The popularity of podcasts has exploded in the last decade or so. Now, you can find them hosted in multiple sites and services, and chances are, if there’s a topic you can think up, there’s likely a podcast for it. And, if there isn’t, it’s only a matter of time before one exists. Podcasts aren’t just for quirky True Crime stories these days.
As a music fan growing up in the MTV Generation, I got most of my music journalism from Kurt Loder or Matt Pinfield. I also subscribed to Rolling Stone and Alternative Press. Nowadays though, with MTV only playing hours and hours of Ridiculousness, and print media dying, there was one logical place to turn to get my music news and views – podcasts.
If you’re a ska fan, there are several high quality shows to choose from. One of my favorites is One The Upbeat. Founded in the summer of 2019, the podcast focuses on the ska community, news and views related to ska music, and interviews with a veritable who’s who of the ska scene.
As the story goes with most things leading into the pandemic years, On The Upbeat saw some changes occur. The changes for them were mainly with hosts. Now though, they’ve hit their groove with a three person crew. The two main hosts are Matt Vest, who hails from the epicenter of the third wave ska explosion. He’s joined by RJ Phoenix, who also pulls double duty on his own podcast, 23Min of Ska.
Rounding out the team is Gary Mastriano, who also performs as a member of the New Jersey ska punk band, Backyard Superheroes.
We were lucky to have the ska podcast trio answer a few questions about their love of ska, but also some pointers for all you aspiring podcasters out there. Check out what they had to say below.
What first hooked you on ska music?
Matt: I was hooked by ska in the ‘90s because of its happy, positive and bright musical sound, mixed with very sad lyrics. It was that tongue in cheek vibe that ‘90s ska punk and that hooked me. It was music you could dance to and music that let you get out all those teenage angst.
RJ: A friend was fast forwarding through a mix tape, landed on a Toasters song he had on it. It wasn’t the right song so he hit FF again, but I made him tell me who the band was. I heard a bright sound, a danceable beat, and horns. I think those things are still major hooks for me overall.
Gary: Ska music was the first music that felt like it belonged to me and I belonged in the scene. It was quirky, fun, fast and upbeat- completely aligned with who I was. I got into ska in that awkward early high school time when you are trying to figure out who you are. It helped me find myself in that way.
There’s a lot of energy and excitement surrounding ska music lately. Why do you think that is?
Matt: I think it’s because there are a lot of fresh voices coming up in the scene. It’s moved past trying to hold on to the glory days of the ‘90s. Also, I think the lock down of 2020 drove a lot of people to collaborate that might not have done it otherwise. I think the lock down really brought a lot of unity to the ska scene. There was a sense that we were all in this together and now we are riding high on that unity.
RJ: When ska and ska/punk got big in my late teens, I had an attitude of “Welcome to the party, I knew the rest of you would catch up to us” but then it all crashed a few years later. I look back and I’m not sure if I got it right or not. The new energy and excitement seems better, maybe more pure in a way? In the mid to late ’90s there may have been more of a sense of “what’s new, what’s hot?” and this time it seems like everyone who wants to be here because they really want to be here.
Gary: I think there are a lot of people my age who grew up with this music and are ready to re-embrace it.
What excited you about ska music most these days?
Matt: I’m excited by how bands, labels, podcasts, artists and photographers are all supporting each other. It doesn’t seem like a competition but a true community supporting one another. Sure everyone is trying to be themselves and carve out their own space but it’s not coming at the expense of others.
RJ: Two things, first off is the amount of love the newer bands are getting. Secondly, the widening scope of the performers and fans. It doesn’t look like white suburban men performing to other white suburban men as much anymore, and I love seeing and hearing that.
Gary: The amount of bands doing unique fun things and all the positivity and support we give each other.
You’ve got podcasts that you work on devoted to the music you love. Tell me a little bit more about them.
Matt: On The Upbeat released our first episode in late August of 2019. When we started, the show was hosted by myself, a ska fan from Orange County California, and Aaron Bertram, who plays trumpet in the Orange County ska band Suburban Legends. In the early days of the podcast we discussed topics like, first ska bands, first ska shows, ska fashion and ska bands from around the world. We also interviewed members from bands like Five Iron Frenzy, Codename: Rocky, Half Past Two, Chase Long Beach and Millington.
In April of 2020, Aaron had step away from On The Upbeat due to COVID. Aaron needed more time to focus on this day job. After Aaron’s departure, RJ Phoenix stepped in as co-host. RJ had already been running his own ska music podcast called 23 Minutes of Ska. Since RJ stepped in he and I have added new segments like Ska News and Ska History. We have also done more interviews with members of bands like Less Than Jake, Big D and The Kids Tables, Catbite, Kill Lincoln, Bite Me Bambi, The Inevitables, The Slackers, Flying Raccoon Suit and many more.
In June of 2021, On The Upbeat launched our Patreon account. Those that subscribe will get two bonus episodes a month and access to a private Facebook page. The future looks bright for us as we continue to grow and shine a light on ska music.
RJ: 23min of Ska is just 23 minutes of ska, I’m nothing if not direct in the naming. The one thing that I’ve always been told I was good at was making mix tapes. In my teens and twenties there would be people that would ask for one even if we hardly knew each other. I was always paying attention to the flow of one song to the next, as well as to have a variety of sounds and acts. When I was doing a different podcast way back when, I wanted to do something small, and focused on my love of ska, and thought a little ska mix tape kind of show would be the perfect fit. It was twice monthly for a while, and eventually went weekly after a few years.
What’s the coolest thing, and the most challenging thing about hosting a podcast?
Matt: The coolest thing is chatting with all the bands. We have made so many awesome friends and had so many wonderful conversations about music.
