Martin Douglas dives into Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth. When it comes to art punk, indie rock, or alternative rock, there are few bands more widely influential than Sonic Youth, who were also directly involved with Nirvana’s emergence into the mainstream. The bands were signed to both the same record label and the same management company. 

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

Martin Douglas dives into Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth. When it comes to art punk, indie rock, or alternative rock, there are few bands more widely influential than Sonic Youth, who were also directly involved with Nirvana’s emergence into the mainstream. The bands were signed to both the same record label and the same management company. 
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 
Support the podcast: <a href="https://www.kexp.org/cobain/">kexp.org/cobain</a>

Kurt Cobain’s influence went beyond just the music he created with Nirvana. He also put the masses on to some of his own favorite artists. One particular document from his journals has been instructive to many fans – his top 50 albums. Each week, The Cobain 50 podcast digs into albums from this famous list and how they may have influenced Cobain and Nirvana. While learning the individual histories of the different albums on the list, we gain new insights into artists on the fringes as well as some of the biggest groups of all time. The podcast takes us through the legacies of acts like Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Breeders, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Black Flag, Mazzy Star, The Shaggs, Shonen Knife, and more. Episodes drop weekly starting January 10, 2024.

Kurt Cobain’s influence went beyond just the music he created with Nirvana. He also put the masses on to some of his own favorite artists. One particular document from his journals has been instructive to many fans – his top 50 albums. Each week, The Cobain 50 podcast digs into albums from this famous list and how they may have influenced Cobain and Nirvana. While learning the individual histories of the different albums on the list, we gain new insights into artists on the fringes as well as some of the biggest groups of all time. The podcast takes us through the legacies of acts like Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Breeders, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Black Flag, Mazzy Star, The Shaggs, Shonen Knife, and more. Episodes drop weekly starting January 10, 2024.

The Cobain 50

Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)

Janice Headley dives into She Hangs Brightly by Mazzy Star. Born from California's Paisley Underground scene, the group is distinguished by the languid vocal style of Hope Sandoval, a Mexican-American songwriter who came into the spotlight in the 1990s. This episode is part of KEXP's monthlong Aquí y Ahora programming for Latinx Heritage Month, officially celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States.  

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written + Produced: Janice Headley
Mixed + Mastered: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast Manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

Janice Headley dives into She Hangs Brightly by Mazzy Star. Born from California's Paisley Underground scene, the group is distinguished by the languid vocal style of Hope Sandoval, a Mexican-American songwriter who came into the spotlight in the 1990s. This episode is part of <a href="https://www.kexp.org/aquiyahora/">KEXP's monthlong Aquí y Ahora programming for Latinx Heritage Month</a>, officially celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States.  
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Written + Produced: Janice Headley Mixed + Mastered: Roddy Nikpour Podcast Manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: <a href="https://www.kexp.org/cobain/">kexp.org/cobain</a>

Mazzy Star – She Hangs Brightly (1990)

Dusty Henry dives into Damaged by Black Flag. While we covered their sophomore album My Warearlier in this series, Black Flag’s debut album introduces us to one of its most prominent singers: Henry Rollins, who ushered in one of the band’s boldest eras. 

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

Dusty Henry dives into Damaged by Black Flag. While we covered their sophomore album My War <a href="https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/cobain50/2024/5/22/black-flag-my-war-1984/">earlier in this series</a>, Black Flag’s debut album introduces us to one of its most prominent singers: Henry Rollins, who ushered in one of the band’s boldest eras. 
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 
Support the podcast: <a href="https://www.kexp.org/cobain/">kexp.org/cobain</a>

Black Flag – Damaged (1981)

During KEXP's fall fund drive, we're celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Nirvana's Nevermind and the 31st anniversary of In Utero. Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera share a tale of two albums — one polished, one gritty — including the music's impact on them personally and across the world. 

Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Special thanks: Albina Cabrera, host of El Cancionero de Kurt
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

00:00: Intro
03:19: A reflection on the concept of ranking albums
07:21: MTV and Nirvana at the center of a youth movement
10:06: Nevermind as the gateway to Nirvana
14:22: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" changed everything
20:41: Nevermind shows us Kurt as a funny guy with a polished sound
26:09: In Utero, the harsh response to Nevermind
36:18: In Utero as Kurt's final word
39:56: Despite our earlier remarks, we rank Nevermind and In Utero
49:06: Credits

During <a href="https://www.kexp.org/donate/">KEXP's fall fund drive</a>, we're celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Nirvana's Nevermind and the 31st anniversary of In Utero. Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera share a tale of two albums — one polished, one gritty — including the music's impact on them personally and across the world. 
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Special thanks: Albina Cabrera, host of <a href="https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/el-cancionero-de-kurt/">El Cancionero de Kurt </a>Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 
Support the podcast: <a href="https://www.kexp.org/cobain/">kexp.org/cobain</a>
00:00: Intro 03:19: A reflection on the concept of ranking albums 07:21: MTV and Nirvana at the center of a youth movement 10:06: Nevermind as the gateway to Nirvana 14:22: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" changed everything 20:41: Nevermind shows us Kurt as a funny guy with a polished sound 26:09: In Utero, the harsh response to Nevermind 36:18: In Utero as Kurt's final word 39:56: Despite our earlier remarks, we rank Nevermind and In Utero 49:06: Credits

Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)

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