We return to our original format with two random songs, no special theme this time. We talk about an up and coming pop star as well as an established but relatively unknown prog metal band.Our Songs for This Week:Escapism (featuring 070 Shake) by Raye, from her 2023 album My 21st Century Blues released via Human Re Sources.1985 by Haken, from their 2016 album Affinity released via Inside Out Music.Support the show

First of all, our apologies for missing an episode in April. We suffered some loss in our family, including our dog Leela. In this episode we pay tribute to our puppers, and pick two songs that remind us of her. We barely talk about our songs, and we just ended up talking about our pups the majority of the time.The release date of this episode is also no coincidence, as it would have been her 16th birthday. Rest in peace Leela, we love you and miss you every day!Our Songs for This Week:A Life Embossed by Protest the Hero, from their 2013 self-released album Volition.Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé, from her 2011 album 4 released via Columbia Records.Support the show

New episode! We have another edition of Criss Cross Applesauce for you. Sam chooses a solo piano tune, and Peter chooses a heartfelt country tune.Our songs for this week:Fry Bread by Connor Chee, from his 2020 album Scenes from Dinétah self-released.My Only Child by The Highwomen, from their 2019 album The Highwomen released via Elektra RecordsAlso check out the video for Fry Bread https://youtu.be/7fItjTPtPEkSupport the show

And we're back!  In this episode, we pick songs that we think the other will absolutely hate. One of us is way more successful than the other, bet you can't guess! Thank you for your patience while we were away, and moving forward we will be releasing episodes less frequently. We're thinking once a month at this point. Thank you for sticking with us!Our songs for this week:Spit it Out by Pharmakon, from her 2019 album Devour released via Sacred Bones Records.Out in the Middle by Zac Brown Band, from their 2022 (Deluxe Edition, original album released in 2021) album The Comeback released via Home Grown Music and Warner Music Nashville.Support the show

Happy New Year friends! What a crazy year it's been.  This year we have tried something with a theme for almost every episode. It's been an absolute blast picking our songs for these themes, and we've even learned a thing or two.We can't wait to see what 2023 has to bring. Honestly, it's been tough to keep up a regular schedule these days, so we may be reducing the amount of episodes we release. We don't plan on going away though! We'll take a short break for the month of January, and we'll be back in February!Thank you so much to all of our supporters. We don't say it nearly enough, and we apologize for that. We are so grateful for every listen! Here's to a wonderful and prosperous 2023!Our Songs for this Episode (all from 2022):5We Cry Together by Kendrick Lamar featuring Taylour Paige, off of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers released via Aftermath/Interscope RecordsPut on Earth for You by MonoNeon, off of Put on Earth for You self-released4Nervous by Maren Morris, off of Humble Quest released via Sony Music EntertainmentFate of Man by Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Star One featuring Brittney Slayes and Michael Romeo, off of Revel in Time released via InsideOut3Poor Everybody Else by Carrie Underwood, off of Denim & Rhinestones released via UMG RecordingsAll of Sudden, You're Gone by Von Hertzen Brothers, off of Red Alert in the Blue Forest released via DoingBeingMusic22 Be Loved (Am I Ready) by Lizzo, off of Special released via Nice Life / AtlanticPhantoms by Meshuggah, off of Immutable released via Atomic Fire1In His Arms by Miranda Lambert, off of Palomino released via Vanner RecordsA Vagabond's Lament by Kardashev, off of Liminal Rite released via Metal Blade RecordsSupport the show

Happy National Native American Heritage Month! In this episode, we pick artists that have Native American ties. One from New England in North America, and one from Columbia in South America. As mentioned in the episode, if you're curious which indigenous lands you are on, check out Native Land Digital.Our songs for this week:You Never Told Me by The GroovaLottos, a 2021 single released via Midnight Groove Recordings / Liberation Multimedia, LLC.Orinoco (Live) by Cimarrón, a self released 2021 single. Also check out the music video for Orinoco.Finally, the honorable mention Sam was talking about at the end of the episode is K-Pop Dream Boy by The Martin Sisters.Support the show

