These two are great music writers, so it’s not surprising they’re great podcasters as well.

Kind of annoying, drink every time they say “artist of that ilk” they love to classify subgenres whether you’re into it or not.

Fantastic weekly rundown of the indie musicsphere with two top-tier writers and critics whom I’ve been reading and listening to for years now. We’re lucky to have them, folks!

There is an absolute dearth of good music podcasts for folks of a certain age. I keep coming back to this one and am repeatedly disappointed by the mainstream weathervane opinions of the hosts.

I look forward to listening to this first thing every Friday morning. It reminds me of the music geek conversations I used to have with friends. The guys have enough difference and convergence of opinion to make the show engaging rather than annoying. I appreciate the weekly music picks, too! I have discovered several new bands from them that aren’t getting love from other music sites and pods, especially Ian, who leans more into emo and hardcore. Definitely check out Hyden’s books, too. They are enjoyable and clever. Maybe less on sports, though.

His opinions are not well-formed or interesting.

Their dedication to a Robbie arobertson and propping up HIS side of the story is disgusting. #Justice4Levon

I love this podcast. Have been listening every week since it started. Great chemistry between Ian and Steven. The show is entertaining and informative. Only downer is that they never read my emails about Indie Groove (Goose, Garcia Peoples, etc). They are the best live shows out there!

On the last few, a good chunk devoted to fantasy albums and their ratings. It just doesn’t translate to something compelling to listen to. Especially when a lot of the content is repeated. Otherwise, appreciate your commentary

Never stop digressing into SportzCast

The stereotypical music review person who thinks their opinions are better than others gets old. Steven and Ian both do it and it’s not an attractive quality. Especially when a good chunk of their recommendations are trash. Middle of the road pod the more you listen.

Love these guys. I’d give em 69 stars if I could, but I can’t so 5 will do. I would also give them 1 star since they never respond to my mailbag questions that are sure to produce interesting conversation. Just kidding, this pod rules and my questions are usually s#!+.

Steven and Ian bring years of intelligent rock criticism to bear on their weekly show that discusses what’s going on in the indie rock world. They’re definitely more inclined to laugh things off than take them too seriously. They charmingly lack discipline for their discussion, often saying up front on a subject, this is hardly worth talking about, then talking about it for ten minutes. But it’s all good stuff so it’s fun to ride along with their chat. Wish wish wish they could actually play cuts from the music they’re discussing, but it’s easy enough to bop over to my streaming service and listen for myself. Still… Great dialogue from dialed in dudes.

love the pod. i appreciate the music recommendations and opinions. i don’t have many friends who listen to similar music so it’s great to have steve and ian

Really enjoy the podcast even though I’m not a huge podcast consumer. Fun banter about the state of “indie” (aka “alternative” or “independent”) music and the larger music industry. As long time industry insiders and writers for publications like Spin and Pitchfork and Uproxx, they’ve got some good insights into the behind-the-scenes world of rock, but they mostly talk about music from a fan perspective. And while the sweet spot of their insights might hit hardest for 30-50 year old dudes who remember The Strokes fondly and dig Wilco and The National, there’s also discussion of Taylor Swift and Harry Styles and Phoebe Bridgers and other genres like emo, punk, metal and electronic, plus some history lessons for those who aren’t old enough to remember the 80s or 90s.

Call it “indie” cast and immediately start talking about Taylor Swift? No thanks

One of the highlights of the week is listening to the new episode each Friday. The great banter and trend-hashing never disappoint and always looking forward to many more.

I love remembering some guys with these guys. As someone interested in indie music and how it intersects with mainstream culture, and an avid consumer of music criticism, I’ve enjoyed hearing how the sausage is made when it comes to reviewing, etc.

Interesting insights on music and industry. I appreciate these two journalists. I only question how two journalists use the word "LIKE" every other word, when in discussion. Two people who are piad to write articles. Those articles are great by the way. So, take a page from your newsletter and articles, and remove "LIKE" from your verbal journalism as well. It "LIKE" gets "LIKE" monotonous. Can you imagine if lyrics you dicusss did this ? How tough would your already tough job be ?

I look forward to it dropping every Friday. Steve and Ian strike a great balance of “remembering some guys” and hashing out current trends. My favorite podcast.

Easily my favorite music podcast. The banter cracks me up, and you can tell their actual interest in the music. As someone who’s always loved the indie/emo music scene, this podcast is perfect for me.

Essential catch-up material for people who have drifted out of the indie scene for, oh, the entire century. Steven and Ian are 2 dudes who RAWk! Thanks guys !!!

As a forty-something dude whose music tastes were forged by my dad’s classic rock vinyl, ‘90s alternative, New Wave, Heartland rock, and 2000’s indie, and who taught himself guitar in part by playing along to Clarity and Bleed American, how could I not love this podcast?

