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EarWax

EarWax Team

EarWax is a deep-dive music podcast hosted by two longtime record store clerks, Hilary and Cody, who are steeped in music history.

Each week, we unpack the story of a single album - how it was made, where it fits in the cultural moment that shaped it, and why it still matters. From iconic classics to cult gems, we explore the music that moves us and the stories that stick.

You’ll also hear about the latest releases and what’s buzzing in our world of vinyl bins and liner notes. Think of it like your favorite record store hang, just in podcast form.

EarWax is for anyone who loves music with context, history, and heart.

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  • 38 episodes
  • Avg 51 min
  • English

Episodes 38

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  • Yesterday · 1 hr 21 min

    Ep. 120: Anderson .Paak - Malibu

    We've really done 120 of these joints? Psshhhh, and we're just getting started. So why not kick off the next journey to another milestone with a modern day all-timer, Malibu. Anderson .Paak's path to conquering all media was touch-and-go, but when given a shot, he grabbed hold and hasn't let go since. The EarWax crew talks Dre, Breezy Lovejoy, the immaculate groove of "Come Down", and everything in between. Malibu was essentially crowned as soon as it dropped, and time has only been even more kind to this landmark record by one of the best doing it today. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • Yesterday · 23 min

    Music This Week 11-13-26

    Howdy hello and salutations - we've got some new releases and some breaking news news is breaking right here on Music This Week. Are your hopes up? Consider them dashed. No Sade performance at the Rock Hall ceremony. The wait continues... Fucked Up, you say? Why yes, they are dropping a new record. More in store on Music. This. Weeeeeeeeeeeeek. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • November 6 · 1 hr 28 min

    Ep. 119: Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want To Turn Into You

    Gorgeous. Stunning. Brilliant. Ambitious. Genius. All ways that you could describe the EarWax crew. But more accurately, all adjectives that apply to this week's album - Caroline Polacheck's Desire, I Want To Turn Into You A piece of art-pop (and really just pop) perfection. Caroline Polachek has been labeled as one of those "your favorite artist's favorite artist" types. And for damn good reason. This record is everything that is right with thoughtful pop. You want some bangers? Pffff, here ya go. A Dido feature? Yes sir...oorrrr ma'am, we are equal opportunity here. And lyrics that feel smarter than you are? Well, yeah, but you'll have to listen to the songs multiple times. The first few run throughs you'll be too focused on her voice, or the production. It's just simply great. Go spin it, and then listen to us fawn. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • November 6 · 28 min

    Music This Week 11-6-26

    Your favorite companion show is dropping another hot episode of new releases and scorching music news takes. Spencer and crew talk Metallica and the Sphere, and how cool it is to not be at all political in a metal band... Anyhow, thanks for listening (and voting)! See what else we got in store for ya on Music. This. Week. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • October 30 · 1 hr 21 min

    Ep. 118: King Diamond - Abigail

    Ooooooooaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! <----- That's us doing our best falsetto wail in anticipation of this week's album - Abigail, by King Diamond. We've got a lovely side quest into Anton LaVey and his definitely legitimate take on Satanism, but the focus here is the story of Abigail La'Fey, who we now know was first born dead on the 7th day of July, 1777... And watch out for those slippery stairs. The very trustworthy ghost hipped me to them. Abigail's legacy is locked into metal canon, and King Diamond (both the band and the individual) are here to take names...and souls! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • October 30 · 24 min

    Music This Week 10-30-26

    Back for a spoooooooky installment of your favorite spot to hear all the totally correct takes on music news. Except this week, we've got scary stories from music history!!!!! Ozzy and Tony Iommi seeing ghosts in a castle. The Mars Volta and their cursed record (thanks a lot, Ouija boards). What else lies in store? Besides new releases, we always have some of those. Check it out, if you dare! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • October 23 · 1 hr 10 min

    Ep. 117: Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones

    What in the actually-good-celebrity-project do we have here? See, but that's not even doing this week's album justice. Because we have a prominently featured children's choir! The EarWax crew chop it up about Dead Man's Bones' self-titled (and as of this episode - only) record. If spooky-cozy were a genre, this album would be the prime example of that. Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields both love the macabre, they both wanna make some jamz, and so they did. And what we get is one of the chillest, most lovely Halloween-ish records out there. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • October 9 · 1 hr 12 min

    Ep. 116: Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil

    Sometimes we get to tell wonderful stories about cool people. Amidst all the scumminess of the music industry, there do exist the real ones. We talk about one of the realest - Wayne Shorter - and his unbelievable record "Speak No Evil". With a lineup whose collective resumes are longer than two CVS receipts, this album bridges Shorter's timeline - connecting the past, present, and future while still sounding entirely unique. It's haunting, vulnerable, cool, and sweet. Pretty much all ways you could also describe Wayne Shorter. God, I wish we could have been friends! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • October 9 · 24 min

    Music This Week 10-9-26

    Ayo, we are back. Mainly it's Spencer who is back, Hilary and Cody neva left. Regardless, we got new releases and music news aplenty in this installment of Music This Week. How about Sheryl Crow dropping a new record? Mmmm, oh, and Zach Bryan rocking the Free Palestine shirt right in Robert Kraft's stadium. Beautiful, simply beautiful. All that and a whole heck of a lot more inside Music. This. Weeeeeeeeeek. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • October 2 · 1 hr 3 min

