Out of the Main

John takes Tom on a trip down memory lane, chronicling the history and evolution of the use of synthesizers in pop and rock music, with particular emphasis on the 1970s and 80s. 

Where did it all begin? Our hypothesis just might surprise you! And when did synths peak throughout music history? (Our opinions here won’t surprise you one bit.) 

One part education, one part exploration, one part adulation…this episode is all about the role that synthesizers played during the evolution of popular music and rock and roll…

Comments? Questions? Concerns? Raise them all on Facebook, Twitter or our new Substack, which you should be subscribed to by now!

Listen and Subscribe:
⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠.

Referenced and Related:
⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of the Main⁠⁠
⁠John’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠
⁠⁠Tom’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠⁠⁠
Intro/outro: Stock Music “We’re Here” composed by John H. Nixon (BMI)

Find and Follow:
Find us at Sea on Substack: outofthemain.substack.com
The Mainland: ⁠OutoftheMain.com⁠
Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/yachtrockpodcast⁠
Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/outofthemain⁠
YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@outofthemain⁠
Support the Podcast: patreon.com/OutoftheMain

“Born at Sea. Raised on Radio.”

Let’s talk one-hit-wonders, starting with the 50th anniversary of the single-hitting chart toppers of 1976. Then, let’s fast forward to “the day the boat sank” — 1984. What makes a one-hit wonder a true flash in the pan? What was common to the wonders of 1976, then let’s look at 1984. Same dynamic at play? What’s consistent? What changed?

And let’s distinguish between TRUE one-hit-wonders and those who deserve none of the ignominy, shall we?!

Listen and Subscribe:
⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠.

Referenced and Related:
⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of the Main⁠⁠
⁠John’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠
⁠⁠Tom’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠⁠⁠
Intro/outro: Stock Music “We’re Here” composed by John H. Nixon (BMI)

Find and Follow:
Find us at Sea on Substack: outofthemain.substack.com
The Mainland: ⁠OutoftheMain.com⁠
Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/yachtrockpodcast⁠
Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/outofthemain⁠
YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@outofthemain⁠
Support the Podcast: patreon.com/OutoftheMain

“Born at Sea. Raised on Radio.”

In a first for the pod, the guys pit two albums of the era up against each other, in a 10-round, knock-down-drag-out, winner-take-all Battle Royale fight to the finish! Who will be the last band standing? Well, that all depends on who you ask…and how you score. 

Come for the tale of the tape. Stay for the 10-rounder bout ’til the bell. Hang around for the Lightning Round. And don’t forget to follow us over to Substack to keep the conversation going! 

Sound off on how you think High Infidelity and Breakfast in America match up! Who would you hand the belt to?

Listen and Subscribe:
⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠.

Referenced and Related:
⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of the Main⁠⁠
⁠John’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠
⁠⁠Tom’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠⁠⁠
Intro/outro: Stock Music “We’re Here” composed by John H. Nixon (BMI)

Find and Follow:
Find us at Sea on Substack: outofthemain.substack.com
The Mainland: ⁠OutoftheMain.com⁠
Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/yachtrockpodcast⁠
Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/outofthemain⁠
YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@outofthemain⁠
Support the Podcast: patreon.com/OutoftheMain

“Born at Sea. Raised on Radio.”

Once again, we ran out of time last week to get to the Lightning Round, so we’re releasing another interim episode this week. John and Tom provide their final reflections on the matchup madness this March, wondering if we got it right, or if you all have nits to pick with the picks. 

What say you? Did we get it right or wrong? If wrong, tell us who you think should have won, who should’ve been left out of the field, or who the selection committee criminally missed altogether. Let’s hear your take in the comments on Substack!

N.B.:
Please take a moment to join our Substack. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Listen and Subscribe:
⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠.

Referenced and Related:
⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of the Main⁠⁠
⁠John’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠
⁠⁠Tom’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠⁠⁠
Intro/outro: Stock Music “We’re Here” composed by John H. Nixon (BMI)

Find and Follow:
Find us at Sea on Substack: outofthemain.substack.com
The Mainland: ⁠OutoftheMain.com⁠
Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/yachtrockpodcast⁠
Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/outofthemain⁠
YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@outofthemain⁠
Support the Podcast: patreon.com/OutoftheMain

“Born at Sea. Raised on Radio.”

Round 2 also happens to be the Sleeve Sixteen, Final Four, and Championship Game all in one! Tom and John finish out the 2026 NCAA tournament, just in time to conclude the madness that is March. 

Reminder: Don’t forget to follow along on your device, as this is another video podcast episode. Who ya got, as the winner of the 2026 Nixon Contest of Album Artwork? Your “One Shining Moment” has arrived!

N.B.:
Please take a moment to join our Substack. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Listen and Subscribe:
⁠Find the podcast platform of your choice here⁠.

Referenced and Related:
⁠⁠Playlist of songs featured on Out of the Main⁠⁠
⁠John’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠
⁠⁠Tom’s Spotify Yacht Rock Playlist⁠⁠⁠⁠
Intro/outro: Stock Music “We’re Here” composed by John H. Nixon (BMI)

Find and Follow:
Find us at Sea on Substack: outofthemain.substack.com
The Mainland: ⁠OutoftheMain.com⁠
Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/yachtrockpodcast⁠
Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/outofthemain⁠
YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@outofthemain⁠
Support the Podcast: patreon.com/OutoftheMain

“Born at Sea. Raised on Radio.”