Hyden blocked me on Twitter yesterday from his personal page and apparently the Indiecast page as well. I’m not even sure why. I’ve been a loyal Indiecast listener, and I also championed his Rivals pod from a few years back. I’m in the middle of a deep dive into Radiohead, and just this week was going to buy the Kid A book and pre order the upcoming PJ book. No more. For what it’s worth to you (if anything), being a diva cost you two book sales, a podcast subscriber, and a genuine fan.

When you need to know when the next vibe shift happens, they got back and they’ll be there to hash out trends.

Two knowledgeable dudes having fun, talking tunes while also sharing great recommendations. It’s a good time, they don’t take themselves too seriously but they also really know their stuff. I feel like it’s the music podcast I’ve always wanted and it’s a must listen for anyone passionate about the indie music scene.

My music playlists needed some variety, so I decided to check out this pod. Steve and Ian give great music recommendations and the pod is entertaining enough to listen to even when I am not familiar with the bands. I absolutely recommend checking it out.

As a washed 30 something this show is perfect

Great podcast featuring one of the all-time smartest music critics, Steven Hayden formerly of AV Club - Milwaukee. As an aging Dad of 4 struggling to remain relevant I appreciate getting introduced to a lot of great bands even if I still don’t quite get the appeal of Big Thief

Steven and Ian nail it with their coverage of indie rock. Their topic curation is solid. Even when I'm listening to a discussion of an album I hadn't listened to, their metanarrative takes make the conversation in its own right a form of artistry.

Love it!

My favorite music critics going. The recommendation corner alone is worth the weekly listen.

Every week I look forward to hearing Steven and Ian work through the discourse, finding time to discuss current artists while also remembering some guys. As a person who has all but completely abandoned social media, I appreciate having these two to bring me all the important indie news I miss by not being on twitter. I also enjoy hearing the nuance and intelligence these guys bring to the conversation from all their years of experience in music writing. At the end of the day, where else are you going to get your trends hashed?

If you ever wanted to listen to one guy talk about Sidney Crosby deep cuts and another guy talk about 5th Wave emo and both of them fight over late-period Built to Spill albums have I got a podcast for you!

I admit I only listened to this year end podcast for half hour and I do not know who the hosts are. However I found their entire show nothing but judging bands’ cultural merits one after another, and not in a good way. I was kind of enjoying the banter until I realized it was all just armchair quarterbacking.

Look forward to listening to these two legends hash out trends every week. Essentially grew up on these guys’ writing, and it’s truly a pleasure tuning in to hear their discussions. My favorite pod out there, and definitely the best music podcast you can listen to. Their insight into what’s going on in the music world, their breakdowns of new albums, recommendations, and the Indiecast Hall of Fame are all a delight. Thanks Steve and Ian!

My son’s first words were - “My name is Steven Hyden and I’m joined by my friend and co-host Ian Cohen, Ian, how are you?”

This show was such a gift during Covid. It felt like the conversation I used to have with friends in bars or outside shows in the “before times”. I am in the prime demo for this show (30’s, no kids, live in Chicago, used to live in Brooklyn) but I feel like you can enjoy this even if you don’t get every single reference. It’s a good hang. Steve and Ian, why don’t you do a premium level membership? I would pay for an extra hour a week. Maybe more deep dives into specific artists or albums? Or maybe you could bring in a guest for special episodes? I have so many ideas, each one better than the last. Call me Ian!

no better place for the hashing out of trends

A great hang out podcast, Stephen and Ian are great hosts. It’s indie-focused but they branch out to other indie related bands and performers. I’ve discovered so many great albums through their recs, highly recommended. Need more Jimothy jokes though.

Started listening to the show after the first two episodes aired and have been following ever since. Big fan of both writers and enjoy their discourse on indie music from all different years. I really appreciate their recommendations at the end of the show as I have found multiple artists that I’ve enjoyed based on those.

Two awesome music writers talking shop love it!

If you’re looking for news, reviews, and hashing out trends in indie music, look no further.

Ian and Steven have that rare but wonderful chemistry that’s hard to find in music podcasts. Not only that, this is probably the only podcast that takes emo seriously yet isn’t only interested in emo. I would definitely rate this show above the Peppa Pig line if giving a Pitchfork review.

Such a delight listening to Steve and Ian every week. I really appreciate their insights and, yes, the hashing out of trends. And like other reviews have mentioned, so many great recommendations have really broadened my horizons.

Lots of great recs that will get you out of your comfort zone with music. Got me out of a rut listening to the save stuff. Plus great banter and reviews from Ian on old shows

My best friends

Steve and Ian are my soulmates

5 stars for the music related commentary. However social/political commentary is derivative and lacks the nuance and critical thinking that occurs in the main stream media today.

I keep forgetting to do this, but I just had the realization that my Friday mornings would feel completely vacant if it weren’t for these two and the pod they’ve created. Even with a plethora of new releases to check out every week, it just wouldn’t feel the same if I wasn’t able to kick off my weekend by listening to Steven ask Ian “how are you?”