    Ep. 115: 100 gecs - 1000 gecs

    Set the controls on full fuckin' blast, we are headed into the universe of whenever - somewhere in the future...except it's happening right now on this week's episode! Cody and Hilary hold on for dear life breaking down Dylan Brady and Laura Les' genreless and genre defining 1000 gecs. It's just weird, man, in a great way. Go listen for yourself, you'll see, and then you'll come back to it out of curiosity, then because it's just so damn catchy, and finally, because it has so. much. heart. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • September 25 · 1 hr 21 min

    Ep. 114: Lil' Kim - Hard Core

    We don't do parental advisories here, because we're cool. But if we did, this week's episode would be plastered with warnings so the youths' ears are not exposed to the intense, raw, unfiltered glory that is Lil' Kim's "Hard Core". Kim unflinchingly tackles basically everything to do with her sexuality with candor far ahead of its time. "Hard Core" is really the only title befitting the debut album from one of hip-hop's pioneers. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • September 25 · 31 min

    Music This Week 9-25-26

    Hey, enjoy this episode of Music This Week. Because next week, you won't have one to enjoy. Why? How dare you pry. Don't fret, it'll only be a one week absence. But for now, enjoy Spencer guiding the EarWax crew along a stable of new releases, a follow-up to a story from last week, oh and William Shatner making a metal album. That'll be great. For sure it will be. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • September 18 · 1 hr 20 min

    Ep. 113: Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy

    We need you folks to help determine whether or not this week's album is truly a concept record. Cody and Hilary debate (not really, it's not a concept album) the conceptness of Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy". In the midst of a career slump, relative to his stellar career, of course, Campbell linked up with a couple of pop producers and churned out a record full of proto-yacht rock grooves and earnest sadboy lyrics. Gorgeous production and immaculate execution, "Rhinestone Cowboy" rocketed Glen Campbell right back where he belongs among the music royalty. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • September 18 · 28 min

    Music This Week 9-18-26

    New releases galore! How about Neil Young crossing the 50 album mark? But really, we all know what the big headline is this week. Bon Iver writing a bar jingle! Meatloaf dippers! But really really, Spencer leads the way as we chat about what's coming out, as well as the public outcry from Macklemore being removed from Ed Sheeran's tour. Tune in and hear our takes on all the new drops and headlines. Free Palestine. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • September 11 · 1 hr 7 min

    Ep. 112: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

    Crank this one up well past the point of your ears hurting. It's only fitting you walk away from this week's episode with a touch of tinnitus. Hilary and Cody try to get their arms around the story behind My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless." The narratives clash, compete, and careen - much like the music on this record. Is Kevin Shields a genius? Perhaps. Is 19 studios too many studios? Also perhaps. But without a doubt, "Loveless" is a cornerstone of shoegaze, and its story is as fascinating as the tunes within. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • September 11 · 25 min

    Music This Week 9-11-26

    We got a hot batch of new releases headed your way, and stories fresh (or day-old but still good) off the presses! 2Pac's murder solved! A rock/country beef that is totally justified and very cool, jack. Don't get it twisted, Music This Week is all gas...as it always is. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • September 4 · 1 hr 3 min

    Ep. 111: Chaka Khan - I Feel For You

    We are baaaaaaaaaack!!!! The EarWax crew braces the unrelenting heat to bring you a fresh episode. And what an album to bring us back - Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You". Where does one go after almost a decade of fronting the unbelievably funky Rufus? She goes out on her own and rules the early 80s, obviously. With appearances by Melle Mel, Stevie Wonder, a song written by Prince, and plenty of Chaka's fire, "I Feel For You" showed that she was going to stay around well beyond the 70s. Chaka Khan stays crushing it to this day, and this record...well, just go listen. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • September 4 · 24 min

    Music This Week 9-4-26

    Welcome welcome to Music This Week. Spencer guides our return through a few albums that dropped during the break. But really, this one is all about Dolly, as it should be. The biggest music news of the summer, and of the year, is the passing of country music royalty. Dolly Parton was and is an icon, and it was an honor to spend a few minutes talking about her legacy - in and beyond music. Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • June 26 · 1 hr 36 min

    Ep. 110: Lady Gaga - Born This Way

    One more before the EarWax crew takes a summer break, so let's make it iconic, yeah? Born This Way. Lady Gaga. You already know it. Now come learn about Mother Monster and one of most "most" albums of the 2010s. Hilary and Cody try to get their arms around an album that is a relentless onslaught of pop, helmed by an artiste who makes no bones about pushing to be a superstar. Whether gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender life, Born This Way was made to be cranked waaaaaaaay up. Thanks for hanging with us since we've come back, and we will see you all on September 4th! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

  • June 26 · 22 min

    Music This Week 6-26-26

    Whatever will you do without us talking about Music This Week for the next couple of months? Well, don't worry about that right now. Instead, tune into what we've got going on one more time before our summer break! Spencer hits us up with some new releases, and stories about a Tarantino/Kylie Minogue collab, the resurgence of The Cardigans (hell yeah), and plenty of other goodies. We got the news. We got the tunes. Once more as we head into summer! Check out everything we have going on via the info below: Instagram: @earwaxpod TikTok: @earwaxpod Email: earwaxpod@gmail.com Credits: Produced by Hilary Miller, Claudia Rivera Tinsley, Spencer Belden, and Cody Tinsley Edited by Claudia Rivera Tinsley All original music written and performed by Spencer Belden Artwork by Hilary Miller

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