Pump up the Jams

On this week’s Pump Up the Jams, we break down The Cranberries’ classic “Linger.” From Dolores O’Riordan’s unmistakable vocal to the swirling strings and the song’s roots in a teenage love story, we dig into how this track became one of the defining moments of ’90s alternative rock. We talk about the band’s rise from Limerick, the emotion that made Linger resonate so deeply, and why it still holds a place in pop culture today.

In Part 2 of our deep dive, Josh and Cam are joined by the incomparable Missy Higgins to chat about the making of Scar. Missy opens up about the song’s origins, the whirlwind of success that followed, and what it feels like to see Scar resonate decades later. It’s a candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation with one of Australia’s most loved artists.

This week on Pump Up the Jams, Josh and Cam dive deep into Missy Higgins’ breakout hit Scar. From its raw honesty and soaring hooks to the way it captured a generation of Aussie listeners, we unpack what makes this song such a timeless anthem. Expect stories, laughs, and a fresh listen to one of Australia’s most iconic tracks.

In this special Part B, Josh and Cam are joined by the brilliant songwriter Sally Seltman, the mind behind Feist’s 1234. Sally shares the story of how the song came to life, from its first spark to becoming one of the most iconic indie-pop tracks of the 2000s. She talks about the art of collaboration, the unexpected journey from her piano to global charts, and even performs a stunning live rendition of 1234.

Josh and Cam dive into Feist’s endlessly catchy 1234, the earworm that went from indie darling to global smash thanks to an iPod Nano ad and the songwriting magic of Sally Seltman. They break down the song’s deceptively simple hook, its emotional punch, and how it quietly shaped a whole era of indie pop. Is this the most wholesome banger of the 2000s, or just a very stylish way to count to four?Credits: Hosts: Cameron James & Josh Pyke EP/Producer: Amelia Navascues Engineer: James Bow-Whiting Designer: Emilie Carmona This is an MIK Made Production

In this very special B-Side, Josh Pyke and Cameron James sit down with Australia’s favourite cultural prankster and storyteller, John Safran. Before his TV and radio antics, John was the frontman of Melbourne indie band Raspberry Cordial, where his knack for witty wordplay and subversive humour first found a stage. From those early gigging days to turning pop culture upside-down on Race Around the World and John Safran vs God, John’s career has been as unpredictable as it is entertaining. The trio dig into his lifelong love of music, the art of using a song to make a point, and wrestle with the age-old question: how do you actually define a novelty song? Expect candid stories, sideways detours, and a few behind-the-scenes confessions about the stunts that almost didn’t make it to air. Whether you know him as a fearless documentarian, a radio rebel, or just the guy who once got himself exorcised on camera, this is John Safran as you’ve never heard him before. Credits: Hosts: Cameron James & Josh Pyke EP/Producer: Amelia Navascues Engineer: James Bow-Whiting Designer: Emilie Carmona This is an MIK Made Production

They were too sexy for Milan, New York, and your expectations—now they’re on Jump Up The Jams. In Part 2, Cam and Josh sit down with Right Said Fred themselves, brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass for the wild, shirtless truth behind one of the most polarising pop tracks of all time. From busking in the London underground to being banned by the BBC, the duo reflect on the absurdity, backlash, and brilliance of a song that was never meant to be a hit. They talk legacy, leather pants, and why not taking yourself seriously might be the ultimate power move. Follow Cam & Josh online for upcoming tour dates @iamcameronjames and @joshpyke Follow Jump Up The Jams on Instagram @jumpupthejams_pod Credits: Hosts: Cameron James & Josh Pyke EP/Producer: Amelia Navascues Engineer: James Bow-Whiting Designer: Emilie Carmona This is an MIK Made Production

What do a shirtless runway strut, an accidental pop hook, and early ’90s British irony all have in common? Right Said Fred’s Too Sexy, of course. In this episode, Cam and Josh dive headfirst into the unapologetic boldness of the global hit that confused critics, thrilled dancefloors, and turned gym culture into chart-topping art. From fashion week inspirations to the song’s surprising staying power, the boys break down how Too Sexy went from a tongue-in-cheek demo to a #1 smash in the US. We talk Euro camp, brotherly mischief, and the weird alchemy that turns novelty into legacy. Follow Cam & Josh online for upcoming tour dates @iamcameronjames and @joshpyke Follow Jump Up The Jams on Instagram @jumpupthejams_pod Credits: Hosts: Cameron James & Josh Pyke EP/Producer: Amelia Navascues Engineer: James Bow-Whiting Designer: Emilie Carmona This is an MIK Made Production

Kav Temperley, frontman of Eskimo Joe, joins us to unpack the unlikely spark behind one of Australia’s most iconic rock anthems. From a solo bathroom moment with red wine in hand to the heart of WA’s shadowy alt-rock scene, Kav dives into the world that shaped Black Fingernails, Red Wine. We talk eyeliner, evangelism, and the rhythmic pulse that made it ARIA’s 2006 Single of the Year. Follow Cam & Josh online for upcoming tour dates @iamcameronjames and @joshpykeFollow Pump up the Jams on Instagram @pumpupthejams_pod Credits: Hosts: Cameron James & Josh Pyke EP/Producer: Amelia Navascues Engineer: James Bow-Whiting Designer: Emilie CarmonaThis is an MIK Made Production