Translator Goes Beyond Today

Translator Goes Beyond Today

Author: Dave Sloan and Holly Cantos June 20, 2025 Duration: 51:28
Translator was one of those bands on the precipice of breaking big in the 80s. Signed to local indie label 415 Records, they soon found themselves part of the big-time music business when their label signed a distribution deal with Columbia Records. In 1982, their single, "Everywhere That I'm Not”, became popular on the burgeoning college radio circuit.  In 1986, the band decided to call it quits, scheduling a hometown show to reward their ardent fan base with a final San Francisco show. This performance, along with two new songs, are now available on an LP entitled Translator--Beyond Today: Live at the Farm San Francisco 1986. Lead singer/guitarist Steve Barton and drummer Dave Scheff join the podcast to look back at their 80s musical journey, as well as offer some insight into new developments within the band.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For anyone who lived through it, or for those who just love the sounds that defined it, the 1980s were a musical lightning strike. The (Mostly) 80s Music Podcast: What Difference Does It Make? is a deep, personal excavation of that era, hosted by Dave Sloan and Holly Cantos. This isn't a simple nostalgia trip or a countdown of chart-toppers. Instead, Dave and Holly use their genuine expertise and passion to guide conversations with the very people who created the decade's soundtrack. You'll hear directly from the artists, producers, engineers, and label insiders, getting the stories behind the songs that you won't find in a standard biography. Each episode feels like an intimate backstage pass, uncovering the creative decisions, the industry shifts, and the personal anecdotes that explain why this music still resonates so powerfully today. The podcast thrives on specificity-maybe one week features a synth-pop pioneer explaining the gear behind their iconic sound, while another sits down with a session musician who played on a dozen classic albums. It’s a celebration of craft and context, asking and answering the question embedded in its title: what difference did these people and their work truly make? Listening feels like joining a detailed, enthusiastic conversation between friends who just happen to have incredible guests. The result is a richly layered portrait of a decade, built one fascinating story at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The (Mostly) 80s Music Podcast: What Difference Does It Make?
Podcast Episodes
Duran Duran Appreciation Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:31
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Rob Tonkin Is A-Whole Lot Of Things [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:48
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Duration: 59:10
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Annie Zaleski Counts Down The 1988 KROQ Hits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:00
From her newly-released books on Cher and Taylor Swift, to her recent featured articles in the LA Times and The Onion's A.V. Club, it's clear Music Journalist Annie Zaleski has a lot on her plate. Somehow, she found the…
Lori Majewski Has A Lust For Lists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:59
Lori Majewski is one of us, a true 80s music fan. Her career started with Lori sneaking into hotels and airports because she wanted to meet her favorite artists. She now rubs elbows with many of those same people. Her bo…
Gary Graff and 501 Essential Albums Of The 1980s [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:05
Being an 80s music podcast, it's no surprise that when we learned music journalist Gary Graff authored the book, 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s, we would have to talk with him. Naturally, whenever there is a list deeme…
Father's Day Music Favorites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:03
We love our Dads. We wouldn't be who we are without their constant presence in our lives. Naturally, that also means we've incorporated their music into our lives. We have quite a few songs that remind us of our Dads, an…
Scott McCaughey Gets His Oar On The Minus 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:20
Imagine someone unfamiliar with Scott McCaughey, asking him the name of his band. It's not an easy question to answer. Over a four decade career, indie rock cult hero, Scott McCaughey, has been a member of so many bands,…
Murray Attaway Plays Tense Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:23
Murray Attaway, formerly of Guadalcanal Diary, one of college rock radio's favorite bands in the 80s, joins the podcast to talk about his new solo album, Tense Music Plays. It's the first album from Murray in more than 3…
Annie Zaleski Celebrates Cher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:20
Whether it's Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, or Duran Duran, music journalist Annie Zaleski immerses herself in each project. Now Annie takes on a true icon: Cher. The book is called I Got You Babe: A Celebration Of Cher. Th…