Sound of History

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Where an aspiring music history nerd attempts to teach the basics to someone who knows nothing about it.

Sound of History


    • Apr 28, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 104 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Sound of History

    Episode 76: N.W.A.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 56:46


    N.W.A. took the emerging genre of Hip Hop and created a new, aggressive sound that quickly became called Gangster Rap. Mika and Nick take a look at this super-important group and this pivotal moment in rap history   Follow us on Social media!  Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Who Killed Jam Master Jay? (Sound of Conspiracies)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2024 62:56


    As a part of Run DMC, Jam Master Jay helped define the early years of hip hop. When his life was tragically cut short, no one could understand why. Nick and Jacob break down the story and answer the question: who killed Jam Master Jay?  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Episode 75: Grandmast Flash

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 41:21


    Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five helped to usher in a world of Hip Hop. They were legendary pioneers of a new genre. But parts of their story turned pretty dark.      #HipHop #MusicHistory 

    Episode 74: The Birth of Hip Hop

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 62:54


    Hip Hop culture burst on to the scene in the 80s and completely changed American culture and music. Nick and Mika take a look at where it came from and the Golden Age of Hip Hop FOLLOW US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Bonus Episode: Prince

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2023 50:36


    For this bonus episode, we take a look at the life and work of one of the most iconic and influential pop stars of all time: Prince.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Episode 73: Madonna

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 48:46


    Madonna is a cultural, musical, and business icon. This is the story of how Madonna became one of the biggest forces in the history of American pop culture.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Is Avril Lavigne Actually Dead? (Sound of Conspiracies)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2023 34:47


    One of the most popular conspiracy theories in music history revolves around Avril Lavigne dying and being secretly replaced by her best friend. Nick and Jacob take a deep dive into this theory and see if it's got any legs (it doesn't) Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Episode 72: Survey of 80s Pop

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 38:57


    Pop music in the 80's was a wild world full of so many different things. The industry exploded during this decade. Mika and Nick take a look at some of the biggest artists and genres that dominated this time frame.  Follow us on Social media! Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Episode 71: The History of R.E.M.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 56:37


    R.E.M. redefined what it meant to be an underground/indie band. They forever changed the landscape of music and ushered in a new scene. This is the story of R.E.M. Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Episode 70: Alternative Rock

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 49:36


    Punk and other genres of the late 70s created the perfect soil to grow a completely new way to become musicians: alternative rock. Mika and Nick take a look at this ambiguous but important genre Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Episode 69: Mötley Crüe

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 56:41


    Mötley Crüe were one of the most notorious bands in music history. Through their hard partying ways, Mötley Crüe set the standard for what a glam metal band could be. Mika and Nick take a look at their story and their journey.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Episode 68: Hair Metal

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 58:34


    The world of the 80s was kind of like the wild west: alcohol, massive hair, and plentiful power chords. Mika and Nick take a look at possibly the quintessential musical style of the 80s.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    The Rumours Era - Fleetwood Mac Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 76:33


    Most people think of Rumours when they think of Fleetwood Mac. That era of the band is easily one of the most recognizable and that album is one of the best of all time. This is a look at what Fleetwood Mac was going through when they recorded that album. Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4CnOxRJioNIFRC2Sn347uQ 

    Bonus Episode: The Beginning of Fleetwood Mac

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 57:20


    Fleetwood Mac are one of the most iconic bands in the history of music. But, even before there was Stevie Nicks and Rumors, Fleetwood Mac was full of interesting, passionate, and talented musicians. This is the story of the beginning of Fleetwood Mac.  Soon, we'll release part two and talk about the Fleetwood Mac that most people know.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    The Michael Jackson Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 65:01


    For better or worse, Michael Jackson is an American icon. He had a difficult childhood, made worse by his massive popularity from a very early age. Listen as Mika and Nick take a longer look at the life and career of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Sound of Conspiracies: Is Stevie Wonder Really Blind?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2023 59:19


    In this episode of Sound of Conspiracies, Jacob and Nick take a look at three more ridiculous and lighthearted music history conspiracy theories.  First, they examine the strange dance-fad song called "Peanut Duck." Who is the singer of that song and what does it actually mean?  Then, they look at the evidence that seems to suggest Jay Z is a time-traveler.  Finally, the talk about the theory that says Stevie Wonder is not actually blind.  Are any of these theories at all believable? Let's get to the bottom of it. 

