Big Sell 30 Day 10: Ben Folds featuring The Tone Podcast

We’re welcoming you back to the work week with a special #BigSell30 edition of Inside Pop. We’re continuing our goal to experience one new piece of pop culture every day during the month of October with guests Wendell Britt and Nate Zablan, the hosts of The Tone Podcast.

benfoldsWendell and Nate’s Big Sell is the singer/songwriter Ben Folds. And whether you’ve followed Ben Folds’ career for decades or are only slightly acquainted with his music; after listening to this Big Sell you are guaranteed to have a greater appreciation for the musician. It’s Everything You Wanted to Know About Ben Folds But Were Afraid to Ask!

We had such a great time talking to Nate and Wendell and hope you check out The Tone Podcast as well!

Be sure to follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!

Big Sell 30 Day 9: ABC’s Speechless

Hey everyone- @ProducingAmita here! We are in full swing with #BigSell30 and I’m excited to bring you my next Big Sell: the pilot episode of the new ABC comedy, Speechless. It’s Fall TV season and I am attempting to check out a bunch of new shows (This is Us, Queen Sugar, Insecure, Westworld) along with some established series that I already enjoy (How To Get Away With Murder, Younger, Jane The Virgin). Peak TV ya’ll! (I have somehow also maintained having a personal life outside of watching all of this TV, going to movie screenings, recording and blogging about the podcast and working a full time job- I promise!)

SPEECHLESS- "Pilot" - Maya DiMeo moves her family to a new, upscale school district when she finds the perfect situation for her eldest son, JJ, who has cerebral palsy. While JJ and daughter Dylan are thrilled with the move, middle son Ray is frustrated by the family's tendencies to constantly move, since he feels his needs are second to JJ Soon, Maya realizes it is not the right situation for JJ and attempts to uproot the family again. But JJ connects with Kenneth, the school's groundskeeper, and asks him to step in as a his caregiver, and Ray manages to convince Maya to give the school another chance, on the series premiere "Speechless" WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (8:30-9:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Adam Taylor) JOHN ROSS BOWIE, MINNIE DRIVER, MASON COOK, KYLA KENEDY, MICAH FOWLER, DINA SPYBEY-WATERS I saw promos for this series starring Minnie Driver and I was intrigued by it’s premise. A family with 3 children, Dylan, Ray and J.J. – who has cerebral palsy, is nonverbal and confined to a wheelchair but has normal intelligence and uses a light and a keyboard to express what he’s saying to everyone. Minnie Driver is great as Maya, the unapologetic mother of a child with special needs who only wants the best environment for her son and has uprooted her family from school to school to school to school (seriously- they list like 5 or 6). Even if it means that they have to live in a dilapidated house right next to a train track because it’s in the right school district and sometimes at the expense of her other children who have to continually make new friends.

The pilot episode shows their experience at a new mainstream school that says they embrace “inclusivity.” Maya chooses this school because they provided J.J. with an aide that will speak for him. But when they arrive on their first day, she notices that they don’t have a wheelchair ramp in front, he has to use the service entrance in the back where they take out the trash and of course, Maya will not settle for that. Then, when J.J. enters his first class, the teacher tells the class to give him a standing ovation. He then thinks they might be offending him and tells the class to stop. The show makes you feel awkward but also laugh and doesn’t force you to empathize with this family or this teenager, they just give the audience humorous moments in many different scenarios like love, family and also ignorance.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

Be sure to follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!

Big Sell 30 Day 8: Bruno Mars’ new single- “24K Magic”

Hey y’all! Amita here with today’s #BigSell30! Join us and experience one new piece of pop culture every day for 30 days!

I had a whole other idea for what I was going to sell today but I scrapped it as soon as the new Bruno Mars single “24K Magic” filled my ears on Friday! This funk/dance/pop/soul instant hit is giving me the throwback feels!! This single feels like the love child of his 2013 hit “Treasure” and 2015 smash single “Uptown Funk” with Mark Ronson. And if you were living under a rock and haven’t heard one of these- let me break it down for you- 1 fun party dance song + 1 even more fun party dance song= new get on the dance floor single!

bruno-mars-24k-magic I woke up to this fun party song as it was playing on the radio when my alarm went off and then had the pleasure of hearing it again in my Spotify Release Radar playlist and I was hooked.

I’m a huge fan of Bruno Mars’ first two albums and think he is an incredible musician and songwriter, but his live performances are what really impressed me- remember when he and Beyoncé had a dance off at the Super Bowl earlier this year?! Or when he brought down the house during the 2014 Super Bowl halftime show?

He is definitely on my list of people to see in concert and when his album drops on November 18th, you can guarantee it will be on repeat in my house and I’ll be on the watch to see when he starts a new tour!