This week we wanted to highlight transgender artists for Transgender Awareness Week, observed November 13 to November 19.  While we featured a transgender artist for our pride month episode, we wanted to go a step further and raise awareness of the transgender community. Our songs for this week:I Lie Here Buried with My Rings and My Dresses by Backxwash (featuring Ada Rook), off her 2021 album of the same name, released via Ugly Hag Records.A Guy Names Joe by Joe Stevens, off of the 2012 compilation 3 Guys & 6 Strings: The Encore, released via Joe Stevens, Eli Conley, Alex Davis, Storm Florez. Please consider donating to your local LGBTQIA+ center. Here are a few that we mention on this episode.The SF LGBT Center: https://www.sfcenter.org/The Oakland LGBTQ Center: https://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/The Amidala Initiative for Equality Texas: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-amidala-initiative-for-equality-texasOur Trans Home SF: https://www.ourtranshomesf.org/Support the show

For the conclusion of our two part episode, we continue our discussion of opera songs with friendo Kris! We continue with a metal rendition of a famous aria, and conclude with one of the most iconic arias of all time.Thanks again to Kris for joining us, and we hope you enjoyed this two part special!Our songs for this week:Nessun Dorma by Manowar, off their 2002 album Warriors of the World released via Nuclear BlastDer Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen (Queen of the Night Aria)  by Diana Damrau, off her 2007 album Arie di Bravura released via EMI Records / Virgin ClassicsSupport the show

For this two part episode, we invited friendo of the pod Kris back on! This time we are covering opera songs! We start off with Sarah Brightman and discussing the world of popera. This is only part 1 of 2, so please stay tuned for part 2!Stay tuned for part 2 in a couple weeks, where we cover both Sam and Peter's songs!Our song for this week:O mio babbino caro by Sarah Brightman, off her 2001 album Classics released via Angel Records.Support the show

This week we decide to go back to our regular format with no theme. Sam revisits The Marfa Tapes which you heard in our top 5 songs of 2021, and Peter shares a song with an American Idol!Our songs for this week:Home Grown Tomatoes by Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, and Jon Randall, off their 2021 album The Marfa Tapes released via RCA Nashville.Takeover by District 97, off their 2015 album In Vaults, released via The Laser's Edge.Support the show

Happy (belated) birthday to the late great Freddie Mercury! In this episode, we choose two songs by Queen that were primarily written by Freddie Mercury. His songwriting, his vocal talent, and his stage presence are truly unparalleled. Unfortunately, he was taken from us too soon and succumbed to complications as a result from having AIDS. His influence continues to live on in the bands we listen today, and may he rest in power!Our songs for this week:Flick of the Wrist by Queen, off their 1974  album Sheer Heart Attack released via EMI / Elektra.Love of My Life by Queen, off their 1975 album A Night at the Opera released via EMI / Elektra.Support the show

This week, we wrap up our dive into Post by Björk! For part 2 we finish with the more chill and more subdued latter half of the album, including our favorites from this portion of the album. We absolutely loved re-listening to this album, and we hope you enjoyed our discussion!All songs are from Post by Björk, released on June 7, 1995 released via  One Little Indian Records (United Kingdom), Elektra Records (United States and Canada), and Polydor Records (Australia and Japan). Support the show

This week, we return to a format we tried last year, and we take another deep dive into an album! Sam bought Post by Björk on whim at a used record store, and for a steal! It remains one of our favorite albums of all time, and is also important in Sam's vocalist journey!This episode is only part one, please stay tuned to part two in a couple weeks!All songs are from Post by Björk, released on June 7, 1995 released via  One Little Indian Records (United Kingdom), Elektra Records (United States and Canada), and Polydor Records (Australia and Japan). Support the show

This week we have a listener request for kid's songs! Thank you Jackie for requesting this episode. We had a blast recording this, and it was a nice break from the more serious heavy subjects as of late. We cover a song from an Animated show from our tween years, as well as a Finnish metal band that performs in dinosaur costumes and aims their music at children.Our songs for this week:Wakko's America by Animaniacs, off their 1993 album Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs released via WaterTower Music.Poro soitti taikarumpua by Hevisaurus, off their 2019 album Bändikouluun! released via Sony Music Entertainment Finland Oy.Support the show

