Music & Gigs
93 episodes · 2018–2021 · 34 debates · 35 pieces of advice · 81 stories · 69 quotes
The Daily Talk Show — Australia’s daily podcast, hosted by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen — discussed music & gigs across 93 of its 1,022 daily episodes between 2018 and 2021. This page collects what was actually said: 69 verbatim quotes, 35 pieces of advice, 81 stories told on air, 34 on-air debates, each linked to the exact moment in the episode and on YouTube.
Where they stand
Moments where the table disagreed, straight from the transcripts.
whether sparkling/soda water is good for hydration
Ep 100027:12Lightly sparkling water without added sodium is a good way to get people to drink more water, though he acknowledges dentists warn about enamel effects.
Feels that drinking a lot of sparkling water and coffee leaves him feeling dehydrated, comparing the feeling to having 'no fluid' in his spine.
Favors ease and comfort over pressure; wants to avoid unnecessary anxiety and complexity, preferring a seamless celebration.
Enjoys the anxiety that comes with ambitious production and tinkering, finding it part of the fun and leading to euphoria afterward.
Views it as a demonstration of Facebook's unchecked corporate power ('they literally can just make their decisions'), acknowledges real harm to friends' businesses like Trevor Long's EFTM, but is skeptical that public outrage changes anything.
Doubts the ban is a long-term strategy and sees it as Facebook 'flexing the muscle' before likely reversing course; also questions how effective journalists' coverage of the issue has been, suggesting some don't fully understand it.
Loves country music and argues it has deep lyrical and cultural history, comparing his fandom favorably to Tommy's interest in drill rap.
Appreciates drill rap/hip-hop as a lyricist's genre and enjoys seeing Australian artists take the stage, acknowledging both his and Josh's tastes are equally 'out of the scene'.
Prefers easing into the day with quiet/talkback radio rather than loud music first thing in the morning, especially with a child in the car.
Says he personally would prefer playing tunes loud to get fired up, contrasting with Josh's quieter approach.
Views it as worrying in principle, a step toward 'pay your way' into visibility that could set a troubling precedent for how podcasts and creators might be treated.
Frames it bluntly as a profit mechanism for the company, agreeing fresh/young creators are unlikely to benefit.
Views the shift toward platforms like Spotify as a step toward walled gardens and lock-in reminiscent of Google Reader's shutdown of blogs; favours open, intermediary-free RSS/podcasting even though it's less convenient, predicting historians will write about 'the death of the open web.'
Expresses concern that raising these platform-risk issues makes podcasters seem like out-of-touch 'fuddy-duddies' with no commercial viability, while acknowledging the risk is real and most people aren't connecting the dots (citing The Social Dilemma).
Spotify won't actually impose editorial changes because Rogan is making them too much money and they've already signed the deal.
Internal employee pressure at a company that brands itself as 'woke' could realistically push Spotify toward some version of content moderation or trigger warnings, regardless of the financial investment.
Says calling yourself a mole is too harsh and that Jess is not a mole, noting his mum once told him it's a bad word to use about people.
Initially wonders if being called a mole could be a compliment, but ultimately reflects that she was just being too harsh/savage about her dating life.
Found it funny, enjoyable, and a good lighthearted recommendation; believes critics shouldn't be listened to and that the film works if you don't go in expecting a masterpiece.
Called it one of the worst films he's ever seen, felt it wasted over an hour and a half of his night, and was surprised Tommy hyped it so highly.
Called it the 'shittest movie' and joked you'd need to be on drugs to enjoy it, setting a high bar (8.5/10) for recommending something on the show.
Found it so uninteresting that he and his partner paused after an hour and never finished it.
Chips are a secondary element on World Burger Day; the day is about the burger itself, not the chips.
Chips (and sides like the peanut butter shake) play a massive part in whether a burger joint experience succeeds, and he doesn't think you can separate them from the burger.
Definitely Joe Rogan — he 'moves the needle' and the deal alone pushed Spotify's stock up noticeably.
Agrees Joe Rogan is the bigger deal, framing Gimlet's acquisition as just buying a team/network rather than a singular needle-moving brand.
Advice from the show
all 35pieces →What was actually said, attributed and linked to the moment.
How do you get better-tasting sparkling water at home?
Josh and Jules recommend a SodaStream with a glass bottle attachment rather than the standard plastic bottle, noting plastic can impart a gunky taste, while cautioning that a faulty lid can occasionally make water taste off.
How do you deal with the fear that a new idea might turn out badly before trying it?
Josh argues you can't fully trust the pre-emptive negative feeling about a new idea, citing how both the 24-hour stream and video format seemed 'ridiculous' beforehand but turned out well.
Should you suppress sadness or allow yourself to feel it?
Tommy suggests leaning into sadness and grief, rather than always seeking positivity, is a necessary part of processing emotions and can prevent them resurfacing later.
How can you quiet anxious/worrying thoughts, especially before bed?
Passively listen to something calming (like an audiobook on worry) without actively following every word — letting the unconscious mind absorb the message can help reduce anxious thought spirals, similar to how podcasts provide passive listening value.
