Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream w/Jacob Givens

New Signals - Geese

On this New Signals segment of the Mixtape Hotline, Steve gets driven to madness over the popularity of Geese while Nick tries to talk him off the ledge by subliminally promising him Taylor Swift vinyl.

New Signals - Angine De Poitrine

The Mixtape Hotline is introducing a segment called NEW SIGNALS, where we step outside of our 90s focused purview and look to analyze more modern bands. On this episode we discuss the enigmatic Angine De Poitirine and how their microtonal grooves have carved out a new and surprising place in our current moment.

Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream w/Jacob Givens

Actor, writer, musician, and social media personality Jacob Givens joins the Mixtape Hotline to discuss his favorite album of all time: Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins. We trace the band's rise from the Chicago underground through the creation of one of the defining albums of the 1990s. Along the way, we examine the relentless pursuit of perfection that shaped the record, the internal tensions that nearly tore the band apart, and how those struggles ultimately produced an enduring alternative rock classic.

The Bends: The Album That Changed Radiohead

For the 11th episode of Mixtape Hotline, we dive into Radiohead and the turbulent period surrounding The Bends. After the unexpected explosion of "Creep," the band found themselves trapped beneath the weight of a massive radio hit they were already beginning to resent. We explore the pressure, uncertainty, and identity crisis that surrounded the making of The Bends, and how that tension ultimately pushed Radiohead toward creating one of the defining rock albums of the 1990s. We also get into the emotional tone of the record, the leap in songwriting and atmosphere, the early signs of the band's future experimentation, and why The Bends continues to resonate as such a pivotal transitional album in alternative rock history. Listen to Mixtape Hotline on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for full episodes and more deep dives into music history and culture.

Hole & Courtney Love: Chaos, Fame & The Art Of Survival

In this episode of Mixtape Hotline, we explore the first three albums from Hole and the turbulent, polarizing career of frontwoman Courtney Love. From the abrasive chaos of Pretty on the Inside to the emotional intensity of Live Through This and the glossy evolution of Celebrity Skin, we trace the band's transformation across the 1990s and examine how Hole carved out a unique place in alternative rock history. The conversation also dives into Courtney Love herself — her artistry, acting career, public image, controversies, and the strange cultural endurance that has kept her in the spotlight for decades. Rather than painting her as a hero or villain, we try to approach the story as objectively as possible: how much of her legacy comes from the music, how much comes from the mythology, and how inseparable are the two? This is a discussion about fame, survival, media obsession, and one of the most divisive figures in 90s music culture.