STAGE DIVES
STAGE DIVES
SMACK Media
Introducing Stage Dives, the first podcast from the media nerds who run SMACK out of Toronto Canada and hosted by Aaron Chan. We’re going to be talking about everything we’ve been listening to and watching, but first and foremost we’re going to be talking about concerts. To make the most of the stampede of live music we’re about to witness from arena tours to 19+ shows to basement gigs, we’re going to giving you our best on the road today. We’ll be breaking down setlists, talking about fanbases, and having a larger conversation about the artist or work in question. We’ve also got episodes about movies, TV shows, sports, and of course music, plus everything else our team of pop culture-obsessives want to deliver to you. So like and subscribe if you’re a concert addict and want to be part of a conversation on all of the concerts hitting Toronto.
The 25th Anniversary of OK Computer
Aaron, Jared, and special guest Blake Haarstad have some laughs as they break down Radiohead's seminal work for its 25th birthday sonically, thematically, and historically. They chatted about the idea of overhype, "male manipulator music," if the album is a concept record, if Radiohead count as progressive rock, and what makes them a canonical band. Then they spouted a ton of trivia and research. Listen until the end to hear two millennials argue with a Gen Z on why The Bends is a great album.
May 20, 2022
1 hr 36 min
Avril Lavigne's Bite Me Tour & the Pop Punk Resurgence
We're joined by Intermission's Aisling Murphy along with your host Tony Todorovah to break down Avril Lavigne's nostalgic showcase at the Coca Cola Coliseum in Toronto. They broke down everything from how Avril was the original e-girl, the Anti-Britney, her fiancée Mod Sun, and of course the infamous "Clone Conspiracy" before Aisling reviews her current Bite Me (Love Sux?) tour.
May 16, 2022
1 hr 28 min
STREAM LOGIC: Litigating the Lakers Drama on HBO's Winning Time
We’re joined by sports wizard Ian Pickett to break down the factual inaccuracies behind the controversies in HBO’s Winning Time. We talked about all of the hoopla around Jason Clarke’s performance as Jerry West (19:02), (36:27) the score and stat discrepancies, compared the dramatized versions of Kareem (41:42), Pat Riley (1:01:32), Larry Bird (55:35), and Magic (1:11:07) to their real-life composites, and then discussed why the Lakers suck so much now (1:19:27). Also discussed: rating the basketball scenes in the show (9:28), what eras future seasons of the show could cover (1:05:55) and why fictional Magic Johnson is so good at cunnilingus in the show (1:17:15). Check out our bonus episode where Ian compares NBA players to Succession characters.
Apr 28, 2022
1 hr 32 min
BONUS If the NBA was Succession: Character Composites
We play a game with our guest Ian Pickett and find out who the Logan, Kendall, Roman, Shiv, and Tom of the NBA are. Things get even weirder when we find comps for the Fly Guys and Piss Bucket Ray. A must listen if you love Succession and follow basketball.
Apr 28, 2022
25 min
STREAM LOGIC: The Insane Slate of TV Shows Coming to Streaming This Year
Jared and Aaron talk about the insane amount of content that has been and will be hitting streaming platforms this year including a tripartite in crime shows with Ozark, Barry, and Better Call Saul (17:05), Atlanta (39:33), and The “Pseudo-Wire” comeback in We Own this City (26:11). They break down how the prestige era of television never ended and its effect on the box office (13:46). Then they discuss how music used on TV has changed from Entourage and The Sopranos all the way to Pam & Tommy (48:55) plus their favourite uses of pop music in shows this year (1:03:58) and the worst uses as well (1:17:00).Other shows mentioned: Euphoria, Severance, The Dropout, Super Pumped, Abbot Elementary, Succession, Breaking Bad, The White Lotus and probably more. It’s true…there’s too much content out there, but have no fear, we’re here to tell you what’s worth watching.
Apr 17, 2022
1 hr 29 min
BONUS: Breaking Band with Alligator Orange
A conversation with a few tunes with Wisconsin's DIY genius Alligator Orange who promises this is just a hobby despite his Stick Figures EP being totally awesome.
Apr 11, 2022
23 min
The 94th Academy Awards Featuring SLAP-Gate
Aaron & Jared are joined by Intermission's Aisling Murphy and The Underscene's Andres Guzman to talk about the snubs, the songs, and yes....the slap that defined this year's Oscars.
Mar 29, 2022
1 hr 24 min
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis: Carnage Live
“Here Come the Bats!” SMACK’s Aaron & Nate broke down Nick Cave & Warren Ellis’ marquee gig for Carnage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. We deep dove the Bad Seeds’ prolific career (10:07), Nick Cave at the movies from Gladiator 2 to Harry Potter to Lawless (31:14), and his touring setlist featuring mostly new material (47:30). Plus the problem with hecklers (1:13:37) and the magic of Warren Ellis (21:39).
Mar 25, 2022
1 hr 23 min
Mitski: Laurel Hell Live On Tour
We’re joined by Jared Marshall and Antoaneta Todorova to break down massive indie singer-songwriter Mitski’s incredibly received concert at Massey Hall. We also delivered a larger conversation on her use of fiction and persona (23:40), how she is influenced by theatre (51:42), her intense fanbase (1:15:54), and what to expect when she opens for Harry Styles (1:24:55). Then join us as we give out awards for different aspects of the show (1:00:00). All this from three people who have trouble holding back tears and phone cameras!
Mar 22, 2022
1 hr 37 min
Tyler the Creator: Call Me If You Get Lost on Tour
Aaron and Jared discuss Tyler the Creator’s amazing performance in Toronto for his incendiary Call Me If You Get Lost Tour featuring a career spanning set. We explore what Call Me if You Get Lost is all about (1:07:49) and the outrageously well curated setlist (50:04), before we give awards to the best moments and players of the night (1:18:37). We also have a look at when Odd Future entered the culture in 2011 (8:10), plus Jared takes us from Cherry Bomb (22:00) to Flower Boy (28:40).
Mar 15, 2022
1 hr 39 min
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