Listen Now

I'm back baby, but maybe not for long. Is it a one and off or will there be more to come? Only one way to find out and that's to keep on keeping on with this thing called life. In this new episode, I sit down for a lengthy discussion with one-half of the duo Sam Pellegrino, Nick Blum. At only 20 years old, Nick has seen a lot of life for his age and knows his way around the fretboard better than a lot of 35 years olds I know. He makes music catchy enough to make you sing along and witty enough to make you laugh out loud. It was real nice sitting down with a yinzer and one heck of a nice guy! We get into some pretty heavy subject regarding drug use towards the beginning of the episode, but hey what can you do. Look out for Sam Pellegrino's ep May 26th and until then listen to Male Bonding Over Women until you know every word!   https://soundcloud.com/sampellegrinoalright/male-bonding-over-women

An all-star week of releases if we say so ourselves. As the title suggests, please stop and listen to Portrait People's debut ep Hollow! Link to they're bandcamp is below. Ian also enjoyed releases from Idles, Planning For Burial, Jay Som, Frank Ocean, and many many more. Also, a special shout-out to Ben Fold's Five, because they're album Whatever and Ever Amen turns 20 years old tomorrow. Now go be positive forces in the world and listen to good tunes! Hit it, Baby Dave!

In today's episode, Ian discusses what he's been trying to listen to in between the chaos of the week and what to look forward to the upcoming week. Notable picks last week were the new Fleet Foxes and Alt-J singles. As well as, the new Minus the Bear and Tim Kasher albums. The tenth is also a big release day, with releases from The Shins, Laura Marling, Planning For Burial, Jay Som, and many many more!  Ian is joined by some guy named Sean to talk about the 50th Anniversary of The Velvet Underground & Nico album of the same name. All jokes aside Sean is a good friend of Ian's who is known to many as a walking encyclopedia. He passed the test when he knew who Crack the Sky was and he's incredibly handsome to boot! Needless to say, the two get into one heck of a conversation. Also, we apologize if we offended any hicks/rednecks/hillbillies/etc. Also, props for listening to the show! "Produced" by Andy Warhol (and some uncredited fellows) The Velvet Underground & Nico is one of the most influential albums of all time. It broke new ground with its minimal production and overall raw feel. Its lyrical content spanned from heroin use to sadomasochism. Very taboo stuff for 1967, buts that the kind if stuff that influences generations of artists and multiple genres.    

In this "dope" episode of the Bowl Ian talks his favorite picks from last week, as well what's dropping today that's worth checking out! Also, happy 20th anniversary to Elliot Smith's Either/Or, 45th to Nick Drake's Pink Moon, and 10th to Arcade Fire's Neon Bible. Thanks for listening gang, spread love and positivity, and pass the bowl around. 

Wow, we're two months in already and The Donald is still our President and apparently, winter gave up. In this episode, Ian talks about his now busy schedule, the new Sun Kil Moon album, as well as the new Jonwayne album. No not the cowboy, the rapper. Speaking of Cowboys, the later half of the episode includes a special review of Anberlin's third album Cities.  Released on February 20th, 2007, Cities marked a period of growth and maturity for the Emo/alternative rock outfit. Lead singer Stephen Christian turns the lights on himself and his inner struggles, as the rest of the band rips through every note. There are fast driven songs perfect for a summer cruise down winding roads, and there are the acoustic ballads that add a nice release from the rest of the album. Overall, it's a great piece of music and a favorite of Matthews. We hope you enjoy the episode, now go and be a positive force in the world!