On this episode, we pay tribute to artists in our respective genres. Trevor Strnad and Naomi Judd were large figures in the metal and country world respectively.  Unfortunately, they both took their own lives.We take this opportunity to talk about mental health. We are certainly not experts on the subject, but we at least want to have this conversation since it's an extremely important topic. Our songs for this week:Of God and Serpent, of Spectre and Snake by The Black Dahlia Murder, off their 2017  album Nightbringers released via Metal Blade Records.Girls Night Out by The Judds, off their 1984 single released via RCA Nashville.If you're having suicidal thoughts, please reach out and get help. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)Support the show

Here's part 2 of our celebration of Pride Month! We continue the fun with Mark and David and we conclude with Sam and Mark's songs! Big thanks to them once again for joining us, we had a total blast. We hope you all had a wonderful pride month filled with love and positivity!Our songs for this week:Skeletons by Brothers Osborne, off their 2020  album Skeletons released via EMI Nashville.I Am What I Am (2014 Club Version) by Gloria Gaynor, a 2014 single released via Silver Blue Productions Ltd.You can find David's (aka DJ Davey) 10 @ 10 series here: https://soundcloud.com/david-archwamety. Also follow him on Twitter @batmanpopfigureYou can find Mark co-hosting Pink Milk (After Dark) where you can find them "Talking Star Wars, Queerly!" Also follow him on Twitter @iameldiablitoFinally, please consider donating to The Amidala Initiative which benefits the Eqtx Equality Texas Foundation. They stand together with their trans siblings and their families in Texas, where recent bills are specifically targeting trans and non-binary youth.  You can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-amidala-initiative-for-equality-texasSupport the show

Happy Pride Month! For this very special 2 part episode, we have invited another couple to join us! We talk to Mark and David about how we all celebrate pride, and we share and discuss LGBTQIA+ artists / songs. With the four of us each sharing a song, this episode ended up being fairly massive. This is just part 1 and it's over an hour long!Our songs for this week:Body of Song by Bob Mould, off his 2005 album Body of Song released via Granary Music / Yep Roc Records.SIHEYMN's Lament by Liturgy, off their 2020 album Origin of the Alimonies released via YLYLCYN.You can find David's (aka DJ Davey) 10 @ 10 series here: https://soundcloud.com/david-archwamety. Also follow him on Twitter @batmanpopfigureYou can find Mark co-hosting Pink Milk (After Dark) where you can find them "Talking Star Wars, Queerly!" Also follow him on Twitter @iameldiablitoFinally, please consider donating to The Amidala Initiative which benefits the Eqtx Equality Texas Foundation. They stand together with their trans siblings and their families in Texas, where recent bills are specifically targeting trans and non-binary youth.  You can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-amidala-initiative-for-equality-texasSupport the show

Hello friends! I cut a big chunk of the end of our special episode with Kris. It didn't have much to do with the songs, but I found the conversation to be interesting and I hope you do too. Unfortunately, we've had some IRL (In Real Life) things get in the way of our regularly scheduled program, so I'm stalling a bit with this mini episode. But I wanted to release something for y'all!I hope you enjoy this little mini, and new episode coming up soon!Support the show

It's part two of our celebration of Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! In the conclusion of this special episode, we go through Sam and Peter's songs and to discuss with our friendo Kris!Our songs for this week:日月神教第一節 (Sun Moon Holy Cult Part 1) by Ripped to Shreds, off their 2019 self-released EP 魔經 - Demon Scriptures.Freelance by Toro y Moi, off his 2019 album Outer Peace released via Carpark Records.Support the show

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! In this two part episode, we invite our very good friendo, Kris! We've known him for quite some time, and he was even in our wedding party. For part 1, we cover Kris' song by K-pop supergroup GOT the beat. He's a big fan of K-pop and was the perfect person to speak to teach us the ins and outs of how The Avengers of K-pop was formed.Stay tuned for part 2 in a couple weeks, where we cover both Sam and Peter's songs!Our song for this week:Step Back by GOT the Beat, a 2022 single released via SM Entertainment and Dreamus.Support the show