12 episodes

A podcast by Angelo Robledo that digs through sample and production history to piece together the stories behind the world's biggest records. Each episode I explore a prominent sample or sound and track its most notable uses throughout history, discovering surprising connections between songs, artists, and genres along the way. Sample Excavator is a proud part of Pantheon - the podcast network for music lovers.

Sample Excavator Angelo Robledo

    • Music
    • 4.9 • 42 Ratings

A podcast by Angelo Robledo that digs through sample and production history to piece together the stories behind the world's biggest records. Each episode I explore a prominent sample or sound and track its most notable uses throughout history, discovering surprising connections between songs, artists, and genres along the way. Sample Excavator is a proud part of Pantheon - the podcast network for music lovers.

    The Metallica Report: Trailer

    The Metallica Report: Trailer

    The Metallica Report is coming!
    Keep up with all things Metallica by going straight to the source for your news. This weekly report is hosted by Steffan Chirazi, long-time rock scribe and editor of the band’s online mag, So What!, and Renée Richardson, a well-known Bay Area radio personality who now oversees the band’s foundation, All Within My Hands.  
    Steffan and Renée will keep you in the loop each week with updates, features, and interviews. They’ll also get YOUR questions answered by those in the know. It’s your quick, weekly fix covering our most relevant topics of the day.
    The first report drops this Wednesday July 26!
    http://metallica.lnk.to/TheMetallicaReport
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    • 2 min
    Episode 1.10: NILE RODGERS PT. 2

    Episode 1.10: NILE RODGERS PT. 2

    WE MADE IT.
    This is the final episode of season 1, the second part to the two part finale that we started last week with the story of Nile Rodgers. If you haven't listened to last week's part one yet, stop now, go listen, then come back. In this episode we continue with the story of Nile Rodgers picking up exactly where we left off last week, on the day of the release of Rapper's Delight by The Sugarhill Gang.
    At the end of the episode I give my thesis for the season as a whole, tying together, and wrapping up, the entire season. Don't worry, we'll be back in a few months for what's sure to be an exciting season 2. 
    Huge credit to the book Last Night a DJ Saved My Life by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton which provided a huge portion of the background research for these last two episodes.
    Anyone who wants to know more about these topics has to read their amazing work. 
    Don't forget to check out the playlists containing the songs from today's episode on Apple Music and Spotify under the title 'Sample Excavator Episode 1.10'.
    Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @idigit1st 
    Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @SampleExcavator 
    Email the show TheSampleExcavator@gmail.com 
    Produced by Guy Tannenbaum Theme song by David Ramos  
    That's that for this season. We'll have some special content in between seasons but besides that, I'll catch you in a few months for Season 2. 
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    • 28 min
    Episode 1.9: NILE RODGERS PT. 1

    Episode 1.9: NILE RODGERS PT. 1

    The finish line is in sight. We are finally at the first part of the two part finale to season one of Sample Excavator.
    We are exploring the immense influence of Nile Rodgers in music for the finale. To do this, however, we first need to understand the entire history of 20th century music to understand the context of his sound. This episode will do just that, focusing on the history of music and specifically disco from 1968 to 1980. Next week will go from 1980 until today understanding how his sound shaped rock, hip-hop, pop, and EDM from 1980 until today. I'll release two playlists for this episode, one demonstrating the wide variety of Protodisco songs used by early club DJ's, and the second containing mainstream Disco songs spanning 1976-1979.
    These playlists can be found on Apple Music and Spotify under 'Sample Excavator Episode 1.9 (Protodisco)' and 'Sample Excavator Episode 1.9 (Disco)'
    Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @idigit1st 
    Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @SampleExcavator 
    Email the show TheSampleExcavator@gmail.com 
    Produced by Guy Tannenbaum 
    Theme song by David Ramos  
    Next week is the final episode of this season, finishing out the story of Nile Rodgers by exploring his continued influence in rock, pop, and EDM, with some classic Angelo ranting thrown in for good measure.
    While season two won't be out for a few months, there is some special content coming your way in the off season, so stay tuned for that. 
    Part of Pantheon Podcasts.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 32 min
    Episode 1.8: RICK RUBIN

