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Artwork for Bandsplain

Bandsplain

The Ringer
Britpop
Nirvana
Grunge
Pearl Jam
Music
Oasis
Madonna
Grunge Music
Grief
Blur
Alternative Rock
Soundgarden
Punk Rock
Suede
Kurt Cobain
Dinosaur Jr.
Los Angeles
Seattle
Seattle Music Scene
Pulp

Bandsplain is a show where host Yasi Salek invites experts to explain cult bands and iconic artists—and why people love them.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes239Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Music

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Artwork for Bandsplain

Latest Episodes

Whitmer Thomas ('Terminal Crew of Dudes,' 'Weapons') joins Yasi to break down "Iris," the Goo Goo Dolls hit that became one of the defining songs of the late ’90s. They discuss the song’s origins on the 'City of Angels' soundtrack, the band’s punk be... more

It's time for a loaded mailbag, and Yasi is handling this one solo. She’s tackling questions on skin-care routines, the importance of physical media, and the best venues for seeing a show. Plus: Learn whether 24 is too old. (Spoiler: It’s not.)

Next... more

Sean Fennessey joins Yasi to build the Music Biopic Hall of Fame, from the 1940s to today. Along the way, they consider what makes a great music biopic, why rock and roll lends itself so well to the genre, and why a great central performance doesn’t ... more

Yasi is joined by returning guest Patrik Sandberg to revisit the soundtrack to 1980 cult film ‘Times Square.’ They cover the scrapped love story between its two leads, the producer’s efforts to turn the project into the next ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ a... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Whitmer Thomas
LA-based comedian and musician, HBO special Terminal Crew of Dudes
HBO
Episode: Perfect Song: "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls With Whitmer Thomas
Elias Ronnenfelt
Member of Iceage, vocalist/lyricist
Iceage
Episode: Solo Mailbag with Yasi. Plus, an interview with Elias Bender Rønnenfelt and Johan Suurballe of Iceage.
Johan Wieth
Member of Iceage, instrumentalist
Iceage
Episode: Solo Mailbag with Yasi. Plus, an interview with Elias Bender Rønnenfelt and Johan Suurballe of Iceage.
Amanda Dobbins
Guest expert on film/music crossover
Self/Media Critic
Episode: SOUNDTRACK: 'Working Girl' With Amanda Dobbins
Joanna Robinson
Expert guest discussing the Dirty Dancing soundtrack and its context
Prestige TV podcast, House of R
Episode: SOUNDTRACK: 'Dirty Dancing' With Joanna Robinson
Patrik Sandberg
Madonna expert; contributor to Madonna Bandsplain Part II
Madonna Bandsplain
Episode: MADONNA: 'Confessions II' with Patrik Sandberg
Dominic Palermo
Musician in the band Nothing
Nothing
Episode: The Best New Music of Spring 2026 With Bre Morell. Plus, An Interview With Domenic Palermo of Nothing.
Anthony Anzaldo
Guitarist from Ceremony and Anthony Family, guest on the episode
Ceremony; Anthony Family
Episode: SOUNDTRACK: 'Purple Rain' With Anthony Anzaldo
Fattaneh Salek
Mother of the host, featured in Madonna month segment
Episode: Madonna Mailbag With Fattaneh Salek and Patrik Sandberg

Host

Yasi Salek
Host of Bandsplain, guiding discussion with expert guests and driving the conversation about artist histories and impact.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 4.9k ratings
  • Here for the music talk

    Yasi clearly wants to move into the beauty/fashion influencer space. I hope she goes crazy with that content on her IG and stubstack. But when it starts to show up on Bandsplain… when she’s bemoaning why listeners don’t ask her about that stuff for her AMA… I can’t help but feel extremely sad, and hesitant to listen to this pod. I come for the music, I don’t want her to try to make money off me me by shilling for fashion and beauty

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    butfirstcafecubano
    United Statesa month ago
  • Ringer-pilled

    I loved this show at first, focusing on bands that typically get far less attention and deserve their flowers. The Afghan Whigs episode is epic and I still revisit it. Same for several other early ones, like Jawbreaker. So yes, Gen X music nerd alert.

