Legendary LA punk band X gave us the surprise release with Alphabetland , their first album in 27 years, and first with the original lineup in 35 years. John Doe speaks with Kyle Meredith about what it took to get the band back in the studio, their ensuing tradition of writing about culture on the edge and moments of crisis, and taking on class divide and gentrification. The singer/bassist also describes why the band used a racial slur in their landmark debut Los Angeles as a stand against racis...
Jun 03, 2020•42 min•Ep. 331
Filmmaker Mark Duplass speaks with Kyle Meredith about Volcano, I’m Still Excited, the band he fronted in the early 2000’s whose debut EP has been re-released on Polyvinyl Records. Duplass takes us back through the history of the group, which found him switching to keyboards after spending the '90s as “an overly earnest singer-songwriter." He also discusses his influences, his classical music upbringing, and ultimately his decision to leave it all behind to make movies. Even so, Duplass shares h...
Jun 01, 2020•30 min•Ep. 330
Jesper Anderberg of The Sounds speaks with Kyle Meredith about the band's first album in seven years, Things We Do For Love . Anderberg discusses the importance of taking a few years off to keep the band going, contending with fans' expectations, and nursing their legacy. The guitarist/keyboardist also talks about how vibe plays a big part in their songwriting, citing the Blade Runner soundtrack as a favorite, and using darkness as a writing tool. Follow on Facebook | Podchaser | Twitter Our Spo...
May 29, 2020•19 min•Ep. 329
Barenaked Ladies singer-songwriter Steven Page gives Kyle Meredith a call to discuss his new single "Isolation", in addition to Here’s What it Takes , the musical he’s been working on for the past seven years that was about to open right before the global pandemic. He also dives into his history of theatrical writing, recently teaming up with Broadway stars for an online collaboration, and performing a show with his own son. Page also talks about the success of his home shows over Zoom, and says...
May 27, 2020•30 min•Ep. 328
Gerry Cinnamon calls up Kyle Meredith to discuss his sophomore LP, The Bonny . The Scottish singer-songwriter, who is seeing massive success in the UK, talks about what it’s like to achieve this kind of fame in his 30s, the DIY road that he follows, and how he sees songwriting as a lost art form. Cinnamon also goes on to talk about how Reservoir Dogs , Neil Young’s Powderfinger , and his bouts of insomnia have influenced his career and songs. Follow on Facebook | Podchaser | Twitter --- This epi...
May 25, 2020•25 min•Ep. 327
STRFKR frontman Joshua Hodges speaks with Kyle Meredith about the group’s surprise new record, Future Past Life . The Portland-based singer-songwriter discusses how the record finds the band taking a more acoustic-led direction, the raw honesty in the lyrics, and the dark stories that make up the set. Hodges also talks about having an astronaut fan who took their music to space and how they repaid the favor with a few Easter eggs. Follow on Facebook | Podchaser | Twitter --- This episode is spon...
May 22, 2020•20 min•Ep. 326
Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls give Kyle Meredith a ring to discuss Look Long , their latest record that finds the folk rock duo reuniting with their lineup from ‘99’s Come On Now Social . Ray and Saliers discuss finding new sonic territory and how the lyrics take stock of their past. As social crusaders, both still find the activist fire burning strong and take a moment to speak about the environmental opportunity the world currently has with everyone staying at home. --- This episod...
May 20, 2020•25 min•Ep. 325
Avril Lavigne gives Kyle Meredith a call to discuss her new single "Warriors". The Canadian-French pop star shares why she rewrote the anthem as a tribute to frontline workers, and how she’s able to keep anthem-sized ideas personal. She also retraces the journey behind her latest album, Head Above Water , which found her dealing with Lyme disease and nearly quitting music. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Our Sponsors: * Check ou...
May 18, 2020•15 min•Ep. 324
Paul Banks calls up Kyle Meredith about his latest collaborative project Muzz . The Interpol frontman takes us through his history with his new bandmates and explains why trios seem to be his sweet spot these days. Of the lyrical content, we’re told many of the songs deal with mental health and its relationship with art, and were inspired by Leonard Cohen , Bob Dylan , and Neil Young . Finally, Banks says he wants to make another record with RZA and confirms more Interpol records in the future. ...
