Earshifter
So much great music gets lost in the cracks. Join us at Earshifter where we feature artists (old and new) often overlooked by the masses and radio. We’ll talk about what makes the band great and different, their background and their bestest-est songs. Earshifter is ultimately about two things: music discovery OR if you love the feature artist in an episode, going deep on that band you love.
Episodes
Luna - the 1990s dream-pop architects dubbed "the best band you've never heard of." Sean and Rene unpack how Lou Reed hand-picked them to open The Velvet Underground’s 1993 European reunion tour, the delicate beauty of "Anesthesia" and Sean's 30-year concert loop at Lee's Palace. Plus, why Dean Wareham is indie rock’s patron saint of elegant underachievement and Luna remains the ultimate soundtrack for thoughtful music ...
Mannequin Pussy – the shape-shifting Philly punk band who mix brutal noise with undeniable melodic hooks. Sean and Rene recount MP’s first stadium gig opening for Foo Fighters, Missy's absolute rockstar swagger and a classic Henry Rollins tangent about opening acts. Plus, Rene's weeks-long obsession with their latest album and why blasting this band for his daughter made him feel like a rebellious teenager again.
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Dry Cleaning – the London crank-wave four-piece whose deadpan singer Florence Shaw turns fragments of diaries, adverts and overheard thoughts into poetry, comedy and music. Sean and Rene explore the band’s angular guitars, Shaw’s improvised lyric process, their disturbing music videos, and why Rene walked out of their concert after 45 minutes.
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Black Country, New Road – the Cambridge art school collective that's two bands in one. Rene and Sean break down both eras, Isaac Wood's departure, the band's pact to never play his songs live and why Rene somehow keeps falling for artists whose lead singers disappear. Plus a sold-out Toronto show, the drummer who played banjo mid-show and a Drake shoutout nobody saw coming.
Momus – the Scottish trickster-poet whose biography is titled Famous For 15 People and has spent 40 years doing it entirely his way. In the Season 3 premiere, Sean and Rene revisit the artist who first bonded them – the fan letter, the El Mocambo eye patch, the Creation Records years, a Japanese number one, and why his most provocative song could have been a Pet Shop Boys hit.
Apple Music Songs Playlist
Kevin Morby – the Kansas City-raised songwriter on the most compelling creative run of his career. Still buzzing from his Toronto show the night before, Sean and Rene dig into nine albums, how a TV soundtrack Shazam led Rene to listen on loop for an hour, and why Aaron Dessner says Little Wide Open is the best album he's ever produced. Plus, the Waxahatchee love story, and a baby on the way.
Apple Music Songs Playlist
Gil Scott-Heron – the poet-musician who foreshadowed rap and political hip-hop before any of it existed. On the 15th anniversary of his death, Sean shares two intimate concerts and why songs written in 1970 sound like they were written yesterday. Plus, the final album Damon Albarn played on, why "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" landed in a 2025 Leonardo DiCaprio film and why the protest song has never been more relevant...
my bloody valentine – the Irish band that single-handedly created shoegaze. Sean and Rene deliver a Shoegaze 101 alongside the MBV story: who influenced them, the bands they inspired, and why Loveless – recorded over two years across 19 studios – is still the genre's blueprint. Plus, the Kevin Shields disappearance that drew Brian Wilson comparisons, why Rene says Loveless is a no-skip album, and why once again, G...
Nomeansno – the underknown Canadian band that smashed punk, prog, jazz and funk into something completely new. Sean and Rene dive into the group’s complex song structures, dark humour, explosive live energy and refusal to play by industry rules. From acapella hardcore experiments and fake band mythology to seeing them live and how that changed everything for Sean.
Parquet Courts – the Brooklyn band with Texas roots who constantly evolve and do whatever they want. Rene calls them "one of the most overlooked" out of all 20 bands Earshifter's covered, despite Light Up Gold hitting #85 on Rolling Stone's best albums list. Hear about their collab with Karen O (from yeah yeah yeahs), their punk rock ethos, constant evolution from 1-minute punk rawness to polished 7-minute epics, and why 300,...
