Sample Excavator
A podcast by Angelo Robledo that digs through sample and production history to piece together the stories behind the world's biggest records. Each episode I explore a prominent sample or sound and track its most notable uses throughout history, discovering surprising connections between songs, artists, and genres along the way. Sample Excavator is a proud part of Pantheon - the podcast network for music lovers.
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The Metallica Report: Trailer
Weekly News, Features, and Interviews from Metallica HQ and Beyond
1 min
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Episode 1.10: NILE RODGERS PT. 2
WE MADE IT. This is the final episode of season 1, the second part to the two part finale that we started last week with the story of Nile Rodgers. If you haven't listened to last week's part one yet, stop now, go listen, then come back. In this episode ...
25 min
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Episode 1.9: NILE RODGERS PT. 1
The finish line is in sight. We are finally at the first part of the two part finale to season one of Sample Excavator. We are exploring the immense influence of Nile Rodgers in music for the finale. To do this, however, we first need to understand the e...
30 min
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Episode 1.8: RICK RUBIN
These last three episodes of Season 1 will really chronicle the rise of hip hop. This week we are looking at the producer Rick Rubin, possibly the most prolific producer of all time. He founded Def Jam Records and Def American Records, signing or produci...
18 min
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Episode 1.7: TOM'S DINER
Last weeks episode was our longest yet so I limited myself this week to even it out. In this brief episode I break down the song Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega, telling the story of how it blew up due to an EDM remix and developed into a mainstay sample in ...
11 min
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Episode 1.6: YEAH! WOO!
For the first time I am tackling a song in the top 10 most sampled of all time list. In fact this week's sample has been used in 2340 other songs in the last decade, making it the third most sampled song of all time. It has been used in 60+ songs in 2019...
21 min
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Episode 1.5: GOOD FEELING
We are halfway done with the first season of Sample Excavator! A shorter episode this week as we examine a soul vocal from Etta James used throughout EDM, pop, and rap since the 90's. This fits into a larger trend of soul vocals being used in EDM that we...
12 min
8
Episode 1.4: BERT BERNS
This week we look at the incredible story of Bert Berns, a songwriting genius who was exceptionally prolific in the 1960's. He's worked with the Isley Brothers (who we discussed last week, check it out if you haven't already), The Beatles, Jimmy Page, Va...
12 min
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Episode 1.3: THE ISLEY BROTHERS
Episode 3 breaks down samples from the Isley Brothers, a gospel, soul, funk, R&B, and rock group that was active from the late 50's to the early 80's. They've been sampled by Biggie, Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar, and hundreds more. This week's playlist cont...
17 min
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Episode 1.2: THE RIFF
Episode 2 breaks down 'The Riff,' a series of 5 descending chords or notes that has a rich history throughout classic rock with notable uses by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Chicago, and Green Day.This week's playlist containing all the songs discussed is ...
17 min
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Episode 1.1: SUPERSONIC
Angelo Robledo kicks off the debut season of Sample Excavator by analyzing the song Supersonic by J.J. Fad, tracking the many times it's been sampled over the last two decades. This week's playlist containing all the songs discussed plus more is availab...
11 min
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Trailer: Welcome to Sample Excavator
Welcome to Sample Excavator! This episode introduces sampling, the inspiration for the podcast, and the format of the episodes. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter @sampleexcavator Follow the host on Instagram and Twitter @idigit1st Email the s...
5 min