Hits And Hooks Vignettes

Unusual Sounds and Subdivision ||: HHV Ep 2-10

Sat, 23 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Unusual Sounds and Subdivision ||: HHV Ep 2-10

With songs by Lucid Lip, Saint Anyway, Jon Worthy, and Wild Fire

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This week I spin great tunes from Lucid Lip, Saint Anyway, Jon Worthy, and Wild Fire. And we'll dig into unusual sounds, and subdivision pacing. And a hook count to take us out.

In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. HHV is a music podcast about how songs keep listeners engaged through hooks, structure, and subtle musical decisions.

Follow Hits and Hooks Vignettes, and join me, TuneMoose Matt Bates, for a weekly short walk through musicland! Hits and Hooks Vignettes is produced by Everyone's A Star Records, and hosted by TuneMoose Matt Bates.

Songs In This Episode:

Deivid Rivera Mentiras Tristes (Jamendo Licensing)

LUCID LIP - Thinkin About You (Jamendo Licensing)

Soundstatues - Amnesia (Jamendo Licensing)

Saint Anyway - Burnin Down the House (Jamendo Licensing)

Jon Worthy - This Aint The Way (Jamendo Licensing)

Wild Fire - Looking Out For You (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

Makis Hager - Sparkle of Love (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Everything 'Bout Love" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Solid Advice" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beat, and Guitar Functions ||: HHV Ep 2-9

Sat, 16 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This week I spin great tunes from Ed Napoli, Lea James, Kevin Johnston and Bill Steely. And we'll dig into beat, and some of the functions, that the guitar fulfils, in songs. For fun I'll do a hooks count too.

Songs In This Episode:

Beldon Burch - Where Butterflies Meet (Jamendo Licensing)

(Permission from the artist, Jason Hogan))

The.madpix.project - Pretty Prison (Jamendo Licensing)

JekK - Hold you (Jamendo Licensing)

Ed Napoli - Monday (Jamendo Licensing)

Lea James - Interlude (Jamendo Licensing)

Kevin Johnston - Scat (Jamendo Licensing)

Bill Steely - This Time For Sure (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

DepasRec - Beyond heaven (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "That Ragged Man" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "You Said You Didn't Love me" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vocal Shaping In The Studio ||: HHV Ep 2-8

Sat, 09 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This week I spin great tunes from Art Yenta, Beldon Burch, Chrissy Blazier, Deivid Rivera, ilyab, and Living Camboya. I have an interview excerpt with Jason Hogan outlining his songwriting process. We'll dig into riffs, vocal shaping in the studio, using vocal texture variety, and chord voicings.

Songs In This Episode:

Deivid Rivera - Deivid Rivera Mi ultima balada (Jamendo Licensing)

Mean To Me - Jason Hogan (Permission from the artist, Jason Hogan))

Art Yenta - Lonely (Jamendo Licensing)

Beldon Burch - Why (Jamendo Licensing)

Chrissy Blazier - Connection (Jamendo Licensing)

ilyab - ilyab - Insecure (Jamendo Licensing)

Living Camboya - Delante De Ti (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

Ravello - Vocalise g (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Ba Ba Boop" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "First Snow Of Winter" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four On The Floor and Walking Bass ||: HHV Ep 2-7

Sat, 02 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This week we'll hear couple of songs from the Edinburgh indie scene, yes, Scotland. I'll spin two very different songs out of California. And Anthony Lazaro is back with another smooth vocal song from Italy. I dig into some instrumental basics: four on the floor kick drum, and walking bass. We'll dig in on frequency range separation and check out a downwards moving melodic leap.

Songs In This Episode:

Jon Worthy - To Love (Jamendo Licensing)

Radio Nowhere - Heathrow (Jamendo Licensing)

Norman Lamont - Lump Sum (Jamendo Licensing)

Confushian - Have a drink (Jamendo Licensing)

Anthony Lazaro - Cold (Jamendo Licensing)

Michael Hahn - Have A Good Day (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Help Me Now" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Freddo Molto Freddo" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget The Whale, Jersey City Indie Band Interview ||: HHV Ep 2-6

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This week I chat with three of the members of Forget The Whale, a seven piece Indie band from Jersey City. Joining me are Dan Pieraccini (bass), AJ Zienowicz (drummer) and Pete Durning (guitarist). With the band as creative outlet, everyone's a songwriter! We talk about each of their approaches to that, and how they develop their arrangements.