The most challenging thing about running a podcast is social media. Using social media to talk about and share your podcast is a job unto itself. I have spent just as much time researching how to best use social media to grow your audience as I have listening to music.
RJ: For 23, it is finding bands! I don’t repeat songs and I HATE to repeat the same acts over and over. There’s so much ska, why repeat yourself? Or even play what everybody already knows and loves? That’s my philosophy on it at least, which has probably cost me listeners and “fame.”
For On the Upbeat, it’s getting over either my social anxiety or my absolute fanboy-ness when talking to a band. I really need to chill out a bit more, and if I don’t sound like a loon on the show, I must be pulling it off.
For both, my major challenge is promotion and social media, I spend pretty much all my free time and mental energy on getting them created, I’m pretty much gassed when it comes to the rest.
Gary: Coolest is for sure meeting bands that I really dig and chatting with people who are all in this scene together
Do you have any advice for aspiring podcasters?
Matt: Make the show you want to make. Build the show around what makes you happy. There are all kinds of people in this world and you will find your audience by being your authentic self. That’s the best advice I got.
However, here is some more practical advice. Pick a schedule that works for you.
- If you want to only put out episodes once a month that’s OK but you have to stick to that.
- If you put them out once a week, put them out on the same day.
- If you are always changing release days you will lose your audience.
Also, build a social media schedule. Decide what days to post what kind of content. Make sure you engage with other kinds of social media accounts that are related to your topic. Engage with the fans of your podcast.
RJ: Set schedules! One for recording/creating the show, and one for releasing. Make sure it works for your life. 23 started off slow because I wanted to make sure I could hit a regular schedule on a consistent basis. Your listeners will look forward to knowing that you release an episode on a certain day. The consistency will show them that this podcast just won’t disappear without warning some day. Other than that, just go for it. You don’t need the best mics or the most expensive editing programs, you just need to do it!
Gary: Talk about what you are passionate about.
When looking at what you’ve done so far with On the Upbeat and 23Min of Ska, what are you most proud of?
Matt: My favorite thing to hear from fans is “I heard about this band because of your show.” Knowing that we helped people learn about new bands is the thing I’m most proud of.
RJ: That I’ve made over 500 episodes of 23min of Ska over the last 12 years. It’s a hilariously long mixtape! I’m most proud that I’ve found a home in On the Upbeat with the listeners. I felt like I was stepping into big shoes taking over the role of co-host, and I’m glad it’s worked out.
Who are your favorite bands that you’ve discovered because of the podcasts?
Matt: I have discovered so many awesome bands because of this podcast. Bands like Millington, Call Me Malcolm, Catbite, Rude City Riot, We Are The Union, Flying Raccoon Suit, Joystick, Andy B and The World, Mayson’s Party and so many more.
RJ: Oh man, so many! Scouring bandcamp for new bands to share on 23 is so much fun! The ones that stand out are The Pomps, Stop the Presses, Skastra, Backyard Superheroes, King Kong 4, and Catbite.
If you were to build a Mt. Rushmore of ska musicians, who are you including?
Matt: Wow, that’s a tough question. It feels like no matter what bands you pick, you will let someone down. I think you have to put Prince Buster up there for sure. I think Pauline Black should be up there. Not only is she an awesome frontwoman for one of the best bands to come out of the 2 Tone movement, but she is also a fashion icon for the ska scene and you can still see her influence today.
I think Mike Park has to be up there. I know a lot of people will think of No Doubt or Reel Big Fish when talking about ‘90s ska punk (and rightfully so), but looking back at that ‘90s ska punk scene, I’m not sure anyone had a bigger influence. Not only was he in awesome bands Skankin’ Pickle, Bruce Lee Band and The Chinkees, he has released all this music through Asian Man Records.
RJ: Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker, Terry Hall, and Laurel Aitken
Gary: Desmond Dekker, Prince Buster, Mike Park and Myself obviously
When you’re not busy working on the podcast and doing music-related things, what keeps you busy?
Matt: Mostly I’m hanging out with my wife and kids. I spend a lot of time watch tv and movies. I also try my best to make time for friends.
RJ: Taking care of my cats, cooking dinner for my wife and I, reading comics. I used to do a comics blog, someday I’d like to get back to it!
Gary: I play sax in the ska band Backyard Superheroes. I’m also an avid marathon runner and a dad!
What’s a fun little piece of trivia that folks might not know about you?
Matt: I once played Ebeneezer Scrooge in my high school’s production of A Christmas Carol. Also, I have over 18 Muppet Action Figures.
RJ: I used to play accordion in a band. Other than that, I’m probably the most boring person you’ve ever heard on a podcast.
Gary: I have never eaten a cheeseburger and I used to be a professional mascot.
Are there any bands or future releases that you might be aware of already that you’re looking forward to?
Matt: I know Joker’s Republic from New Jersey is releasing a new album that is produced by Roger Lima from Less Than Jake. I’m excited for that. I’m also looking forward to Andy B and The World’s next album.
RJ: I don’t know what I’m allowed to talk about, but I have heard the new Stop The Presses album, and man, it is a great one! Get ready everyone!
Any last words?
Matt: Keep listening to ska!
RJ: As with anything in life, there’s things you can do on your own, and things you need to do with others. Recognize those things and respond in kind. I love that 23min of Ska is a one man operation. I’m not sure if I’d be still at it if it wasn’t. On the other hand, I tried a few times to do an interview type show and it never took off. With my track record in that regard, I’m still surprised that Matt took me on. On the Upbeat being the success that it is showed me that it’s a show that needed to be more than just one person behind the wheel. I may not steer it as much as Matt does though, but it’s a better show because it’s the two of us, and now Gary as well!
Gary: Seek out and support all ska bands, not just current ones. There are lots of forgotten bands that deserve love and attention.