During our annual “Ask Us Anything” shows, we usually put out a call for ideas for out Exclusive Content show. And one of the most frequent requests is some sort of extension of prior episodes, covering newlly-released albums from bands that have been covered. Until now, it never really seemed to make sense. But Jeff… Continue reading

Scot and Jeff discuss Sleater-Kinney with Nic Rowan. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Nic Rowan. Nic is managing editor of The Lamp, a Catholic literary journal. You can follow him on Twitter/x @NicXTempore. Nic’s Music Pick: Sleater-Kinney When people talk about the greatest American rock bands of… Continue reading

Previously, Political Beats took a musical trip through New York City, a place of towering ambition, crowded streets, and endless inspiration for songwriters. This month, we’re heading three thousand miles west for our June 2026 Exclusive Content. Los Angeles occupies a different place in the American imagination. New York is often portrayed as a city… Continue reading

Scot and Jeff discuss the second part of XTC’s career (1984-2000) with Andrew Gretes. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Andrew Gretes. Andrew is a fiction writer teaching creative rhetoric at Georgetown and George Washington University. You can find his work at andrewgretes.com. Andrew’s Music Pick: XTC, Pt. 2… Continue reading

Who are the greatest living songwriters working today? Well, the New York Times recently submitted their list of Americans who made the cut and boy did people have things to say about it. Us, too! This month, for our May 2026 Exclusive Content episode, we dig into the artists we think deserve a place alongside… Continue reading

Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of XTC’s career (1977-1983) with Andrew Gretes. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Andrew Gretes. Andrew is a fiction writer teaching creative rhetoric at Georgetown and George Washington University. You can find his work at andrewgretes.com. Andrew’s Music Pick: XTCThere may be… Continue reading

Welcome to the April 2026 Exclusive Content episode of Political Beats, as we bring back our ever-popular “Year In Music” series. In this episode, we treat 1977 less like a canon and more like a collision. It’s what we think the 1977 should be, not necessarily what it was on the charts. On one side,… Continue reading

Scot and Jeff discuss The Apples in Stereo with Jack Butler. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Jack Butler. Jack is deputy editor for Free Expression, a new newsletter about politics and culture from the Wall Street Journal opinion page. Previously he was submissions editor for National Review Online. You can follow him… Continue reading