School of Hip: A Different Kind’a Tragically Hip Podcast follows two hosts from opposite sides of the border as they dive deep into the music, history, and mythology of one of Canada’s most beloved bands.
Chaz Charles — an American who first stumbled onto The Tragically Hip in the ’90s when they opened for Page & Plant — is finally taking the full journey through the band’s catalogue.
Guiding him is Heath McCoy, a Canadian rock journalist who grew up with The Hip woven into the fabric of his country’s culture.
Together, they explore every era, every album, and every track: the stories behind the songs, the legacy of Gord Downie, the cultural moments, the live performances, the deep cuts, and the impact The Hip left on fans across the world. It’s part discovery, part nostalgia, part education — and all heart.
Whether you're a lifelong Hip fan or coming in fresh, this podcast is your bi-weekly class in all things Tragically Hip.
Class is in session. Join us.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
School of Hip: A Different Kind’a Tragically Hip Podcast follows two hosts from opposite sides of the border as they dive deep into the music, history, and mythology of one of Canada’s most beloved bands.
Chaz Charles — an American who first stumbled onto The Tragically Hip in the ’90s when they opened for Page & Plant — is finally taking the full journey through the band’s catalogue.
Guiding him is Heath McCoy, a Canadian rock journalist who grew up with The Hip woven into the fabric of his country’s culture.
Together, they explore every era, every album, and every track: the stories behind the songs, the legacy of Gord Downie, the cultural moments, the live performances, the deep cuts, and the impact The Hip left on fans across the world. It’s part discovery, part nostalgia, part education — and all heart.
Whether you're a lifelong Hip fan or coming in fresh, this podcast is your bi-weekly class in all things Tragically Hip.
Class is in session. Join us.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode Highlights: In the debut episode of School of Hip, hosts Chaz Charles and Heath McCoy kick off their deep dive into the world of The Tragically Hip. Chaz, an American who first encountered the band in the 90s, and Heath, a Canadian rock journalist with firsthand experience interviewing Gord Downie, set the stage for a unique, cross-border exploration of the band’s music and legacy.
The episode opens with personal stories about discovering the Hip and the cultural differences in how the band is perceived in Canada versus the US. Chaz and Heath outline the show’s format: each episode will focus on an album, breaking it down track by track, sharing insights, anecdotes, and ratings, while keeping the tone conversational and fun.
The Album: The Tragically Hip (EP) 1987 Side A (Smalltown Bringdown thru Evelyn)
They begin with the band’s self-titled debut EP, discussing its roots-rock sound, the influence of band members like Gord Sinclair and Gord Downie, and the evolution of their style. The hosts compare tracks to other bands (R.E.M., Tom Petty, B-52s), analyze lyrics, and share behind-the-scenes stories—like the inspiration for “Evelyn” and the band’s early days in Kingston, Ontario.
Listeners are invited to join the journey, connect with the growing podcast network, and look forward to future episodes that promise more music, stories, and special guests. The episode wraps up with plans for a biweekly release schedule and a call to check out show notes and related links.
Whether you’re a longtime Hip fan or just curious about what makes this band so iconic in Canada, School of Hip is your guide to the sounds, stories, and surprises of The Tragically Hip—from their early EPs to their legendary albums. Episodes drop every two weeks, with show notes and links available for further exploration.
Boneless makes a better podcast. Find 20 more like-minded podcast nuggets at The Boneless Podcasting Network.
By Heath McCoy at Amazon.com - Buy a copy here!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.