Lean Forward Podcast

Jay catches us up on some big news…If you’ve been following along Jay has had a long career in music that began in radio, later in A&R, and most recently starting his own label. Find out what’s next for Jay while Jacob auditions for our first sponsor. Plus we put our Quick Hits up front so you won’t miss some new tracks you gotta here. Links to the playlists here: Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/playlist/episode-22-big-news/pl.u-ZmAdGtXxvoJ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/leanforwardpodcast/playlist/2FeycOdG1t3yjpraF4JBqA?si=KAnGiQKETROccE8e-azv_A

Jacob punishes Jay by forcing him to listen to his favorite music from when he was 15, and despite Jay’s low expectations he was still disappointed. The boys revisit Netflix’s Ozark and do some digging on who’s responsible for the incredible cover of “The Man Who Sold The World” —spoiler alert, it’s a former guest… And if you can make it through teenage Jacob’s terrible taste in music, we’ve got some fresh Quick Hits for you available on Apple Music and Spotify Apple Music https://itunes.apple.com/us/playlist/episode-21-n%C3%BC-metal/pl.u-YmldqsKGj96 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/leanforwardpodcast/playlist/7nPsQnMZyKDLt62pgu4xSR?si=3gQMNi27Soerum1LWbWaEw

It’s Jay’s turn for an album review, but when Jacob tells him it’s NIN he desperately passes off his assignment. So the boys call in the big guns; Lean Forward field reporter and industry-insider Amy Lee of Evanescence. Listen to Jake and Amy talk miles above Jay’s head about what real music sounds like as they share their love of one of the most influential bands of the past 30 years.

Jay calls U2 one of the greatest bands of all time, and literally millions of people agree with him. Jacob was never really a fan, but never really listened to them either. Jacob gets an assignment to listen to two of their biggest albums for the first time ever; The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby!, and he comes back with this thoughts. Plus Jay casually mentions he played softball with J. Cole, and Jacob has had it with Jay’s shit. As always, download our Apple Music and Spotify playlists for this and every episode at www.leanforwardpodcast.com

Love ‘em, or hate ‘em, The Eagles have cemented themselves into some of the hardest-to-reach places in pop culture history. So why are they so hated by so many?! Jay and Jacob explore their insulated look at one of the most love-to-hate acts of all time. Plus new stuff and random ramblings as the boys reconnect despite being over 500 miles apart from one another.

Hiatus, be damned! The boys are back in Brooklyn where Jay announces he recently pulled a “Jerry MaGuire” then immediately gets emotional while visiting the MoMA. Jacob flip flops on St. Vincent and updates us with life in the midwest. The boys go all in on Icelandic music and other fine gems from recent recommendations. You’re gonna wanna get this playlist.

Following up on their year-end podcast with Amy Lee, Jay and Jacob are back with the first episode of 2018. Jacob announces that he is heading to the Midwest on a one-way ticket. They discuss Eminem’s relevance in 2018—an important issue for Jay since they were literally born on the same day. Plus St. Vincent, and the 10th US President’s Grandkids (its worth listening to just for this story, trust us). As always, check out our Quick Hits on Apple Music and Spotify. You can get them at Leanforwardpodcast.com/Episodes.

Amy Lee of Evanescence has sold over 20 million albums worldwide, sells out arenas throughout the world, and has had radio hit after hit in multiple countries, and for some reason decided to sit down with Jay and Jacob to chat about it all. In Episode 15, the fellas dig deep with Amy about all things music including working on her new album “Synthesis” (which debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 20 charts) with David Campbell (Beck’s dad). Post-show, she also sent along her own quick hits with descriptions of why she likes the tunes she picked. And Jay & Jacob included their own Best of 2017 playlists which can all be found at leanforwardpodcast.com/episodes/amylee

The boys are back and ‘Conspiracy Theory Jacob’ is all the way in on Blink 182’s Tom Delonge’s UFO disclosure project. And after seeing a recent sold out performance of Queens of The Stone Age at MSG, the fellas explore who the pinnacle rock stars are from the past 5 years—but aren’t sure there are any. Plus Quick Hits and sneezing fits.

We go live with Colony House—another member of Descendant Records family—immediately after they get off stage at Brooklyn Steel in Williamsburg. They talk about the never-ending life on the road and it’s impact on their families, and how they stay engaged with the creative process. Plus Jay’s love for Brit-pop is on full display with his quick hits, while Jacob goes spacey with some contemporary jazz.