In this short episode, Ian struggles with being a listener as well as a creator. That doesn't stop him from checking out a few new albums and weighing in on this year's shit fest we call the Grammys. Make sure to listen to Jesca Hopp's Memories Are Now, Hand habit's Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void), and Lowly's Heba. If you live in the greater Pittsburgh area Ian is playing a show with the good folks over at String Machine at the Workshop this Saturday 2/18 @ 7 PM $10 Visuals by Gage Martin. BANDS//STRINGMACHINE//KARTERSHACHNER//SLOWDANGER//HEAVYWAITS  Also, Sunday 2/19 good friends in Sam Pellegrino are going to be getting funky with it over at the Gateway in Brooklyn: Doors @ 8PM $10 BANDS//SAMPELLEGRINO//ROSI//MILK//TREATMENT Next Saturday, 2/25 Muchmores Brooklyn @9PM FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!! BANDS//BEACHMOON/PEACHMOON//LIGHTNINGBUG//SADMAGIC//PARROTDREAM 

So since Matt is going away for a bit, the format of the show is changing. Each episode will now be a week in the mind of Ian Compton. From Friday until Thursday Ian will talk whatever's on is mind and most of the time its music. Guests, friends, and Laurel may swing by every once in awhile and maybe even a song or two. It's gonna be a ton of fun and we're happy you're along for the ride!   This week Ian attempts to figure out how to do this thing solo, works through Trumps Muslim ban, listens to new music, talks to matt about the 40th anniversary of Fleetwood Mac's - Rumours, and talks with Laurel about her experience at Broadway Con a few days earlier. Thanks so much for listening guys, make sure to rate and subscribe. 

And following a correction of a lie Ian again lies to kick off episode 84! Matthew and Ian are joined this Tuesday by Laurels brother Josh. A student studying at Geneva college in the Beaver Falls area of Pennsylvania Josh is a real treat when it comes to talking deeply about the music he is passionate about. Luckily this week the boys caught him on was the week Built To Spill's Perfect From Noe on turned twenty years old. A personal favorite of his and new found classic to the boys themselves. Where to begin with this album other than letting the boys do they're thing? Hit it Baby Dave.

Happy New Release Friday gang! In this episode, the boys pay tribute to The Shins's now 10-year-old album Wincing The Night Away. An album that hasn't aged a day and one that requires multiple listens to hear all the sounds hiding in its depth. An album showcasing everything The Shins do great and what James Mercer had in store with Broken Bells and The Shins 2.0. It's a 4 out of 5 kind of album and one full of sweet nostalgia for the boys! Some new release recommendations are also given as well as some pretty petty news. This is not one to miss folks and we couldn't be happier that you're tuning in!   

Well, Trump is officially our president guys and it's looking grim. Here at bowl HQ, we think it's important to spread positivity and love wherever one may go. That being said, one has to wonder when do things get better? 40 years ago four Englishmen made an album dealing with the anger and frustrations they felt at their government and society. This album dealt with the dogs who will bite at your ankles and hit you while you're down to get the next treat. The Pigs that use the masses for their own selfish desires putting dog against sheep. The sheep are the masses that just blindly follow and feed into whatever is handed to them. This is an album built for the frustration so many are feeling in a time where corruption runs deep through our government and hatred is alive and well. That album is Animals by Pink Floyd and yesterday it turned 40 years old. But wait, it can't be all bad right? Not when there's a brand new episode of TICIMB! featuring master of all things and good guy extraordinaire, Jesse McKinnis. Jesse is currently a nursing student studying in Pittsburgh while just living life as he would say. Matt and Ian would say he's one of the best dudes they've ever met and one of the most talented. It was a darn pleasure for the boys to make this one even with some technical difficulties. So without further ado, please enjoy this once in a lifetime conversation between three old friends and one really great old album, hit it, Baby Dave!

Happy New Release Friday gang! The boys are back this week with a few new releases worth checking out. As well as a ten-year anniversary review of Dustin Kensrue's "Please Coe home". To end the show we have a very special conversation recorded a few weeks back with the bearded spectacle himself Justin Oesterling. We hope you dig this one gang, peace and love.

Happy Tuesday friends! It feels so good to be back to Tuesday episodes and what a better way to welcome them back then to review a new album! And not just any album, but the new Bonobo record, Migration. Released this past Friday, Migration see's Simon Green writing while in transit and taking in all the sights and sounds he passes by along the way. It is the study of people and spaces and how all we take a little bit from everywhere we go and morph it with where we are. Ian goes solo on this one giving the album a 4.7 out of 5 stars. It's perfect for the season and definitely worth the listen. Stay tuned all the way to the end of the episode for a phone call with a surprise guest. Thanks so much for listening gang!

