BPM Pod
Giving a voice to unsung musical talent. Join musicians and music lovers Ashley Scrace Wendel and Chris Weinhardt as they discover the lessons, inspirations and tips behind great musicianship. Plus, you‘ll hear some of the latest music reviews, of music both famed and not, plus you‘ll have a few laughs along the way down various deep rabbit holes (which, quite frankly, don‘t always relate to music).
Episodes
Sunday May 23, 2021
Ep.60 - Olivier Giry, plus music from Nrec, Tess Daniel, Akira Yamaoka
Sunday May 23, 2021
Sunday May 23, 2021
Join Ashley and Chris as they talk new music, old gems and chat with some of the coolest unsung talent out there today.
On the episode today Ashley and Chris review new music from Nrec, Alla Igityan and Tess Daniel. Check out the music they review on the BPM Pod Unsung Heroes playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yQjBqSaxGLI5l9yvPZnLh?si=d180068ec4104ce6
Ashley and Chris also speak with guitar supremo Olivier Giry all the way from France, talking jazz-funk-rock, how the pandemic has halted gigging and why Olivier plays music at all (and what he wants people to feel).
Plus they catch up on songs they've been enjoying including Animotion and Luke Million. And of course there are a couple of songs submitted to the Desert Island Playlist, this time from Steely Dan and Syd Matters. Check out the Desert Island Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ES1QBww3CwmmzPf8sXbDL?si=559a3fbb234c4c67
Get in touch with Ashley and Chris on Instagram or Facebook. Simply look for @BPMPod
And don't forget to LIKE, SHARE and REVIEW the podcast. The best reviews receive a free t-shirt!
Sunday May 09, 2021
Sunday May 09, 2021
On this edition of BPM Pod, we're guest-free! Instead we talk about a lot of different topics from microphone placement in a room, to the song 'Little Fucking Munchkin Men' (thanks to Curtis Crook, a figure from Ashley's childhood), to Fact or Fiction about the Insane Clown Posse.
Plus we review some of the most recent songs on the BPM Pod unsung heroes playlist, submit tracks to the Desert Island playlist from Above and Beyond and Jim James. Plus we give some thoughts on songs we've encountered over the past few weeks.
RUNNING ORDER:
00:00 - Intro, microphone placement
06:15 - NEW Weinhardt song preview 'Chamber of Lies'
07:35 - A look at an upcoming song called 'Little Fucking Munchkin Men' (shoutout to Curtis Crook)
11:30 - BPM Pod Playlist: ReviewsListen to the BPM Pod: Unsung Heroes list on Spotify
Little Quaint Senorita - Say a Word https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pslAx8lKyFY
Hubert Junghaim - Chocolate https://open.spotify.com/track/6kTgHr6FhOX9XeH1sxv8wb?si=4f08128b51d54bea
D.$ahin - Shine https://open.spotify.com/track/4Ms5YDzh4HWHpIbyWpr9Iv?si=2d20caaf50cc460d
31:40 - Fact or Fiction
37:05 - Things we've been discovering
Sol Heilo - Lift Your Head https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3tprfC3_z8
Twenty One Pilots - Shy Away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sO-Y1Zbft4
Gareth Coker - Ori and the Blind Forest soundtrack https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeVFrt7BUyw
Samantha Crain - Bloomsday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38mbq59PJDk
Israel Nash - Stay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dykiv1T5-FQ
Deafheaven - Dreamhouse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWyVhIBmdGw
54:00 - Desert Island PlaylistListen to the Desert Island Playlist on Spotify
Above and Beyond - On a Good Day
Jim James - AEIOU
Sunday Apr 25, 2021
Sunday Apr 25, 2021
Ashley and Chris catch up with Michal from the Ibby Register project - a mission to document every Ibanez guitar ever made.
Plus they revisit some old classic tunes and review the debut EP from Birgit Jones, and submit a song each to our new Desert Island Playlist.
Check out the BPM Pod unsung heroes playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yQjBqSaxGLI5l9yvPZnLh?si=740a7695e0ec4034
Listen to the Desert Island Playlist here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ES1QBww3CwmmzPf8sXbDL?si=52eef5a6176d42de
Get in touch with Ashley and Chris @BPMpod on Instagram and Facebook.
