Amoeba Music

2023 was a pretty fantastic year for our "What's In My Bag?" series. In January, The Washington Post wrote an article about the series and the power of humans sharing music with one other. In April, we published our 800th episode with the one-and-only Seal! All year long, we got to take a peek inside the musical hearts and minds of Built To Spill, Hannibal Buress, Santigold, Rufus Wainwright, Meshell Ndegeocello and so many more. 

We couldn't do this series year after year without the viewers who watch every episode. We see your comments and your suggestions for the next guest and we love how passionate you are for musical discovery. So here are the top 10 most popular episodes of Season 16, as chosen by you, the viewer. Thank you for an amazing 2023 and we can't wait to see what 2024 brings!

10. Rick Springfield

We are fortunate to talk with a lot of musicians in this series, but when Rick Springfield visited we were all a little awestruck. The GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter, actor, and author went shopping at Amoeba Hollywood and talked about being inspired by David Bowie & T. Rex, some of his favorite Aussie bands, and the English guitarist who influenced how the tremolo arm was used. Rick Springfield is also a huge Beatles collector and told us the story behind an incredibly rare Beatles record in his collection.

"His background stories on each of the albums in his bag proves he's more than just a pop singer from the 80's. He's a rocker period!" - @notofthisworld65

"I love hearing his passion for all music. He's geeky heart shows with the way he appreciates the contributions of so many varied artists. Thanks for this showcase of awesome music through Rick's eyes. Rick is an awesome performer, writer, actor and all around great artist!" - @beckyj-g3752

9. Alvvays

Molly Rankin and Alec O'Hanley from the band Alvvays kicked off Season 16 with an epic shopping trip to Amoeba San Francisco. The pair found albums by Television Personalities, Nick Lowe, Enya, The Byrds, Celine Dion, The Who, a hot-button pick for Oasis fans & lots more.

"You can really tell how deep the two of them are into music. No wonder their music is so rich and interesting. It’s well informed. - @James-ke4gq

8. Knocked Loose

Bryan Garris, the vocalist for hardcore band Knocked Loose, went shopping at Amoeba Hollywood and talked about fellow Kentucky artist Tyler Childers, hardcore straight edge band JUDGE, the difficulty of writing simple lyrics, and music that provokes an extreme emotion. This was an episode that highlighted the difference between an artist's music and on-stage energy versus their personality off-stage. Commenters put it this way:

"He's so chill and cool, while having one of the most psychologically devastating record in hardcore under his belt. That's neat." - @darkcheaker

"Bryan Garris: Singing the most piercing vocal chords ever in a history of hardcore bands that makes the crowd goes nuts. Also Bryan Garris: Looks like my dad wearing knitwear cardigan while shopping CD. I love this dude." - @Bilsuburbians

7. Black Country, New Road

English art rock band Black Country, New Road went on an impressive and eclectic dig at Amoeba Hollywood, picking up folk, jazz, rock, classical, prog, world music and more. It was clear to fans that the eclecticism in the band's music comes from the diversity of their personal tastes in music.

"This is why this band is so good. They bring together all these disparate influences and taste, and they all seem to really enjoy each other." - @trapezoidmon

"I absolutely adore them. all of their interests were on full display with this too, which is a nice window into the music they make." - @dillpi8866

"This episode truly is the finest of british engineering." - @josemaria8177

6. Greta Van Fleet

When the GRAMMY-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet goes record shopping at Amoeba Hollywood, it naturally causes a stir. The band visited us just before their third album Starcatcher was released and talked with us about some of their favorite music by Joni Mitchell, John Lee Hooker, Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Smith, Buffalo Springfield & lots more. 

"Melanie, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Fairport Convention, Hendrix?!?!? Thought I couldn’t love these guys any more than I already did but here we are." - @lillybisset1645

"This sure took me back to the 60s and 70s when I grew up! This is why Greta Van Fleet felt like going home again, and their new music still does! I love their deep intelligence and appreciation for the music itself." - @gayle8153

5. Seal

Our 800th episode featured the British singer/songwriter Seal talking about being influenced by CSNY, Marvin Gaye's exquisite tone, what separated Alice in Chains from other bands in the grunge era, and the album that had the most profound impact on his life. Seal's passion for music was immediately evident through his choices and how he described each one.