Look out for their upcoming EP, "Stick With Me Kid", that comes out on May 8, 2026.

Check out Forget The Whale music on...

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5jTaVspFTd3rY2xDUfaakR?si=1vtFLQb-RbeH9wETqB6p0Q&nd=1&dlsi=2c846d2deae84044

Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/forget-the-whale/1080511867

Follow Forget The Whale on...

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/forgetthewhale

Instagram:

http://www.instagram.com/forgetthewhale

BBQ sauce that the jingle song was written for:

https://kinziefoods.com/

Songs played in the interview:

"I Know Where You've Been", Forget The Whale (Jamendo Licensing)

"Clocks", Forget The Whale (Jamendo Licensing)

" Carry Your Own Weight ", Forget The Whale (Jamendo Licensing)

[Forget The Whale songs are licensed for the published interview through Jamendo Licensing and the band has given us permission directly to use his music related images in associated thumbnails.]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stepwise Harmonic Motion and Vocal Gymnastics ||: HHV Ep 2-5

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This week I'm spinning a Latin groove song using lots of different vocal textures, and I've got some acoustic Blues. There's a Queen sounds-similar song. Some slow Jazz from Paris. And an intriguing song sung in Arabic and French. We'll look at stepwise harmonic motion and vocal gymnastics. I'll spin songs from Nick Falcon, Dazie Mae, Alfonso Lugo, Danzberg Music, and Elyes Landoulsi.

Songs In This Episode:

Alfonso_Lugo_-_Alfonso_Lugo_(Feat._Jasmine_Crowe) (Jamendo Licensing)

Bralitz_-_Dinner_Plans

Danzberg-Music_-_Welcome_To_Euphoria

Dazie_Mae_-_Time_With_My_Lover

Elyes_Landoulsi_-_Eddhamir

Music Inserts:

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "India Lake" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Everythin' 'Bout Love" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Worthy, Nashville Indie Artist Interview ||: HHV Ep 2-4

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This week I chat with Nashville Indie artist Jon Worthy about three of his original songs, his recent South America tour, and the Nashville scene. He's a busy guy managing every aspect of his career. He tells us about his successes in music syncing business with over 400 songs picked up. Listen in for all the details.

You can hear Jon's music at...

https://jonworthy.bandcamp.com/ (Bandcamp)

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jon-worthy/1004258932 (Apple Music)

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Jo3IYxXbnkBX8irFxeGX2 (Spotify)

And follow him on...

https://jonworthythebends.com/ (Website)

https://www.instagram.com/jonworthymusic/ (Instagram)

https://www.tiktok.com/search?lang=en&q=jon%20worthy&t=1775867647630 (TikTok)

Songs played in the interview:

"To Love", Jon Worthy (Jamendo Licensing)

"Who I Am", Jon Worthy (Jamendo Licensing)

"Song YW", Jon Worthy (Jamendo Licensing)

[Jon's songs are licensed for the published interview through Jamendo Licensing and he has given us permission directly to use his music related images for the YouTube video version.]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melody Construction (Original, Flipped, Mirrored, Flipped & Mirrored) ||: HHV Ep 2-3

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This week I look at vocal texture variation using in-sync harmony, motifs, emotional vocal delivery, and rhythmic layering. And we hear full songs from The Devil Music Co., Wood Hitch, Grant Smith, and The Freak Fandango Orchestra.

Songs In This Episode:

The Devil Music Co. - Swing Low (Jamendo Licensing)

Wood Hitch - Auld Lang Syne Don't Waste My Time (Jamendo Licensing)

The Freak Fandango Orchestra - Unnamed Song Of A Fake Unicorn (Jamendo Licensing)

Grant Smith - So Far Away (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Help Me Now" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Everythin' 'Bout Love" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heard A Reverse Guitar Chord? Of Course You Have ||: HHV Ep 2-2

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This week we'll look at call-response structuring of lyrics, runups as a way to infuse forward motion, crescendo dynamics that not every instrument can achieve, and melodic callbacks in a piece by Ludvig himself. We hear original Indie songs from Jon Worthy, Priscilla The Outlaw, Welan Edvee, and Ludvig von Beethoven.

