Resident music nerd Ben delves into the recent tension between live performers and unhinged audience members, uncovers some ‘sobering’ information about Gen Z gig-goers, investigates the disappearance of an iconic band photo, attempts to list his favourite albums of 2023 (so far), and sings the praises of RVG, Bully, Sir Chloe, Stuck, Sparks and QO…

Resident music nerd Ben attempts to wrap his head around Azealia Banks' various beefs, applauds Dojo Cat's A-grade trolling game, checks out a re-discovered East Bay punk documentary, finds inspiration in JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown's recording processes, and sings the praises of The Dirty Nil, Debby Friday, The Lemon Twigs, Beach House, Dead Bars, b…

Resident music nerd Ben checks out Coachella from the comfort of his living room, dives headfirst into the latest round of boomer band infighting, checks out what might be the worst music festival sequel idea ever, and sings the praises of Wednesday, Gel, The HIRS Collective, Blondshell, Golden Hours and Dazy. Music Rant Repeat Radio: https://www.m…

Resident music nerd Ben discusses embarrassing internal band battles, takes aim at attention-seeking tweeters, gets his emo on with singer/songwriter Georgia Ray, and sings the praises of Algiers, Sleaford Mods, Fever Ray, Death Valley Girls, JPEGMAFIA, Danny Brown and Private Function. Music Rant Repeat Radio: https://www.mixcloud.com/musicrantrep…

Resident music nerd Ben looks back at the good and bad of Laneway '23, gets overwhelmed by endless festival announcements, proclaims Lana Del Rey a marketing genius, wonders what cats ever did to Pheobe Bridgers, and sings the praises of Turnstile, White Reaper, Billy Nomates, Fucked Up and Young Fathers. Music Rant Repeat Radio: https://www.mixclo…

Resident music nerd Ben returns after a long hiatus with an update on the podcast formerly known as Creative Spectator. Music Rant Repeat Radio: https://www.mixcloud.com/musicrantrepeat/ Music Credit: Warming Up by Matthew Zalesky https://archive.org/details/DWK336/Matthew_Zalesky_-_02_-_Warming_Up.mp3 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/…

Resident music nerd Ben checks out a Dave Grohl-directed tour van doco, takes aim at bitter old male musicians, gushes over the new St. Vincent record (without actually listening to it), and sings the praises of Spirit of the Beehive, Iceage and Dinosaur Jnr. Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-music-podcast-play…

Resident music nerd Ben celebrates WAP’s return to the headlines, rocks out to a cat-fronted metal band, finds a musical guest worth watching on Saturday Night Live, and sings the praises of Dry Cleaning, Du Blonde, Mere Women, Civic, and TV Priest. Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-music-podcast-playlist-2021/…

The podcast returns for the first new episode of 2021! This week, resident music nerd Ben rants about the Phoebe Bridgers/SNL guitar-smashing uproar, weird Jamie Lynn Spears Instagram confessions, a drunken Celine Dion-inspired name change, and a guitar made from the bones of some dude’s uncle. Praise is also rightly heaped upon new albums from Sle…

Resident music nerd Ben takes a look back at the completely bat shit year that was 2020. 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/creative-spectator-music-podcast-playlist-2020/pl.u-pMylgaETZMK3W1 Music Credits Musical Rebirth by Matthew Zalesky https://archive.org/details/DWK146/Matthew_Zalesky_-_06_-_Musical_Rebirth.mp3 https://c…

Resident music nerd Ben discusses stolen film clip ideas, rappers with flamethrowers, covid-truther musicians, Geezer Butler’s hatred of WAP, next-level livestreams, and new albums from Mr. Bungle, Clipping, The Cribs, and TV Freaks. 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/creative-spectator-music-podcast-playlist-2020/pl.u-pMylga…

Resident music nerd Ben applauds Gene Simmons, boos Van Morrison, celebrates the resurgence of the guitar, revisits Prince at his creative peak, and sings the praises of Tim Heidecker, Kelly Lee Owens, Osees, The Flaming Lips, Idles, Deftones and Metz. 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/creative-spectator-music-podcast-playli…

