B-Side Banter

Some collectors chase hype — others chase history.
In this episode of Pressed, I’m joined by Smitty from Smitty Soul Shack — a lifelong R&B, jazz, and soul collector — to talk about why classic records still move us in ways modern music can’t.

We dig into:

• How his grandfather’s jazz collection sparked a lifelong passion 🎷

• Why soul and R&B hit differently (hint: it’s the church roots)

• The magic of bargain-bin finds and c...

🌍 Welcome back to B-Side Banter! 🌍

This week I’m joined by Jakk from A1234, one of the internet’s sharpest voices on global music discovery. We dive deep into the world’s hidden music gems—everything from the “Polish Beatles” to the wild underground scene of Japanese jazz punk.

Jakk shares must-listen albums from every continent, stories of overlooked legends like Johnny Alf (the real pioneer of bossa nova) and Miriam Makeb...

Few brands in vinyl spark as much debate as Crosley. In this episode of Pressed, I sit down with Caitlin and Barrett from Crosley Record Players to talk about the brand’s history, clear the air on whether Crosley Cruisers really ruin your records, and dive into how inclusivity and accessibility are shaping the future of vinyl.

We also cover:

• The surprising 100+ year history of Crosley, from radios to cars to record players

• Whe...

🔥 Djo’s moment is here. 🔥

In this episode of B-Side Banter, I sit down with Kelly from Djo Daily to unpack the meteoric rise of Joe Keery’s music career. We trace his journey from Post Animal to Stranger Things fame, the viral breakout of “End of Beginning,” and why The Crux Deluxe might be the perfect album of the summer.

We debate whether Djo should be considered a musician first, actor second, break down the unique nosta...

🔥 One of the biggest names in music podcasting joins B-Side Banter! 🔥In this episode, I sit down with Cole Cuchna, the creator of the acclaimed Dissect podcast, for a deep dive into music, culture, and the art of analysis. Cole opens up about the grind of starting Dissect, why To Pimp a Butterfly changed his life, and how breaking down Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics forced him to reflect on himself.We also explore the polarizing world o...

Vinyl collecting isn’t the same everywhere — and in Australia, it comes with a unique set of challenges. In this episode of Pressed, I’m joined by Jenny Jamball, an Australian collector, to talk about the struggles of finding pressings down under and her journey as a woman in a male-dominated vinyl community.We get into:• Why records are harder (and more expensive) to find in Australia 🇦🇺• The wild price difference between U.S. a...

🔥 Welcome back to B-Side Banter! 🔥

In this episode, I’m joined by Agustina, a rising TikTok creator known for her love of 80s and 90s music — from The Smiths and The Cure to shoegaze, post-punk, and beyond. We dive into the blurred lines between goth and emo, the lasting influence of bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Cocteau Twins, and Depeche Mode, and what makes gothic music feel so grand compared to emo’s angst.

We also expl...

🔥 Welcome back to B-Side Banter! 🔥

In this episode, I’m joined by Matt — better known as FuegoStein, one of the internet’s go-to voices for indie music discovery. We dive deep into the grind of touring for indie artists, why so many struggle to break through, and how merch and vinyl sales often keep them alive.

We also break down the cultural impact of Noah Kahan’s Stick Season, the debate over gatekeeping when indie artist...

Welcome back to Pressed! In Episode 2, I’m joined by Giggens—a lifelong vinyl collector and co-manager of Static Era Records in Connecticut.We dive into the journey from being a kid digging through garage sales to managing a record store during the vinyl resurgence. Giggens shares:• How his personal collection grew to 3,000+ records 📀• Wild finds inside jackets (money, notes, even weed 😅)• The coolest 5,000-record collection the ...

🔥 Hip-hop is in flux — and we’re diving ALL the way in. 🔥In this episode of B-Side Banter, I’m joined by music reviewer Tyson to break down the current state of rap in 2025—from the cultural aftershocks of the Drake vs. Kendrick beef, to Tyler, The Creator’s surprising new direction, to the underground wave that’s reshaping the sound of the genre.We talk about what’s real vs. what’s hype, the artists carrying the torch for authen...

Welcome to the very first episode of Pressed! 🎶

In this debut, I sit down with Jason from Groovline Vinyl to explore how a record collection is never really finished—it grows, shifts, and reshapes with every stage of life. Jason shares how his collection exploded during the pandemic, why he started buying bulk collections and reselling records, and how his love for vinyl eventually led him into DJing.

We also dive into:

• The...

🔥 Welcome back to B-Side Banter! 🔥 In Episode 26, I’m joined by Alex Mars—better known as Vinyl by Mars, one of the top voices in pop music commentary across TikTok, Instagram, and Substack.

We dive deep into:

🎶 Taylor Swift’s upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl — will her return to Max Martin & Shellback mark another 1989-level era?

🎶 The rise of Gen Z pop girlies (Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Chapel R...

🔥 Erika is here for B-Side Banter Ep. 26, and she’s bringing the HEAT with some of the hottest music opinions you’ll hear all year.

We dive into her love for Pink Floyd, The Strokes, and Arctic Monkeys, her obsession with Lana Del Rey & Björk, and her very strong feelings about Alex Warren, Addison Rae, Sabrina Carpenter, and Noah Kahan. From arguing why older music hits harder to picking 5 albums everyone must hear, this e...

In this episode of B-Side Banter, Tyler interviews Joe Donnelly, a music reviewer known for his engaging content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Joe shares his journey from radio to creating music review videos, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in music criticism.

They discuss the reactions to Joe's ranking videos, particularly those on Radiohead and Pink Floyd, and the challenges of engaging with passionate f...

On this episode of B-Side Banter, Tyler sits down with collector, curator, and music historian Smitty to talk about the crossroads of soul, hip-hop, jazz, and country—and why certain genres seem to resist blending.They cover everything from:• Smitty’s first jazz record at age 12 🎷• His complicated relationship with country music 🤠• Forgotten legends like Jackie Wilson & Frankie Lymon 🎤• Why the 80s might be underrated for po...

In this episode of B-Side Banter, Tyler interviews epotty, a passionate content creator and Tyler the Creator superfan. They discuss the recent surprise album release by Tyler the Creator, epotty's unique approach to music content creation, and the significance of Tyler's evolution as an artist. 

The conversation also touches on the impact of Odd Future, the characters Tyler has embodied in his music, and the influence he ...

In this engaging conversation, Sal Luciano and Tyler delve into the current landscape of hip-hop, focusing on the dynamics between major artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar. They discuss the buzz surrounding Drake's recent activities, including his upcoming OVO Fest and speculations about his new album. The conversation also touches on the impact of public perception on artists, the humor and charisma of Drake, and the surpr...

In this episode of B-side Banter, Tyler, Honeybee Reviews, and Mike Tee reflect on the music landscape of 2025, discussing exciting moments, disappointing albums, and the cultural impact of hip-hop. 

They delve into the state of the charts, the influence of producers like Jack Antonoff, and the mixed reception of Lorde's latest album. The conversation highlights the highs and lows of the music industry, providing insights into ...

In this episode of B-Side Banter, Tyler engages with What's The Buzz?, a content creator focused on hip hop. They discuss the evolution of short-form content, the complexities of hip hop news, and the artistic depth of figures like Pusha T. 

The conversation delves into current tensions in the hip hop community, particularly between Pusha T and Travis Scott, and explores the impact of marketing and streaming on music authentici...