Songs about books, reading, writing, libraries. Unfashionable these days, maybe, but the inspiration for some great tracks.
Modern life can often be very vexatious, even if cognitively we know we’re better off than ever. Here’s a celebration of how rubbish modern life is.
Another musical visionary leaves the scene, far too young. Richard H Kirk along with his Cabaret Voltaire bandmates, was a primary architect behind today’s electronic music, as this episode amply demonstrates.
Pinko Fowler has videoed every indie star in the known universe (just about). Friends of the Fall, Sonic Youth, the Pixies, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Cure, Nick Cave, the Go-Betweens, Pulp, Cabaret Voltaire and dozens more, here’s Pinko’s choice of tracks from his life in indie – plus all the anecdotes on top.
The very best type of cover song adds something new to the original. The icing on the cake? These tracks switch genre as well.
A tribute to the recently departed Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, the architect behind reggae and dub.
Alternative improv comedian and DJ to the stars (e.g. Cher) Andrew McLelland co-hosts this eclectic mix of Australian indie-folk, post-punk, post-rock – and sea shanties.
Confessionals, memoirs, autobiographies – call them what you like, a collection of brilliant, highly personal songs.
To coincide with the release of Edgar Wright’s outstanding Sparks Brothers movie, here’s 50 years of the Maels and the bands they have influenced.
For half a century, one propulsive descending riff has provided not just covers but a framework for any amount of alternative music. Here we delve deeper into this rich history.
The guest host is Rajan Datar, BBC journalist, star of TV and Radio, and long time bass player in the group he founded, Maroon Town
From the northern line to the north circular, some tracks celebrating London and London life.
A celebration of alternative European music from countries competing at the 2021 Euros.
It’s the third wave of Post-Punk and it’s happening right now!
From Arcade Fire to Helena Deland, Montreal is arguably the music capital of Canada. Here we take a tour around some of its alternative highlights.
Dave O’Neil, comedian, film star, radio host, TV quiz panellist and bass player with Captain Cocoa, guest hosts this edition, choosing some of his all-time favourite tracks.
Some of the 4AD label’s classic artists: from the Birthday Party to St Vincent, the Cocteaus to Pixies – and some lesser known gems along the way.
Brian Eno has been inventing, making, producing and collaborating on half a century of boundary-expanding music. Let’s celebrate him.
A brisk walk through a dark, deadpan, detached setlist. A lot more fun than it sounds. To add one more D, starts with Dry Cleaning.
In their first year (1980-81), before they’d identified their trademark sound, New Order still managed to influence vast numbers of bands with their musical experimentation. This is an episode about that.
A tour through the byways of Irish alternative music over the last half century. From Stiff Little Fingers to Girl Band via Ash and Whipping Boy; The Pogues to Newdad via Stump – and all points in between.
From John Cale to the Manics, Anhrefn via the Darling Buds, Colossal Youth through Gorky’s to Derrero and Steveless, a celebration of Welsh music.
If you’re looking for the real indie, here’s the NY/Long Island scene that flourished at the turn of the century. Real authentic, real indie, real cool.
Three years ago this week we lost Mark E Smith. Here’s a tribute to the music of the man and the music of his group, The Fall.
Punk before punk – how punk is that. AKA garage rock or, as this episode’s title has it, proto-punk.
A chance to hear some of the new female artists destined to make waves on the 2021 alternative music scene.
A round up of the 12 “best” alternative tracks of 2020. Sombrero Fallout bears no responsibility for the absence of your favourite band, and listeners do so at their own discretion.
The first of two episodes curating some of the best alternative tracks of 2020.
The Go Betweens – the greatest of all Australian bands? Decide for yourself in this episode, paying tribute to the iconic Brisbane outfit and the groups they influenced.
A look at the link between the original early ’70s dub reggae artists, such as Lee Perry and Augustus Pablo, and their influence on the original late ’70s and early ’80s post-punk bands.