May 15, 2020•35 min•Ep. 323
Perfume Genius mastermind Mike Hadreas speaks with Kyle Meredith about new album Set My Heart On Fire Immediately . Together, they discuss how movement informed the record and its connections to the dance and music collaboration The Sun Still Burns Here . Hadreas also weighs in on writing songs with big changes, themes of masculinity, guitar sounds that recall My Bloody Valentine and Motown, and his dream-team backing band of Jim Keltner, Pino Palladino, and Matt Chamberlain. Follow on Facebook ...
May 13, 2020•15 min•Ep. 322
Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil jumps into the Delorean with Kyle Meredith to revisit the Screaming Life/FOPP compilation, the "Room Without a View" single, and how the Seattle band found inspiration in The Melvins, Malfunkshun, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and The Beatles. The guitarist also recalls writing page-turner music for the Encarta 95 program, the label issuing the Alive in the Superunknown CD-ROM, and forming The No WTO Combo alongside Krist Novoselic and Jello Biafra . Upon their re...
May 11, 2020•39 min•Ep. 321
Valerie Barbosa, aka Tei Shi , calls up Kyle Meredith to discuss her new single "Die 4 Ur Love" and her upcoming EP. The Columbian-Canadian singer talks about the difference in writing in Spanish vs. English, how this new set of songs came together in six days, and what to expect from the tracks we haven’t heard. She also discusses the mood during her last handful of pre-quarantine shows and the artistic chemistry she finds with collaborator Blood Orange . --- This episode is sponsored by · Anch...
May 08, 2020•24 min•Ep. 320
Alison Mosshart jumps on the line with Kyle Meredith to talk about her new solo single "Rise" from the Facebook Watch series Sacred Lies . The Kills vocalist goes on to discuss her fondness of writing for film and TV, working with Alain Johannes , her recent obsession with making her own videos, and the upcoming B-side to "Rise" called "It Ain’t Water". Mosshart then goes further into the year to let us know about the Third Man Books re-release of Car Ma , its accompanying spoken word companion ...
May 06, 2020•35 min•Ep. 319
Tori Amos speaks with Kyle Meredith about her new book, Resistance: A Songwriter's Story of Hope, Change, and Courage . The second biography for the legendary singer-songwriter dives into her work amidst both collective and personal crises. Amos discusses her responsibility to speak out, how call-to-action songs come to fruition, and how her lyrics can be interpreted differently whether you're reading or singing them. Amos also talks about having to completely rewrite much of the book after losi...
May 04, 2020•32 min•Ep. 318
Courtney Marie Andrews speaks with Kyle Meredith about Old Flowers and how it documents the end of a nine-year relationship. The Arizona-born singer-songwriter talks about the album’s journey, exposure through vulnerability, taking inspiration from a Jack Gilbert poem, and how a bottle of wine can help you come up with a pretty great melody. Andrews also recalls her multiple duets with the late John Prine , the most recent of which was this past New Year’s Eve during her debut Grand Ole Opry app...
May 01, 2020•19 min•Ep. 317
Oh Wonder singer-songwriters Anthony West and Josephine Vander Gucht give Kyle Meredith a call to discuss No One Else Can Wear Your Crown and the Home Tapes series, the latter of which they started writing, recording, and releasing soon after the pandemic shutdown took hold. The duo discuss the benefits of being so immediate, how "Lonely Star" speaks to our isolation, their collective burnout, and the importance of recognizing your own success and dreams. --- This episode is sponsored by · Ancho...
Apr 29, 2020•23 min•Ep. 316
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever singer-songwriters Fran Keany and Joe White give Kyle Meredith a call to discuss Sideways To New Italy . The two share what it was like to play Vic In the Park right before the worldwide shutdown and if releasing a record during this pandemic has changed how they regard the LP. Keany discusses how it's an album about their feelings of disconnection amidst life on the road, while White talks about leaning on love songs to help move forward. --- This episode is spon...
Apr 27, 2020•29 min•Ep. 315
Sparks lead singer Russel Mael gives Kyle Meredith a shout to discuss the band’s new record, A Steady Drip Drip Drip . The two dig into how some of the songs have already found new relevance during the current pandemic, how one song in particular speaks to an older classic regarding climate change, and the band’s excellent use of swearing. Mael also gives the scoop on an upcoming musical starring Adam Driver that the band wrote as well as a documentary on their history filmed and produced by Edg...