Zach and Brian from the Lone Bellow join us on the sidewalk for our first ever field interview—moments after their live performance at Rockwood Music Hall in the lower east side of NYC. Promoting their third album “Walk Into A Storm”, and fresh off of an exclusive show for acclaimed radio station WFUV, the band talks about growing as a family band, and how they altered their approach with this album. And as always Jay and Jacob bring some quick hits, and the boys are all about Faith Healers. Remember to get these Spotify and Apple Music playlists with all these great tracks at www.leanforwardpodcast.com/episodes

Netflix’s Ozark is the must-watch show of 2017, and we’re joined by Marc Menchaca who plays Russ Langmore on the groundbreaking new series—who also stars in the latest music video from The Lone Bellow 'Times Always Leaving’. Warning: we get into some major Ozark spoilers, so if you haven’t seen the show stop what you’re doing right now and watch it. Marc also talks about how Jason Bateman is one of the most thoughtful people to work for in Hollywood, and that he’s a HUGE Radiohead fan. Be sure to stick around to the end as Marc chimes in with a on another superb Quick Hits.

Jonathan Eshak joins us from Mick Management, the company responsible for Leon bridges, Maggie Rogers, Ray LaMontagne, Jon Batiste, Real Estate, Walk the Moon, and many others. He explains the role a manager plays in the discovery of an artist, their development, and how they help them achieve their goals. Plus, Jacob goes to a Phish show, and lastly, some delicious Quick Hits.

Short episode alert! Jay and Jacob catch up after recently seeing a couple live shows in Brooklyn; Kendrick Lamar on the DAMN. tour, and a live performance of Planetarium—then straight to the Quick Hits. All killer, no filler.

Our first guest ever joins the show as Jonny Aherne from The Temper Trap sits down with us, and he talks about what it was like going from working in a mall in Australia to blowing up the charts with "Sweet Disposition", opening up for the Rolling Stones, and how Taylor Swift told them that her boyfriend at the time, Harry Styles, was such a huge fan that he got a Temper Trap tattoo (with a typo). Plus quick hits, Jacob's abhorrent Australian accent, and a quick shout out to HBO's The Defiant Ones.

Rick Rubin was Jay's boss for a year, and he fills us in on what it was like working directly for one of the most influential people in contemporary music—while Jacob rattles off almost every band Rick has ever touched. The boys muse about the Nickelback/Corey Taylor feud, and later share some quick hits including Jacob's favorite chef-turned-rapper, and the long and unlikely journey of a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter getting his debut album off the ground. Production note: The missing Polar bear pic discussed in the episode was found after taping, and is featured in the episode image and on the Lean Forward Facebook page

The boys respond to their first listener question which prompts Jay to share how almost signed Cage The Elephant and it blew up in his face, while Jacob laments passing up an opportunity to buy a real Banksy piece for $30. Are the Foo Fighters getting heavier with age? The boys share their thoughts, and later Jay confesses he's into the new Harry Styles and wants to know if that's ok. Jacob is late to the St. Vincent party, but he never wants to leave now. Later, producer Lee hops on the mic to dive deep into Sufjan Stevens' new project Planetarium.

Buckle up and bear with us on this one. It’s a doozy. Jay and Jacob spend time discussing the very recent loss of a loved one and music’s role (or lack thereof) in it. Producer Lee jumps on the mic to talk about how Rick Rubin gave us the best possible version of Johnny Cash, and the boys weigh the influence and impact of early 90’s rock music in the wake of Chris Cornell’s passing. Bonus: Jay doesn’t know how twitter works.

Jay blames his closest friends for not helping fix his mistakes, and Jacob reminds him how responsibility works. Jay tries to fly one of his Quick Hits under the radar, but Jacob isn’t having it. The conspiracy theories were true, and as OK Computer turns 20 the boys are gearing up for its re-release. Jacob names his favorite planets in the Gorillaz solar system, and Jay talks about the ones he’s visited. And Jay discovers the number one way people discover new music isn’t what you’d think.

Jay and Jacob get teary-eyed over the amount of people who’ve actually listened to the podcast now—then immediately get into a fight over Spotify versus Apple Music. They discuss new music from Portugal. The Man, Mitski, Soulwax and Kelsey Kopecky, and revisit the original Trainspotting soundtrack to discover some overlooked gems. Jacob gives his take on Kendrick’s latest release and talks about the similar career-arch Kendrick shares with Radiohead. He also swears on his life he didn’t steal that idea from this article, and supposedly has the evidence to prove it. Lastly, does Jay have a U2 tattoo on his inner thigh?

Jay struggles to place Florida on the map, and Jacob researches a underused southern greeting. Jay reminisces of his radio days at 99X, and starting out in A&R with Manchester Orchestra. Meanwhile, Jacob breaks into new territory with his recent discovery of Thundercat, and discovers a new appreciation for Kendricks’ recent sound.

Jacob opens up about his somber start for 2017, and how he's found solace in a guilty pleasure—one that Jay finds absolutely repugnant. Jay shares one of his favorite new artists straight out of the Bigfoot demographic of central Canadian territories, Colter Wall, a boy who sold his soul to the devil to sing like Johnny Cash. The boys celebrate 30 years of the Flaming Lips and walk through their evolution as a band, discuss their unified love for Massive Attack, as well as their optimistic belief that the band is fronted by Banksy.