We know about the golden age of early 80s synth bands, but let’s take a tour round the world of 21st century synth artists.
A mix of love songs all titled ‘Love Song’ (more or less) from a mix of genres. Apologies to anyone who has already downloaded the episode earlier. It was withdrawn after the discovery of technical flaws.
A look back at some classic tracks from Nick Drake, tragically neglected in his own lifetime, and the bands that he influenced.
Let’s do as Jarvis once asked us and meet up in the year 2000 for a look back at that year’s best music.
Listeners have their say on bands the podcast should feature. A couple of bands featuring listeners also feature.
Herein we take a listen to musicians paying tribute to other musicians who are their influences or who deserve especial respect. Or usually both. Plus one anti-tribute, for good measure.
As some of us re-enter a brutal lockdown phase, time to celebrate the ordinary lives of everyday heroes.
A Kiwi celebration of the 80s music known as The Dunedin Sound, the Flying Nun label and its influence on the embryonic indie scene in the UK and US.
Choice cuts from first cuts on debut albums kick off our second half century of episodes.
A celebration of different genres of alternative music, choosing one track a year from the last 16 years. Our 50th episode!
A track a year from 1987-2003 to symbolise what was going on in alternative music in the second of three episodes covering the last 50 years.
The first of 3 episodes with a track from each of the last 50 years.
In this episode, we and other artists pay tribute to Joy Division, 40 years on from their demise.…
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with all our friends in New York with this tribute episode to the city’s great music.
A unique opportunity to hear this soundtrack to a yet-to-be-written movie about the effect of the coronavirus on the hopes and dreams of one young couple.
In this episode, we have have a listen to songs inspired by authors, from Camus and Dostoievsky to Lovecraft and Kafka.
In which we hear varied interpretations by men of women’s songs. For the companion piece, dig out the earlier episode where roles are reversed.
Roll back the rugs. Push the sofa to one side. It’s alternative at-home dance time with Sombrero Fallout’s house.
In the third and final part of our Home Recordings series, we bring it home with a genre-spanning episode, from The Streets to Neutral Milk Hotel, from Pavement to Augustus Pablo.
In Sombrero Fallout Episode 40, we continue with Part 2 of songs recorded at home. Appropriate for these times.
In Episode 39 of Sombrero Fallout, we tune into songs recorded at home. In self-isolation, if you will.
In Episode 38 of Sombrero Fallout, we take a look at glam rock and its influences.
In this episode we pay tribute to Andy Gill (RIP) of the Gang of Four. Tracks from the…
In this episode of Sombrero Fallout, we listen to tracks from Women To Watch in the 2020s.
The best 10 (alternative) songs of the 2010s.
The first of two episodes curating the best alternative music of the 2010s.
In the last episode of this series of Sombrero Fallout, we complete our survey of the wonderful year in music that was 1979.
In our 31st episode we listen to music from the post-punk year par excellence. 1979.
In our 30th episode, recorded at the same time as the World Cup 2018, we take a look at the indie/football crossover.
A collection of alternative music from the participating nations in the 2018 World Cup.
A tribute episode to the best of Slowcore music from the early 90s and beyond.
In our 27th episode, we listen in to what’s emerging from the streets of Melbourne.
An alternative look at nature, pastoral music and the great outdoors.
This is the 25th anniversary edition of the podcast where Friends of Sombrero Fallout wrote in with their many and varied requests.
25 editions, my my.
An episode dedicated to bands on the Warp record label. Classic electronica and IDM, from artists including Aphex Twin, Grizzly Bear, !!!, Boards of Canada and Nightmares on Wax.
In this episode, each miniature masterpiece is under two minutes long. Superb value for money – 24 songs in under an hour!
What makes a great choice of song for a movie?
There’s more to Sheffield than Pulp and the Arctic Monkeys – though you can hear them too, on this Sombrero Fallout episode dedicated to the city’s best alternative music.
