Pop Kitchen

About Pop Kitchen

A pop music conversation between two pop music fans who are also musicians... After endless discussions about our favorite artists/writers/producers and pop music history, we decided to take our obsession to the mics and start Pop Kitchen, here in Lesley’s Kitchen! We hope to break down some of the most current trends within pop music culture whilst also deep diving back in time to freak out about the songs that inspired them. Thanks for listening and feel free to leave us some messages and reviews about what YOU want to hear next week .

Publisher

Lesley Roy and Jeff Johnson

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

30 Aug 2019

Latest episode

12 Feb 2020

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Feb 2020

   17. Selena Gomez's new album: "Rare"

   After being apart two long, difficult weeks, Jeff and Lesley reunite to talk about Selena Gomez and her new album, "Rare," and some stand-out tracks. Melodies on melodies. Acoustic instruments and synth leads. Dance beats and slow ballads. Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter and a team of Swedes. Rhythm, Music. My man. Who could ask for anything more?! Join us for the journey of Season 2 on Pop Kitchen. - Taylor Swift - Katy Perry - Lady Gage - Justin Bieber - Billie Eilish

2. 

   29 Jan 2020

   16. The 1983 Birthday Episode

   A New year, a new decade, a new season of Pop Kitchen. And we are kicking things off with Jeff's birthday special. Take a trip with us back to 1983 to talk about a few hit songs that found their way into Jeff's DNA. And we will, of course, dive into a couple other memorable tunes that burrowed their way into Jeff's musical psyche. 37 years of random musical obsessions...there's a lot to discuss. Join us for the adventure of Season Two. Big things are coming. Big news is on the horizon. It'll be an epic drama. a dramatic epic that you want to be a part of. And we want you with us! - Bonnie Tyler - Celine Dion - David Foster - Max Martin - Boyz II Men - Toto - Billy Joel - Peter Cetera - Mariah Carey (always)

3. 

   28 Dec 2019

   15: The Decade Comes to an End!

   This. Is. The. End...of the year...of the decade...of the inaugural season of Pop Kitchen. Jeff and Lesley take time out of their New Year Celebration to recap and recount some of the best pop songs of this past decade. Who mattered? What did we love? Why did we love it? What songs made a lasting impact on the climate of pop music? We talk about the biggest hits, biggest artists of the past ten years and what made them stand out. So much to cover in just an hour... Katy Perry, Taylor Swift (do you think an episode would go by without a TayTay shout-out?) Lorde, Robyn, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Lizzo, Post Malone. Who else can we name drop in 65 minutes? Oh don't even challenge us...Lady Antebellum, Drake, Mumford and Sons, Justin Timberlake, Max Martin, CHVRCHES, Ke$ha, Mark Ronson, Rihanna, Calvin Harris, Hozier, Avicii, Fun, Jack Antonoff, The Lumineers, Carly Rae Jepsen. And of course, Jeff even finds a way to get in some solid Mariah time. All hail Queen Mimi! Yes, all these things and more! That's what the decade-end special means to us, my loves.

4. 

   6 Dec 2019

   14. What Did You Stream In 2019 ?!

   The Data is in and theres no denying it. Jeff and Lesley talk about the songs, artists and genres that occupied their headphones this past year. In preparation for their year-end and decade-end episode, we face the music and share our most listened to tracks of 2019. Some surprises along with our obvious favorites.... what did you stream in 2019 ? Also Discussed - Katy Perry - Taylor Swift -Arizona - Mansionair - Kelly Clarkson -Pink - SYML - Gregory Alan Isakov - Ben Platt - Marren Morris - The 1975 - Gryffin AND so many more .......!!!!!

5. 

   30 Nov 2019

   13. " Lights On, Lights Up " The intersection of Harry Styles & Maggie Rogers.

   As great as Maggie's new track " Love You For A Long Time " is, it reminded us of the pop greatness of her biggest hit to date , " Light On " At first listen, you might not recognize the similarities with Harry Styles " Lights Up ", but more than the similar titles among other things, the tracks share a co-writer and some west coast synth undertones. Lesley and Jeff break down the lyrical context and speculate wildly at what the artists are singing about. Synthesizers, acoustic guitars, and great melodies are interwoven for a couple stand out tracks in 2019. Also Discussed ; - Journey - Ellie Goulding - Haim - Halsey - Britney Spears - Rostam - Kid Harpoon - Pharrell Williams - Taylor Swift Reminder ; Pop Kitchen Christmas Show Dec 8th / 7pm @ The Gray Mare, East Village, NYC . Tix $15 in advance / $20 at the door

6. 

