Eyeball Kid - Mule Variations [264]

As Tom Waits explores his frustrations around the business of music/entertainment, Amrita shares some of her own experiences with Martin and Sam. We discuss the managerial perspective of the song, how that compares to Wait's own position in the industry, and the different strategies The Ting Tings use to express similar sentiments.

Note: Sam refers to Eddie Campbell as Australian; he is actually Scottish and just lived in Australia for a number of years.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Eyeball Kid, Mule Variations, Tom Waits (1999)

That's Not My Name, We Started Nothing, The Ting Tings (2008)

Rule Not The Exception Podcast, Sagar Radia & Amrita Acharia (2020)

The Sister, TV drama, dir. Niall MacCormick & w. Neil Cross (2020) - purchase via YouTube below or watch in the UK on ITV Player

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Black Market Baby - Mule Variations [263]

Images of illicit women blur with dangerous spousal descriptions, as Amrita rejoins Sam and Martin for a second Mule Variation. The value of heartbreak in the production of art, the prevalence of the male gaze in popular music, and feline solutions to romantic difficulties all feature in our discussion this week. 

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Black Market Baby, Mule Variations, Tom Waits (1999)

Undercover, Music for People in Trouble, Susanne Sundfør (2017)

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What's He Building? - Mule Variations [262]

Actress Amrita Acharia joins Martin and Sam to kick off the new year with voyeurism and construction in this creepy Mule Variations classic. We chat about musical intention, whether Sam is funky (spoilers; he's not), and images of neighbourhood in 1970s America.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
What's He Building?, Mule Variations, Tom Waits (1999)

We Are Neighbours, (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People, The Chi-Lites (1971)

Crazy In Love, Dangerously In Love, Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z (2003)

If Everybody Looked The Same, Vertigo, Groove Armada (2000)

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