Ibby Register: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnQfO-ZQrKYaInOmllG-88Q/videos?view=0&sort=p
Birgit Jones: https://birgitjones.bandcamp.com/album/cheers-to-my-haters
Timecodes
00:00:00 - Intro, where we're based in Berlin, whether Elon Musk is a genius or Bond villain00:06:10 - Chris reveals his recent reggae adventure00:12:00 - Fact or Fiction: Terrible band names that changed to better things00:19:20 - Chris tells a story about almost unfortunately being associated with some terrible people00:22:40 - Review: Chris revisits Daft Punk's 'Something About Us'00:25:10 - Review: Ash revisits Soundgarden's 'Jesus Christ Pose'00:27:25 - Review: Ash revisits Courtney Barnett 'Nameless Faceless'00:29:00 - Review: Birgit Jones debut EP 'Cheers To My Haters'00:34:25 - Interview: Michal from Ibby Register01:06:35 - Desert Island Playlist01:09:51 - END
Saturday Apr 10, 2021
Saturday Apr 10, 2021
On this edition of BPM Pod, we catch up with Chance Bair, bassist and lead singer of the excellent Berlin grunge-metal-rock trio Heavy Heavy. We talk about the latest upcoming release from the band, what gear Chance cannot live without, plus how a group of people at Scenedicate are giving a voice to the underground music scene. Check out their work here: https://www.facebook.com/scenedicateberlin/
We also reflect on some of the songs we love at the moment including:
Gothica Fennica Vol.1 by VV
Caterpillar by Hamish Hawk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_of2G8R8y7Y
All The Colours of You by James https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fQk-hEMYMc
A Case of You by Tristen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLbmJLHFwXo
Candy Gun by Melt Banana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZSL21lcoH4
Ashley is also tested on his knowledge of real or fake band names in the Fact or Fiction section, plus we submit a song each to our new Desert Island Playlist.
Check out the BPM Pod unsung heroes playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yQjBqSaxGLI5l9yvPZnLh?si=740a7695e0ec4034
Listen to the Desert Island Playlist here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ES1QBww3CwmmzPf8sXbDL?si=52eef5a6176d42de
Get in touch with Ashley and Chris @BPMpod on Instagram and Facebook.
Timecodes
00:00:00 - Intro, where we're based, weather
00:03:50 - Fact or Fiction: Weird band names
00:13:00 - Reviews (VV, Hamish Hawk, Tristen, James, Melt Banana)
00:25:20 - The robots take over... Hello Hazel.
00:26:06 - Interview: Chance Bair of HEAVY HEAVY
00:54:40 - Desert Island playlist
01:00:00 - END
Sunday Mar 28, 2021
Sunday Mar 28, 2021
An old friend of the podcast, Move Johnson, comes back to tell us more about his latest works including a folk-rock release and a bunch of orchestral pieces he is working on based on the stories from his grandfather. Plus we discuss why double albums simply do not work - ever. And we play a game of Fact or Fiction for band names.
Check out the music of Moves Johnson on Spotify or www.movesjohnson.com
Follow BPM Pod on Instagram @bpmpod and on Facebook @BPMPod
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
Ep.55 - A new era begins... with Chris Weinhardt! (+ Foo Fighters review)
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
It's been a while since we last uploaded an episode. But today we hail in a new era - the era of TWO hosts on BPM Pod.
Please welcome: Chris Weinhardt!
Chris and I will be jointly hosting the show over the coming weeks, committing to a two-per-month schedule.
There will be new features, games, jokes and more, which we talk about here in this introduction episode. We'll focus more on gear, on the latest music that's come out, and we'll be speaking to the best unsigned talent that's out there today.
Friday Jan 01, 2021
Ep.54 - Kris Sinister + BPM Pod 2020 Awards
Friday Jan 01, 2021
Friday Jan 01, 2021
A big bumper edition of BPM Pod to close out 2020. We talk to multi-instrumentalist Kris Sinister about his work across a range of bands, why The Beatles might be the best band ever, and how important good gear and horror films are to his music.