   22 Nov 2019

   12. Pop Genius Max Martin & The Story of Lesley Roy

   It is finally time. Time to get into the history of Max Martin, from Ace of Base, to his new musical & Juliet, and everything in between. Time to talk about the pop genius who helped launched the careers of Britney Spears & Katy Perry, to name a few. Time to discuss the music master that is responsible for some of the greatest songs of our time. And its finally time to hear the story of Lesley Roy. Pop Kitchen gets real as Lesley shares her own journey navigating the ups and downs of the music industry... what she learned from Max, what is still a mystery and how all that has impacted her. It's funny, it's real, it's honest, it's not always what you expect, but it's Pop Kitchen. DECEMBER 8th, 2019 | 7:00pm | The Gray Mare | East Village, NYC | Pop Kitchen's First Annual Christmas Party. Lesley and Jeff invite you to a Live Podcast Event celebrating the glory of Christmas through pop music. Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pop-kitchen-presents-a-very-poppy-christmas-tickets-82019692107?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing Also discussed in this episode - NYSNC - Backstreet Boys - Avril Lavigne - Kelly Clarkson - Pink - Justin Timberlake - Robyn - Ellie Goulding - Rent - Jive Records

7. 

   15 Nov 2019

   11. Taylor Swift & Shawn Mendes' new version of "Lover" !! Is it the perfect duet ??!

   As Taylor releases a new version of her single, Lover, with megastar Shawn Mendes, Lesley and Jeff are led to discuss duets and collaborations like Ed Sheeran and Beyonce's "Perfect ." Is Camilla Cabello jealous that Shawn is Taylor's Lover?? Is this a better collaboration than Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber? Are we just living in a cross marketing music world? Did Freaky Friday create an entire movie genre? (WAIT! what? that has nothing to do with Taylor ??!! ) All this and sooooo much more ...... Also Discussed - Scott Harris - Elton John - Whitney - Katy Perry -Britney Spears POP KITCHEN CHRISTMAS PARTY. Dec 8th, THE GREY MARE, NYC !!! SAVE THE DATE ! DETAILS COMING SOON !!!

8. 

   1 Nov 2019

   10. Haim’s "Now I’m In It" and our not so secret love for Savage Garden !!

   Pop Kitchen has hit the double digit episodes and we are breaking down a new song from out fave LA based sister band HAIM. This episode has Lesley and Jeff strutting through the streets of the East Village in full music video mode!  The simple percussive guitars are making us happy and reminiscent of Savage Garden's first single from 23 years ago. Not to mention these melodies are sticking in our heads just like a chicka cherry cola. Other music new and old we must mention ; - Coldplay "Orphans" and "Arabesque” - Kanye "Jesus Is King" - Kesha "Raising Hell” - Wrabel "11 Blocks" - Selena Gomez - Julia Michaels - Walter Afanasieff Oh and Spiegel in the East Village

9. 

   25 Oct 2019

   9. Halloween Episode. "Everybody (Backstreets Back)" and what makes a song sound "SCARY"

   Omg, we're back again....!!!!! On our first Halloween episode, Lesley and Jeff try to figure out how a song like the Backstreet Boys' "Everybody" can be so strongly associated with Halloween. But can you discuss Halloween music without talking about "Thriller?" We think not!!! We talk chromatics, dissonance and using simple bass lines as key features in creating a leading "scary sound." Other chilling examples include John Carpenter's "Halloween main theme song" Hitchcock's "Psycho" and we might still throw in some Katy Perry. Terrifying!!!!! Also Discussed - Clive Caulder - Barry Weiss - Jive Records - Denniz PoP - Marilyn Manson - Alanis Morrisette - Hitchcock - John Carpenter - 787 Coffee ( East village )

10. 

    11 Oct 2019

    7. We Love Lauv ! A beautiful breakup episode!!

    Sometimes it happens, we've all been there, the dreaded BREAKUP!! Whether you are peeling yourself off the (pop) kitchen floor or jumping on the couch with middle finger in the air, a great breakup song on repeat can really cure the lonely nights!!! Jeff and Lesley dissect a recent and a classic breakup song. They discuss the synths and sonics behind Lauv's snap happy " Fuck Im Lonely" the duet with Anne-Marie off his recent EP "How Im Feeling " . They nervously chat about the story behind the writing and recording of Bonnie Rait's ultimate tear jerker " I Cant Make You Love Me" and also throw in a few added tracks from their Spotify breakup play list!!! Also discussed : - Michael Pollack - Michael Matosic - Anne- Marie - Clean bandit - Julia Michaels - Brian McKnight - The Cardigans - Vocal Sampling

11. 