Songs In This Episode:

Jon Worthy - Song YW

Priscilla The Outlaw - Shadows

Welan Edvee - Welan Edvee - On the Road

OnClassical - duo sinossi beethoven cello sonatas and variations ii 12 7 variations in e flat major on & 039 bei m

Music Inserts:

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Matthew, I'm Gonna Miss You" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Mula De Las Montanas" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Norman Lamont, Edinburgh Indie Artist Interview (Just For The Record)

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 03:36:33 GMT

Edinburgh Indie artist Norman Lamont and I chat about three of his original songs and his process or writing and recording. He's currently working on two albums, one solo and one with his band The heaven Sent, to add to his already extensive catalogue. And he tells us about the Edinburgh Indie scene, a hive of songwriting activity

You can hear all of Norman's music at:

https://normanlamont.com (Website)

https://normanlamont.bandcamp.com/ (Bandcamp)

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ur70dZK3XvMcp3ev39ZFY (Spotify)

The music of Fraser Drummond is mentioned in the interview. Fraser was a strong part of the Edinburgh Indie music scene. He unfortunately died some years ago. Norman has written a great article about the personality that he was, to be found at...

https://normanlamont.com/fraser-drummond/

Songs played in the interview:

"Lump Sum", Norman Lamont

"The Goodbye Song", Norman Lamont and The Heaven Sent

"Polecats", Norman Lamont

[Norman has given us permission directly to include his songs in the published version of the interview]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Break Up Songs, But With Happy Music? ||: HHV Ep 2-1

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This week we'll revisit the backbeat, not always, as we'll see, on a snare drum. Spoken lyrics, where do they fit in. Bass + Kick = Power. What's that? Ever heard of a pre-chorus? I have a really great blues song, from an Italian band. We'll see both perspectives in two back to back break up songs, but with happy music. What gives with that?

Songs In This Episode:

A Minute To Midnight - Anthony Lazaro (Jamendo Licensing)

michele candotti - Il Grullo e il Grillo (Jamendo Licensing)

Dazie Mae - When Dazie Mae Makes Love (Jamendo Licensing)

Music-Panda - A Different Kind Of Power (Jamendo Licensing)

Michael Ellis - Rock Star (Jamendo Licensing)

Gulf Stream Riders - Circle Up (Jamendo Licensing)

Tim Koerber - I Feel Nothing (Jamendo Licensing)

Melanie Ungar - What Is Love (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

Yong-Yun Lee - Handel. Suite in D Minor HWV 428 - I. Prelude. Allegro (Jamendo Licensing)

Abydos Music - The Swan Camille - Saint-Saë ns (Jamendo Licensing)

Ed Napoli - Moonlight Glow instrumental (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Cakewalk" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "FirstSnowOfWinter" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Serge Dejazz, Paris Recording Artist Interview (Just For The Record)

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:06:34 GMT

I talk with Paris recording artist Serge Dejazz with the band Dazie Mae. He tells us about his writing process, how the band records, and gives us the back stories to three of their songs. Hear how five musicians living in different cities come together in the studio to make some really great music.

You can hear all of Dazie Mae's music at:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6mDX3lCv3QKLda5IzbKLIh (Spotify)

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dazie-mae/429129232 (Apple Music)

https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/326962 (Deezer)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4i9KD4HrYDnth-JmYTUGOg (YouTube)

https://www.daziemae.com/ (Website)

Songs played in the interview:

"Time With My Lover", Dazie Mae (Jamendo licensing)

"Sofa", Dazie Mae (Jamendo licensing)

"At The Beginning Of Love", Dazie Mae (Jamendo licensing)

[We have licensed the songs played here through Jamendo.com.]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hooks Book #1 ... Is This Country, Or Just NOT?

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:35:13 GMT

In "The Hooks Book" we dig in on one aspect of what makes great songs great. Today's subject is Country songs. What is Country? And why do some parts of Country songs not really sound very Country, but do sound great!

Today's episode includes the following licensed music...

Dustin Chapman - Slow Dance (Jamendo Licensing)

E.D. Kennaway - On The Road to Somewhere (Jamendo Licensing)

Wild Fire - Been There Dumped That (Jamendo Licensing)

Beldon Burch - Beyond This Town (Jamendo Licensing)

Gulf Stream Riders - End Of The Line (Jamendo Licensing)

OnClassical - Mozart W.A. Sonata No. 16 in C Major K. 545 - II. Andante (Jamendo Licensing)

Elmer Knable - Weekend Ready (Jamendo Licensing)

Brady Harris - Kate Stay Late (Jamendo Licensing)

BFCmusic - Monsoon Melodies (Jamendo Licensing)

Confushian - Down south (Jamendo Licensing)

Luke Metzler - Ain't That a Shame (Jamendo Licensing)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Falcon, Paris Indie Artist Interview (Just For The Record)

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 22:06:57 GMT

This week I talk with Paris indie artist Nick Falcon about his writing process, and the surprising back stories to two of his songs. We hear about a Blues progression discovery with a minor twist, playing live in Paris venues, a song-a-day challenge for a week and what that produced, and his Gypsy Jazz and Brazilian Jazz influences.

