Rephonic
Artwork for No Tags
Underground Music Culture
Rave Culture
London Nightlife
Dance Music
Music Journalism
UK Nightlife Taskforce
London
Corsica Studios
UK Festivals
Indie Sleaze
Green Party Party
Soundcloud
Hip Hop Culture
Nostalgia
Taylor Swift
Gentrification
London Nightlife Commission
Billie Eilish
Electronic Music
Covid-19

No Tags is a podcast and newsletter from Chal Ravens and Tom Lea chronicling underground music culture. notagspodcast.substack.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes68Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicSociety & Culture

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Artwork for No Tags

Latest Episodes

Why be seamless when you can go KLANGGG? This week’s guest is living proof that doing things wrong, backwards, upside-down or simply not at all can reap creative dividends.

We speak, of course, about Djrum. Recorded at our book launch at London’s IC... more

Sheffield punches well above its weight when it comes to tunes.

From #1 synth-pop hits to underground techno classics, clattering industrial funk to accidental Britpop icons, the Steel City might have produced more brilliant music per capita than a... more

The Q1 report is here and the charts are clear: buy underscores. 📈

On this episode of No Tags, we talk through our favourite releases of 2026 so far – not to mention some music that we’re more mixed on but felt like it was worthy of discussion rega... more

We all know what sound is, but are we any good at describing it?

This week’s guest is a musician, writer and one of independent music’s wisest observers. Damon Krukowski has been playing in bands since the ‘80s, drumming for dreampop originals Galax... more

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Recent Guests

Daniel Dylan Wray
Author of Groovy, Laidback and Nasty, Sheffield music historian
White Rabbit/Merit Journalistic Platforms (as author)
Episode: 67: Sheffield, Synth City
Damon Krukowski
Writer and musician, author of Why Sound Matters; former drummer of Galaxie 500; member of Damon and Naomi; UMAW activist
Author, musician, UMAW member
Episode: 65: The indies fight back! Damon Krukowski on the value of sound
Jay (Big J) / Jialing
Baltimore-based artist, part of the duo Big J + Jialing
Baltimore scene, Big J
Episode: 63: ⁠Baltimore is still the engine room of US club music
Kade Young
Baltimore-based artist from the Baltimore Club scene
Baltimore Club
Episode: 63: ⁠Baltimore is still the engine room of US club music
Lil Internet
A video director and music creator who works with AI-generated music.
Episode: 62: Lil Internet changed our minds about AI music
Anjali Prashar-Savoie
Author and DJ, focusing on queer nightlife; her book 'Club Commons' discusses the intersection of queer culture and communal club spaces.
Independent Author
Episode: 60: A radical vision for club culture with Anjali Prashar-Savoie
Holly Dicker
Author of "Dance or Die: A History of Hardcore"
Velocity Press
Episode: 53: Holly Dicker will be the last hardcore raver standing
Jeff Weiss
Rap journalist and author
Episode: 50: Jeff Weiss is still waiting for Britney Spears
Grace Sands
Resident DJ at Adonis, and a significant figure in the Free Party movement.
Adonis
Episode: 47: Free parties, rave theories and a moment with Grace Sands

Hosts

Chal Ravens
Co-host of No Tags; focuses on underground music culture and related media
Tom Lea
Co-host of No Tags; engages in long-form conversations about music culture

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 401 ratings
  • Out of touch

    Any podcast that tries to bill itself as chronicling ‘underground culture’ & has hosts that think graffiti has no purpose (as they discussed in the latest episode, displaying a total lack of engagement with subcultural rave communities in London) is inherently politically inconsistent. It’s even more frustrating when they regularly try to present themselves as ‘rave goers’, and make sweeping statements from that position.

    Even though they’re clearly very educated on music, sadly you can tell th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    sonyawould
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • <3

    Decided to lock in at the start of the year, zero regrets. love the longer dissections of trends, love the left turns and the regular diversions out of music and into other artforms/social phenomena, love the tone of the discussions… just really great stuff guys, thanks a lot.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hughmorris98
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Less politics

    More music

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Mr Majestik
    United States6 months ago
  • 10/10

    I was in a bit of a mood and this has cheered me right up! Love the pod, essential listen!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dj_rayner
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Formidable

    There really isn’t anything else out there quite like No Tags. It’s an instant listen on arrival for me, every time. Very intrigued to see where Chal and Tom take it next, too - publications, live outings, film club… heck, a Pontins convention? The healthiest balance between parasocial activity and niche nightlife infotainment - there’s something here for just about any music super fan. Keep up the grade 1 listed work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cartier 4 Everyone
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback notes the show can feel insular or opinionated at times, but remains a standout in culture journalism.
Many reviews highlight insightful, long-form conversations that explore culture beyond music.
Listeners praise the hosts' deep, insider knowledge and varied guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#170
Canada/Music
Apple Podcasts
#128
Netherlands/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

67: Sheffield, Synth City
Q: What should a visitor know about Sheffield's music venues and scene today?
The hosts and Daniel highlight venues like Gut Level, Sydney and Matilda, The Lug Hole, and others, expressing optimism about the city's ongoing DIY culture, community funding, and the importance of supporting small, independent spaces.
67: Sheffield, Synth City
Q: How does Sheffield's culture of humility shape its music scenes compared to other cities like Manchester?
He discusses how humility and a craft-focused mindset in Sheffield fostered deep, experimental work and a reluctance to seek external validation, which paradoxically both protected and hindered local recognition, while fostering a unique, diverse set of sounds.
67: Sheffield, Synth City
Q: Daniel, why did you decide to write a history of the Sheffield music scene?
Daniel explains there was a gap in concise, accessible writing about Sheffield's music history, and he aimed to connect disparate threads—from early factories and industry to the city's later indie and electronic breakthroughs—into a readable narrative that emphasizes the city's independent ethos.
65: The indies fight back! Damon Krukowski on the value of sound
Q: What is your stance on piracy and its impact on music economies?
Piracy is a complex issue; it can expand reach and profiles but does not necessarily destroy profits; the key is to build negotiating power and find balance rather than fighting piracy with blanket bans, embracing access while protecting livelihoods.
65: The indies fight back! Damon Krukowski on the value of sound
Q: What role does UMAW play in empowering musicians against capital?
UMAW builds power through organizing, lobbying, and local and national campaigns, showing that collective action and policy work can create real changes in streaming pay, festival pay structures, and other labor conditions; success comes from broad-based participation.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About No Tags

What is No Tags about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep, culture-forward show that probes underground music scenes, nightlife politics, and the intersections of art, technology, and media. Episodes frequently explore scene history, DIY distribution, venue dynamics, and the social impacts of nightlife, often featuring guests who are artists, journalists, authors, or organizers. A standout is the willingness to cover niche subcultures with thoughtful analysis and a warm, conversational tone, making complex subcultures accessible to listeners who want context, texture, and insider perspectives. The format tends to blend trend analysis with long-form conversations, live events, and occasional book or documentary tie-ins, which can be especially engaging for industry professionals and culture-... more

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Which podcasts are similar to No Tags?

These podcasts share a similar audience with No Tags:

1. RA Exchange
2. If I Speak
3. Novara Media
4. The LRB Podcast
5. THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

How many episodes of No Tags are there?

No Tags launched 2 years ago and published 68 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on No Tags?

Recent guests on No Tags include:

1. Daniel Dylan Wray
2. Damon Krukowski
3. Jay (Big J) / Jialing
4. Kade Young
5. Lil Internet
6. Anjali Prashar-Savoie
7. Holly Dicker
8. Jeff Weiss

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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