Ongoing History of New Music

Movie soundtracks once shaped the direction of popular music...and nowhere was that more true than in alternative rock.

This week, we go back into the Ongoing History vault to trace the evolution of movie soundtracks from their early, days to their cultural impact in the ’80s and ’90s. These are albums that helped define, amplify, and sometimes completely redirect alternative music.

From the electronic shock of A Clockwork Orange to the cult chaos of The Rocky Horror Picture Show...from the John Hughes films that introduced a generation to British alt‑rock, to era‑defining releases like Singles, Judgement Night, The Crow, and Trainspotting...this is an exploration of how film and music collided at exactly the right moments.

Soundtracks may not dominate the charts the way they once did, but their influence is everywhere.

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There was a time when Canadians didn’t believe in Canadian music...unless someone else told us it was good first.

To celebrate Canada Day, we're exploring how that mindset changed, and how Canada went from cultural insecurity to producing one of the most influential rock movements of the 1990s. From early radio bias and the “Guess Who?” prank, to CanCon rules, FACTOR funding, the rise of FM radio, and the national impact of MuchMusic, this is the long story of how a domestic music industry was built...piece by piece.

We trace the conditions that led to the CanRock explosion of the ’90s, spotlighting key artists and moments along the way: Rush, Martha and the Muffins, Blue Rodeo, The Tragically Hip, Sloan, Our Lady Peace, I Mother Earth, and many more.

We also dig into the demographics, economics, and cultural shifts that turned Canadian bands into hometown heroes...and international stars.

It took decades, smart policy, and a generation ready to embrace its own voice...but the payoff was enormous.

This is the story of how Canadian rock found its confidence…and changed everything.

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Rock music is supposed to belong to the young...but history tells us a different story.

This time, we look at artists who refused to quit, even as the years passed and the industry insisted their time was over.

From Deborah Harry breaking through with Blondie in her 30s, to James Murphy reinventing himself with LCD Soundsystem at 35, to Leonard Cohen becoming a global icon in his 50s, these are the musicians who proved that success doesn’t always come on schedule.

They've had to deal with ageism baked into the music business, the realities of grinding it out for decades, and the moments when persistence, timing, and reinvention finally collide.

It’s a reminder that while breaking through gets harder with age, it’s never impossible...and sometimes, the best work comes later.
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What happens when a band loses its lead singer?

Usually, it’s the end...but not always.

In this episode, we explore 18 bands that survived... and sometimes thrived... after changing singers.

From Stone Temple Pilots and Sublime to Alice in Chains, Faith No More, and New Order.

Losing your singer doesn’t have to mean the end… but surviving it is one of the hardest things a band can do.
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Distortion was once considered a mistake...now it’s a defining force in modern music. This episode explores how broken gear, happy accidents, and fearless artists turned fuzz, feedback, and overdrive into powerful creative tools, shaping everything from early rock to experimental soundscapes.

This time, we dive into feedback, overdriven amps, drop-D tuning, and distortion beyond the guitar, touching on organs, synthesizers, experimental music, shoegaze, noise, and drone. From the elegance of controlled sustain to the chaos of Metal Machine Music, this is the story of how musicians learned to embrace imperfection and changed music forever.
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