Earbuds And Earworms

This week, we tackle the most amorphous of genres: Indie. What is Indie? What does it sound like? It is many things and while it tends to lean indie rock in this curated list, it isn't just that. There is a voicemail...from a while ago. Oh, and go ahead and notice how wacky the sound of our voice is. Amy tried.Music:Excuse Me. - My GardenSled Ellis & Danke Shane - HomebodyArctic Monkeys - When the Sun Goes DownDeathcab for Cutie - I Was a KaleidoscopeSpellling - Blue (American Dream)Sebadoh - Gimme Indie RockOvens - I Can't HangFrightened Rabbit - I Feel BetterClose Lobsters - What Is There To Smile AboutThe Thermals - A Pillar of SaltPavement - Summer BabeFreeloader - Not that Smart

Mitchell and Amy get themselves together and record an episode after some time spent with too much work. From cuffed jeans to how amazing sundresses are, this episode covers it all. Shockingly, there are no songs about comfy socks here, but surely there are songs about them. Also, Mitchell and Amy had no idea how tall the other one was, so there is a hefty bit of conversation astonished about each other’s height.The Music:The Cardboard Swords - FlannelBrian Hyland - Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot BikiniT Pain - Apple Bottom JeansBen Folds Five - Song for the DumpedClaud - Cuff your JeansNOFX - Jeff Wears BirkenstocksThe Promise Ring - Red and Blue JeansPortugal. The Man - Creep in a T-ShirtTiny Moving Parts - SundressThe Equals - Michael and the Slipper TreeNelly ft Kyjuan, Ali, Murphy Lee - Air Force OnesSummer Villains - Hoodie Weather 

This episode is all about that time we need for ourselves, you know, self-care. The world is still stressful and being kind to ourselves is definitely what is needed. Have a lazy day, take care of yourself, and have a home spa day.

So, the theme is “long distance” but there are so many revelations in this show that it cannot even be embodied in a description. Mitchell doesn’t lose socks, for one. Like, Mitchell does NOT lose socks. That is the most amazing talent. Also, Cat Power is not just short for Catherine Power.

This episode is a revisit to a great theme from a couple of years ago: non-english centered music from wherever (no Klingon was submitted, sorry to say). A wide array of styles and influences from a few decades. A true international treat. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

The US just came out of an epic “snow everywhere” incident which affected Memphis (and these streets)! So, let’s stay topical and talk about ice, snow, winter, and like, did I mention ice? Oh, and icicles! Turns out, there is quite a bit of chilly themed songs out there and here are some just for ya’ll.

This week is all about the shows that haven’t quite been seen yet (and may or may not be able to be seen in the future). Many references to technical difficulties that happened beforehand. Mitchell and Amy also got an amazing email and it is legitimately worth listening to! (Yes, the last sentence did end in a preposition, which is fine.)

Continuing the good vibes from last episode, Mitchell and Amy are covering songs found out in the wild. Amy just assumes all music is from Kroger and Mitchell illuminates how amazing the playlist at his retail establishment is. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

Sometimes, a good vibes show is what is needed and heck, every show may be a good vibes show because E&E is trying to smudge the room of 2020. It may take a couple more smudges, but we are making progress. Enjoy this heckin good feeling show and block out the haters. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

We’re all tired this year, so we are ending this year on an old fashioned grab bag where the Earbuddies can share the songs that are on their minds. Lots of poppy tunes and a couple from TikTok, everyone’s favorite short attention span theater platform.

Look, this year is weird, and it is almost over. It has been hard and different than any year, so we might as well have a Christmas episode that represents the complicated feelings we are collectively having about this holiday season.

In a year where the world has been in various states of stand still, Mitchell, Amy, and the Earbuddies bring what was actually good this year, the music! So many good albums have come out and some of it has flown completely under the radar or musicians that have taken a break have come out with some new stuff. Amy may have totally credited Kaylah with liking show tunes,which may or may not be true, but she for sure loves Genesis (even has a tattoo!) Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

Hey, we needed a feel good about humanity episode, so we made a feel good about humanity episode. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

Mitchell brings his November social media project to the show this week with his Nu-Metal November theme. Turns out, Amy legit didn’t know she loves most of Nu-Metal that doesn’t have sad dolls on the front cover. Oh, yeah, and Cher has only two children (this will make sense after you listen to the show, so don’t tweet too quickly.)

This is an absolute lovefest of music that we learned about by making the show and listening to the show. Memories of shows past, like how Craig does have the best taste in music, and there is a beard parody song band, as well as a show theme idea come up. Also, towards the end, both Mitchell and Amy admit that they watch TikTok videos as a form of stress relief. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

This week, month, year has been exhausting, and while this next week is even exhausting to think about in America, we are just going to focus on how ding dang tired we are and listen to music about how ding dang tired we are.

