What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Arctic Monkeys
A podcast that dives deep into discographies - one artist per season. Hosts Adam, Steve, and Lucas go album by album, track by track, exploring how context shapes our experience of music, why fans become obsessed, and what music really is. With three hosts coming from wildly different levels of musical knowledge, expect sharp analysis, wild tangents, hot takes, and more information about the artists (and the hosts) than you ever asked for. Currently exploring the discography of Arctic Monkeys. Previous seasons featured Manic Street Preachers, Muse, Billie Eilish, Radiohead, Lauryn Hill, and R.E.M.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 103 minutes
- Episodes
- 297
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
R.E.M. Music Videos
The Big Mates watch all of R.E.M.'s music videos in one sitting. Or a lot of them, at least!
You can watch along with us here:
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1BTocYjExC/
Or you can just listen without…
Managing R.E.M. with Bertis Downs
Adam talks to Bertis Downs, long-time legal advisor and manager of R.E.M.
They talk about the formation of his musical tastes, his background in law, and meeting the band in the early days of their c…
R.E.M. B-Sides
The Big Mates discuss face food, William S. Burroughs, obscure Arctic Monkeys singles, and a selection of b-sides by R.E.M..
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss some b-sides and rarities from across the ba…
Behind the Scenes of R.E.M. with Ethan Kaplan
Adam welcomes back Ethan Kaplan, this time to discuss his work with the band during the process of Accelerate and Collapse Into Now.
They talk about album promotion in the 21st Century, embracing emer…
R.E.M. 1997 - 2011
The Big Mates take a brief pause to discuss ratings, rankings, audience demands, and the career of R.E.M. from 1997 - 2011.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas talk about their feelings so far on the band, having …
The End of R.E.M.
The Big Mates discuss addictive games, compilations, goodbyes, and the last few months of R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by looking at…
Playing in R.E.M. with Scott McCaughey
Adam and Steve chat with Scott McCaughey to discuss the 17 years he spent playing in R.E.M. as an additional musican.
They talk to Scott about his long and productive relationship with Peter Buck, how…
Collapse Into Now (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss reality television, etymology, Austin Powers, and Collapse Into Now by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by conclud…
Collapse Into Now (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss endings, the 20th century, Moose Juice, and Collapse Into Now by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting thei…
R.E.M. 2008 Tour Commentary
The Big Mates provide nice and good audio commentary for some footage from the 2008 R.E.M. World Tour.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss a couple of videos from the final R.E.M. tour, and also talk about…
BONUS: Manic Street Preachers - Critical Thinking Initial Thoughts
BONG. In this bonus episode The Big Mates discuss the newly released album Critical Thinking by Manic Street Preachers - out today! They give their first impressions on the album and the individual t…
Accelerate (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss commercial pressure, word sandwiches, revenge fantasies, and Accelerate by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by con…
Accelerate (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss modern rock music, digital promotion, tiny umbrellas, and Accelerate by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starti…
R.E.M. Live at the Olympia
The Big Mates discuss introductions, bullies, beef, and Live at the Olympia, a live album by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by deviati…
R.E.M. Live Commentary
The Big Mates provide fun and cool audio commentary for R.E.M. Live, the live video release by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the live album and film as originally presented on CD and DVD and a…
Around the Sun (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss death threats, protest songs, milk toast, and Around the Sun by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by concluding the…
Around the Sun (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss Coldplay, Maroon 5, Robbie Williams, and Around the Sun by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting their anal…
The Ultimate Playlist: Xmas (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates present one of their Patreon shows on the main feed... The Ultimate Playlist.
Join us as we continue to explore a broader range of music from many genres and numerous artists, with each …
The Ultimate Playlist: Xmas (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates present one of their Patreon shows on the main feed... The Ultimate Playlist.
Join us as we explore a broader range of music from many genres and numerous artists, with each month focusi…
R.(w)E.M. Christmas This?
The Big Mates get festive once again.
Join us for another Christmas of mostly the same stuff as the previous ones. Are you ready for Christmas? Are you feeling Christmassy? What are your favourite Chr…