Music Sucks and I Want to Die has a new series! It's called the Composer's Toolbox, and it's where Jake and Matt take a specific tool at the composer's/songwriter's disposal, and talk about how to implement it, how it's been used before, specific nuances, etc. The first one is all about the key change. They talk about a few different types of key c…

In the third of a recurring series, Jake and Matt review one good song, one bad song, and one ugly song (of which there's still no settled definition of exactly what that means in this context). Kendrick Lamar - Backseat Freestyle is the good, Dua Lipa/Elton John - Cold Heart is the bad (really, really bad). And Owl City - Fireflies is the ugly. Wh…

In this episode, special guest Ty Bailie joins Jake and Matt to talk about his music life, from humble beginnings in small-ass town Washington to touring with Katy Perry to Nashville and more!Music Sucks and I Want to Die

In this recurring series, Jake and Matt discuss 3 albums, one from pre-2000, one from post-2000, and one randomly selected from Piero Scaruffi's blog through a series of stupid and arbitrary random number generators. Discussed are The Darkness, The Buggles, and Teeth of the Sea.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Time for some clickbait!!!! Jake and Matt discuss what band is possibly the greatest American band of all time. Excluded are solo artists, groups of singers with ringers for a backup band, and more arbitrary garbage. Who do YOU think is the greatest? And please let us know how wrong we are with our choices. Also discussed is the concept of greatnes…

Special guest American Federation of Musicians union representative Nate Omdal comes on to talk about his job with the Seattle AFM division, and the role it plays in the Seattle music scene, what it does to support artists, etc. Along the way, he clears up several misconceptions Jake and Matt had about the role of the union in the working musician'…

In the third of the series, Matt and Jake each pick 2 artists/groups they really enjoy and talk about why. Artists featured are Gyorgy Ligeti, David Fiuczynski, Pixies, and Gentle Giant. What a couple of NERDSMusic Sucks and I Want to Die

For more info on this topic, check out EP 5 - Jam Sessions. Book mentioned - Derek Bailey: Improvisation https://www.amazon.com/Improvisation-Its-Nature-Practice-Music/dp/0306805286/ Listening of the Week - Akron/Family + Angels of Light https://akronfamily.bandcamp.com/album/akron-family-angels-of-light Joe Jackson - I'm the Man twitter.com/musics…

Matt and Jake discuss the "Taylor's Version" of Taylor Swift's albums: the motivation for the re-recordings, any sonic differences between them, and why in general #taysway can SLAP.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt spend an hour and some tax talking about one of the most influential jazz (??) record labels to ever exist and why they're just so damn cool. Wait they like music?If you don't want to kill yourself, you're not listening.

Matt and Jake bring on a special guest (Michael Conklin) to talk about his life and the life in general of a gigging horn player and how it contrasts to being a rhythm section player. Somehow they end up on a discussion of the entire music industry and its lack of money. How they get there no one actually knows.…

Matt and Jake take another stab at reviewing the current top Billboard album. In doing so they find out that the album is REALLY BAD! Who would've thought? But perhaps there's more to Morgan Wallen's Dangerous than meets the eye...Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Should you go to music school? Do you want to end up doing a terrible podcast that no one listens to? Well you're in the right place I guess. Jake and Matt provide advice for the young budding musician.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Matt and Jake sail the tumultuous seas of the music industry and its relation to piracy throughout the years. They definitely have never done it themselves. WEIGH ANCHORRRRRRRRR! They'll look at The Pirate Bay, Napster, Limewire, and more.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt talk about covers. The worst ones ever and the ones that make you feel GOOOOD.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt discuss the songs that are terrible beyond all reason yet still enjoy because they're stupid. Be warned, you will think less of them (if that's possible) after listening to this episode.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

In this episode, Jake and Matt review the year of no music careers and discuss albums by Fionna Apple and Taylor Swift.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Matt and Jake discuss how to talk about melody in theoretical terms and also why not to. In doing so they give examples from what they consider to be some of the greatest melodies of all time and try to nail down exactly what makes each of them tick.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