You can hear all of Nick's music at:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ugKwErWQ4M0fAv2MFRwyx (Spotify)

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nick-falcon/1632030978 (Apple Music)

Songs played in the interview:

"Dinner Plans", Nick Falcon

"Starting Tomorrow", Nick Falcon

[We have permission directly from Nick to include the songs and images in this video]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Hogan, Toronto Indie Artist Interview (Just For The Record)

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:52:32 GMT

This week I talk with Toronto indie artist Jason Hogan with his album "Sex, Politics, Religion & Death". We take two songs from the album and dive into Jason's process for adding lyric and instrumental hooks to his song. "Pi is equal to three point one four dot dot dot", one of my fav' lines from "She's So Mean To Me"

You can hear all of Jason's music at:

https://open.spotify.com/album/0EkjcK15uawGZc3xTwjkrV (Spotify)

https://music.apple.com/ca/album/sex-politics-religion-death/1500195815 (Apple Music)

And here is his artist website:

JHoganMusic.com

[We have permission directly from the artist to include the songs and images in this video]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Gospel Love Song ||: HHV Ep 1-10

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This week we look again at upper frequency accenting, check out the chords of a major key. I have a Gospel sounding tune to spin and we'll do a hook count for an electronica piece. I talk about fills too. Here we go.

In Hits and Hooks Vignettes, we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. HHV is a short-form music podcast about how songs keep listeners engaged through hooks, structure, and the subtle musical decisions that quietly do their work.

Songs:

Songwriterz - When Love Is Right (Jamendo Licensing)

Modern Pitch - Where The Wind Blows (Jamendo Licensing)

John Dada & the Weathermen - My Valentine (Jamendo Licensing)

BREEZELESS - Love-Dance (Jamendo Licensing)

Grant Smith - My Best Blue Jeans (Jamendo Licensing)

Munchkin Studios - Human Cannonball (Jamendo Licensing)

Radio Nowhere - Sister Rosa (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

Re-Lab - Bach 543 Allegro (Jamendo Licensing)

Maria Milewska - Triskells (Jamendo Licensing)

Eracilon - Foulitude - piano (Jamendo Licensing)

Olepash - Jazz Equation (Jamendo Licensing)

Mickael Huchet - Latino Funny (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Hidden lane" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Solid Advice" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Wrap My Arms Around You" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Is Country? ||: HHV Ep 1-9

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 14:00:54 GMT

This week I have a 2 chord song, yes just 2 chords. I look at the pentatonic scale, spin a lovely Jazz tune from a favourite Paris band, we'll see a couple of versions of the half - time beat, and deep dive into the characteristics of Country.

Songs:

Beldon Burch - Beyond This Town (Jamendo Licensing)

Jeff Jacobs - Romantic Night (Jamendo Licensing)

Dazie Mae - Sofa (Jamendo Licensing)

E.D. Kennaway - On The Road to Somewhere (Jamendo Licensing)

Gulf Stream Riders - End Of The Line (Jamendo Licensing)

Confushian - Down south (Jamendo Licensing)

Ed Napoli - Azul Dos Seus Olhos (Jamendo Licensing)

Luna Keller - I Don't Know Where I'm Going (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

Musica in Armonia - mozart 2 Kyrie in F KV33 (Jamendo Licensing)

VibeCroft - Electronic News (Jamendo Licensing)

Circus Marcus - Beethoven - Bagatelle Op. 119 No 9 (Jamendo Licensing)

Art Music - Road to Paris (Jamendo Licensing)

Bulbasound - Blue Horizon (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Under God's Wing" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Land Of Homemade Wine" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Paris" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rhyming, Imagery and the Refrain ||: HHV Ep 1-8

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This week I look at rhyming, imagery and the refrain, in song lyrics. We'll see the hooks that come from staggered instrument entrance. What's a sampler? we'll take a look. Also groove and an unusual Blues song.

