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Dive Bar Music Club

Dive Bar Music Club

By: Sloane Spencer
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Dive Bar Music Club: low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds. Welcome to Dive Bar Music Club, your new favorite monthly hangout where deep music knowledge meets dive bar vibes. Each episode, a rotating cast of indie music lifers (record store owners, radio hosts, touring musicians, venue bookers, photographers, and more) grab a drink, hop online, and swap notes on the three albums they can’t stop spinning. It’s not a review show; it’s a conversation. A cozy, no-gatekeeping zone for the kind of people who make playlists for every mood, still buy records, and love to discover that one incredible band hiding in the liner notes. We’re heavy on new releases, but old favorites, hidden gems, and "how did I miss this?" moments are always on the table. Whether you work in music, live for your local scene, or just want cool friends to talk tunes with, Dive Bar Music Club is your invitation to pull up a stool, pour a drink, and nerd out. No VIP pass required.Copyright 2026 Sloane Spencer Hygiene & Healthy Living Music Psychology Psychology & Mental Health World
Episodes
  • Happy Pride 2026! Music Gets Us Through Grief and Exciting Breaking News

    Happy Pride 2026! Music Gets Us Through Grief and Exciting Breaking News
    Jun 26 2026
    Happy Pride! Sloane Spencer catches up with music journalist and Rainbow Rodeo founder Rachel Cholst during a period of both profound loss and exciting professional growth. Rachel reflects on the unexpected death of a longtime friend, sharing how music, ritual, and community have helped her navigate grief, while also discussing major milestones including Rainbow Rodeo’s subscriber drive, plans to revive its podcast, and the news that SiriusXM’s Country Pride channel will become a permanent offering, with Rachel continuing as one of its voices. Along the way, the conversation explores the role of music in memory and healing, highlights emerging and established artists from the queer, indie, and Americana worlds, and touches on Rachel’s ongoing creative projects, including a comic book series (Kickstarter!). The result is a thoughtful, heartfelt discussion about loss, resilience, artistic community, and the ways music helps us make sense of life’s highs and lows.Pin Our Tastemaker PlaylistsApple MusicTidalMusicians Featured This EpisodeAndrew SaMicah Schnabel and Vanessa Jean SpeckmanNorth IngallsVNV NationMusicians Mentioned in Our ConversationAaron Lee TasjanCall Me RitaFrank TurnerGorillazHC McEntireJeff RosenstockJason MolinaJimmy Eat WorldJohnson and Magnolia Electric CompanyKMFDMKim RicheyLake Street DiveLavender CountryMount MoriahPaisley FieldsPatrick HaggertyProcol HarumRammsteinRatboysTwo Cow GarageThe RegularsRachel CholstSloane SpencerChapters00:04 - Dealing with Loss03:43 - New Beginnings: The Rainbow Rodeo Fundraiser15:00 - Navigating the Landscape of Country Music and Sirius XM16:00 - The Influence of Holographic Performances26:24 - Navigating Grief and Music32:03 - Transition to New Music Discussions35:53 - The Impact of Social Media on Music Connections44:06 - Exploring Creative PassionsRecommended If You Likepodcast episode, music and grief, loss of a friend, songs about death, emotional music, coping with loss, music therapy, LGBTQ+ music, Rainbow Rodeo, indie music, country music, music recommendations, alt rock, mental health and music, professional growth in music, overcoming grief, personal stories in music, music playlists, artists to listen to, music community, Dive Bar Music Club podcast, Rachel Cholst, Rainbow Rodeo, queer country music, LGBTQ country artists, Country Pride SiriusXM, SiriusXM Country Pride, Pride Month music, independent music journalism, music podcast, Americana music, indie rock music, alternative country, queer musicians, Rainbow Rodeo magazine, music discovery, emerging artists, Andrew Sa, North Ingalls, Micah Schnabel, Vanessa Jean Speckman, Two Cow Garage, Lavender Country, Patrick Haggerty, Paisley Fields, Jeff Rosenstock, VNV Nation, Ratboys, Jason Molina, Johnson and Electric Company, grief and music, music and healing, friendship and loss, funeral songs, music memories, country music culture, independent artists, music reviews, no Depression magazine, queer country community, music journalism interview, underground music scene, DIY music culture, singer-songwriter podcast, Americana podcast, LGBTQ music media, indie music recommendations, Pride Month podcast, music fandom, artist interviews, music community, alternative music podcast
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    50 mins
  • Secretly Subversive Summer Sounds: New Tracks and Old Favorites with Nelson Gullett