Resident music nerd Ben talks unexpected Bill & Ted cameos, takes aim at ‘celebrity’ TikTokers, freaks out over a just-announced Replacements film, checks out music doco ‘Other Music’, and sings the praises of Private Function, Bully, No Joy, Illuminati Hotties, and LA Witch. 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/creative-specta…

Resident music nerd Ben discusses James Gandolfini’s Green Day obsession, Nick Cave’s erotic wallpaper, Pantera cardboard cut-outs, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP, the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival, and new albums from Dehd, Fontaines D.C., Silverbacks, and Willie J Healey. Creative Spectator 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/u…

Resident music nerd Ben takes aim at irresponsible touring bands, celebrates the announcement of Bigsound 2020, and sings the praises of Pottery, Special Interest, Mini Skirt, Crack Cloud, Protomartyr, and Cloud Nothings 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/creative-spectator-music-podcast-playlist-2020/pl.u-pMylgaETZMK3W1 Musi…

Resident music nerd Ben takes Spanish lessons from Mike Patton, applauds K-Pop stans, rants about Melbourne’s COVID numbers, and sings the praises of Jehnny Beth, Phoebe Bridgers, Gum Country, The Vacant Lots and Japandroids. Creative Spectator 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/creative-spectator-music-podcast-playlist-2020/…

Resident music nerd Ben decides to finally give up on Grimes, looks ahead to 2021's music festival lineups, and sings the praises of Run the Jewels, Freddie Gibbs, Mrs. Piss & Deerhoof. 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/creative-spectator-music-podcast-playlist-2020/pl.u-pMylgaETZMK3W1 Music Credits We Could Drive All Night …

Resident music nerd Ben looks into the latest Lana Del Ray Instagram controversy, weighs up the pros and cons of socially distant music gigs, gets butterflies from a Dave Grohl-penned Op-Ed piece, and sings the praises of Jeff Rosenstock, Little Simz and High Fidelity. 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/creative-spectator-mus…

Resident music nerd Ben prepares for a future without Music Festivals, investigates the latest music-related Twitter beef, and sings the praises of RVG, Shepparton Airplane, and Car Seat Headrest. 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/creative-spectator-music-podcast-playlist-2020/pl.u-pMylgaETZMK3W1 Music Credits Lust by Strad …

Resident music nerd Ben explores his love/hate relationship with Pitchfork, checks out a bunch of music livestreams, takes on Don ‘American Pie’ Mclean, gets freaked out by a 50-year-old Rolling Stones documentary, and sings the praises of Moon Cup, Primo!, tetema, Melkbelly, The Strokes, and Fiona Apple. 2020 Podcast Playlist https://music.apple.c…

Resident music nerd Ben looks at the devastating effect COVID-19 has had on the music industry, ponders our live-streaming future, and sings the praises of Cable Ties, Dicklord, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, The Garden and Sorry. Please Sign the Petition to Help Live Music Venues Survive the Lockdown: https://www.change.org/p/victorian-state-gov…

Resident music nerd Ben looks ahead to this year’s Record Store Day, laments Coronavirus music festival cancellations, bids farewell to Melbourne venue Globe Alley, falls under Weyes Blood’s musical spell, investigates fake band Bloodwitch, and sings the praises of Jeremy Neale, Caroline Rose, Princess Nokia, and Thick. 2020 Podcast Playlist https:…

Resident music nerd Ben takes a look at the Splendour in the Grass lineup backlash, checks out An Horse live, and sings the praises of HMLTD, Key Glock, CLAMM, Loser, Soakie and Denzel Curry. Podcast Playlist https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-2019/pl.u-r2yBDbkFJljkRv Music Credits Aniki by Hiroshima https://fr…

Resident music nerd Ben takes aim at the Grammys, the Hottest 100 and the Today Show, celebrates the long-awaited return of two legendary Mike Patton-fronted bands, cringes at the thought of listening to Bon Iver in the dark, and sings the praises of Dune Rats, Chubby & The Gang, Grace Cummings, The Black Lips, Wolf Parade and Trail of Dead. Serial…