In this episode, Matt and Jake attempt to make esoteric music theory relating to jazz not be boring as all hell. Thye tackle George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept, Henry Threadgill's intervallic improvisation, and more. Bring some coffee.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

In this episode, Jake and Matt discuss dealing with burnout as an artist. Special guest burnt-out ex-musician Greg Smith.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

It's another round of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. One great song, one terrible one, and one you can't help but love.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

In this episode, Jake and Matt interview film and television composer Cindy O'Connor on what life is like as a composer for the screen and how one might enter the field (and also what it was like to play with Pat Benatar!).Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Back for another lightning round! In this episode Matt and Jake discuss the dumbest and most diva instrumentalists, bonus tracks, how they're too old to understand TikTok, and the legacy of Eddie Van Halen. There might even be some Yu-Gi-Oh thrown in.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

They may not be as bad as Chicago, but we sure do hate them. In this episode Jake and Matt discuss who in their opinions are the worst bands of all time.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt discuss Adam Neely's recent video "Music Theory and White Supremacy"Music Sucks and I Want to Die

On the second installment of our vocalist series, special guest pro-vocalist Katrina Kope joins to tell Matt and Jake how wrong they are about everything.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Take me out to the ball game; it's time for another three album review.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt discuss the eternal question; why are vocalists the worst thing ever?Music Sucks and I Want to Die

In the second episode of this series, Jake and Matt talk about 2 different artists/groups that they really love and give examples as to why they're particularly awesome. Artists/Groups Mentioned: Matt's 2: Nico / Bernard HerrmannJake's 2: Havana d' Primera / Art TatumMusic Sucks and I Want to Die

Do you hate the Beatles? Do you think Captain Beefheart made the best rock album of all time? You're fucking stupid, but listen to this episode anyway. Matt and Jake discuss Piero Scaruffi, everyone's favorite controversial music critic.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

This one's a doozy. Is music subjective? Can someone's opinion be better than another's? Will you want to kill us after this? Find out tonight!Music Sucks and I Want to Die

In this new series, Jake and Matt analyze three songs; one good, one, bad, and you get the idea. This episode features the Offspring, J.W. Cudd, Blake Shelton, and a surprise appearance from Uli Behringer.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Special guest David Salonen (sound engineer, guitarist, bassist) comes on to argue with Matt and Jake about who's worse at shows: sound guys or musicians. We'll let you determine the outcome.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Matt and Jake discuss the best and worst covers of all time, and what makes them so. Prepare for pain.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt talk about the current global pandemic... of shitty pop albums. Oh and COVID-19 I guessMusic Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt tackle various music topics. While drinking enough malt liquor to get them through it all. You'll probably need it to.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

The 2 Live Crew: are they good? Ahead of their time? Visionaries? Or the fucking worst rap group of all time? Jake and Matt will try to decide. Warning: this episode contains insanely stupid and disgusting lyrics.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Matt and Jake have a guest come on to talk about jazz and its role in society today. After this episode you may understand why no one actually listens to it.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt discuss what they believe to be the artists who fucked up the most, in perhaps some interesting ways.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt review 3 albums in the first of this new series. This episode features Wilco, Joni Mitchell, and Deicide. What a combo.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Special guest Terry Monstrosity joins Jake and Matt to discuss his new album Subdued Exclamation and the Seatlte rap scene in general.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jake and Matt talk about the evolution of the ways music's been listened to since the dawn of mankind. You may think this episode will be boring, but you're right!Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Jam Sessions suck. Matt and Jake explain why. Fuck life.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

Matt and Jake talk to the associate principal bassist of the Seattle Symphony about classical music in the modern world and in general.Music Sucks and I Want to Die

In this first of a recurring series, Jake and Matt talk about music they don't hate and why they don't hate it, temporarily reprieving them of the desire to kill themselves... for now. Artists mentioned: Morphine, The Clash, Juan Luis Guerra, Andrew HillMusic Sucks and I Want to Die

In episode 2, Matt and Jake talk about the history and anatomy of the ever-important album, the primary format for recorded music since forever (until now of course because it's fucking dying a horrible death).Music Sucks and I Want to Die