When Bruno announced the single release on Instagram he said “You can call it my first single, but I call it the invitation to the party.” Thanks for the invitation Mr. Mars. Consider this my RSVP.

You can listen to single and watch the Vegas party themed video here.

How do you even make a video to this song without just having a party for hours?!

As always, let us know if you have a Big Sell for us for #BigSell30 on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and leave a comment below to let us know what you think of our Big Sells so far!

Big Sell 30 Day 7: A.O. Scott reviews The Birth of a Nation

#BigSell30 is one week old! Say it with me – one new piece of pop culture, once a day for 30 days!
Sean David Johnson aka @therealseanjohn here with our Day 7 Big Sell.
birthEarlier this week Amita and I saw a screening of The Birth of a Nation. After the screening and the cast & crew Q &A she and I stood outside the theater and wrestled with our feelings about the film. My conclusion – the film was solid, but not great. Well made, but not extraordinary. Moving and glorious in parts, but also flawed throughout.
If I’m going to sit through a film that assaults me with scenes of emotional and physical horror, that film better be transcendent (like 12 Years a Slave, for example). Unfortunately, The Birth of a Nation does not transcend its limitations or the news surrounding the former sexual assault trial of director Nate Parker.
My big sell for today is the A.O. Scott review of the film. It’s a superb essay on the considerations we make before we see a film and the baggage we bring into the theater.
You can read the his NY Times review: here
Finally, even though I’m not recommending The Birth of a Nation,  I have to say this is still a great weekend to support Black Creators and subject matter. Ava DuVernay’s documentary, 13th, is essential viewing. Issa Rae’s Insecure premieres on HBO this Sunday and contains some of the biggest laugh out loud moments I’ve experienced all Fall.  And if you haven’t binged the entire season yet – Luke Cage on Netflix provides you the opportunity to revel in the fantasy of a bullet proof Black man who fights crime and reads Walter Mosley novels.

Follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!

Big Sell 30 Day 6: Remembering Rod Temperton

Hello all – Sean David Johnson here for Day 6 of the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge. We’re experiencing one new thing in pop culture every day, for 30 days throughout the month of  October!

If you were to ask me to name my favorite Michael Jackson song, three days out of the week I’d choose “Off the Wall.” From the very beginning of the song, Michael’s layered harmonies and that mischievous cackle let you know you’re about to hear something weird and wonderful. What follows is 3 and a half minutes of sublime pop. It’s one of the most life affirming, joyous, play this song right before you head out of the house on a Friday night creations in the history of music. Of course – Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones deserve partial credit for this tune – but I can’t forget the songwriter Rod Temperton.

rod-temperton-mainTemperton passed away at the age of 66 last week. I’d like to take this opportunity to Big Sell you on his amazing discography. He’s best known for penning songs on Jackson’s masterpiece albums Off the Wall and Thriller. Those songs – “Thriller”, “Rock with You”, “Baby Be Mine” –  make him one of the greats. But his musical career spans well before and after those albums.

I’ve created a Spotify playlist featuring Temperton’s greatest songs. This playlist is a work in progress because as I research and read the numerous Temperton tributes, I’m continually discovering amazing songs I’d never known were created by him.

Quite often songwriters are the anonymous heroes of pop music. I hope this post and playlist, along with all of the other tributes put this incredible talent in the spotlight.

Rod Temperton Spotify Playlist

Be sure to follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!

Big Sell 30 Day 5: Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Hello there from Sean David Johnson! Welcome to Day 5 of the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge. We’re almost one week into our commitment to try one new piece of pop culture every day throughout the month of October. If you’re joining the #BigSell30 (and I hope you are) I hope our suggestions have helped you discover new things you love.

black-panther-coverToday my #BigSell is the comic book A Nation Under Our Feet written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and illustrated by Brian Stelfreeze. The new paperback edition collects the first six issues of the run into one volume. Coates is one of our great modern day writers and thinkers and it’s thrilling to see him lend his talents to a new interpretation of the iconic Marvel character.

If you’ve already binged your way through the first season of Marvel’s Luke Cage, Coates’ Black Panther is the perfect way to continue your Black Superhero fix.

You can hear my Big Sell in the latest episode of Inside Pop (starting at 26:20)

And check out Ta-Nehesi Coates discussing the process of writing the Black Panther comic here.

Follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!

 

The Week in Black Excellence – IP 47

13thThis week, we are reveling in the gifts of Black Excellence bestowed upon us by the pop culture Gods in film, television and music! We had the exclusive opportunity to watch visionary director Ava DuVernay’s latest documentary, 13th, and discuss why we were so extremely moved by this powerful film.

luke-cageThen, it’s hoodies up as we geek out over our immediate (and spoiler free) reaction to the premiere of Marvel’s Luke Cage.
solange

 

 

Plus, Solange drops her latest album, A Seat at the Table, and we immediately put it on repeat!