Aspirations, we all got aspirations! Be it the end of this year, holding someone’s hand, getting them dollahs, it is all covered here! Also, Amy wants to know the reason for Graham’s song is used to mess with Jeremy. Reach out! Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

Coming off of last week’s anxiety-fest, it seems suiting to have the next theme be about being calm, chill, and generally relaxed. All the atmospheres of chill are here, from jazzy to lo-fi to psychedelic.

If there is an unspoken theme of Earbuds and Earworms for the last near seven months, it is probably our low-key constant anxiety. This week, it gets spoken and discussed, and that catharsis is great to remind us that maybe we do need to relax our jaws and find our little escapes (like F*cked Up suggests).

Surprisingly, “mundane tasks” has not been a theme before but oh, what a well! Mitchell, Amy, and the Earbuddies delve deep into songs that cover washing clothes, checking the cell phone, flipping through TV channels, and any number of mundane things we even do. Amy found some slugs, so that is also a topic.

Amy gets way too excited about birthdays and Mitchell goes along with the exuberance and the Earbuddies work with the theme like All-Stars! From Pop Rock to Comedy Metal, there is a birthday song for everyone here.

Amy gets very geeked multiple times about Griffin McElroy and Esperanza Spalding’s interview on Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me! and Mitchell drops some knowledge about secret super influencers that are living a quiet life in Memphis. Actually quite shocking that this show wasn’t made earlier, because Amy always tells people that a podcast is just talk radio that you can choose when to listen to.

This episode is a journey as Mitchell and Amy attempt to nail down if they have seen the same NSYNC concert at the pre-Bass Pro Pyramid. There is also discussion of specific synths, vampires, Lars von Trier (who is creepy), and Bjork.

This week is a more somber episode with Mitchell, Amy, and the Earbuddies reflecting on the music that has impacted them while the musicians that created the work have passed.

In an attempt to focus on some more obscure genres, Mitchell and Amy celebrate math rock. Mitchell shines with his innate understanding of what a time signature is and Amy looked up a Youtube video and a whole Reddit graph to help her choose a song. Also, Joe-Joe brought GDJYD’s Durian What What What (and Amy got nervous about speaking all the letters so she forgot to credit him for this amazing song).

Yeah, sure, we could go for some meaningful lyrics that dig deep into our souls and pull the tears out. This week is not about THOSE lyrics, it is about the inscrutable, gibberish, what the heck lyrics.

This week has NOTHING to do with the episode number (only Memphis will understand). Mitchell and Amy bond over their possible life of crime, which is not provable. Don’t come at them! Also, what is the statute of limitations of stealing your own art from your now defunct high school library? Asking for a friend. Also, the Earbuddies love themselves some criminals. It’s fine. Stop judging.

It’s all about the action and this week, super action jam packed with action songs and imperative songs (and one triple negative multiplier). Amy forgets how to actually speak and Mitchell drops all the Sweeney knowledge on us. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

Amy just wanted to shoehorn a specific song in so Mitchell had the illuminating idea to let everyone shoehorn their songs in! It is a cavalcade of genres that are absolutely amazing. Did you know India had nu-metal bands? Neither did we!

When you’re the greatest and you’re a musician, you make music about being the greatest. This week is all about those narcissistic self-hype songs that get us all bopping. Somehow it managed not to be an entire episode on Run the Jewels. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

Turns out, Disney holds a special place in our hearts. Let’s just face it, Disney made the Millenials and Amy gets extremely excited about every song and Mitchell makes a case for the Fire Gang.

This week is about songs that bring us joy, or songs about the things that bring us joy, or however you define this theme this week. Mitchell gets that bittersweet tune in before Amy refuses to introduce her song so people will listen to it. There is a horns section before folks start taking “fistfuls of psilocybin”.

Mitchell is the foremost expert on the gratuity of saxophone in songs and this week is all about determining if the sax usage has been appropriate. It is a range from when the singing is superfluous to when the sax has just gotten out of hand completely. Also, must all sax players be shirtless while playing their saxophones. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

This summer is going to be a little different than previous summers. There is this, like, massive thing going on worldwide, and we really can’t hang with each other around pools, beaches, or grills. The theme this week is focusing on the songs that make us feel like summertime is happening. Grab that polka dot bikini (that you are wearing for the first time today), crack open a soda/beer/sparkle water, and enjoy the haziness.

It has been a full two years (about) since the subject of musical collaborations has come up on Earbuds and Earworms. Mitchell sings Icona Pop’s I Love It. Amy confuses Slayer and Stryper (like any good Christian child would). Also, just forgive the fact that Lovage and lavage are two separate words, because Amy will screw it up anyway.

