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Artwork for The Music Book Podcast

The Music Book Podcast

Marc Masters
Jazz
90s Music
Murder Ballads
Death
Music Writing
Krautrock
Indie Rock
African American Culture
Free Jazz
Photography
Miles Davis
John Coltrane
Architecture
Chuco Punk
North Carolina Music
Squirrel Nut Zippers
Tragedy
Trauma
AACM
The Cure

A podcast about music books, talking to authors about how they wrote their books about music! Hosted by music writer Marc Masters.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes69Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusic

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Artwork for The Music Book Podcast

Latest Episodes

On this episode, Marc talks to Ellen Koskoff, author of "Bittersweet Sounds of Passage: Balinese Gamelan Angklung Cremation Music," published in July of 2025. It's a fascinating look into a specific kind of gamelan music in Bali that is an essential ... more

On this episode, Marc talks with Pat Blashill, author of "Someday All the Adults Will Die!: The Birth of Texas Punk," released in September of 2025. It's a narrated oral history of the early days of punk in Texas, exploring the many bands and figures... more

On this episode, Marc talks with Ian Thompson, author of "Synths, Sax, & Situationists: The French Musical Underground 1968-1978," published in August of 2025. It's a detailed history of a group of French rock bands who, inspired by the protests and ... more

On this episode, Marc talks to J. Hoberman, author of "Everything is Now: The 1960s New York Avant-Garde--Primal Happenings, Underground Movies, Radical Pop," released in May of 2025. It's a fascinating, real-time history of the art coursing through ... more

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Recent Guests

Ellen Koskoff
Author of "Bittersweet Sounds of Passage, Balinese Gamelan Angklung Cremation Music"
University of Illinois Press
Episode: 069 Ellen Koskoff on Gamelan Angklung Cremation Music
Pat Blashill
Author of 'Someday All the Adults Will Die! The Birth of Texas Punk' and previously published a book of his photos from the punk scene in Texas.
University of Texas Press
Episode: 068 Pat Blashill on The Birth of Texas Punk
Ian Thompson
Author of Synths, Sax, & Situationists, The French Musical Underground 1968-1978
Roundtable Books
Episode: 067 Ian Thompson on the 70s French Underground
J. Hoberman
Author and former film critic known for his contributions to alternative press and his influential works on film and avant-garde art.
Verso Books
Episode: 066 J. Hoberman on 1960's New York
Audrey Golden
Author of 'Shouting Out Loud: Lives of the Raincoats'
De Capo Press
Episode: 065 Audrey Golden on the Raincoats
Jason Schneider
Author of That Gun in Your Hand: The Strange Saga of Hey Joe and Popular Music's History of Violence
Anvil Press
Episode: 064 Jason Schneider on "Hey Joe"
Dean Van Nguyen
Author of Words for My Comrades, A Political History of Tupac Shakur
Doubleday
Episode: 062 Dean Van Nguyen on Tupac Shakur
Niko Stratis
Author of 'The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman', a memoir exploring personal experiences through significant songs.
University of Texas Press
Episode: 061 Niko Stratis on Dad Rock
Jon King
Lead singer of the band Gang of Four and author of 'To Hell With Poverty, A Class Act Inside the Gang of Four'.
Gang of Four
Episode: 060 Jon King on Gang of Four

Host

Marc Masters
Host and music writer with a deep insight into music literature, engaging with authors to explore their writing processes and the stories behind music-related works.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 66 ratings
  • Title

    Great podcast that isn’t afraid to talk about process and mechanics alongside the books’ subjects.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beltwave
    United States6 months ago
  • Great podcast!

    I love the guests he gets on this podcast. A great listen if you like music, or books, or books about music!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AJM08AZ
    United States9 months ago
  • Great Music Great Books Great Podcast!

    Couldn’t be better, really

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pheezypheezy
    United States9 months ago
  • Essential listening

    Marc is a great interviewer, and the people he has on the podcast — and the topics they discuss — are top-rate, hence my five star review. I don’t listen to many podcasts, but this is an exception.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kembrew11
    United States9 months ago
  • One of my favorites

    Whether he’s interviewing a writer on the topic of a band or musical subject, or a musician who has written a memoir about their experiences, Marc has a way of bringing out the best in these conversations and making them interesting even if you’re not a giant fan of that particular artist or music scene. And you’ll always come away better informed and with new listening you want to do. The topic seems very specific but this is truly one of the most wide-ranging music pods out there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    supergrovercleveland
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Commenters note that the host's approachable style makes the conversations enjoyable, enhancing their interest in the books discussed.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and well-researched conversations that offer unique insights into the writing processes of music authors.
Many find the podcast to provide an enriching experience, connecting to both music and literature, often highlighting under-reported music histories.
Fans enjoy the diverse range of topics covered, from punk rock to the cultural impact of various artists, making it appealing to music and book lovers alike.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

069 Ellen Koskoff on Gamelan Angklung Cremation Music
Q: Did you find it mostly a relatively easy situation to work with people there and to socialize with them?
Koskoff felt mostly welcomed and appreciated by the villagers, despite being aware of potential exploitation concerns and cultural differences.
069 Ellen Koskoff on Gamelan Angklung Cremation Music
Q: How challenging was that to kind of get all that you had in front of you into chapters like that?
Koskoff found it challenging due to her multiple reasons for writing, wanting to clarify existing scholarship while also providing the perspective of the musicians and their community.
069 Ellen Koskoff on Gamelan Angklung Cremation Music
Q: Did you always have in the back of your mind, I want this to be a book of some sort, or did that come later in your process?
Initially inspired by the music itself, Koskoff began to consider writing a book after realizing there was a gap in research about Gamelan Angklung.
068 Pat Blashill on The Birth of Texas Punk
Q: I'm curious if you might tell the story a little bit about how you came along the title, where it came from and why you ultimately decided it.
The title is directly from the cover line of one of Austin's first punk fanzines called the Austin Vanguard, which only had one issue featured that phrase, capturing the youthful, rebellious spirit of the scene.
068 Pat Blashill on The Birth of Texas Punk
Q: I'm curious how much you did go look at some other things outside of your own knowledge?
I learned lots of things and some of that didn't go into the book, as I uncovered facts that hurt my feelings. I thought I was an Austin snob and didn't realize how vibrant other Texas punk scenes were.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Music Book Podcast

What is The Music Book Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intersection of literature and music, this podcast features in-depth conversations with authors who delve into various music genres and the narratives behind influential artists. Discussions span a diverse range of topics, from punk rock history to the intricacies of forgotten musical movements, making it a valuable resource for both music enthusiasts and aspiring writers. Each episode often highlights unique cultural insights, historical context, and personal anecdotes, offering listeners a rich exploration of how stories about music are crafted and told.

The discussions are characterized by a engaging storytelling approach, with an emphasis on the processes authors undergo in their writing journey. This distinctive framew... more

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How many listeners does The Music Book Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Music Book Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Music Book Podcast:

1. Kreative Kontrol
2. Transmissions
3. The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
4. Turned Out A Punk
5. WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

How many episodes of The Music Book Podcast are there?

The Music Book Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 69 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 The Music Book Podcast?

Recent guests on The Music Book Podcast include:

1. Ellen Koskoff
2. Pat Blashill
3. Ian Thompson
4. J. Hoberman
5. Audrey Golden
6. Jason Schneider
7. Dean Van Nguyen
8. Niko Stratis

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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