Earbuddies

Music made them friends; now, it's making them podcasters. Join Mat and Tim at the intersection of music, culture, politics, and jokes.

Last refreshed: July 9th, 2025 at 3:54 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

11. Love, Theft, and Harry Styles

We don't know we're great podcasters; that's what makes us great podcasters! In this ep , Mat and Tim consider the echoes of David Bowie that can be found in Harry Styles's cultural contributions. Is Harry playing a dangerous game? And what the h*ck happened to The Wanted? SONGS PLAYED: Harry Styles - Adore You Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful One Direction - Story of My Life Harry Styles - Sign of the Times David Bowie - Changes David Bowie - Let's Dance ...

Jun 14, 2021•43 min

10. Dumb Rock

It's really good to hear our voices! In this ep , Mat and Tim dive into the deep, nourishing waters of DUMB ROCK, a genre of music worthy of much reverence and discussion. Later, they offer a defense of one of the most maligned bands of this century – and Tim gives Mat a little gift. [Note: this ep contains explicit language.] SONGS PLAYED: Buckcherry - Crazy B***h Saving Abel - Addicted Hinder - Lips of an Angel Shinedown - Second Chance Disturbed - Down With the Sickness Seether - Broken (feat...

Jun 07, 2021•49 min

9. Remembering Adam Schlesinger and John Prine

In this ep , Mat and Tim take time to remember two musicians of tremendous influence whose lives were cut short by COVID-19. SONGS PLAYED: John Prine - I Remember Everything Fountains of Wayne - Hackensack Fountains of Wayne - Stacy's Mom Cast of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - Let's Generalize About Men Ivy - Edge of the Ocean The Click Five - Just the Girl Hugh Grant & Haley Bennett - Way Back Into Love The Wonders - That Thing You Do! Bowling For Soup - High School Never Ends Sesame Street - I Wond...

May 31, 2021•40 min

8. Olivia Rodrigo's Teenage Dream

I know we're not perfect, but we've never done a pod for no one! In this ep , Mat and Tim celebrate the first blockbuster album release of the year: SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo. Why does her teenage angst work so well? Why does she remind Tim of Blue October? And should Joshua Bassett be fired into the sun? Grab your strawberry ice cream, take a car ride to Malibu, and find out with us! [Note: This episode contains explicit language.] SONGS PLAYED: Olivia Rodrigo - happier Olivia Rodrigo - drivers li...

May 24, 2021•1 hr

7. American Idol: A Postmortem

We're going to Hollywood! In this week's ep , Mat and Tim relive the glory days of American Idol, and consider why the show is less relevant than ever. SONGS PLAYED: Theme Song from American Idol Britney Spears on Star Search in 1992 Adam Lambert - A Change Is Gonna Come (Live) Clay Aiken - Build Me Up Buttercup (Live) Clay Aiken - Invisible Kelly Clarkson - Miss Independent Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats Paula Abdul - Straight Up David Cook - Time Of My Life Daughtry - It's Not Over Philli...

May 17, 2021•48 min

6. Made In America: How Country Music Lost Its Way

Country pod, shake it for me, pod! Shake it for me, pod! Shake it for me. In this episode , Mat and Tim bemoan the trajectory of mainstream country music, the shedding of the working class spirit, and the growing importance of identity politics within the genre. SONGS PLAYED: Jason Aldean - She's Country Luke Bryan - Country Girl (Shake It For Me) Johnny Cash - Oney Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 Toby Keith - Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue Michael Ray - Real Men Love Jesus Thomas Rhett - Country Aga...

May 10, 2021•49 min

5. Julia Michaels Is Pop Music's Not-So-Secret Weapon

We've got issues – and one of them is how much we like Julia Michaels! In this ep , Mat and Tim sing the praises of one of pop music's most creative working writers, and analyze her signature sound. What makes it work, and why does it remind Tim of opera and musical theatre? [Note: This ep contains explicit language.] SONGS PLAYED: Julia Michaels - Issues Fifth Harmony - Miss Movin' On Theme Song from Austin and Ally Selena Gomez - Hands To Myself Selena Gomez - Good For You Selena Gomez - Bad L...

May 03, 2021•53 min

4. Why John Williams Is the G.O.A.T. (and Why Hans Zimmer Is Not) (feat. Caleb Steele)

The Academy Award goes to... this pod ! Film guru Caleb Steele joins Mat and Tim to talk about the sounds of cinema. We consider the incredible influence of John Williams, get cynical about Hans Zimmer, and dive into one of the best soundtracks of 2020. SONGS PLAYED: John Williams - Fanfare from Star Wars John Williams - Theme from Jurassic Park John Williams - Binary Sunset John Williams - Theme from Jaws John Williams - Hedwig's Theme John Williams - Indiana Jones Jelly Roll Morton - Doctor Ja...

Apr 26, 2021•59 min

3. How Travis Barker Is Saving a Dying Language

Don't waste your time on us, we're already the voice inside your head! In this episode , Mat and Tim trace the origins of emo rap to the pop punk renaissance of the early 2000s. Plus, how Travis Barker and Machine Gun Kelly are moving the genre forward. [Note: This ep contains explicit language.] SONGS PLAYED: Taking Back Sunday - MakeDamnSure Lil Peep - 16 Lines Hawthorne Heights - Ohio Is For Lovers Post Malone - Rich & Sad Juice WRLD - Lucid Dreams Yellowcard - Holly Wood Died LIL LOTUS -...

Apr 19, 2021•56 min

2. Taylor Swift Seizes the Means of Production

Fight the power! In the second ep of Earbuddies, Mat and Tim consider the ramifications of Taylor Swift's opening gambit in her battle for control of her music. Is it a sea change for the music industry? Plus: a lot of gushing about great songwriting. SONGS PLAYED: Taylor Swift - Bad Blood Taylor Swift - Fearless (Taylor's Version) Taylor Swift - Love Story (Taylor's Version) Taylor Swift - Fifteen (Taylor's Version) Cardi B - Bodak Yellow Taylor Swift - White Horse (Taylor's Version) Simon &amp...

Apr 12, 2021•46 min

1. Prince, Lil Nas X, and the Fight for the Souls of Our Children

Call your congressman! In the inaugural episode of Earbuddies, Mat and Tim examine the moral panic brought about by Lil Nas X's latest music video – and consider parallels to Prince’s skill for courting controversy. SONGS PLAYED: Kiss - Prince Lil Nas X - Old Town Road Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name) Prince - Gett Off Prince - I Would Die 4 U SHOW AND TELL: Mat: Prince - 1999 and The Bangles - Manic Monday Tim: Ramones - Pet Sematary FURTHER READING: Los Angeles Times: Lil Nas X's 'Mo...

Apr 05, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 1

← Prev

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android