    And as an avowed music nerd, I appreciate that Yasi is a great researcher, but she’s become just another Ringer host now, saddled with their staff as guests most of the time and making space for their endless fascination with rankings and analogie... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    stoutbr
    United Statesa month ago
  • Madonna episode 3

    You know the interview with Madonna and there’s no air conditioning? That’s how I feel about the breathing in this episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Lucky Ryan
    United Statesa month ago
  • Incredible

    I’m going to have to say this is the most enjoyable podcast I have ever found. Yasi is absolutely hilarious but more importantly she takes her research seriously. I love how the episodes sprawl out as long as they need to for the full story of the band to be told. And the variety of what she likes - The Jesus and Mary Chain? The Germs?? 12 hours on Madonna??? 5 billion stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    brinx00
    United States2 months ago
  • Yasi

    Is a national treasure. We must protect her at all costs!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sevprez
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience often highlights cross-media insights (film, fashion, culture) as a strength
Listeners praise the thorough research and long-form storytelling
Critics note strong interviews but some discuss format consistency and episode length
Fans appreciate nuanced deep-dives into both beloved and obscure artists

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#28
United States/Music
Apple Podcasts
#32
United States/Music
Spotify
#44
United Kingdom/Music
Apple Podcasts
#23
Canada/Music
Apple Podcasts
#41
United Kingdom/Music
Spotify
#32
Australia/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Solo Mailbag with Yasi. Plus, an interview with Elias Bender Rønnenfelt and Johan Suurballe of Iceage.
Q: How did you stay together for so long without it turning into a prison?
We stayed together because no one forced anyone to stay; the band grew from genuine friendship, shared curiosity, and a commitment to progress rather than clinging to early success.
The Music Biopic Hall of Fame With Sean Fennessey
Q: What is the difference between a canon and a hall of fame in this context?
The canon is treated as the set of works that are functionally essential to the genre as a whole, while the Hall of Fame focuses on individual figures—people—who exemplify the genre's impact, with the host acknowledging the distinction and debating its boundaries.
SOUNDTRACK: 'Working Girl' With Amanda Dobbins
Q: What would change if a different lead actress were attached in the late 80s?
Casting shifts (e.g., Demi Moore) would have altered audience perception, star power dynamics, and the film's tonal balance, potentially changing the film's box office trajectory and how the soundtrack interacts with the narrative.
SOUNDTRACK: 'Working Girl' With Amanda Dobbins
Q: How did Carly Simon's Let the River Run shape the film's reception?
The song anchored the mood and helped sell the film's aspirational energy, and its Oscar win afterward amplified the movie's cultural footprint, feeding ongoing dialogue about women in business and pop music's role in film.
The Best New Music of Spring 2026 With Bre Morell. Plus, An Interview With Domenic Palermo of Nothing.
Q: What inspired the approach to presenting a mix of older shoegaze heritage and new-wave, current releases on the episode?
We wanted to map a broad sonic landscape—from established shoegaze and indie traditions to fresh, boundary-pushing digital-age sounds—showing how artists today remix the past with contemporary production and culture.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Bandsplain

What is Bandsplain about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive music show where host blends rigorous research with expert guests to unpack the histories, impact, and cultural context of cult bands and iconic artists. Episodes frequently pair long-form interviews with artists or scene insiders with thematic discussions (soundtracks, biopics, era-defining moments), offering thorough storytelling, production anecdotes, and careful analysis of how music and culture intersect. Notable strengths include multi-guest perspectives, archival context, and a willingness to tackle both niche histories and blockbuster legends, making it a strong fit for listeners who love deep-dan exploration of music culture and its wider storytelling. A standout trait is the emphasis on historical context and artist tr... more

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How many subscribers and views does Bandsplain have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Bandsplain?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bandsplain:

1. 60 Songs That Explain the '90s
2. The Big Picture
3. The Watch
4. Indiecast
5. Blank Check with Griffin & David

How many episodes of Bandsplain are there?

Bandsplain launched 4 years ago and published 239 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Bandsplain?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Bandsplain?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Bandsplain from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Bandsplain?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Bandsplain. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Bandsplain?

Recent guests on Bandsplain include:

1. Whitmer Thomas
2. Elias Ronnenfelt
3. Johan Wieth
4. Amanda Dobbins
5. Joanna Robinson
6. Patrik Sandberg
7. Dominic Palermo
8. Anthony Anzaldo

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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