This Must Be Pop
This Must Be Pop
This Must Be Pop Podcast
Connecting with a pop group when we're young is often one of the most defining moments of our lives, but why are we so afraid to talk about it? This podcast is devoted to exploring the importance of pop music, including the music of boybands. It’s also a critique of society looking down on music many genuinely enjoy. Fans of boybands (consisting of mostly women and LGBTQ+ folk) often feel a stigma if they express their admiration for certain groups. Additionally, despite their talent & popularity, no modern boyband has won a Grammy. We explore all this on This Must Be Pop.
New Kids On The Block | Celebrating 40 Years [ft. Selena Fragassi, author "New Kids on the Block 40th Anniversary Celebration"
Ana is joined by Selena Fragassi, music journalist and author of the new book: New Kids on the Block 40th Anniversary Celebration. Ana and Selena go through the history of the New Kids, from their humble beginnings in Boston, to how they've evolved as one of the most profitable and successful legacy bands in music with the backing of one of the most passionate fanbases: the Blockheads. Buy "New Kids on the Block 40th Anniversary Celebration" on Amazon During the episode we briefly touch upon Boston's desegregation program and busing crisis. Here are a couple of resources for more information: The Busing Battleground: The Decades-Long Road to School Desegregation (PBS) Nearly 50 years after the Boston busing crisis, a new initiative examines its history and legacy (WBUR)
May 22, 2024
1 hr 5 min
Hanson | From Teen Pop Sensations to 20+ Years of Independent Music [ft. Lia from "The Ashlee & Jessicast"]
Just in time for Hanson Day 2024! Ana is joined by Lia from The Ashlee and Jessicast to discuss Hanson. We discuss if Hanson is considered a boyband, as well as get into Lia's fan origin story and dive a bit into most of their discography. We also discuss how awesome the Hanson fandom is!
May 10, 2024
1 hr 31 min
Liam Payne "Teardrops" | Breaking Down the Multi-Generational Boyband Collab & the Parallels with JC Chasez [ft. Eryn Cooper]
Ana is joined by Eryn Cooper (radio personality, music journalist, and self-proclaimed professional fangirl) where they break down the AMAZING multi-generational boyband collab to rule them all: Liam Payne's new song "Teardrops. They discuss how Liam's career, both in 1D and as a solo artist, has been very similar to another boybander: *NSYNC's JC Chasez, who coincidentally worked with Liam on "Teardrops" as a co-writer and 'background' vocalist. Follow Eryn on all the socials @onairwitheryn
Mar 4, 2024
1 hr 2 min
Aaron Carter: Remembering His Music & Legacy
This week marks the one year anniversary of Aaron Carter’s passing. Aaron’s legacy within music and pop culture is often overlooked, but it certainly deserves recognition and is insanely important. In this special episode honoring Aaron, we discuss him and his music and legacy, complex and layered as it was, with two friends of the pod Ali and Cali. Ali's portion was recorded a year ago only days after Aaron’s passing, so at the time it was obviously fresh on our minds. That portion of our conversation was never released until now. A majority of this episode was done recently on the anniversary of his passing with another friend-of-the-pod: Cali, who had a personal relationship with Aaron. We hope you enjoy this honest and insightful episode, honoring the life of Aaron Carter: the musician and human being. A special thank you to both Ali and Cali for their time, honesty, and respect of the topic of Aaron. May he rest in peace.  Please be aware that there are some sensitive topics touched upon in this episode regarding mental health, addiction and trauma.  It’s also important to note that this episode will NOT nor EVER be monetized. Too many people tried to, and are still trying to, profit off of his name and we absolutely are against doing anything like that.
Nov 7, 2023
1 hr 3 min
BSB, Taylor Swift & Boy Band Mismanagement [ft. Kelli Williams]
Ana and Lizzie are joined by very special guest and fellow podcaster Kelli Williams (@laguna_biotch) to discuss her music journey with artists such as the Backstreet Boys, Taylor Swift, Aaron Carter and LFO and how bands like BSB are such a huge part of her relationship with her mother. We also get into a more serious discussion surrounding "the dark side of boybands" aka bad managers taking advantage of boyband members, and how we as a society still have trouble with taking allegations seriously from young men (poor working conditions, financial mismanagement, and sexual assault, etc.)
Sep 24, 2023
44 min
Pop2000 Recap [OTown, LFO, BBMak, Chris Kirkpatrick] & JC Chasez Update
Friend-of-the-pod Sasha is back! Ana and Sasha discuss the experience going to the Pop2000 show on July 15, 2023 in Webster, MA. Before the Pop2k discussion, we recap all things JC-related in the past year and answer your lingering questions from the JC series. Timestamps: - Intro and Listener Q&A: 00:00 - JC Updates: 7:50 -Pop2000 Recap: 19:19
Sep 7, 2023
1 hr 6 min
EMERGENCY EPISODE! *NSYNC Reunion
Several news outlets have reported that *NSYNC has recorded a song together, the first time in over 20 years for the upcoming "Trolls" movie. Ana is joined by friend-of-the-pod and *NSYNC fan Sasha to discuss initial thoughts and speculation, and what the potential is to come. PLEASE NOTE: *NSYNC, the individual members, nor their team has confirmed this. Because this is a song associated with a film, the lack of confirmation from the *NSYNC team is most likely due to the WGA/SAG strike which currently prevents members from promoting work associated with union studios. We stand with WGA and SAG and hope they come to a resolution for fair wages and treatment. Also, we do not know if this recording will lead to a show/tour, residency/etc, all conversation surrounding a hypothetical tour or residency is merely just us speculating.
Aug 19, 2023
9 min
CLAPBACK: "Your Favorite Band Sucks" *NSYNC Episode & Debunking Bad Music Journalism | ft. "When They Popped" podcast
Ana & Lizzie are joined by fellow podcasters Mary & Kelsey from the "When They Popped" podcast: What do you get when music journalists don't do any research and they make a podcast episode rooted in a misunderstanding of pop music, youth culture, and the tastes of many women and queer folks? You get the podcast "Your Favorite Band Sucks"; specifically, their most recent episode they did on *NSYNC. (The fact one *NSYNC fan was able to bring on three BSB fans on this episode should tell you how hard "Your Favorite Band Sucks" was on *NSYNC!) Listen to "Your Favorite Band Sucks - *NSYNC" on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GMB2FNwAD9AlyqTwT2Q7X?si=59e8f8ffddaa4826
May 25, 2023
1 hr 29 min
Harry Styles | Part 2: Discography [HS1 to Harry's House]
Ana, Lizzie and Hallie continue their (postponed many times) discussion on Harry Styles' discography of his self-titled debut album (aka HS1), Fine Line, and finally, Harry's House. They break down some lyrics, melody, and overall feel of each album.
May 9, 2023
1 hr 25 min
Jonas Brothers | Part 2: Music Analysis from "It's About Time" to "Lines, Vines and Trying Times"
Ana continues her conversation with her cousins and discusses the discography of the Jonas Brothers. From their first album "It's About Time" to "Lines Vines and Trying Times". **Part 3 of our Jonas Brothers will be released in May after the release of "The Album". Referenced Links: - Desmond Child Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6zX7A4EFodzbuTWBLKc5rq?si=38ab337b1134444c - Nicholas Jonas "When You Look Me In the Eyes" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWFUazmTNGQ
Apr 6, 2023
52 min
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