Dinosaur Jr. – the band who brought guitar solos back and nearly broke apart forever. Hear about J Mascis ignoring Kurt Cobain's invite to join Nirvana, the bitter 10-year split, Lou and Murph's forgiveness, and why friendship matters as much as the music after 20+ years reunited. Plus, Sean talks about seeing them three times: 1989 Lee's Palace (J demanding lights off), 2013 Riot Fest, and 2025 Wilco Festival.
Spotify...
Waxahatchee Part 2 – The alt-country transformation that changed everything. Rene struggled through the rock-heavy Out in the Storm, but Saint Cloud and Tigers Blood brought him back strong. Hear about producer Brad Cook's impact (MJ Lenderman, Snocaps) and the full-circle Snocaps reunion. Plus, why both hosts independently picked Snocaps for Best of 2025, and Rene's 11-year gap between Katie concerts.
Katie Crutchfield whose first two melancholy lo-fi albums make Rene limit himself to 4 listens, despite loving them. Learn about the connection to her twin sister, her progression from intimate 2014 performer to commanding 2025 presence (Rene's top 25 concerts of all time) and why Ivy Tripp is his first no-skip album. Part 2, Sean explores her continual musical shift and MJ Lenderman collaboration.
MJ Lenderman – the "musician's musician" who played with what seemed like every band at the Wilco Festival in Mexico. Learn how his Guitar Hero obsession led to real guitar and his links to Wednesday, Waxahatchee and Snocaps. Sean picks Long Black Veil to troll Rene again, and they debate mondegreens and the mysterious Himbo Dome. Plus, Sean's Rock Band existential crisis over "Run to the Hills," and the Massey Hall Toronto s...
Wet Leg – the Grammy-winning British band who dominated UK and Australia but remain underknown in North America. Rene gives Sean song choices then plays both anyway, prompting Sean to ask "is free will a real thing?" Hear the Chaise Longue pronunciation debate, how Eddie Vedder covered them live and the hairy armpit controversy. Plus, strobes make a comeback.
Thanks...
Wednesday – the NME Album of the Year band blending Southern Gothic tales with shoegaze country. Sean curates "November," knowing Rene will love it. Rene discovers why Karly Hartzman ranks as a top 50 lyricist for Sean and obsesses over the line "loiter in my heart," and Sean dives into their cathartic screams and a cover of the Smashing Pumpkins done Wednesday-style.
Courtney Barnett – the Grammy-nominated Australian who deserves more North American recognition. Sean and Rene discover they both love "Elevator Operator," debate her Kurt Vile collaboration, and unpack her critically acclaimed debut. Plus Rene deep-dives into the vulnerable "Anonymous Club" documentary and its haunting ambient soundtrack. UPDATE: New album release (Creature of Habit): Mar 27th. We are excited!
Best of 2025 – Sean and Rene share their top new albums you need to hear, from Wet Leg's no-skip "Moisturizer" to Cameron Winter & Geese's weird genius. Hear which album both hosts picked independently, and editor Joe's under-the-radar gems. PLAYLIST LINKS BELOW. Plus, best concerts including Grandaddy, Sparks & Sean touching Nick Cave's hand.
Spotify Playlists:
Meat Puppets – the Arizona brothers who mixed cow-punk and psychedelia on legendary SST Records. Discover their iconic Nirvana MTV Unplugged connection that exposed them to millions. Rene admits this was his toughest episode yet, struggling with all tracks but loves "Up on the Sun." Plus, Sean and Rene discuss what punk really means and why musical knowledge is sexy. And stay tuned for our Best of 2025 special episode coming ...
Car Seat Headrest – the lo-fi indie rock rebels who should be household names. Sean and Rene chat about Will Toledo's rise from backseat-of-car recordings to major label, and Rene's unexpected love for the epic 13-minute "Beach Life and Death". Plus, in a podcast first, Rene gives Sean a song buffet and lets him choose. Sean teases Rene about his "haters to lovers" journey on The Scholars album, and they both agree Toledo's s...
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