    Episode 1.8: RICK RUBIN

    These last three episodes of Season 1 will really chronicle the rise of hip hop. This week we are looking at the producer Rick Rubin, possibly the most prolific producer of all time.
    He founded Def Jam Records and Def American Records, signing or producing for LL Cool J, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, AC/DC, Joan Jett, Tom Petty, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Lady Gaga and literally hundreds more. He was instrumental in developing the sound of rap as distinct from hip-hop, starting the new school movement and the 'Golden Age of Hip-Hop'.
    Playlists with all the songs from this week's episode can be found on Apple Music and Spotify under 'Sample Excavator Episode 1.8'
    Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @idigit1st 
    Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @SampleExcavator 
    Email the show TheSampleExcavator@gmail.com 
    Produced by Guy Tannenbaum 
    Theme song by David Ramos  
    We're nearing the end of season 1! Next week starts the two part season finale which will explore Nile Rogers' influence in the last four decades of music, from disco to hip-hop to EDM and pop. 
    Part of Pantheon Podcasts.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 20 min
    Episode 1.7: TOM'S DINER

    Episode 1.7: TOM'S DINER

    Last weeks episode was our longest yet so I limited myself this week to even it out. In this brief episode I break down the song Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega, telling the story of how it blew up due to an EDM remix and developed into a mainstay sample in almost every genre. 
    Playlists with all the songs from this week's episode can be found on Apple Music and Spotify under 'Sample Excavator Episode 1.7'
    Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @idigit1st 
    Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @SampleExcavator 
    Email the show TheSampleExcavator@gmail.com 
    Produced by Guy Tannenbaum 
    Theme song by David Ramos  
    We're nearing the end of season 1! Next week we'll look at one of the greatest producers to ever utilize samples. 
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    • 14 min
    Episode 1.6: YEAH! WOO!

    Episode 1.6: YEAH! WOO!

    For the first time I am tackling a song in the top 10 most sampled of all time list. In fact this week's sample has been used in 2340 other songs in the last decade, making it the third most sampled song of all time. It has been used in 60+ songs in 2019 alone, making it one of the most enduring samples in history. I can't go through all 2300+ uses but I try to break down the most notable and most obscure uses in order to give a complete overview of this legendary sample.
    Playlists with all the songs from this week's episode can be found on Apple Music and Spotify under 'Sample Excavator Episode 1.6'
    Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @idigit1st 
    Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @SampleExcavator 
    Email the show TheSampleExcavator@gmail.com 
    Produced by Guy Tannenbaum 
    Theme song by David Ramos  
    Rob Base interview for Rolling Stone and NPRBoys II Men interviewNext week we look at a much less common, but arguably more recognizable sample as we approach the two-part finale to this inaugural season of Sample Excavator 
    This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 24 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
42 Ratings

42 Ratings

ulzzzie ,

Superb! Make more! Make more!

Excellent podcast that bridges the gap with music and sampling and artists. It’s a pleasure to listen to and discover. The only concern I have is that the episodes aren’t long enough and there isn’t enough of them!! I binge listened to all already! Great job Angelo, keep it going please.

Annainwonderland ,

Absolutely exquisite!

I am a huge music lover and hearing the history of how so many different artists used the same samples from classics is truly incredible. To understand the history of music makes me appreciate the art even more and the very foundations that started it all. Angelo is extremely articulate and concise about the information presented. On top of all that, he has an incredibly soothing voice. Huge fan, keep up the great work Angelo. I’m looking forward to see/hear what else you create!

Louis Shulman ,

Fantastic Show

I’d hardly describe myself as a musical person, and I absolutely love this show. Angelo is a fantastic narrator and shares completely unique stories I’ve never encountered anywhere else. The integration of the music being discussed throughout the show makes this a really high quality form of educational entertainment. Can’t wait for season 2 to drop!

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