What's a better response to disliking a company's practices than complaining online?
Rather than being an activist or whinging about a business you disagree with, take direct action by moving your money elsewhere — cancel the subscription or stop using the service.
How do you get a young child to accept limited music choices on a long car trip?
Prime the child beforehand with a believable reason (e.g., the car was serviced and music options are limited) and offer a simple binary choice, such as 'Daddy's music or nothing,' so they feel in control while you still manage the actual music played.
How can a family create a music playlist that works for everyone on a road trip?
Hold a dedicated 'playlist organising' session where each family member shares their favorite tracks and the child picks favorites from each parent's selection, blending everyone's music into one rotating playlist.
How can independent podcasters/creators protect themselves from over-reliance on big platforms like Spotify?
Diversify distribution rather than relying on one proprietary platform; consider building a direct-to-audience/listener support model so the show isn't entirely dependent on platform algorithms or ad-based monetization.
How can consumers avoid being overly controlled by algorithmic content recommendations?
Consciously avoid clicking on suggested/discovery content and be aware that even search results are algorithmically curated (e.g., searching an artist on Spotify surfaces Spotify Originals), so deliberately seek diversified sources rather than defaulting to the easiest algorithmic option.
How can I pull myself out of a negative mental spiral during lockdown?
Try a combination of light activities: play a competitive game like Uno with your partner, treat yourself to something small like an ice cream, and finish with a Metta (loving-kindness) meditation where you direct feelings of love toward yourself via a loved one.
How can I reduce mindless phone checking?
Rearrange the order of your apps so you have to think before tapping, and turn off most notifications to reduce the pull toward constant checking.
What's a way to limit phone/app overuse besides turning off notifications?
Set daily limits on specific apps, as a listener named Calvin does, to cap usage directly.
Is it safe to use any music I like in videos for my business?
Avoid using non-licensed commercial or pop music in business content because licensing fees can run into the hundreds of thousands, usage is restricted, and the content isn't truly yours; even royalty-free tracks can carry hidden rights issues.
Is it ever too late to pursue a music career?
Pete Murray argues age doesn't determine whether you can succeed in music—if you write a good song it will find its way—pointing to his own path of starting guitar at 22 and breaking through commercially at 32.
How should an artist handle criticism of their work?
Accept that some people will love your work and some will hate it; don't get caught up reading criticism, and focus instead on enjoying what you do and the fact that you're bringing joy to others.
How can you DJ a long set without running out of material?
Build out a bigger playlist in advance and pre-make loops for tracks before the event so you can be dynamic and mix smoothly even once drunk, rather than trying to create loops on the spot.
How should you pace drinking before a big event or show?
Don't drink a whole bottle of wine before going on; have a glass or at most half a bottle around 15 minutes beforehand to get into a tipsy mode without overdoing it.
How can you avoid DJ conflict at a group Zoom party?
Tommy and Josh suggest reducing the size of future kick-ons to a smaller group, and potentially rotating who DJs, to reduce the volume of competing requests and stress on one person.
Should comedians ask other comedians to perform their jokes off-stage?
Josh notes he's been told off for asking comedians to tell their jokes outside of a show context, implying it's considered poor etiquette.
How should a founder decide if their business idea is good before building it?
Talk to potential customers early and often to validate whether they would actually use the product, rather than relying only on friends' opinions or an internal business plan.
How much magnesium should you take for back pain without causing side effects?
Magnesium (e.g., as a powder or bath flakes) can help relax muscles and ease back pain, but stick to the recommended daily amount—overdoing it can cause headaches, itching/stinging sprays, or other unwanted side effects.
How should comedians handle Comedy Festival applications before writing their show?
You must submit your show name, blurb, photo and venue application months in advance, so write a blurb general enough that you don't trap yourself into specifics you haven't written yet, but still compelling enough to sell tickets.
What makes someone a good DJ?
Treat your limited material (vinyl/crates) as precious by curating only the best content, assume the crowd has already heard the biggest hits, and hold back ('make your Bs your As') so you can still win the night without relying on an obvious hit.
How should you approach collaboration when building a business or creative project?
Always try to collaborate with people smarter or more skilled than you in their specific craft (e.g., a better producer, chef, architect), because the outcome improves when they're invested and talented—you never want to be the smartest person in the room.
Stories told on air
After a Saturday night concert, Josh and his wife were woken at 12:30am by their son Bodhi making seal-like coughing noises and struggling to breathe. They called an ambulance, which arrived within five minutes; paramedics diagnosed croup and administered steroids that resolved the symptoms quickly, and Bodhi was given a teddy bear by the ambulance crew.
told by Josh Janssen
Bumping into Chase Jarvis and Post Malone in New York
Ep 100025:09On the same day they interviewed Seth Godin in Central Park, Tommy and Josh randomly encountered photographer/entrepreneur Chase Jarvis on a street corner and interviewed him on the spot, then later that evening spotted Post Malone outside a Chinese restaurant with a heavy security detail, reportedly larger than Bill Clinton's.
told by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen
Josh recalls a stressful moment during the previous 24-hour livestream when musician Jack Post asked for reverb in his headphones moments before recording, and Josh couldn't figure out how to apply it live, eventually fixing it in post.