Resident music nerd Ben investigates what happens when you mix psychedelics with the movie Cats (spoiler alert: it’s bad), checks out LA’s Starcrawler at the new and improved Cherry Bar, and sings the praises of Spiral Perm, Shimmer, The Paranoyds, and Algiers. Serial gig attendee Rid also returns to discuss his favourite local gigs of last year wh…

Resident music nerd Ben returns to Brisbane to check out Velociraptor’s 10th anniversary show, rings in the new year in style with Melbourne’s Private Function and Amyl & the Sniffers, and sings the praises of Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Georgia Maq and Bone Graft. Serial gig attendee Rid also returns to chat about his favourite overseas gigs of…

Resident music nerd Ben looks back at the saga of ‘Mulletgate’, responds to unsolicited podcast feedback and reveals his favourite gigs and albums of 2019. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-2019/pl.u-r2yBDbkFJljkRv Music Credits HAAR by Ultrademon https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ultrad…

Resident music nerd Ben checks out the Melbourne Music Week Live Music Safari, tries to wrap his head around a new Johnny Depp-produced Michael Jackson musical, and sings the praises of Desert Sessions, Clipping and Psychobabel. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-2019/pl.u-r2yBDbkFJljkRv M…

Resident music nerd Ben checks out Pitchfork’s albums of the decade, remembers the late, great Kim Shattuck, and sings the praises of Chromatics, Danny Brown, Starcrawler, Summer Cannibals and White Reaper. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-2019/pl.u-r2yBDbkFJljkRv Music Credits Be Be See…

Resident music nerd Ben checks out the Laneway 2020 lineup, celebrates the announcement of a new Nick Cave album, reminisces about getting into The Replacements via a Greg Mottola film, and sings the praises of Ezra Furman, Black Dresses & White Bleaches. Music Credits Intro/Outro: ABCD by Pudge https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pudge/Chippy_Peas/…

Resident music nerd Ben answers listener questions, cries about not attending Bigsound 2019, and sings the praises of Oh Sees, Sheer Mag, Press Club, and Tropical F*ck Storm. Music Credits Intro/Outro: Shock ya by Mules http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Mules/7_1145/05_Shock_ya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ Listener Questions: …

Resident music nerd Ben rallies against ‘ironic' music festival acts, swings by a Thurston Moore Q & A for Melbourne International Film Festival, and sings the praises of Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood (soundtrack AND film), Surf Friends, Ty Segall, and Imperial Wax. Music Credits Intro: Suck City by Black Math http://freemusicarchive.org/music/B…

Resident music nerd Ben attempts to wrap his head around Grimes’ workout routine, investigates whether or not the Melbourne music scene is headed for struggle-town, bows at the altar of Nick Cave (again), and sings the praises of Clowns, Bench Press, Freddie Gibbs, and Black Midi. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-…

Resident music nerd Ben dives into the scary world of music press clickbait, investigates this year’s disastrous music festival failures and counts down his favorite albums of 2019 (so far). Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-2019/pl.u-r2yBDbkFJljkRv Music Credits Intro: Lost Highway by Pr…

Resident music nerd Ben answers random listener questions, has his music-lovin' soul saved by Sharon Van Etten and Batts, and sings the praises of Horace Bones, Stef Chura, and Tim Heidecker. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-2019/pl.u-r2yBDbkFJljkRv Music Credits Intro Fish Newark and Di…

Resident music-nerd Ben finds himself in a state of confusion over the current status of Woodstock 50, gives a loving shout-out to Melbourne's long-suffering live music venues and sings the praises of Amyl and the Sniffers, An Horse, Tyler the Creator and Operators. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podca…

Resident music-nerd Ben rallies against touring holograms, changes his tune on music festival dating apps, gets nostalgic for a certain Brisbane music venue and sings the praises of Hex Debt, Otoboke Beaver, Craig Finn, Rico Nasty and Vampire Weekend. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-201…

Resident music-nerd Ben falls out of love with Coachella, checks out excellent music doco ‘Now Sound’, swings by Iggy Pop’s Melbourne birthday gig and sings the praises of The Drums, Weyes Blood, Priests, and The Snakes. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-2019/pl.u-r2yBDbkFJljkRv Music Cre…

