Whether you like listening while exercising, working, or on your daily commute, Podcasts have changed how content is distributed, and they can be a precious tool for exploring and learning more about your favorite interests. It’s a format that is here to stay. So I wanted to share my top five film music podcasts that I’m listening to right now. This list isn’t some insider’s secret list, and it is likely all are pretty well known, but I find tremendous value in each of these podcasts.

Art of the score

ART OF THE SCORE

An in-depth podcast series discussing the world of film scores. It is hosted by Andrew Pogson, Dan Golding, and Nicholas Buc.

  • Format: Discussion
  • New episodes released monthly
  • This podcast is currently by far my favorite. It provides a very detailed look at a particular score, both musically and historically. Because of the immense detail, they do release monthly. The show hosts are also musicians, composers, lecturers in their own right and come to the table with a vast amount of passion for this field.
  • Website: http://www.artofthescore.com.au/

SETTLING THE SCORE

An in-depth discussion of a classic film score: what makes it tick, how it serves the movie, and whether it’s any good.

  • Format: Discussion
  • New episodes released monthly
  • If you like discussions on film scores focused intensely on one movie at a time, this is another excellent option. I love that they started with the American Film Institute’s top 25 greatest scores list. Beyond that list, they then explore beautiful movies that are a bit off the beaten path. The hosts make film music accessible for everyone, allowing everyone to come away with something from each episode.
  • Website: https://www.settlingthescorepodcast.com/

SCORE: THE PODCAST

You are invited to the studios of Hollywood’s most brilliant, beloved, and imaginative musical storytellers.

  • Format: Interview
  • New episodes released weekly
  • If you’re looking for interviews with some of the world’s best film music composers, look no further. Hosted by Robert Kraft and Kenny Holmes, each episode offers a personal view of the composer’s journey and some tips and never-before-heard stories along the way.
  • Website: https://www.score-movie.com/

THE SOUNDTRACK SHOW

A Look at film scores and soundtrack for some of the most popular movies, TV Shows, Video Games, and theater pieces of all time.

  • Format: Narrative
  • New episodes released weekly
  • About the length of a one-way commute to work, it unpacks a film/tv/games score with the perfect amount of detail for all levels of fans. In addition, I appreciate how the host, David Collins, sets up the era in which the film/tv/game music was composed.
  • Website: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-the-soundtrack-show-29021108/

THE ANNOTATOR

A Podcast where composers share thoughts and stories about their original scores.

  • Format: Discussion
  • No new episodes as of 2019
  • It’s a shame this one doesn’t have any newer episodes, but it does have 100+ that you can cycle thru if you haven’t delved in yet. The Annotator brings a fresh perspective by having the composer sit thru and listen and reflect and tell stories about the music they composed. I can’t think of a podcast that better gets you into the mind of writing music for a film than this one. Better yet is that the producer, Christopher Coleman, gives a shining light to composers and music team members that don’t often get it.
  • Website: https://theannotator.net/

I invite you to leave a comment about these or other podcasts that you consider are done well. Would love to hear your feedback, so we can continue adding to this list, and perhaps feature a few more next time!