Andy Hermann

Writer, podcaster, editor and journalist based in Los Angeles, with credits in Billboard, The L.A. Times, Vice, Downbeat, L.A. Magazine, NPR Music, Wondery and Rolling Stone.

  • recent work
  • greatest hits
  • more about me
Wondery • 17th November 2020

Jacked: Rise of the New Jack Sound

A six-part podcast series chronicling the rise and fall of Guy, a late '80s R&B group whose sound -- dubbed "New Jack Swing" -- changed pop music forever. Narrated and hosted by Taraji P. Henson.
Wondery • 22nd October 2020

American Innovations | The Fight Against AIDS

In the early 1980s, a mysterious new disease spread like wildfire through the gay communities of major U.S. cities. Before it even had a name, AIDS had already killed over half its victims. In the face of ignorance, fear, and homophobia, a small group of doctors, scientists and activists risked everything to lead the fight against it.
Los Angeleno • 17th July 2020

Pairing Cocktails and Iconic L.A. Albums

What to drink while listening to some quintessential SoCal sounds from Van Halen, the Go-Go's, Beck, Chicano Batman and Flying Lotus.
Easyriders • 20th May 2020

Wine and Wheels

Marcelo Doffo has two passions: motorcycles and wine. Both started in his garage, and now, both draw visitors to Doffo Vineyards in Southern California’s Temecula Valley, where Marcelo’s vintage bikes line the walls of the tasting room.
Wondery • 24th April 2020

Imagined Life: The Exile

You've lost the only thing that truly matters to you. It's bigger than friendship. Bigger than love. And now, you have to find a way to get it back. Hosted by Virginia Madsen.
Los Angeleno • 23rd March 2020

As Live Music Shutters, One Industry Figure Keeps Positive

“It’s been hard to witness the reality of how vulnerable the music and entertainment industries are to crises like this,” says talent buyer Britt Witt, who's trying to get creative with online and streaming events.
Wondery • 9th March 2020

American Innovations: Organ Transplant

A century ago, organ transplants were the stuff of science fiction. But a handful of pioneering surgeons believed that transplants had the potential to save thousands of lives. Their experiments took some bizarre turns -- and ultimately transformed modern medicine.
DJ Mag • 18th February 2020

Dirtybird: And the Beak Goes On

Husband and wife duo Barclay and Aundy Crenshaw run Dirtybird Records out of a nondescript building behind their San Fernando Valley home. It’s at the end of the property, behind the swimming pool and sprawling yard, where a pair of chickens called Cassius and Disco live.
WeTransfer's WePresent • 22nd January 2020

Alan Hampton: "Writing music has always been my safe place"

"When I was learning jazz and didn’t know the language yet, I could go home and write music. That was my way of processing the fundamentals of jazz. I could do it on my own terms and incorporate it into my own language. So I’ve always written songs.”
Wondery • 25th October 2019

Imagined Life - The Eccentric

You’re caught between two worlds -- your small hometown where you’ve never fit in, and the big city you escaped to. But home is what you make of it.
Wondery • 26th September 2019

American Innovations - Skylab: NASA's Best-Kept Secret

As NASA was sending men to the moon, they were engaged in another, less celebrated project — one even more important than the moon landings to humanity’s potential future in space. That project was called Skylab — America’s first space station.
DownBeat Magazine • 20th September 2019

Poncho Sanchez: "When I perform, it's my life story"

The first jazz record Poncho Sanchez bought with his own money, when he was about 12 years old, was "Coltrane"—the saxophonist’s 1962 studio album for Impulse.
WeTransfer's WePresent • 22nd July 2019

Calmatic: "I became obsessed with the process"

Over a prolific career spanning less than a decade, the Los Angeles music video director has shot witty, eye-popping clips for the likes of Anderson .Paak, Vince Staples, Lizzo, Zayn Malik, The Internet, Tyler the Creator and his latest collaborator, Lil Nas X.
Wondery • 19th June 2019

Business Wars - Gibson vs Fender

The two greatest guitar brands helped usher in the rock 'n' roll era with their innovative instruments, the Stratocaster and the Les Paul. In this seven-part podcast, you'll learn about their intertwined histories -- and uncertain futures.
Wondery • 30th April 2019

American Scandal – Payola

The delicate system of secret bribes and kickbacks used to transform a mediocre record into a hit -- that’s payola. And on the eve of rock ‘n’ roll, it’s consuming the music industry. As the public catches wind of the corruption, DJ Alan Freed and American Bandstand host Dick Clark will be caught in the crosshairs of the investigations.
billboard • 11th April 2019

Music Plays a Leading Role in New Health Products for Alzheimer's and Dementia

On a recent Thursday at OPICA, an adult daycare center in West Los Angeles, a music therapist named Andy Tubman leads a group of 10 seniors through a sing-along of “America the Beautiful.” As the music starts, he points to his ear. “Listen for the words,” he coaches.
Los Angeles Times • 30th December 2018

Looking for a comedy podcast? Earwolf has dozens to make you laugh

When Scott Aukerman and Jeff Ullrich came up with the idea of launching a podcasting network in 2010, it was a tough sell. “We would get laughed out the door,” Aukerman says of some of their early meetings at talent agencies like CAA. “People really didn’t get it at the time.”
DownBeat Magazine • 20th December 2018

Despite Growing Pains, L.A. Jazz Scene Continues to Blossom

Australian bassist Anna Butterss is one of many young jazz musicians thriving since her move to Los Angeles. “It just turned out to be surprisingly fantastic,” she said. “I’m working more than I ever worked in my life and I think probably more than I would have if I’d been in New York.”
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