    Bonus Episode: History of MTV

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 61:46


    Regardless of what you think about the channel, MTV was a cultural force for decades. Mika and Nick take a look at what MTV did and how it got there.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 67: Blondie

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2022 56:37


    Debbie Harry and Blondie helped to define the pop culture of the early 80s. Blondie was an iconic band and we took a look at their story and their music.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 66: New Wave

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 44:11


    New Wave was a genre of music that emerged alongside and out of the ashes of the first wave of punk. New Wave was a strange genre, but it influenced the course of music history. Mika and Nick take a look at the story of New Wave and the artists that made it something massive.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Bonus Episode: Sex Pistols

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2022 73:51


    The Sex Pistols might not have invented punk music, but they started a revolution in the British music scene. Plus, the Sex Pistols had one of the wildest rides in the history of popular music. Join us as Mika learns more about their story and their music.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 65: The Ramones

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2022 69:30


    In many ways, the Ramones epitomized the early punk sound. The Ramones first album defined what punk was. Mika and Nick take a look at their story to find out more about their sound and style and everything that made them Ramones.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 64: Punk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2022 60:06


    In the mid 70s, punk music came on the scene in New York and hit the music industry like a shot in the arm. Mika and Nick take a look at where it came from and some of the biggest names there at the start.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Bonus Episode: ABBA

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 65:44


    ABBA is not necessarily Disco, but they are Disco adjacent. And one of the biggest musical groups in history. Mika and Nick take a look at ABBA's long and storied career to find out more about the people behind the iconic music.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 63: Bee Gees

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 56:49


    The Bee Gees are one of the most successful groups of all time. They are also almost synonymous with disco. However, their history is large and varied. Mika and Nick take a look at the story of the Bee Gees.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 62: Disco

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 53:53


    In this episode, Mika and Nick take a look and one of the shortest-lived, but most impactful musical phenomena in history. Disco directly shaped much fo the culture in the late 70s as well as the dance music that we still listen to. But the beginning of disco wasn't as cheery and carefree as it may seem.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 61: Joni Mitchell

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 42:33


    In this episode, Mika and Nick take a look at the life and legacy of one of America's (and Canada)'s greatest artists. Joni Mitchell inspired so many people and created so much legendary music.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 60: Singer-Songwriter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2022 47:11


    Singer-Songwriter was a super important genre born out of folk, blues, and protest songs. Mika and Nick take a look at where it all came from and what it might mean. There is also some healthy discussion about what Singer-Songwriter actually is. Join in with the discussion on Twitter Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Sound of Conspiracies: Elvis is Actually Alive

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2022 52:08


    Is Elvis really alive? This is probably one of the most enduring and legendary conspiracies in the history of music. Did the King of Rock and Roll fake his own death and slip into hiding? Has he been popping up now and then in various sightings? Or was he hiding in plain sight as another masked singer named Orion?  Jacob and Nick take a look at this super popular theory and weigh the merits of the evidence to determine if Elvis is actually alive.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_   Follow Jacob on Twitter:  Jacob: https://twitter.com/JakubDaddie  What's Your Spaghetti Policy Podcast: https://twitter.com/SpagPolicyPod 

    Bonus Episode: Billy Joel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 63:06


    In this episode, Mika and Nick take a look at one of Nick's all-time favorite artists: Billy Joel. They talk about Billy Joel's career and his life, one hit song at a time.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Sound of Conspiracies: Are Tupac and Jim Morrison Alive?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2022 64:10


    Tupac and Jim Morrison are two legendary musicians. Their music has impacted countless lives. Plus, the mystery and intrigue around their deaths have kept people guessing for decades. Nick, Jacob, and a special guest take a look at the conspiracies surrounding the deaths of these two icons. Are they actually dead? Or are they hiding out somewhere?    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 59: Elton John

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 50:16


    Elton John is one of the titans of music history. He is one of the most prolific and successful musical artists of all time. Mika and Nick take a look at his long, impressive career and listen to a lot of Elton John's music.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 58: Soft Rock

