270 // The Evolution of Music Consumption: From Vinyl to Streaming

From flipping vinyl records to skipping ads on Spotify—how did we get here? In this episode of Sharing Needles with Friends, Gene and Derek dive deep into the evolution of music formats and how each leap forward—vinyl, cassette, CD, MP3, iTunes, and streaming—has reshaped not just how we listen, but how we value music.

We explore the emotional ritual of physical media, the convenience (and consequences) of algorithms, and the impact on artists’ revenue and visibility in the age of digital overload. From AI-generated tracks to Bandcamp revivals, we ask: Where is music consumption headed next?

In this episode, we fall down plenty of classic SNWF rabbit holes—from a deep discussion on Turnstile's new album "Never Enough," and the full-length film showing in theatres now, to whether mixtapes built stronger emotional connections than today’s playlists. We debate the art of liner notes, recall the magic of record store discoveries, and even question if the convenience of streaming has made us forget how to listen with intention. As always, it's part music deep-dive, part cultural therapy session—with a few laughs and unexpected detours along the way.