All that and Sean gives his first Big Sell in the #BigSell30 Day Challenge!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!

Big Sell 30 Day 4: Anitta

It’s Day 4 of the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge! We’re inviting everyone to join us and attempt to experience something new in pop culture once a day for 30 days. Check back here every day for a new Big Sell!

We’ll be alternating who is giving the Big Sell over the next few weeks as well as featuring Big Sells from some of our favorite fellow podcasters and listeners too!

Today, we are excited to feature our first listener Big Sell!

Soon after we announced #BigSell30, Mauricio Lima, one of our Twitter followers all the way from Sao Paolo, Brazil, tweeted his Big Sell to us! Mauricio’s Big Sell is the Brazilian pop star- Anitta.

mauricio-big-sell-tweet

After doing a little research on this singer, songwriter and dancer, it turns out millions of people around the world have already seen her but may have no idea who she is. The stunning 23-year-old pop star performed at the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony in August and one of her most popular songs, “Bang” has over 230 million views on YouTube!

Here’s a link to her official YouTube page so you can discover her too: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjjyPUghDSSKFBABM_CXMw

Want to be featured in a Big Sell 30 Day Challenge? Send us a pop culture suggestion! And also make sure to tell us how your #BigSell30 Challenge is going!

Leave a comment here or tweet us @popinsiders.

Thanks Mauricio! We are excited to check out your Big Sell and look forward to more from our listeners in the future.

 

 

Big Sell 30 Day 3: Spotify’s new “Daily Mix” Playlist

It’s Day 3 of the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge! We’re inviting everyone to join us and attempt to experience something new in pop culture once a day for 30 days. To help you out, we’ll tweet out and post suggestions here on our website.

We’ll be alternating who is giving the Big Sell over the next few weeks as well as featuring Big Sells from some of our favorite fellow podcasters and hopefully from listeners too!

Today, it’s Amita’s turn!

Hey y’all! My Big Sell is a new Spotify playlist called Daily Mix.

For those of you who know us, we love Spotify and we love their curated playlists! First there was Discover Weekly– the playlist that chooses artists and tracks that are similar to the music that you’re listening to that week and creates a new playlist filled with new talent. Then, a couple months ago they debuted the Release Radar playlist which is a list of new music released over the past few weeks with artists you listen to along with new discoveries based on your listening history (I promise that we aren’t paid or sponsored by Spotify, but if anyone wants to put in a good word for us…we’re BIG fans)

Just these two weekly playlists have introduced us to new artists and also new or re-released tracks from some of our favorite artists and we have been obsessed with both!

So, when I opened up my Spotify last week and went into “Your Library” I was greeted by a new category called Your Daily Mix. It was like the Spotify gods were working overtime and said- releasing Discover Weekly on Mondays and Release Radar on Fridays isn’t enough! We need to give the people more!

Here’s a screenshot of Daily Mix today:

spotify-daily-mix

 

You can see that I have 4 daily mixes and every day, they will change and adapt to what I’m listening to. It’s amazing and I’m excited to see what they do next to read my musical mind!

Definitely check out your personalized Daily Mix and find some new music and relive some old classics as well.

And don’t forget to let us know what you think of it!! Leave a comment here or tweet us @popinsiders. And also make sure to tell us how your #BigSell30 Challenge is going!

Big Sell 30 Day 2: Todd Wicks Dream Cruise

The Big Sell 30 Day Challenge continues! We’re inviting everyone to join us and attempt to experience something new in pop culture once a day for 30 days. To help you out, we’ll tweet out and post suggestions here on our website.

But in order to come up with 30 days worth of new pop culture, we’re getting a little help from our friends.  Today, Claudia Castillo, the co-host of The Long Distance Popcast, joins us to share her Big Sell- musician Todd Wicks Dream Cruise.

Claudia thinks you’ll like Todd Wicks Dream Cruise, “…If you like songs about obsession and grief and love, just imagine Cheap Trick and Rick Springfield had a baby…”

We’re sold!

Listen to this episode of Inside Pop to hear Claudia’s full Big Sell. And you’ll also hear her co-host, Matt McKee’s Day One Big Sell, the Netflix series, Peaky Blinders. Matt is using this show to fill the big space left until Game of Thrones returns.

We’d love to hear your #BigSell30 suggestions!

Leave a comment here or tweet us @popinsiders. And also make sure to tell us how your #BigSell30 Challenge is going!

Here’s a link to Todd Wicks Dream Cruise YouTube page:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDz5-XIau_bKUWSSinmGswA