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy recounts how his son Bodhi heard Jay-Z and Kanye West's explicit song 'N***as in Paris' on Amy's pregnancy playlist at a backyard pizza night and became obsessed with it, mishearing the title as 'Knickers in Paris,' leading to an awkward explanation from Tommy.
told by Tommy Jackett
On the last day of an LA trip, Tommy and Josh filmed an episode on Venice Beach that came out overexposed and was never released; shortly after, the two had an argument, which they then set aside to record an airport episode as if nothing had happened.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy mentions he bench pressed 100kg solo at the gym the night before, describing it as breaking a mental barrier he and Josh had discussed previously.
told by Tommy Jackett
As a 15-year-old doing a VCA film program, Tommy was told by his dad that you needed a licence to get dry ice, which turned out to be a convenient lie to avoid the hassle of picking it up, and Tommy used a subpar smoke machine instead.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh describes his son Bodhi exhibiting discomfort and clenching behavior, leading him and his wife Amy to inspect the boy using an iPhone torch, finding tiny pinworms, and treating him with deworming tablets purchased awkwardly from Chemist Warehouse.
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy recalls working in 2011 as community manager on the documentary 'Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead,' contacting YouTube/Google Australia in Sydney, and securing a 48-hour homepage 'Spotlight' placement to boost its reach in Australia.
told by Tommy Jackett
Naysan describes how his wedding DJ demanded more money once the event was underway, then sulked with arms folded for the rest of the night, forcing Naysan to DJ his own wedding.
told by Naysan Naraqi (referred to as Mason Lauder in transcript)
Tommy references a past episode (190) where Godin was on the phone giving Dropbox feedback, and Godin discusses his ongoing frustration with Gmail's spam handling and failed campaign about its marketing tab.
told by Seth Godin
George describes the plot of Bieber's 'Holy' music video — an oil worker losing his job amid COVID shutdowns who is taken in for a meal — and mocks its lack of believability given Bieber's wealth.
told by George Martin
Jess describes going through an emo and screamo music phase as a teenager, attending gigs at an old fire station, having a boyfriend in a band, and being embarrassed by her earlier Simple Plan fandom.
told by Jess Lucas
Tommy describes his evening routine to pull himself out of a negative mental spiral: playing competitive Uno with his wife Amy, getting a solo Bailey's and brownie ice cream from a local shop, and finishing with a Metta meditation before falling asleep to deep house music.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tisdell wrote a joke about her ginger boyfriend just before a Just for Laughs taping, got it approved last-minute, and it brought the house down on first telling; she later built her acclaimed Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala set around it plus a closing line about Aboriginal representation.
told by Steph Tisdell
A group attempted to coordinate a synchronized watch party of the Eurovision film via text, with repeated delays from 'Sevs' and confusion over start times; once it began, most found the film terrible, contradicting Tommy's earlier recommendation.
told by Josh Janssen and Mason Lauder
Tommy used a royalty-free track in a kebab-review video with Hayden Dibb and Ryan John, only to have Hayden call afterward revealing the song was actually his own podcast's intro music.
told by Tommy Jackett
Jack Post is challenged to pitch a theme, leave for about 20-45 minutes, and return to perform an original song live. He comes back and performs 'The Daily Talk Show' song about bots flooding the comments and thanking producer Mr. 97, to applause from the hosts.
told by Jack Post
In their words
“It's basically Night at the Museum, but it's at a library.”
“You just want something that's just ease. It's all about ease. If you learn anything after doing a thousand, it's like—”
“And he thinks the song's called Knickers in Paris.”
“The only thing you can control is what you do. If you don't like a business, you could— there's no point whinging about it. There's no point like being an activist, like just show with your money.”
“Your love of hip-hop is as silly as my love for country.”
“Well, that's what you do when you pump out 300 hours of a podcast in a year.”
“They are like a fucking pulled back elastic band ready to snap any moment.”
“It's like a Coldplay concert, let's be on it. Everyone holding up a fucking light.”
“If you are not paying for the product, you are the product.”
“Yeah, DJ Precious is my alter ego.”
“There will be a whole chapter on the death of the open web.”
“Justin, like, you're a billionaire.”
“Joe Rogan could change an election like that. Like, that's like, I really believe that to be true.”
“I can't deal with nice Jess. I can't deal with you just pretending to be nice.”
“if we can't even get in the position, to get in the position of reverse cowgirl, how the fuck are we going to get representation on screen?”
“If anything, we weren't going to watch it and then we're like, ah, That's probably the only thing we can watch right now.”
“Do you reckon I can get away with my hair?”
“I'm actually looking forward to the day that we get comments where the guys have sold out. Like if we ever get to the point of sold out, it means that I probably can afford a house. And so it's a win, you know.”