Songs:

FJGI - Peazo gilipollas (Jamendo Licensing)

Radio Nowhere - Caroline (Jamendo Licensing)

Ava Della Petra - Power of you (Jamendo Licensing)

Ingvi Kormaksson - Summer Love (Jamendo Licensing)

Confushian - Dog on a string (Jamendo Licensing)

Forget the Whale - I Know Where You've Been (Jamendo Licensing)

LUCID LIP - Stone Street Serenade (Jamendo Licensing)

Saint Anyway - White Light (And A Bottle Of Wine) (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

Various artists - Handel. Suite in D Minor HWV 428 - I. Prelude. Allegro - Yong-Yun Lee (Jamendo Licensing)

moodmode - Outlaws Reckoning (Jamendo Licensing)

OnClassical - Sibelius Jean Kuolema Op. 44 - I. Valse triste (Jamendo Licensing)

Osipov Vladimir - Smooth Jazz (Jamendo Licensing)

pinegroove - Cocktail Mambo (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, " Hasta Que Te Veo De Nuevo" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "My Mom She Told Me" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Ferry Me Away" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vocal Virtuosity and Folky Ballads ||: HHV Ep 1-7

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This week we'll see some vocal virtuosity, I dive into folky ballads, and for contrast a rockin' drivin' riffin' song. Ostinato, what's that? What makes a rhyme and how can we use them. And we'll have a laugh or two.

Songs:

Jeff Jacobs - Let's Live Like Animals (Jamendo Licensing)

Dustin Chapman - Slow Dance (Jamendo Licensing)

ASHWYN - Waiting For Someone (Jamendo Licensing)

Clark Ford - Throwin' Our Love Away (Jamendo Licensing)

The Sean Moon Band - Out Here (Jamendo Licensing)

FinnFixx - All Your Love (Jamendo Licensing)

Luke Davids - Lonesome Road (Jamendo Licensing)

Katilyn - Follow the Flow (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

Various artists - Haydn. Sonata in B Minor Hob XVI 32 - I. Allegro - Ji Eun Park (Jamendo Licensing)

Robert80z - Paradise (Jamendo Licensing)

piccadillyCircus - New Orleans Dixieland (Jamendo Licensing)

filigree4 - Latin Guitars (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Shifting Winds" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "First Snow Of Winter" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Witness" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Come Sing With Me : Vocal Harmony ||: HHV Ep 1-6

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This week we'll see how expectation and hooks work hand in hand. I have a couple of jokes for you. I dive into how harmony vocals can be used. What's an interval? We'll see. And we discover Dorion mode! Lots of fun.

Songs:

Anthony Lazaro - Moody Wind (Jamendo Licensing)

Mark Magram - Heatwave (Jamendo Licensing)

Confushian - World keeps turning (Jamendo Licensing)

Dazie Mae - At the Begining of Love (Jamendo Licensing)

Radio Nowhere - Shotgun (Jamendo Licensing)

Darian Blakemore - Your Lovin' (Jamendo Licensing)

Bill Steely - Halfway (Jamendo Licensing)

Michael Ellis - The other World (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

Gianluca Luisi - Partita No. 2 - 3. Courante (Jamendo Licensing)

Music-Panda - Designed With Confidence (Jamendo Licensing)

OnClassical - Liszt F. Consolations S.172 - III. Lento placido (Jamendo Licensing)

Olepash - Lazy Hummingbird (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Blue November" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Land Of Homemade Wine" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Angel" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preview Episode 5 || What's EQing?!, What's.....

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:05:00 GMT

Trailer for Episode 5... EQing?! A studio term. We'll dig in on it, in the context of frequency separation. We count out the hook density of a driving road house tune. We look at the complex chords of Jazz. And we map out the basics of Nashville Notation. Oh, and we look at the Latin clave beat. Let's hit the trail.

This is a preview of Episode 5, Hits and Hooks Vignettes, where we play some great tunes and lift the hood to see what makes them tick. HHV is a short-form music podcast about how songs keep listeners engaged through hooks, structure, and the subtle musical decisions that quietly do their work.

Check out the full episode, and follow Hits and Hooks Vignettes, to join me, TuneMoose Matt Bates, for a weekly short walk through musicland! Hits and Hooks Vignettes is produced by Everyone's A Star Records, and hosted by TuneMoose Matt Bates.

