E264 - Nick Holmstén (Former Global Head of Music at Spotify / Author, Fan Powered Futures) - Top 5 Songs YOU Need to Stream...RIGHT NOW!

E264 - Nick Holmstén (Former Global Head of Music at Spotify / Author, Fan Powered Futures) - Top 5 Songs YOU Need to Stream...RIGHT NOW!

Author: O3L Media April 1, 2025 Duration: 1:47:50
Not to toot our own horns (so to speak), it's the undisputed truth that we've had incredible guests on O3L in the past. Our growing roster of "Third Lads" has collectively touched millions of lives. But is there any single person who has changed the very fabric of the music industry as indelibly as this week's Third Lad? Because this week we chat with Nick Holmstén, the man who revolutionized the modern playlist. In that spirit, we are going to "be your algorithm" and give you a wildly eclectic list of songs that you need to stream...RIGHT NOW! Well, OK, wait til after the podcast is done. Priorities, friends! With three decades of diverse experience in the entertainment industry, Holmstén’s transformation from a thriving artist, producer, and songwriter into a pioneering leader in the realms of music and technology showcases his dynamic career progression. His tenure as the Global Head of Music at Spotify is a testament to his significant impact on the digital music sphere. This role followed the strategic acquisition of his company, Tunigo, by Spotify in 2013, highlighting Spotify’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of the music discovery. He was instrumental in transforming Spotify into a global music powerhouse, introducing the modern playlist that revolutionized the way artists release music and reinvented how fans discover new music, thereby expanding the global reach of music artists. He also established TSX Entertainment, a groundbreaking entertainment company based in Times Square, with the TSX Stage and the TSX Billboard becoming significant cultural icons. The debut performance on the stage by Post Malone earned Six Clio Awards in 2023. Nick Holmstén’s journey is recounted in the book Fan Powered Futures, a compelling tale of passion, vision, and innovative spirit shaping the entertainment industry. His groundbreaking work in music, technology, and hospitality inspires a new generation of entrepreneurs, artists, and visionaries, cementing his role as a key figure in the evolution of modern entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the sonic landscape of the '70s, '80s, and '90s with Only Three Lads-Classic Alternative Music Podcast. Hosted by Uncle Gregg and Brett Vargo, this podcast is a weekly conversation with a rotating cast of "Third Lads" who share their deep knowledge and personal passion for the era's defining sounds. Each episode feels like hanging out with friends who can't wait to tell you about a forgotten B-side or argue the merits of a classic album. You'll hear curated Top Five lists, behind-the-scenes stories, and spirited discussions that span the entire alternative spectrum-from the raw energy of punk and the shimmering hooks of power pop to the dense atmospheres of shoegaze and the gritty rebellion of grunge. The show thrives on discovery, whether revisiting a new wave classic or unpacking a Britpop phenomenon. More than just a retrospective, this podcast captures the ongoing conversation and community around the music. It’s a space for both lifelong fans and curious newcomers to find common ground in a shared love for the artists and anthems that built a genre. Tune in for the insightful, often humorous, and always genuine chat that makes this podcast a destination for anyone who believes great music never gets old.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast
Podcast Episodes
E268 - The Okmoniks - Top 5 Garage Rock Party Records! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:12
In 2008, they came down with a case of Party Fever!!! In 2024, they contracted Afterparty Fever!!! Now, in 2025, they have O3L Fever...and the only cure is more garage rock party records! (Well, that and an over-the-coun…
E267  - Smoking Popes' Josh Caterer - Top 5 Albums of 1995, Vol. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:19
From Britpop to Beanie Babies, 1995 was da bomb! So much so, in fact, that we thought it would be pretty phat if we revisited the albums of the year in a Volume 2 episode. As if! This week's Third Lad, singer/songwriter/…
Crikey!  It's an O3L Guide to Record Store Day 2025! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:47
It’s not Record Store Day without a special bonus episode from your friends at Only Three Lads. OK, so it is actually still is Record Store Day regardless on Saturday, April 12th…but hopefully we can help in some way as…
E265 (or E1 of "Only Two Bros") - Top 5 Bro-Country Songs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:53
Call it an O3L spin-off. Call it a new direction. But after 264 episodes discussing classic alternative music, we (Gregg Gunner and Brett Maverick) decided that it was finally time to devote ourselves to our true musical…
E262 - Alan D. Boyd (Movieland) - Top 5 Shoegaze Albums of the '90s [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:37
Yeah, we'll make the same disclaimer we made the last time we talked about shoegaze. We know the term is polarizing. We realize that it was coined by the press as a term of derision for what had previously been known as…
E260 - Tracey Vath (WUT) - The 5 W's [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:08
We're getting all investigative this week as we address songs that cover the "5 W's" - who, why, when, where...and WUT! Yes, that's right, W-U-T. Because our Third Lad this week is the utterly delightful Tracey Vath, bas…