Resident music-nerd Ben remembers the great Scott Walker, celebrates the return of Wyld Stallyons, checks out the Splendour in the Grass lineup, swings by a U-Bahn show and sings the praises of Ex Hex, Low Life & Orville Peck. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-2019/pl.u-r2yBDbkFJljkRv Mus…

Resident music-nerd Ben remembers The Prodigy’s Keith Flint, looks at the various reactions fans have to problematic artists, checks out a Harmony gig and sings the praises of Spellling, Little Simz, Du Blonde, and The Coathangers. Podcast Playlist 2019 https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist-2019/pl.u-r2yBDbkFJljkR…

Resident music-nerd Ben cuts the cord on one of his favorite singer-songwriters, runs through the colourful history of iconic Melbourne venue Cherry Bar, chats with buddy Ridwan Roslan about annoying gig crowds and sings the praises of Sleaford Mods, Mike Krol, Spielberg's, Feels, and LCD Soundsystem. Music Credits Intro/Outro: Faster! Faster! Fast…

Resident music-nerd Ben discusses the sad state of the Hottest 100 countdown, checks out an Idles show, catches up with serial gig-attendee Rid Roslan and sings the praises of Sharon Van Etten, Better Oblivion Community Center and Deerhunter. Music Credits Rid Transition: Eddy - All The Way Up http://freemusicarchive.org/music/eddy/2_Damn_Loud/All_…

Resident music-nerd Ben reflects on all the important (and not so important) stuff that happened in the world of music over the last 12 months, reminisces about the best gig he attended this year and reveals his top ten albums of 2018. Podcast Music Playlist: https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist/pl.u-qxylEMBtRpG7…

Resident music-nerd Ben takes a look at the weirdest music merch of 2018, applauds Slipknot front man Corey Taylor's recent takedown of Adam Levine, raves about the 2018 Melbourne Music Week Live Music Safari and sings the praises of The Good, the Bad and the Queen, Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler the Creator and Wavves. Podcast Music Playlist: https://itun…

Resident music-nerd Ben proclaims women to be the true saviours of rock in 2018, discovers an awesome live music haunt by accident, swings by a Conrad (Trail of Dead) Keely gig and sings the praises of Kurt Vile, Fucked Up, J Mascis, Swearin’ and Father. Podcast Music Playlist: https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlis…

Resident music-nerd Ben provides a chilling rundown of the weeks scariest music news, offers up some killer Halloween playlist recommendations, investigates freaky-as-hell accounts of haunted music venues and sings the praises of new soundtracks for Halloween (John Carpenter) and Suspiria (Thom Yorke). Podcast Music Playlist: https://itunes.apple.c…

Resident music-nerd Ben takes a look at the stellar lineups for Laneway, Download and Melbourne Music Week, investigates recent survey results proclaiming live music to be better than sex, checks out the first Melbourne Liars show in four years and sings the praises of Ben Stiller's Capital Punishment, Cash Savage and the Last Drinks, Brockhampton …

Resident music-nerd Ben rants about AI's role in the destruction of music, gives a shout-out to iconic music venue Old Bar and sings the praises of Mass Gothic, Idles & The Internet. Podcast Music Playlist: https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/creative-spectator-podcast-playlist/pl.u-qxylEMBtRpG73v Music Credits Intro/Outro: We are fine by Nursery …

Resident music-nerd Ben takes a look at this year’s jam-packed summer music festival calendar, reminisces about past experiences at Brisbane’s annual BIGSOUND Festival, expresses a new-found love for live film scores, and sings the praises of Mitski, Interpol, The Lemon Twigs & Dark Fair. Music Credits Intro/Outro: Trains by The Willing Souce: http…

Resident music-nerd Ben talks fake German metal festival stories, gives an update on Warracknabeal’s Nick Cave statue, plays a game of Gig Roulette and sings the praises of Moody Beaches, Loose Tooth and The Nude Party. Music Credits Intro/Outro: Mr. Vader wants to see you in his office by Thee Irma & Louise http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Thee_I…