"A true music nerd. Love the way he speaks with such eloquence about the music that he loves and is inspired by. Such passion and knowledge." - @chantoya17

But what also struck people was that Seal was a Alice in Chains fan:

"Seal being a diehard Alice in Chains fan is literally the coolest thing ever." - @Thyst

"Hearing Seal talk about Alice In Chains was everything I needed today." - @wiseguy100

"When you write a song as good as 'Kiss From A Rose' you’re already a legend, but his love for AIC really seals the deal. Great video!" - @RockFeed

4. black midi

The experimental English rock band explored nearly every corner of Amoeba San Francisco, picking up an eclectic mix of jazz, rock, Argentine tango, Classical, soul, and country records. Viewers appreciated the band's deep musical choices, leaving comments like "Amazing. They take the term 'music nerd' to a different level. To have that much knowledge and appreciation of all those artists. You see why they are so great." - @bradmoxon1061

Fans also noted how their off-stage demeaner compared to their on-stage presence:

"It’s so jarring to see Geordie geeking out about music like a nervous kid when you think about his stage presence lol. Kove him!" - @alexgdsu7785

"Morgan is quite possibly the greatest drummer on the planet as well as being an overall chill as hell guy." - @bevloy7517

3. Dave Lombardo

For hard rock and metal fans, there are few drummers with as much impact as Dave Lombardo, the drummer for Slayer, Mr. Bungle, Misfits & more. It was a true pleasure to have Dave visit Amoeba Hollywood and get to talk with him about being inspired by early Pink Floyd, how punk music fueled Slayer's evolution, and one of his favorite 20th century composers.

"As if I didn’t love and admire the man enough, now it’s amplified. Such an open minded musician with a wide range of taste in music. Dave is such a talented man and a great dude."

"One of the most influential drummers of his era. Dave Lombardo is king of kings."

2. DOMi & JD Beck

The virtuosic jazz duo DOMi & JD Beck are one of the most talked-about new artists today who have already earned a GRAMMY nomination for their debut album. They went record shopping at Amoeba Hollywood before playing Coachella this year and blew everyone away with their taste and depth of knowledge, which is especially notable for how relatively young they are. How many other twenty-somethings can say their favorite artists are Deerhoof, Weather Report, McCoy Tyner, Led Zeppelin, and Keith Jarrett?

"Wow this is one of the best what's in my bag I've seen. Absolutely love their choices, and it's pretty cool to see the diversity of what they're into beyond jazz. Look forward to future albums." - @SirCommoner

"How did I just learn so much new old music from these kids???????? Mad respect." - @MariellaThayn

"Pretty incredible to see how down to earth and in touch these two are. It's surprising to hear what inspires them, and has just added a touch of humanity to what has otherwise always seemed other-worldly." - @berezy9931

1. Danny Elfman

Our most viewed episode of the year was a truly special one. When Danny Elfman visited Amoeba Hollywood, the iconic film composer, singer & songwriter took us on a journey through his creative and musical influences. Starting with The Beatles' string arrangements, moving on to Igor Stravinsky, Prokoviev & Kurt Weill, recounting how Madness and XTC made him want to start a band, and ending with David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails, Danny Elfman walked us through the landmark musical moments of his life.

"Not only did he show off his picks but he broke them all down with how they all connect back to him. Seriously amazing." - @Funkyfanfare-py4uh

"This is possibly the best What’s in my Bag ever done. His passion is so palpable and contagious. Hats off to the video editing too. Brilliant job." - @hammerman2006

"It’s so cool hearing where he got his influences from - and when you hear his music, you can pick up so much. What an amazing talent Danny is." - @synister281

"This dude is so freakin cool. Fantastic picks and the stories behind them are wonderful. Guy is a legend....plain and simple. He didn't learn how to play his first instrument until he was 18!? Did I hear that correctly? If so, I love Danny even more. Truly inspirational stuff!" - @schmidt640