Plus we spend a while looking back at the achievements of BPM Pod over 2020 and hand out the first BPM Pod awards. Timecodes and award categories are below.
Happy new year!
Timecodes
00:00 Introduction and review of BPM Pod over 2020
05:30 BPM Pod Awards
Song of the Year = Phoebe Bridgers, I Know The End
Album of the Year = Fiona Apple, Fetch the Boltcutters
BPM Pod Song of the Year = Molly's Peck, Hope You Don't Mind + Moves Johnson and the Boxhoppers, Wet
BPM Pod Album/EP of the Year = Heavy Heavy, Wait Where Is My... Oh There It Is
BPM Pod Interview of the Year = Birgit Jones
Most Gushing Moment of the Year = King Buffalo episode
Best Guest Gift Award = Orange Utan for a vinyl copy of their album Katastrophil
Most Airtime Award = Chris Weinhardt
23:45 Kris Sinister interview
Wednesday Dec 09, 2020
Ep.53 - Kara Johnstad of the School of Voice Berlin
Wednesday Dec 09, 2020
Wednesday Dec 09, 2020
On the podcast we regularly hear from upcoming artists. Don't get me wrong: there are some interesting, compelling stories there. I love them all.
But what we don't hear all that often about is how to become a better musician - what pros are out there to help you tap into your potential.
One of these true musical guardians is Kara Johnstad, a talented, inspiring voice and music coach.
With over 30 years experience, as well as her own stocked back-catalogue of releases, Kara comes to BPM Pod to talk about why finding the why in your music is so important, how you can become a better musician and person through your musical journey, and how strategically thinking about your musical career might ironically be the most creative thing you can do.
Find out more about Kara and School of Voice Berlin
Saturday Nov 14, 2020
Ep.52 - Birgit Jones
Saturday Nov 14, 2020
Saturday Nov 14, 2020
So when you're podcasting there are a few things you hope for:
Decent recording quality (meh, sometimes this happens)
Good questions (again I think it happens sometimes)
Decent guests (oh this one happens a lot!)
But another perhaps fourth hope is this: an easy time editing. Editing is hard. Even though it sounds like I just rocked up, recorded and left, it's not like that at all. Dear listener you see, like much of your entertainment out there in other forms, podcasting is also a lie. It sounds like the conversation went smoothly, without hesitation, without error or retakes. Rarely is this the case though.
Now a podcasting pedant might say BPM Pod is too rambling - and that might be true. But when you have such a good time with your guests it's really hard to limit the conversation.
And that's why editing this episode was really, really hard.
Birgit Jones are awesome (or should I say is awesome as Birgit herself is a person?) This hard-rock-glam-doom trio not only absolutely kill it on stage but they kill it in a conversation too. Open, funny, down-to-earth and not all too serious, I had an absolute blast recording this session and editing it too.
A wonderful band, Birgit Jones have just released their first proper single 'Fire' which you can hear in the podcast. For more information check out their website.
And of course a woman as damn badass and sexy as Birgit is all over social media. Find out more on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
Sunday Nov 08, 2020
Ep.51 - King Buffalo
Sunday Nov 08, 2020
Sunday Nov 08, 2020
On this episode I am delighted to talk to Sean McVey of the mighty stoner-psych-heavy-blue-rock-jam band King Buffalo. Sean joined me from his home in Rochester, New York, and we talked about the beginnings of the band, how their awesome jams come to fruition, and what the musical future holds for the band and the industry. Plus we answer your audience questions. Check out Kingbuffalo.com to listen to their latest release, Dead Star, plus find out what they're up to with their Quarantine Sessions.
Also on this episode is a review of the latest EP from the band Heavy Heavy. The EP Wait where is my... Oh there it is is brilliant and well worth checking out wherever you get your music. Buy the album today from Bandcamp.
Next time: Birgit Jones (which was supposed to be this week originally but we made a switch).
About Ashley & Chris
Ashley is a communications professional, voiceover artist, and (sometimes) a musician, based these days in Malmö, Sweden.
Chris is the founder, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist with the band Weinhardt. Chris is also a guitar tutor and video maker, baased just outside of Berlin, Germany.