🎧 Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 15 Recap: Jazz Rage, Cover Delights & Folk Gems from Sweden to New Orleans
Welcome back to Songs That Don’t Suck, the podcast that separates quality songwriting from algorithmic noise. In Episode 15, host Mark Bradbourne channels some serious jazz purist energy, unveils a new “Brain Bending Cover,” and brings us five incredible tracks—ranging from Scandinavian indie folk to a New Orleans storyteller with Ani DiFranco vibes.
Let’s get into it. 🎶
🎷 Jazz Playlists Got AI’d—and Mark Is Not Having It
This week starts with a (jazz-fueled) rant: Mark dug into some of Spotify’s new jazz playlists and came back… infuriated.
“Looped rhythm sections. In jazz. That’s a war crime.”
While there were a few bright spots (and yes, a shoutout to his saxophone-playing nephew), Mark was appalled at the lo-fi hip-hop crossover creeping into sacred jazz territory. Verdict? No jazz on the pod for now—but maybe on Twitter.
🎸 Brain Bending Cover of the Week: Corey Wong’s Stevie Wonder Medley
Last episode brought us T-Pain covering War Pigs. This week? We get Corey Wong melting faces with a medley of:
- 🎹 Superstition
- 💞 Isn’t She Lovely
- 🎷 Sir Duke
“I didn’t know I needed a funk fusion jazz tribute to Stevie, but I really did.”
🆕 This Week’s Five Songs That Don’t Suck
🇸🇪 1. Simon Alexander – “Freeloaders”
- 📍 From: Sweden’s west coast
- 🕊️ Vibe: Melancholy lyrics with an uplifting feel
- 📀 Background: Debuted globally in 2017, making waves across Scandinavian festivals
This track opens slowly, but when the drums kick in, it blooms. Subtle and smart, with emotional depth that doesn’t overwhelm. Bonus: Simon is the first Swedish artist to make the podcast!
🎙️ 2. Norah Jones – “Killing Time”
- 📍 From: NYC
- 💿 Legacy: 2002’s Come Away With Me (Grammy gold)
- 🔄 Surprise factor: She’s released a ton of music lately—including a Logic collab and a Christmas album!
Mark admits he thought she disappeared—but turns out, Norah never left. Her signature moody, unmistakable voice is as captivating as ever.
🌿 3. Noah Cyrus (feat. Vance Joy) – “Everybody Need Somebody”
- 📍 From: Nashville
- 👨👩👧 Family Ties: Fifth child of Billy Ray Cyrus. Yes, really.
- 🎧 Genre-bending: Pop roots, but this one landed on a folk playlist
Her voice is warm, dynamic, and yes—genetically gifted. Vance Joy adds a beautiful texture, and the track shows Noah’s range beyond the mainstream.
“11 million listeners and I only just found her? That’s on me.”
🪕 4. Josiah and the Bonnevilles – “I Am Appalachia”
- 📍 From: Tennessee
- 💬 Community: Built on Patreon with deep fan connections
- 🎯 Vibe: Honest, heartfelt Americana with DIY roots
Grassroots music done right. This song is simple, strong, and real. Josiah’s anti-label stance and direct fan engagement make this not just good music—but a movement worth backing.
🎻 5. Odie Lee – “Shoots and Ladders”
- 📍 From: New Orleans, LA
- 🏆 Featured Track of the Week
- ✍️ For fans of: Ani DiFranco, early Regina Spektor, lush acoustic folk
From the first lyric, Odie Lee pulls you in. A stunning blend of acoustic guitar, cello, and poetic storytelling, this is the kind of song you carry with you. Mark calls it a soul-connector—and he’s already snagged tickets to see her live in Cleveland.
“Her voice and lyrics attached to my soul.”
🧼 Housekeeping + How to Get Involved
🛍️ Grab some merch → Tees & stickers available now!
Until next time…
Keep discovering, keep sharing, and most of all—keep listening to songs that don’t suck. 🎧🤘
