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B-Side Breakdown

B-Side Breakdown

By: Brett Johnson
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Summary
 Welcome to the B-Side Breakdown! A podcast where I, Brett Johnson your host, will chat with friends, heroes, and those who inspire, to learn about a song or piece of music they have written, new or old, released or previously unreleased that is particularly meaningful to them and ideally get deep into the “Why?” behind it.

Not only will learn more about the artist’s selection, but you will hear the song or piece in its entirety, and you’ll get a sneak peek into what they are working on now, regardless of artform or medium.

I look forward to having artists on the show covering a spectrum of genres, including independent rock, punk, Hip-Hop, post-hardcore, Americana, Country, progressive and beyond.

Personally, I think this is going to be a lot of fun and I look forward to you joining us for the ride!2025 Music
Episodes
  • E59: "Absolution" by Season To Risk with Steve Tulipana

    E59: "Absolution" by Season To Risk with Steve Tulipana
    1 Oct 2026
    Three voices, one person’s mind. On “Absolution,” Steve Tulipana used the interplay between himself and his bandmates to explore how someone could commit an atrocity and justify it to themselves.

    The song came together in Martin Bisi’s studio, where the rhythms Paul Malinowski and Jason Gerken were developing called for a different approach. Hearing The Birthday Party’s “Zoo Music Girl” sparked an idea, while coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial informed Steve’s thinking about the character. With Paul and Duane Trower joining him on vocals, those internal arguments became three distinct voices—an experiment that made “Absolution” one of his favorite tracks on In a Perfect World.

    We also talk about revisiting that record for its vinyl reissue, Steve’s changing perspective on the band’s early artwork, and making new music that reflects who the members have become.

    Follow Season to Risk

    Bandcamp:
    https://seasontorisk.bandcamp.com/

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/seasontorisk

    Thanks for supporting B-Side Breakdown — where the song is just the start of the story.


    Brett Johnson
    Host, B-Side Breakdown
    https://www.bsidebreakdown.com

    #BSideBreakdown #SeasonToRisk #Absolution #SteveTulipana #InAPerfectWorld #NoiseRock #PostHardcore #BehindTheSong #MusicPodcast #IndependentMusic
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    1 hr and 10 min
  • E58: "Pearls" by and with Maintenance

    E58: "Pearls" by and with Maintenance
    23 Sep 2026
    “Pearls” wasn’t chosen as a single, but it was one of the first songs that made Maintenance hear what their new record could become.

    It began with Costa playing chords on a classical guitar. The band built on that first idea together, while the words took shape from mumbled melodies, notes written on a subway commute, and a question about following a part of yourself you’re only beginning to understand.

    The band also remembers the less solemn parts: a keyboard shortcut that briefly erased the project, and Frank holding his ground over an unusual drum part when they recorded it. We talk about both moments, and about the ten days they spent together making From Flowers with the rare luxury of focusing on music and each other.

    Follow Maintenance

    Bandcamp:
    https://maintenance914.bandcamp.com

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/maintenance914/

    Thanks for supporting B-Side Breakdown — where the song is just the start of the story.

    Brett Johnson
    Host, B-Side Breakdown
    https://www.bsidebreakdown.com

    #BSideBreakdown #Maintenance914 #Pearls #FromFlowers #PostHardcore #Songwriting #BehindTheSong #MusicPodcast #IndependentMusic #YonkersMusic
    Show more Show less
    45 min
  • E57: "RAH RAH RAH" by Nick and the Adversaries with Nick Bacon

    E57: "RAH RAH RAH" by Nick and the Adversaries with Nick Bacon
    23 Sep 2026
    “RAH RAH RAH” began as a hook Nick Bacon couldn’t quite turn into a finished song. As he watched people in his Massachusetts community live with the threat of detention, he found the words.

    Nick talks about why the band released the song before finishing its next record, and how ska’s mix of joyful music and social conscience shaped its sound. He also talks about the lyric video: drummer Scott Boyce filmed outside an ICE holding facility in Burlington, and the band cut that footage against an American flag. For Nick, putting the song out was a way to make sure the band’s voice was heard, however many people listened.

    Follow Nick and the Adversaries

    Bandcamp:
    https://nickandtheadversaries1.bandcamp.com/track/rah-rah-rah

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/nickandtheadversaries/

    Thanks for supporting B-Side Breakdown — where the song is just the start of the story.

    Brett Johnson
    Host, B-Side Breakdown
    https://www.bsidebreakdown.com

    #BSideBreakdown #NickAndTheAdversaries #RahRahRah #NickBacon #Ska #TwoTone #ProtestSong #Songwriting #BehindTheSong #MusicPodcast #IndependentMusic
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    48 min
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