The Cobain 50
by KEXP
Kurt Cobain’s influence went beyond just the music he created with Nirvana. He also put the masses on to some of his own favorite artists. One particular document from his journals has been instructive to many fans – his top 50 albums. Each week, The Cobain 50 podcast digs into albums from this famous list and how they may have influenced Cobain and Nirvana. While learning the individual histories of the different albums on the list, we gain new insights into artists on the fringes as well as some of the biggest groups of all time. The podcast takes us through the legacies of acts like Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Breeders, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Black Flag, Mazzy Star, The Shaggs, Shonen Knife, and more. Episodes drop weekly starting January 10, 2024.
Episodes
The Shaggs – Philosophy of the World (1969)
31m · PublishedMartin Douglas dives into Philosophy of the World by The Shaggs. As prophesied by a palm reading, this band of sisters from a small town in New Hampshire would become famous. However, nobody could have predicted the band's "intriguing" sound — or whether they would actually have a fun time performing music.
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols (1977)
48m · PublishedDusty Henry dives into Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols by the Sex Pistols. They set the stage for mainstream views of punk in terms of style, substance, and attitude.
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shonen Knife – Burning Farm (1985 via K Records)
30m · PublishedKicking off KEXP's month-long Pushing Boundaries celebration, Martin Douglas and Janice Headley dive into Shonen Knife’s Burning Farm, which was released in America by Olympia, Washington’s own K Records. Founding members Naoko and Atsuko Yamano share stories of touring with Nirvana in 1991. Plus, we celebrate this Osaka-based trio’s 40-year history of songs about food, animals, and toys.
Special thanks to Yuko Headley for translation assistance.
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Producers: Martin Douglas and Janice Headley
Mixing and mastering: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bonus: Introducing KEXP's In Our Headphones
36m · PublishedThe Cobain 50 returns May 1 with Shonen Knife's Burning Farm (K Records version) from 1985.
This week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: In Our Headphones, the evolution of our longstanding Song of the Day podcast. Hosted by Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili, this weekly interview series features KEXP DJs sharing their new favorite music. You'll hear the backstory about each artist and song, as well as each DJ’s personal connection to the music.
Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobain
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bonus: Introducing KEXP's A Deeper Listen
31m · PublishedThe Cobain 50 returns May 1 with Shonen Knife's Burning Farm (K Records version) from 1985.
This week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: A Deeper Listen, where Emily Fox and other storytellers at KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.
Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobain
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Roundtable: Women in Punk
46m · PublishedDusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, Janice Headley, and Roddy Nikpour explore some of the women-led bands on Kurt's list, Kurt's feminism, and the very notion of grouping bands together based on gender identity.
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain
00:00: Intro
TK:TK:
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30 Years After Kurt's Death
1h 0m · PublishedIn this special episode, marking 30 years since Kurt's death, we recorded a roundtable "love letter" at the Kurt Cobain Memorial Bench in Viretta Park in Seattle, where Kurt is said to have written some of his lyrics. We'll also hear from contemporary bands and music industry workers about the impact that Kurt had on them.
Hosts: Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera
Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
Audio production support: Isabel Khalili
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain
00:00: Intro
02:23: About the bench
07:15: Our earliest memories of Nirvana
10:58: Testimonials from Nicolle Swims (Black Ends), AJ Suede, Donita Sparks (L7), Aramis Johnson (Enumclaw)
17:31: Our relationships with Nirvana over time
21:43: Kurt's short and fast life
23:33: Our favorite Nirvana songs
28:14: Testimonials from Rachel Ratner (Wimps), Dave Ramm (Wimps), Alicia Bognanno (Bully), Shaina Shepherd
35:08: Nirvana moments that bring us joy
41:36: Testimonials from DJ Riz Rollins (KEXP), Annina Rodriguez (X 102.1), Emi Pop, Ana Espinosa (Vondré), Diego Ramirez (Joudy), Fran Straube (Rubio)
48:18: Nirvana's impact on the Pacific Northwest and beyond
54:41: Final thoughts on Kurt's legacy
59:40: Credits
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Anything by Kleenex (1978-1983)
25m · PublishedMartin Douglas dives into the legacy of the Swiss band Kleenex, later known as LiLiPUT. Kurt's list doesn't specify a particular album from Kleenex. Their entire discography is just that good, marrying the worlds of Dada art and punk rock.
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio producers: Martin Douglasand Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Raincoats – The Raincoats (1979)
23m · PublishedJanice Headley dives into the legacy of The Raincoats, whose self-titled 1979 debut album inspired both Nirvana and the ‘90s riot grrrl scene. We also hear from Gina Birch, cofounder of The Raincoats, as well as Jenn Pelly, author of a book on the band as part of the 33⅓ series.
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Audio Producer: Janice Headley
Mixed & Mastered: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Slits – Cut (1979)
35m · PublishedMartin Douglas dives into Cut by The Slits (written in Kurt's list as "Typical Girls," the lead single from the album). They were one of the very first punk bands made up mostly of women, and their style incorporated elements from reggae and dub. Despite their innovation, the members of the Slits had to withstand a brutally misogynistic culture for it to actually mean something in the long term.
Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
Written + Produced: Martin Douglas
Mixed + Mastered: Roddy Nikpour
Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Cobain 50 has 81 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 25:51:10. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on February 22nd 2023. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on May 16th, 2024 20:41.