    Secretly Subversive Summer Sounds: New Tracks and Old Favorites with Nelson Gullett
    Jun 20 2026
    Today, Nelson Gullett and Sloane Spencer get into one of the best parts of being a music fan: the stories that songs create along the way. The tracks we love often become tied to specific moments, memories, and people, and that’s exactly where this conversation starts.This episode moves between reconsidering nostalgia and new music discovery. We talk about the lasting emotional pull of music from The Jayhawks via Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman, while also shining a light on newer favorites from River Shook and Ismay. Along the way, our guests, a retired radio programmer and current radio host, bring plenty of insight, unexpected stories, and a few moments that might have you rethinking what makes a song stick with us.Whether you’ve spent years exploring Americana, live for indie rock discoveries, or are simply looking for your next favorite artist, there’s something here for you. We’ll share the records we can’t stop playing, celebrate a few overlooked gems, and dig into why certain songs keep finding their way back into our lives. If Yaz, R.E.M., and American Aquarium are all in your rotation, this episode is for you.Pour yourself a drink, settle in, and join us for a Pride Month conversation about music, memory, and the thrill of finding something you can’t wait to play again.Pin Our Tastemaker PlaylistsApple MusicTidalFocus Musicians for this EpisodeBlue MountainIsmay (Avery Hillman)The JayhawksRiver ShookVandoliersYaz/YazooMusicians, Bands, TV, Events, Record Labels, etc MentionedAldous HardingAmethyst KiahAmerican AquariumAndrew SaThe AmericansAmericana AwardsAmericanaFestBlake TallentBloodkinBloodshot RecordsBlue HighwayBlue RodeoBob DylanBob MouldCary HudsonChuck MeadDave Matthews BandDolly PartonDylan LeBlancEdery BazziniFleetwood MacGillian WelchThe GrooveHardly Strictly BluegrassHymn for HerIndia RameyIndigo GirlsIris DeMentJason NarducyJenni RoseJohn StirrattKathleen EdwardsKevin GordonLaurie StirrattLucinda WilliamsMandolin Orange/WatchhouseM.J. LendermanMichael ShannonMightmareMike MillsMike and the Moonpies/SilveradaMon RovîaNancies.orgNo DepressionOlivia WolfOtis GibbsPeter BuckPhoebe BridgersRadioheadRalph StanleyRatboysThe Reckless StrangersR.E.M.Red and the Paper FlowersSara BareillesSarah Shook and the DevilSarah Shook and the DisarmersScott MillerS.G. GoodmanSun VoltThomas Wolfe AuditoriumTrombone ShortyTyler ChildersU2WaxahatcheeWebb WilderWDVXWilcoWMOTWyatt EllisXXM Cross CountryVenues & Recurring Events Mentioned40 Watt ClubBlue Plate Special Performance StageBlue Plate SpecialRecord Store DaySummer Nights Concert SeriesTennessee ShinesYee-Haw Brewing Co.The Regulars in this EpisodeNelson GullettSloane SpencerChapters00:00 - Introduction to the Dive Bar Music Club Podcast06:18 - The Jayhawks and Their Lasting Impact19:16 - Discovering New Music: River Shook and Ismay23:33 - The Influence of Music and Poetry on Songwriting34:49 - Discovering New Music: The Journey of Vandoliers45:50 - The Importance of Integrity in MusicRecommended If You LikeDive Bar Music Club, 90s alt rock, emerging songwriters, touring songwriters, Americana music, live music shows, WDVX Radio, summer concert series, Webb Wilder, bluegrass artists, music playlists, eclectic music, indie music recommendations, music discovery, Nashville music scene, local music scene, new music releases, music nerds, music interviews, music festivals, Dive Bar Music Club podcast, Americana music podcast, indie rock podcast, alternative country music, alt-country bands, Americana artists, music discovery podcast, new music recommendations, Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman, The Jayhawks, Rainy Day Music, Blue Mountain band, River Shook, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Ismay, Half Truth album, AmericanaFest, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, WDVX Radio, Blue Plate Special, Knoxville music scene, Webb Wilder, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Iris DeMent, Wilco, Son Volt, REM, Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Jason Narducy, Michael Shannon REM tour, Athens Georgia music, 40 Watt Club, Bloodshot Records, Vandoliers, Jenny Rose, American Aquarium, Kathleen Edwards, Tyler Childers, SG Goodman, Mon Rovîa, Ratboys, Amethyst Kiah, Wyatt Ellis, Dylan LeBlanc, indie folk music, roots music, bluegrass artists, singer-songwriter podcast, live music stories, music nostalgia, record collecting, Record Store Day, vinyl culture, music fandom, concert memories, underground music, independent artists, Southern music, Nashville music scene, Asheville concerts, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, folk music discussion, country rock, roots rock, music interviews, emerging artists, favorite albums, music recommendations 2026, best Americana albums, indie music discovery, alternative music culture, music nerd podcast, low-key high-taste music podcast
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    55 mins
  • Not Another Cranky White Guy, Your Album Cover Sucks, and Pink Floyd vs Rolling Stones?

