In this installment of Now That’s Not A Very Interesting Podcast, Craig Chapman explores the acoustic purgatory known as "Please Hold" music. Have you ever wondered why a billionaire corporation forces you to listen to a flute solo recorded through a tin can? Craig breaks down the technical "Audio Mulch" created by frequency clipping and pays homage to the unsung heroes of MIDI synthesizers.

​We also dive back into the kitchen cupboard for a new "What Do I Have Here?", where we examine the humble T-shirt carrier bag. It’s a story of Swedish engineering, unintended environmental consequences, and the structural superiority of high-density polyethylene.

​In this episode, you will hear:

• ​An analysis of the three main genres of hold music, from "Corporate Zen" to the 1989 classic, Opus No. 1.
• ​The technical reason why Mozart sounds like a robot screaming when played over a telephone line.
• ​The history of Sten Gustaf Thulin’s 1965 patent and the birth of the "bag of bags."
• ​International correspondence from Gary in Nebraska, who has successfully used bivalve anatomy to avoid his neighbors.

​Digital Hub:

Our brand new, aesthetically neutral website is now live at www.nowthatsnotaveryinterestingpodcast.co.uk.

Stop by to browse our archive of dull topics, ask Craig a question about stationary, or submit yourself for a guest appearance (strict "No Excitement" policy applies).