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2022 46:39


    Mika and Nick take some time to talk about a highly commercialized version of rock that takes some of the chaos out of it. Soft Rock is all about escape and easy listening.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 57: Queen

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 59:34


    Queen is one of the most iconic and accomplished rock bands in history. Queen and Freddie Mercury have influenced more artists, musicians, and icons than we could name.  In this episode, Mika and Nick take a look at Queen's history and legacy.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 56: Arena Rock

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 63:28


    Some people might not consider Arena Rock to be its own genre of music - but we do! We talk about what makes it different and then tell the story of two major bands from the genre, Boston and Kiss.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Bonus Episode: Woodstock

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 47:54


    Mika hears the story of the most famous music festival in American history. Love it or hate it, Woodstock is iconic and the story is a wild ride.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 55: Led Zeppelin

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 57:48


    Led Zeppelin is one of the most iconic bands in the history of music. Mika and Nick take some time to talk about their story and their impact on music.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 54: Metal

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 53:34


    Metal is often misunderstood genre. In this episode, Mika learns that she likes early metal more than she thought she would. Nick and Mika talk about Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and the birth of the metal genre.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_

    Episode 53: The Grateful Dead

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 48:08


    The Grateful Dead did their own thing and took over the musical world their own way. Mika and Nick take a look at their story and learn all about their culture and music. 

    Sound of Conspiracies: Tupac and Biggie

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 57:42


    On the second episode of Sound of Conspiracies, Jacob and Nick talk about the tragic deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Who was responsible for them and what are some of the theories that have been discussed? 

    Episode 52: Psychedelic Rock

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 45:40


    Mika and Nick take a look at one of the first major diversions in American rock music. Though short-lived, Psychedelic rock influenced and birthed so much of the music we know. 

    Sound of Conspiracies: Paul is Dead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 56:03


    On the first episode of Sound of Conspiracies, Nick is joined by Jacob from the What's Your Spaghetti Policy Podcast to talk about one of the most discussed conspiracy theories in music history. Was Paul McCartney killed in a car accident and secretly replaced by a lookalike? Hear all of the evidence and make your own conclusion. 

    Introducing Sound of Conspiracies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2022 6:06


    This is a brand new sub-show where Nick teaches his friend Jacob all about the biggest conspiracy theories in music history. The first episode should be dropping soon!  We're super excited for you guys to hear this new project.   

    Bonus Episode: Aretha Franklin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2022 40:22


    Today we talk about one of the most powerful vocalists in the history of music: Aretha Franklin.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes and tell your friends! 

    Episode 51: James Brown

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2021 46:48


    In this episode, we discuss the life and legacy of James Brown and Mika learns that she might not like him all that much.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

    Episode 50: Funk

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2021 44:26


    We haven't talked about funk yet, so Mika and Nick take some time to examine this new genre and some of the key players in it, like PFunk, Sly and the Family Stone, and Professor Longhair.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

    Bonus Episode: Phil Spector

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 46:56


    Phil Spector is the most notorious and potentially the most influential producer in music history. Mika and Nick take a look at his complicated past. 

    Episode 49: Diana Ross

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2021 41:45


    Diana Ross is one of the most powerful forces in the history of American music. She paved the way for so many great artists after her. Mika and Nick take a look at her life and her work - at least her work so far.   

    Episode 48: Motown

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2021 41:20


    Led by the somewhat controversial Berry Gordy, Motown dominated pop music for most of the 60s. Mika and Nick take a look at the label and what the Motown sound actually was.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

    The Beatles Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2021 72:13


    The Beatles are arguably the biggest band to ever exist. Mika and Nick briefly examine their story and their impact.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

    Episode 47: The Rolling Stones

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2021 45:46


    The Rolling Stones have been called the Greatest Rock and Roll Band. Mika and Nick take a look at their history and some of their music as they continue to talk about the British Invasion.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

    Episode 46: The British Invasion

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 42:58


    The British Invasion marked one of the most explosive and influential periods in American music history. Mika and Nick examine a few of the bands that helped create this sound that took the country by storm.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

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