    Not Another Cranky White Guy, Your Album Cover Sucks, and Pink Floyd vs Rolling Stones?
    Jun 5 2026
    This week on Dive Bar Music Club, we dive into the eclectic songs we've been listening to lately, and how we find new music. We're kicking it off with Kim Ware's recent tour and the joy of discovering music that truly resonates with us. Chad Cochran pulls back the curtain on album cover art and reminds us of his mental health series, I Didn't Want to Tell You, at Woodyfest and Nelsonville Music Festival. Charles Hale brings his distinct perspective as a record store owner to new music from old bands, and as we explore the fine line between artistic expression and marketability in album art. So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s explore what we've been spinning on our playlists!Pin Our Tastemaker PlaylistsApple MusicTidalMusicians & Bands Mentioned6 String Drag (Rob Keller, Kenny Roby)Aldous HardingMike D (Beastie Boys)Clydie KingJesca HoopLily MillerMod LangRolling StonesTiwayo(Above on this episode's playlists)Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief)Ben NicholsBig StarBig ThiefBlack KeysBlack PumasBraidBob DylanThe CarsDamien JuradoDe La SoulDetroit CobrasFiona AppleJ Phono 1Jerry KeeJohn HarrisonKathleen EdwardsIron & WineJourneyLeith RossLeon BridgesLynyrd SkynyrdMerry ClaytonMetzNight RangerPaul McCartneyPhil SpectorPink FloydRainer MariaRay CharlesSad PlanetsSam BeamScott MillerSteely DanSuperchunkTom WaitsV-RoysWeird NightmareWoody GuthrieXTCY'All'ReYum Yum TreeEvents, Festivals, Media & OrganizationsNelsonville Music FestivalNew Orleans Jazz FestRecord Store DaySaturday Night LiveTheme StockWoody Guthrie Folk FestivalVenues, Labels, Stores & Publications40 Watt ClubBlue Note RecordsDriver 8 Records (Sign up for the vinyl record club here.)Nine Bullets music blogSub PopPlaces MentionedAthens, GAAtlanta, GAAustin, TXChapel Hill, NCCharlotte, NCClemson, SCColumbus, OHDetroit, MIFort Collins, CONew Orleans, LAOkemah, OKParis, FranceWilmington, NCThe Regulars in this EpisodeChad CochranCharles HaleSloane SpencerKim WareChapters00:00 - Introduction to the Dive Bar Music Club04:19 - Exploring New Tunes and Tour Tales10:48 - Navigating New Music Discovery17:40 - Discovering New Music23:46 - Exploring New Musical Influences32:24 - Exploring New Music Discoveries36:28 - The Discovery of Clyde King42:54 - Album Art and Creative Processes46:45 - The Art of Album CoversRecommended If You LikeDive Bar Music Club, music podcast, 90s alt rock, emerging songwriters, indie music recommendations, music discovery, live music performances, record store culture, music industry insights, singer-songwriter tours, album artwork design, music playlists, music trends, underground music scene, folk music, alternative music, music collaborations, music interviews, music nerds, new music releases, artist interviews, Dive Bar Music Club podcast, music discovery podcast, indie music recommendations, new music podcast, alternative music podcast, underground music scene, record store owner recommendations, finding new music, music nerd podcast, album cover art discussion, vinyl records, record collecting, independent musicians, singer songwriter podcast, touring musician stories, music festival photography, Nelsonville Music Festival, Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, record of the month club, Dryland Records, music algorithms, Spotify alternatives, Tidal music recommendations, NTS Radio, XMU radio, music curation, indie folk music, indie rock music, power pop revival, soul music recommendations, modern soul artists, French soul music, Tiwayo, Damien Jurado, Lily Miller, Jesca Hoop, Aldous Harding, Mod Lang, Six String Drag, Clydie King, Rolling Stones new music, Mike D solo project, Beastie Boys legacy, Ryan Adams problematic, Superchunk, Reiner Maria, Braid, Big Star influence, The Cars influence, The Kinks influence, XTC discussion, Fiona Apple comparisons, Leon Bridges fans, Black Pumas producer, Tom Waits connections, Iron and Wine collaboration, music blog culture, Nine Bullets music blog, Chapel Hill music scene, Athens Georgia music scene, Carolina music scene, Detroit rock bands, independent record labels, Sub Pop Records, album artwork design, vinyl culture, crate digging, hidden music gems, overlooked musicians, session singers, Clydie King background vocals, Bob Dylan collaborators, Phil Spector era musicians, Sweet Home Alabama background vocals, Exile on Main St discussion, music recommendation roundtable, best new indie music, music podcast for record collectors, discovering underground artists, favorite albums of the month, music fandom and nostalgia, classic rock debate, Pink Floyd discussion, Paul McCartney discussion, Saturday Night Live music guests, New Orleans Jazz Fest discussion, music discovery in the streaming era
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    53 mins
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