Song Clips in the Trailer:

Chrissy Blazier - Monday All Day (Jamendo Licensing)

Pierre Hunt - Pure Delight (Jamendo Licensing)

moodmode - Screaming Solitude (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Ride With Speed and Purpose" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, " My Mom She Told Me " (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's EQing?!, What's Clave? Jazz Chords & Nashville Notation ||: HHV 1-5

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

EQing?! A studio term. We'll dig in on it, in the context of frequency separation. We count out the hook density of a driving road house tune. We look at the complex chords of Jazz. And we map out the basics of Nashville Notation. Oh, and we look at the Latin clave beat. Let's hit the trail.

Songs:

Chrissy Blazier - Monday All Day (Jamendo Licensing)

Pierre Hunt - Pure Delight (Jamendo Licensing)

moodmode - Screaming Solitude (Jamendo Licensing)

OnClassical - schubert flute and piano. (Jamendo Licensing)

The Sean Moon Band - 12oz of Fun (Jamendo Licensing)

ZeQu - ZeQu - La última curda (Jamendo Licensing)

Wild Fire - Growing Hurts (Jamendo Licensing)

Mayela - Facil (Jamendo Licensing)

Music Inserts:

Clementi-Sonatina No. 1 in C Major - III. Vivace (Musopen)

Kirill Kharchenko - Gregorian Chant (Jamendo Licensing)

Matti Paalanen - Gregorian Chant (Jamendo Licensing)

Omniscenx - Sahara Nights (Jamendo Licensing)

Rachmaninoff-13 Preludes, Op. 32 - 10. Lento, B minor (Musopen, https://musopen.org/music/?composer=sergei-rachmaninoff)

Charlie Ernst - Lost In a Dream (Jamendo Licensing)

Zsmusica - Tema de la lata (Jamendo Licensing)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Ride With Speed and Purpose" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, " My Mom She Told Me " (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Add A Little Sweet" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hip Hop, Head Bangin' and a Good Laugh! Ha ||: HHV 1-4

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This week, 8 more great Indie songs, in full. And we're gonna have a laugh. I'll look at hooks in song openings. We'll spin a good head-banging song. Hip hop is not my generation, but we'll spin one of those too. I'll dig in on beat, virtuosity, and the swing time rhythm of Blues and Jazz.

Songs:

Art Yenta - My Inspiration - EQ (licensed through Jamendo.com)

ilyab - Don't Tear Me (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Ava Della Petra - I've Been Thinking (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Henning Peer Hansen - I Got You By My Side (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Saint Rel - Poland Girl (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Jared Johnson - 4 In the Morn (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Mitch Siegal - I'm Still In Love (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Alan Gillis - Don't (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Music Inserts:

CrowHat - Beethoven Fur Elise (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Samadhi - Tibetan Incantations (live) (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Prelude no. 6 in E flat minor - Gabriel Fauré (licensed through MusOpen.org)

pinegroove - Rainy Day Jazz - 60s (licensed through Jamendo.com)

MFYM - 293 Playful Latin (licensed through Jamendo.com)

Sterrett, Britt, Bates, "Summertime" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Help Me" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Brazilian Workshop 2" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What the Skank?! And Stabs, Really?! And Magic Flutes !? And More ||: HHV 1-3

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 14:10:18 GMT

Love that skank?! This week we look at song bridges, and pads. We see guitar stabs used in a few different styles. I have an interesting Tango song for you, and a beautiful Blues tune with an unusual chord progression. We look at hooks, of course, and touch on fabric and functions. Let's go.

Songs:

Songwriterz - Jimmy (Jamendo)

Watercandle - Debajo de las estrellas (Jamendo)

Ava Della Petra - Happy For You (Jamendo)

John Dada & the Weathermen - White Moon (Jamendo)

Brady Harris - Kate Stay Late (Jamendo)

Ed Napoli - Try (Jamendo)

Katilyn - Biggest Fan (Jamendo)

Chrissy Blazier - Mistletoein' (Jamendo)

Music Inserts:

Harpeggio e Fuga in G Major (Musopen)

OnClassical - Satie E. Gymnopédies - I. Lent et douloureux (Jamendo)

BFCmusic - Eyes Of The Duendo (Jamendo)

Relax Cafe Music BGM - Sentimental Mood (Jamendo)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Let It Burn" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Solid Advice" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Hidden Lane" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Happy Happy | Using “Happy” in Songs, & More ||: HHV 1-2

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 14:05:25 GMT

“Happy Happy Happy!” — “Happy” threads through our adventures this week: major chord, sad songs with happy music, tempo and the happiness indicator. We also dive into Folk-Pop over a few songs to distil its characteristics. Hooks: upper vocal range urgency, vocal gymnastics, and dynamic and emotional contour are all part of the mix. Let’s go!