    4 Oct 2019

    6. Maroon 5 "Memories", Pachelbel's Canon in D and all the graduation songs!

    This week on Pop Kitchen, Lesley and Jeff deep dive into the writing behind Maroon 5's latest release "Memories."  They dissect the history behind the track's chord progressions coming from the infamous Pachelbel's Canon in D and also its use of other melodic inspiration from "No Woman No Cry." Jeff breaks down other pop hits from the past 20 years that have also used the same chord progressions and Lesley tries to find conceptually the common nostalgic thread between them all. Jeff and Lesley both discuss their own high school graduation songs and what they were thinking musically during that time in their own lives. With special phone in messages from ghosts of high school past. Also discussed - Maroon 5 - Adam Levine - Jonathon Bellion - Pachelbel's Canon in D - JKash - Vincent Ford - Oasis - Vitamin C

12. 

    27 Sept 2019

    5. The Queens. MARIAH, CELINE, ARIANA, Oh my!!!!!

    With new music this month from some of the biggest Queens of Pop, we have no choice but to do a little Diva comparison! While Jeff won't shut up about Mariah, Lesley attempts to keep us on track with a review of Celine's new 4 song teaser from Courage, a mini breakdown of Mariah's "In The Mix " , as well as a look at the theme song for the upcoming Charlie's Angels Movie. ......... Maria, Celine, Ariana Oh My!!! Songs Discussed - "Imperfections" -" Flying on My Own " - " In The Mix " - "I Like Me Better " - " Don't Call Me Angel " Artists and writers discussed - Lauv - Max Martin - Ilya (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilya_Salmanzadeh)Salmanzadeh - Jorgan Olafson - Michael Pollack - Dalla Koehlke - Nicholas Perloff-Giles - Stephen Moccio - Liz Rodriguez

13. 

    20 Sept 2019

    4. Chad Wolf Talks Songwriting, Life, and "The Deleted Years "

    In Pop Kitchen's first ever interview, Jeff and Lesley talk to Chad Wolf of Carolina Liar and The Federal Empire. They dive into the production behind their 2008 album "Coming To Terms" and chat about Max Martin, Tobias Karlsson and Shellback. Having grown up in South Carolina, Chad discusses the influence the church had on his writing style and how that still provides a force today in his more recent band The Federal Empire. There are jokes about wild parties in Laurel Canyon and the strange 2007-2010 pop/rock industry that is now being referred to as "The Deleted Years." Songs Discussed - " Show Me What I'm Looking For " - " Never Liked Your Friends" - " What Are We Fighting For " Link for The Federal Empire upcoming shows ; https://www.bandsintown.com/en/a/13087087-the-federal-empire (https://www.bandsintown.com/en/a/13087087-the-federal-empire) https://www.thefederalempire.com/ (https://www.thefederalempire.com/)

14. 

    13 Sept 2019

    3. The 1986 Birthday Special!!!

    On episode 3 of Pop Kitchen we go on an 80s adventure throughout Europe and back again! On this week’s episode, Lesley and Jeff celebrate Lesley's upcoming Birthday by doing a deep dive into a few of 1986’s biggest hits, plus a few wild card songs that our co-host was obsessed with growing up in Ireland. Our pop fanatics dig through the endless list of Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly hits, 80’s European Synth Pop and even a classic 90’s alt pop smash!!!! They also discuss : -Cyndi Lauper -Madonna -The Goo Goo Dolls -Otis Redding (Lake Monona correcting on this episodes lake reference ) Find out more on our instgram ; pop__kitchen

15. 

    6 Sept 2019

    2. Awkward Small Talk

    When concept meets track....Lesley and Jeff give a listen to new songs from Katy Perry, Post Malone, and Noah Gundersen. We're talking about that whole thing where someone has a clever little idea, and they try to match it musically, and it may or may not result in something aurally pleasant. We'll give you our take on tracks from some of the biggest superstars, and perhaps introduce you to an artist or two you may not know. Join us for some awkward small talk...blah, blah, blah, blah....

16. 

    30 Aug 2019

    1. Lover: a Pop Emergency

    OUR FIRST EPISODE A complete review of Taylor Swift's newest album Lover. Eighteen tracks broken down, dorked out, analyzed, geeked over, and celebrated with Singer/Songwriter Lesley Roy and Artist/Music-Fanboy Jeff Johnson.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

24 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.