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Podcast Playlist

The surprising magic of mosh pits, a forgotten rock hero, and more stories about rock and roll

Are you ready to rock? If so, these podcasts about rock and roll are sure to strike a chord.
CBC Radio ·
The "Rock and Roll" and this week'd podcast tiles on a black and white backround. Podcasts include: Decoder Ring, The Moth Radio Hour, Rock that Doesn't Roll, They Did That, Switched on Pop, and Disgraceland.
(Courtesy of podcasts)

To some people, a mosh pit is probably their worst nightmare. To others, it's their kingdom. 

If you're not a dedicated mosher, you might be surprised to hear that mosh pits aren't just places for sweaty rock fans to forgo the concept of personal space. In fact, there are many layers to mosh pit culture, and moshers are governed by more order and etiquette than you might expect. 

The podcast Decoder Ring is all about unraveling cultural mysteries. This week, we hear how producer Katie Shepard overcomes her fear of mosh pits and learns about their intricacies from seasoned moshers themselves. 

Plus, Sister Rosetta Tharpe is often called "The Godmother of Rock and Roll." She inspired artists like Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin, yet she's been largely left out of the musical history books. 

Sister Rosetta was a pioneer of early rock music and gracefully navigated the music industry as a Black woman in the 1940s. The podcast They Did That tells her story.

Finally: For fans of CCM, or Christian contemporary music, the church is a place to let loose, enjoy some rock and roll, and even discover something about yourself along the way. PRX's Rock That Doesn't Roll explores how CCM shaped the youths of Church kids everywhere—in sometimes unexpected ways.

This week's podcasts n a black backround: Decoder Ring, The Moth Radio Hour, Rock that Doesn't Roll, They Did That, Switched on Pop, and Disgraceland.
(Courtesy of podcasts)

Decoder Ring: "The mosh pit has a reputation as a violent place where (mostly) white guys vent their aggression… In this episode, we explore the unwritten rules of this 50-year-old, live-music phenomenon with punks, concertgoers and a heavy metal physicist."

The Moth Radio Hour: Salman Ahmad came upon some major roadblocks on the road to becoming a famous rock musician—not least of which was the Taliban. 

Rock That Doesn't Roll: "For 1990s evangelical teens, punk, hardcore, and ska were a gateway to a passionate, edgy way to express their Christianity outside the mainstream. But was the music and the message enough to keep the evangelical faith?"

They Did That: ​​"The 'Godmother of Rock 'n Roll,' Sister Rosetta Tharpe, contributed to the DNA of rock 'n roll and even inspired the British Invasion of the 1960s… So why was her musical genius overlooked for decades?"

Switched on Pop: "Coping Mechanism, Willow's new album, is her heaviest music yet. Charlie and Willow chat about the making of the new record and the many multitudes of rock music."

Disgraceland: "In 1977, the world's most controversial band didn't stop when they were dropped by their major label only months after they were signed. The Sex Pistols' grand plan to conquer America royally backfired and ultimately led to an explosive and bloody downfall."  


What new podcasts are music to your ears? Email our team at podcastplaylist@cbc.ca. Or find us on Facebook.

For more great podcasts, check out CBC's podcast portal, and subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.