (The Warlocks), and more! Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

It's week two of Neo-Psych November! Following last week's introduction, Oliver looks at some of the history of the genre, from 60s psych through to New Wave and 80s alt-rock scenes. Then we take a deep dive into one of the genre's pioneering bands, The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

It's the first week of Neo-Psych November! Oliver introduces the coming shows about the psychedelic side of indie rock by playing his favourite neo-psych songs from the likes of Psychic Ills, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dolly Rocker Movement, plus a couple of hidden gems from Argentina and Chile. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

New music from Chicago psych rockers Glyders, Courtney Barnett and a Pavement cover by Soccer Mommy. Also, a couple of tracks from the 2003 Drive-By Truckers album, including a the first recorded performance of one of Jason Isbell's greatest songs. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Favourites from Wild Pink's excellent heavy Americana record 'Dulling The Horns'. Plus, other favourite loud Americana tracks from Alabama's Dexateens and Milwaukee's Telethon (featuring The Jayhawks' Gary Louris). Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver looks at favourite Nada Surf songs from their 2005 album 'The Weight Is a Gift'. Also, the new Pavement "greatest hits" release and a look at new and old tracks from Ohio-based punky indie rockers Remember Sports. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver looks at Kurt Vile's 'b'lieve i'm goin down' on the tenth anniversary of its release. Plus, Sonic Youth's 'Washing Machine' 30 years on, and a Lou Reed cover from New Orleans' Silver Synthetic. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out the great new record 'Bleeds' from North Carolina creek-rockers Wednesday. It's an album with equal doses of alt-country and shoegaze, with dense lyrical themes. Plus, a look at Craig Finn's (The Hold Steady) 2015 solo album 'Faith In The Future'. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

The first ever guest on A Sonic Youth! It's fellow FreeFM Podcaster #SSSD from our resident electronic music culture show Deep_INsessioNZ. #SSSD picks the five tracks this week and talks to Oliver about his journey from hardcore & grunge to electronica. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

A classic track and new single from Texas alt-rockers Midlake. Then, favourite tracks from one of the most underrated 2010s alt-rock albums, Chuck Prophet's 'Bobby Fuller Died for Your Sins', and a song from the new Big Thief record. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

New shoegaze from The Asteroid No.4, new punk from Bass Drum of Death, new southern creek rock from Wednesday, and a new Velvet Underground cover from Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

It's indie covers time again! Oliver plays favourite covers of tracks by the likes of Outkast, The Stooges and Pavement by The Wedding Present, Allah-Las, Nada Surf, Booker T. Jones and more! Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

The late great Mark Linkous and his project Sparklehorse. Sparklehorse were alt-country pioneers, in similar spheres as Elliott Smith and Jason Molina, and having great influence on Wednesday and MJ Lenderman. Plus, UK classic rock band The Heavy Heavy with two great covers of Father John Misty and Jonathan Wilson. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Episode 200! Oliver tells the stories of some of his favourite songs he's played on the show in the past 199 episodes, since late 2021. Featuring the likes of Kurt Vile, Songs: Ohia, and Alejandro Escovedo. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

An African adventure this week as Oliver looks into the amazing world of Zamrock, Afrofunk and African Rock. Listen in to hear favourites from Chrissy Zebby Tembo, The Psychedelic Aliens, De Frank Professionals and more of the funkiest music you probably have never heard before! Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

A Sonic Youth goes off the rails as Oliver plays his favourite freak folk and acid rock oddities. Listen in to hear the unique funk of Doug Hream Blunt, cosmic Americana from Jimmy Carter and Dallas Country Green, and psych rock from Robert Lester Folsom and Stan Hubbs. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

More new indie! UK psych rock project The Lucid Experiment with some beautiful neo-psych tracks. Then, Sun Room with energetic garage rock, and Cavolo Nero with some funky world music infused indie. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver looks at Dinosaur Jr's debut album 'Dinosaur' 40 years on. Plus, a newly released 1985 Husker Du live EP, and MJ Lenderman covering a Jason Molina (Songs: Ohia) classic on a new tribute album. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver checks out some of the greatest indie rock songs from records released in the year 2000. Including an underated J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) release, a beautiful Grandaddy concept album and pop brilliance from Teenage Fanclub. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Oliver looks at indie/alt-country band Brown Horse and their amazing new sophomore album. They're one to watch! Plus, new music from Kurt Vile & Luke Roberts and a favourite track from Chicago singer/songwriter Trey Gruber. Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

A selection of the hottest indie rock new releases. Featuring Australian indie pop bands Loose Tooth and Olivia's World. Plus, a raucous new single from Wednesday, and tracks from Bnny and Wild Pink Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.