Follow Hits and Hooks Vignettes, and join me, TuneMoose Matt Bates, for a weekly short walk through musicland! Hits and Hooks Vignettes is produced by Everyone's A Star Records

Songs:

Dale Allen - Mem'ry du Jour (Jamendo)

ZÛHLKE - Doing Dubai (Jamendo)

Luna Keller - I'll Bring You Home (Jamendo)

OnClassical - Mozart W.A. Sonata No. 16 in C Major K. 545 - II. Andante (Jamendo)

PERK - Bulletproof (Jamendo)

Gulf Stream Riders - Not That Someone (Jamendo)

Abraham Mahoney - Bloodstained (Jamendo)

Young Smart - That's Crazy (Jamendo)

Eliza Pope - As Sweet As You (Jamendo)

Stevesterry2 - Fleeting Hearts 60s (Jamendo)

Christos Anestopoulos - BACH CELLO SUITE No1 PRELUDE IN G (Jamendo)

Maksim Peskov - inematic bagpipes song (Jamendo)

OnClassical - Scriabin A. Trois morceaux Op. 2 - I. Étude in C-sharp Minor (Jamendo)

Mikaël Paranthoën - Later (Jamendo)

Olepash - Goodbye Leyla (Jamendo)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Ragged Man" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Hidden Lane" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "You're The One" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Can't You See, 1 and 1 and 1 is 3?" | Nonsense Lyrics, + More ||: HHV 1-1

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 14:00:24 GMT

In the first episode of this, the first series, we'll start our journey into hooks, those little things that keep us engaged in a song. We'll talk about sectional contrast as one of those hooks. Also vocalizations, vocal doubling. We have a few different styles to present... Latin, Country, J-Pop, Rock, Pop. And, as they say in the ads... much much more.

Songs:

BREEZELESS - Japanese Lovers (Jamendo)

Houdini Roadshow - Rocksteady (Jamendo)

Confushian - Burning flame (Jamendo)

Deivid Rivera - Clavada en mi pecho (Jamendo)

Wild Fire - Been There Dumped That (Jamendo)

Luke Metzler - Ain't That a Shame (Jamendo)

Beldon Burch - When You Stop Rolling (Jamendo)

Radio Nowhere - Emily (Jamendo)

AurbanniAudio - Mozart Piano Sonata N9 (Jamendo)

Haseken - The silence of the ancient city (Jamendo)

Jürgen Döring - Clair De Lune Debussy (Jamendo)

Relax Cafe Music BGM - Golden Cocktail (Jamendo)

piccadillyCircus - Latin Jazz Funk (Jamendo)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Cakewalk" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "I Ain't Done Yet" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Everything 'Bout Love" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trailer: Hits and Hooks Vignettes, Series 1

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:44:22 GMT

In Hits and Hooks: Vignettes, we play some great tunes — and we lift the hood to see what makes them tick.

Hits and Hooks is a short-form music podcast about how songs keep listeners engaged — through hooks, structure, and the musical decisions that quietly do their work.

We don’t just talk about music — we play it.

Full songs. Real examples.

Maybe you make music.

Maybe you don’t — but you’re obsessed with it.

Either way, if the workings of music fascinate you, you’re in the right place.

Come with me — TuneMoose, Matt Bates — for short walks through musicland.

No chart trivia. No long breakdowns. No hero worship.

Just quick, curious vignettes about the magic inside great songs.

Follow Hits and Hooks now.

Three episodes drop January 10.

Hits and Hooks Vignettes is produced by Everyone's A Star Records, and hosted by TuneMoose Matt Bates.

Songs:

Radio Nowhere - Emily (Jamendo)

ZÛHLKE - Doing Dubai (Jamendo)

Bill Steely - Halfway (Jamendo)

Dazie Mae - At the Begining of Love (Jamendo)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "Hidden Lane" (Everyone's A Star Records)

TuneMoose Matt Bates, "The Arrival" (Everyone's A Star Records)

Keywords:

music, song analysis, hooks, melody, harmony, rhythm, genre, songwriting, engagement, recording, mixing, production, instruments, performance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.