Groove On These Sonos Radio Music Podcasts

When listeners think of the most prominent podcast networks, Sonos Radio doesn’t immediately come to mind. First, because Sonos is known for its wireless speakers. Second, because it’s a bigger player in internet, curated radio.

Since Sonos is so focused on music, its podcasts mirror that same degree of emphasis. It’s stable of music podcasts is impressive. More important, if you’re a music fan, they are great fun and a sonic pleasure. I think what separates Sonos’s music podcasts from other music podcasts is the innate sense of excavating the creative forces behind making music.

Between the launch of brand-new series like Margo Price’s Runaway Horses or Emmett Malloy’s America’s Dead — diving deep into the Grateful Dead’s enduring impact with Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, Mac DeMarco, Animal Collective, mycologist Paul Stamets and so many others — plus the return of Hanif Abdurraqib’s Object of Sound, DJ Lindsey’s Black is Black and more detailed below, the platform has united a boundless community of musicians and collaborators through the power of personal, audio storytelling.

For music fans, these podcasts are a delight. Check these out:

America’s Dead

With GRAMMY-winning filmmaker, producer and Deadhead Emmett Malloy as its spiritual guide, this limited-run, ten-episode series is a journey to understand how the Grateful Dead forever changed music, culture and consciousness. As Variety says, “America’s Dead asks listeners the question: What can the Dead tell us about us? The podcast reveals the answer through a compelling audio story that identifies the power of the Dead in constructing identity and community.” Fascinating conversations are shared with multiple generations and genres of musicians, a religious scholar, mushroom scientist, streetwear designers, original band and business members, the founder of a sobriety group and more. Start with “Paul Stamets Says Eat Your Mushrooms,” “Finding Sobriety Through the Dead with Grateful Don,” “The Dead are Channeling God with Dr. Varun Soni and Sage,” or “Ezra Koenig, in Defense of the Dead.”

Object of Sound

Hosted by poet, essayist and critic Hanif Abdurraqib, the latest installment of the acclaimed podcast has further brought listeners in tune with the music shaping culture. Blending the eclectic curation of freeform radio with textural storytelling and artist interviews, each episode guides you to a new way of listening. Recent highlights include Björk, Mavis Staples, a mini-series on The Wonders of Songwriting featuring Carly Rae Jepsen, Nick Hakim and Ravyn Lenae, a tribute to Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchison, Eddie Fowles & Imani Dixon on Detroit Techno, NY Times critic Wesley Morris on favorite Black movie soundtracks, and Yaeji, which Vulture named one of the Best Interviews of 2022 So Far.

Runaway Horses

GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, published author and generational talent Margo Price hosts inspiring conversations with artists who aren’t afraid to break the mold and follow their own path. All six episodes in this first season are about the search for freedom through music and the shared human experience, featuring heroes and contemporaries like Emmylou Harris, Amythyst Kiah, Swamp Dogg, Bob Weir, Bettye LaVette and Lucius.

Black is Black

A monthly show exploring the significant and continuing legacy of the Black Diaspora, hosted by visionary creative and nightlife contributor DJ Lindsey. Highlights include “The Roots of Jungle / Drum & Bass with DJ Krust & DJ Flight,” “Where’d The Saxophone Go?” on the most recent disappearance of the instrument from pop music, and “Amapiano,” a sound created in South Africa and spawned from house music, kwaito, bubblegum, bacardi, jazz, hip hop, and gqom.

Sheroes Mixtape Memoir

Each womxn’s life has its own soundtrack — songs that become symbolic of important moments and relationships, creative sparks, challenges, and triumphs. This is where you’ll hear womxn who make music share the music that made them. Hosted by radio personality and trusted interviewer Carmel Holt, the bi-weekly show explores the power of song and its lasting impact on womxn’s lives and creativity, bringing a new twist to artist-curated playlists through female and feminist perspectives not yet equally represented in music. Episodes challenge stereotypes, break barriers and build understanding. Start with Tori Amos and Santigold.

Radio Hour

In a weekly show hosted by Elia Einhorn, listeners connect with artists through their musical influences and obsessions, shared through in-depth interviews and DJ sets. The year’s eclectic and visionary array of guests include Arooj Aftab, Baxter Dury, Cate Le Bon, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupol, Lido Pimienta, Lykke Li, Ravenna and many more.

Imaginary Soundtracks

Every music supervisor has a stash of tracks they’ve earmarked for future use in a project. Sometimes they are well-known songs, but mostly, these are deep-cut, obscure, and beloved. With each episode, host DJ Bunny Ears (aka Eric David Johnson) brings in a fellow music supervisor and together they build an incredible playlist — effectively pretending it’s an imaginary soundtrack made of hidden-gems. Start with Matt FX and Maggie Phillips.

From The Basement

Audio episodes from the relaunch of the critically-acclaimed live music series are available exclusively on Sonos Radio. Produced by Nigel Godrich, sessions include IDLES, Sons of Kemet, Caribou, Warpaint and more.

Music Made Us

The show from Wax Poetics and Sonos Radio takes listeners on an eight-stop journey across the United States, exploring how music’s influence helped shape and build the character of each locale. Highlights include Detroit with Waajeed and Philadelphia with DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Dada Strain Radio

Investigating the crossroads of improvisation, rhythm, and community, the monthly show is hosted by prolific writer and editor Piotr Orlov (NY Times, Pitchfork, NPR), who hones in on the rich intersection of jazz and dance as a blueprint for the development of music, and potential social futures. The first season finale, “Bird Songs for Breezy,” honors the memory of late trumpeter/composer/improviser Jaimie “Breezy” Branch.