An ethereal trip around the world of Dream Pop (Shoegazing to some), featuring The Cocteau Twins, Sigur Ros, Mercury Rev, Beach House, My Bloody Valentine and The xx among others.
Marvin Gaye, The Smiths, Neil Young, Public Enemy, The Beatles, The Stones, Black Sabbath, New Order and ELO (among others) all get a female makeover in this celebration of female artists covering tracks originally sung by men.
A celebration of The Fall’s legacy. Tracks from Pavement, Sonic Youth, Arctic Monkeys and Guided by Voices sit alongside today’s inheritors of Mark E Smith’s influence: Ought, Parquet Courts and Protomartyr. Plus some of MES’s collaborations over the years: Long Fin Killie, Elastica and The Inspiral Carpets.
A tribute to Mark E Smith (5/3/57-24/1/18) of The Fall.
The Top Ten Alternative Tracks of Are these the ten best songs of 2017? No two people would ever agree. But on this occasion what Sombrero Fallout says goes, democracy be damned. A blog and tracklist will appear in a few days' time.
The best tracks of 2017, from #20 to #11, as chosen by Sombrero Fallout..
Have yourself a merry little alternative Christmas with a selection of merry little alternative Christmas tunes from down the ages.
In our 13th episode, we take an alternative look at LA, Hollywood and its nearby coast. We walk the Spanish suburbs of Beck’s childhood, drive through Long Beach with Warren G and then up the Pacific Coast Highway with Sonic Youth – amongst many other hosts.
Celebrating the launch of the 2017 Ashes with some classic alternative music – from ‘Australians In Europe’ to ‘Ashes to Ashes’ via ‘Monty Got A Raw Deal’ and many others.
In Episode 11, we play some alt-epics. Celebrating various artists experimenting with longer form music from Television and Sonic Youth through DJ Shadow and The Microphones via Fiery Furnaces and Car Seat Headrest.
In our tenth episode we wonder what would have happened if. Featuring a wide range of artists, including an overdue debut for the Australians with The Go Betweens’ Dive For Your Memory
In Episode 9 of Sombrero Fallout, we take a listen to songs about brothers and sisters. Tracks about sibling rivalry and jealousy, but also about the importance of sisters and brothers in our lives.
The eighth episode of Sombrero Fallout shines the spotlight on songs of politics and protest, from the Vietnam War to the turmoil of today via personal politics and Marxist manifestos.
In our seventh episode we go back to the first year after punk rock, when music got really interesting. From The Buzzcocks to Joy Division via The Gang of Four, Wire and PIL, amongst many others.
In our sixth episode we head north of the border to Glasgow. The city has an amazing track record for producing some of the best alternative music of the last 40 years, from the Jesus And Mary Chain via Belle And Sebastian to Mogwai.
In our fifth episode, we start to feel extremely unsettled.
For our fourth episode we celebrate short stories in songs. The set starts with ‘Up the Junction’ by Squeeze and ends with ‘Frank’s Wild Years’ by Tom Waits, with an intriguingly varied literary journey in between.
The third episode of the Sombrero Fallout podcast, which gives you alternative music, intriguingly themed. Today’s theme celebrates the influence of the German group Kraftwerk, who have been described as more influential than The Beatles: a huge influence on hip-hop, ambient, electronica, disco and techno. But the band’s output from the last 70s and early 80s also featured some brilliant tunes in their own right.
The second episode of the Sombrero Fallout podcast, which gives you alternative music, intriguingly themed. Today’s theme celebrates science fiction, from Roswell to infinity and beyond. A familiar topic for books and films, but a surprisingly varied track list, assembled for you to enjoy.
The first episode of the Sombrero Fallout podcast, which gives you alternative music, intriguingly themed. Today’s theme celebrates the female icons of the British punk and post-punk movement. Topically more relevant than ever, the music itself has aged surprisingly well.
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