This past two weeks have been a mirror of America’s past. Mitchell and Amy confront their white privilege and focus on songs that highlight the themes of hope, protest, and discontent in these current times. There is always something that we can do better within ourselves and within this culture. It just takes looking at ourselves honestly, recognizing the flaws, and working towards change, equality, and equity for everyone who lives here. Links for support, education, and updates

This week is about reminiscing about the live shows in the before times. Remember live shows? Those were great. Mitchell got see a final show in a beloved venue not knowing it was the final show there. And yes, Amy does realize that she brought a cover song by Ben, but like, it is still like the best cover song. Halfway through recording, you can hear her brain actually break. The Earbuddies show off their magnificent tastes and love of communal listening.

This week is all about the perceived dangers of the world. The bad relationships, terrible ideas, and fireworks that can cause bodily harm. It gets pretty terrifying, but of course, Amy is terrified of everything. Mitchell also discovered the scariest Metallica song. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

In this exceedingly vast theme (the cosmos), Mitchell, Amy, and the Earbuddies, suggest just a couple of songs about the universe. There are aliens, there is romance, there are some sick beats, then there is Sun Ra. It gets pretty epic.

This week is all about yucking your own yum music style. You know that total jam that you love, well, criticize that. And if you ever wanted to hear Amy’s version of a southern accent, you have indeed come to the correct episode.

In this week’s episode of haunted audio, Mitchell and Amy annoy some spirits, talk about choosing the wrong candles, and other creepy spellcasting mishaps. Wizards, witches, portals, and pastels. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

This week, inspired by Earbuddy Jenny, he show is about those songs with that weird trivia behind them, like the song written by an NFL player, or the goth metal song that is really about a kitty cat. Amy shows that she only knows one vague thing about one song and Mitchell brings all the knowledge with the Earbuddies.

After a couple of internet conversations (read: arguments) with folks that have fallen too far into the internet, Mitchell and Amy tackle paranoia and conspiracies through song this week. The Earbuddies have had their fill too and bring all the songs that give that unease, followed, and conspiratorial feeling. Also, here is a quick Kurzgesagt video that gives a simple test to debunking conspiracy theories found online.

This week is pretty much the definition of Earbuds and Earworms. The songs that we got from friends and mark special moments in our lives and our friendships. Whether we are traveling cross-country to meet internet friends, building treehouses, trying to pull a sneaky and introduce new music, or just driving in cars, bonding over sharing music is what Mitchell, Amy, and the Earbuddies do.

Look, the theme of the show isn’t Amy mispeaking over and over, but it happens, we have acknowledged it. Just tweet complaints at her manager, because it is absolutely shameful. The actual theme is covers, which hasn’t even been mentioned for two years...that’s pretty shameful as well. Anyhoo, Covers! Songs we love, but different!

This week, a very tired Amy and self-isolating before it was cool Mitchell, recorded a show that finally acknowledges the current global pandemic. They had been pretty quiet about it, but like, umm, they had to record remotely from each other. The Earbuddies brought some absolute perfect gems. This week’s show picture is from Jamie Harmon’s Shelter in Place Project.

Drafting off of last week’s theme of having an episode publish and not being edited properly, this week’s episode is about miscalculations, mistakes, and general oopsies. Let’s all just settle in and admit we all aren’t perfect and mistakes are just the human in us showing through with a playlist of whoopsi-doos.

This week, Mitchell and Amy collect songs about large bodies of water and Amy gets progressively more caffeinated as the show progresses. There is some really dumb levity in this one and cracking jokes is one of the ways to weather this week in the news. Voicemail: 731-400-BUDS(2837) Email: eandepod@gmail.com

This past week, Mitchell has finally received his first pair of glasses and it is either to correct his astigmatism, or hide his superhero alter ego. As with any event in their lives, Mitchell and Amy make a theme of it and boy, oh boy, are there many many songs about vision, eyesight, eyeballs, and seeing. Enjoy your hearing sense while listening to songs about the seeing sense.

In the early light of noon, Amy awoke from sleep to come up with a theme. The theme was “notable people” and that is what is on the plate this week! Mitchell, as always, has well thought out and researched commentary and Amy, for once, googled information on more than a single song. A flugelhorn is also buried in this episode as well, so listen closely.

Amy and Mitchell are massive fans of skills that aren’t necessarily paid skills. They learn instruments, get into crafts, make stuff, listen to other people do their thing, and generally relish the joy that folks get out of whatever they are into. This week is a celebration of that structured time before work and bed. Hobby on, you Hobby-ists!