The boys have finally reunited for 2017 and it feels so good! Join Matt and Ian as they shoot the shit for the first time in weeks and talk about what 2017 has in store for them. How good will the new Circa Survive be and will we get a new AGBPOL? Is St. Vincent going to melt our faces off and/or is Arcade fire going to disappoint us again? Only time will tell but in the meantime here's 38 minutes of speculation and excitement! Happy New Year gang get ready for Donnie!

Happy New Year gang! Trumps just around the corner, so let's have fun with this shit while it lasts! Ian goes solo in this very first episode of 2017 to talk about 15 hip-hop/rap tracks he loved in 2016. From East to West, to the windy City and the rolling hills of Ireland, Ian shares what tracks meant the most to him. Look for Matthew next week, but until then enjoy this one and let's make 2017 great again. HIT IT BABY DAVE! Disclaimer: Our sponsorship with Aunt Donna's Artisan Hand Rolled Cigarettes has been terminated. No further details can be given at this time. 

In preparation for the most wonderful time of the year, Ian and Matt go head to head, toe to toe, and compare their top 10 picks for the best albums of 2006! It's hard to believe these albums have already reached 10 years, and if you're a fan of the show you've already heard our love and appreciation for some of these gems. Enjoy this special episode gang and have a very safe fun-filled holiday time! HIT IT!

Oh boy, do we have a show lined up today! In this one Ian and Matt bring Dave Beck back on the phone to discuss one quite controversial top 50 albums of 2016 list, Matt and Ian discuss what's new and living in a sheltered home, and even Aunt Donna has some news today. You don't want to miss this one! Hit it! And don't forget to pick up Aunt Donna's Acapella Christmas Music Sampler for the low price of $8.99. Thank you Jeffery.

For real,  all the links are attached so go listen to one of the best albums of the year! The guy who made our theme song made it! Much love to you String Machine aka Baby Dave aka Japedo Willis, HIT IT! A special thank you to our sponsor Donna of Aunt Donna's Artisan Hand Rolled Cigarettes. For this Holiday season only pick up Aunt Donna's Acappella Christmas Sampler for $8.99... You don't need to say we sent you its that price either way. Why God? String Machine - Threads From The Youth Fossil OUT NOW! http://stringmachine.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/string-machine/sets/threads-from-the-youth-fossil-full-album

Alright, alright! We've spent all week hyping it up, and now it's time to deliver! In this special Friday episode we interview Vincent Masse, French native, from Asthm! For those of you who don't know, Asthm recently released one of the best extended plays of 2016 - Slon EP. It's a must listen, and you absolutely don't want to miss hearing about the love and care Vincent put into making this album. Hit it!  

Wildcard, bitches! Let's be honest - nothing good is coming out this week! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the random shit that these crazy two come up with! From playing five degrees to Hitler, to talking about old school hip hop, to technical difficulties, and a surprise 10 year old album anniversary, there's something for everyone in this one. Hit it!

Matt's away on super important airforce business, so Ian brought in the always charming David Beck to lighten up the mood during this weird time in history. The two catch up and discuss everything from Black Sabbath to Danny Brown, as well as a revelation on songwriting via Niccy T. and Portrait People. We here at Bowl HQ are also extremely proud to be one of the first outlets announcing the official release date of String Machine's - Threads From The Youth Fossil, out December 7th. That's right less than a month and you all can hear an album Matt and I are already so proud and such fans of. It's truly something beautiful and unique and we are so honored to know such a kind talented soul.  Don't worry, if you want to know what new music you should check out this Friday Ian's got you covered talking about everything from the incredible new A Tribe Called Quest album to what's coming out today which he's sad to say there's not much. (Sorry Ostey and Metalica) That doesn't mean there might be a few surprises in store for us! Thanks so much for listening gang we appreciate you, and as we always say in spirit to David himself, HIT IT!  This Episode is brought to you by Aunt Donna's Artisan Hand Rolled Cigarettes, "Don't waste your money just come see your Auntie Donna Honey"