Twee Pop: A History

Twee Pop: A History

Author: Curiouscast September 11, 2024 Duration: 26:48
There’s a scene in the 2000 movie “High Fidelity” that introduced a lot of people to the name Belle and Sebastian. Rob, the owner of a record store, and his employee, Dick, are enjoying a new arrival. Then Barry, another employee played by Jack Black, bursts through the door. This goes on for a while before Rob has enough and rips the cassette out of the machine. I have a couple of issues with that scene…first, I have a hard time believing that an obnoxious snobby indie record store clerk would love “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves that much…way too commercial, way too overplayed. Second, there is nothing wrong with Belle and Sebastian—although I will admit they’re not for everyone. They are part of a genre called “Twee Pop”…you may never have heard the term before, but its influence is everywhere these days…and it has a long history when it comes to alt-rock and indie rock…it’s certainly something we should take a look at…so let’s do that, shall we? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For over two decades, the Ongoing History of New Music has served as an essential audio documentary series, digging deep into the stories that shaped alternative rock, hip hop, and everything in between. Hosted by the legendary music historian Alan Cross, this podcast functions as a curated archive of musical culture, moving far beyond simple artist profiles. Each episode is a thematic exploration, connecting sonic dots across decades to reveal the hidden contexts, forgotten pioneers, and cultural shifts that define what we listen to. You’ll hear about the scenes that birthed genres, the technologies that changed production, and the personalities whose influence ripples through today’s charts. It’s less a linear history lesson and more an ongoing conversation about why music matters, delivered with Cross’s authoritative yet accessible narrative style. Tune in and discover the rich, often surprising backstories behind the songs and artists you thought you knew, gaining insights you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. This is Canadian broadcasting at its most inquisitive and enduring, making the Ongoing History of New Music a foundational listen for anyone curious about the forces that continually reinvent our sonic landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Ongoing History of New Music
Podcast Episodes
Why Bowie Still Matters - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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David Bowie wasn’t just a rock star...he was a cultural architect who reinvented music, fashion, and identity. In part 2 of "Why Bowie Still Matters", we explore Bowie’s groundbreaking mid-70s to early-80s era: from the…
Why Bowie Still Matters - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:15
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Tales of Weird Rock’n’Roll Sex [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:44
If there’s an official mission statement for the kind of music we all love, it’s “sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll” …these are the three main food groups in this world… All three of these things affect the same portions of th…
The Backstage Rider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:38
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Medical Mysteries of Music - The Sixth Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Why does music move us so deeply...even when we don’t hear it? From brain scans lighting up with musical memories to how songs can fight loneliness, boost productivity, and even repel mosquitoes, this episode dives into…
The Rock Explainer - 6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:23
There are plenty of unexplained things in the world of music…these are things that we often don’t even question…why do we do these things?...what is this called that?...who came up with that idea? Let’s deal with some of…
Introducing... Stop Rewind: The Lost Boy | Through A Glass Darkly  | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:06
Taj Khyber Rowland knows he’s not who people think he is but he can’t quite remember how his life went so off course. He decides to spool backwards, to his younger self. A daredevil seven year old Chellamuthu, living hap…
Peaked Too Soon - Bands That Were Ahead of Their Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:00
This episode is about giving credit where credit is due. Specifically to musicians who were so far ahead of their time that the public and the industry just didn’t get it, and as a result, they were ignored, shunned, unr…
The Stories Behind Iconic Album Covers Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:29
This is the second half at a look at the stories behind some of the most iconic album covers of all time…on part one, we looked at the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, Depeche Mode, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys,…
The Stories Behind Iconic Album Covers Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:47
This is going to be a very visual program, which may be a bit of a challenge because you’re either listening to this as a radio show or podcast…so i need to work with me on this… Vinyl is back in a way that no one could…