Apr 24, 2020•30 min•Ep. 314
HAIM gives Kyle Meredith a call to discuss their forthcoming third studio album, Women In Music Pt. III , due out this summer. The LA trio detail the confidence they had going into the studio, how their subconscious manifests into their own songwriting, and the importance of their sisterhood. Daniel Haim also speaks about giving Lou Reed a songwriting credit on first single “Summer Girl", creating a record that sonically feels like you’re in the room with them, and their ensuing collaborations w...
Apr 22, 2020•32 min•Ep. 313
AJR singer-songwriter Ryan Met speaks with Kyle Meredith about the band’s new single “Bang” and last year's Neotheater . Met discusses the brotherly trio’s ability to produce musically adventurous sounds, the fun of being self-referential, and their penchant for writing about growing up. He also weighs in finding emotional depth in pop culture, be it The Office or Beats by Dre; how they've sampled everywhere from the NYC subway system to David Lynch's Eraserhead ; and their aversion to what they...
Apr 20, 2020•20 min•Ep. 312
Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale gives Kyle Meredith a call to discuss the band's upcoming album, The Kingdom . The alt-rock leader talks about the album’s central theme of self-improvement and how many songs stem from feelings of loneliness and searching for connection, all of which coincidentally line up for many people during the pandemic. Rossdale also discusses his penchant for using electric guitars for ballads, his continuing relationship with film composer Tyler Bates, an upcoming Bush live ...
Apr 17, 2020•44 min•Ep. 311
Waxahatchee singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield gives Kyle Meredith a call to talk about her new album Saint Cloud . Crutchfield details how Lucinda Williams, Jason Molina, and the women of classic country leant a big influence to the record, how changing styles also changes how she writes, and the importance of places in her music. The Alabama-born artist also discusses her complicated relationship with the South when it comes to ideology and politics as well as being in a relationship with ano...
Apr 15, 2020•32 min•Ep. 310
Laura Marling speaks with Kyle Meredith about her latest LP, Song For Our Daughter . The British singer-songwriter discusses the importance of challenging herself on the new set of songs, distinguishing the author from the product, her role in arming the next generation, and taking a bit of inspiration from Paul McCartney and Paul Simon. Marling is currently studying psychoanalysis and explains the impact that it's had on her songwriting, and later digresses on her live stream guitar lessons. An...
Apr 13, 2020•25 min•Ep. 309
Sparta mastermind Jim Ward gives Kyle Meredith a call to discuss the band’s first record in over a decade, Trust the River . The former At The Drive-In member talks about the tightrope of making old fans happy with new sounds, the importance of therapy and mental health, and staying optimistic in trying times. Ward is also a restaurant owner and dissects the struggles he's currently experiencing amidst the COVID-19 epidemic. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a po...
Apr 10, 2020•40 min•Ep. 308
Nicole Atkins gives Kyle Meredith a call to discuss her new LP, Italian Ice. The Nashville-based songwriter talks about being an artist in a city that was hit by a tornado right before COVID-19 crept in and the impact that’s had on her career (Nicole also lived in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina). Born and raised in New Jersey, Atkins also talks about how the album reflects growing up on the boardwalks of Asbury Park, the scary stories her dad would tell, and recording in Muscle Shoals alon...
Apr 08, 2020•27 min•Ep. 307
Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien sits down with Kyle Meredith to discuss his debut solo LP, Earth. Topics include working with producer Flood, taking inspiration from Foals' Holy Fire, his love of gospel and soul, and dueting with Laura Marling. Within the record, O’Brien talks about the darkness of our environmental, political, and technological times, the importance of balancing that with light, and how a trip to Brazil was able to show him both sides. For information regarding your data privacy...
Apr 06, 2020•23 min•Ep. 306
Real Estate singer-songwriter Martin Courtney jumps on the line with Kyle Meredith to gab about new album The Main Thing. Courtney shares how he tried out new sounds to get invigorated about writing music again and called in outside collaborators like Amilia Meath from Sylvan Esso. He also explains how parental anxiety plays a big role in the songs as he at once sees his own childhood through his children’s eyes while struggling with a potentially harmful world that they’re growing into. For inf...
Apr 03, 2020•30 min•Ep. 305
All Time Low singer-songwriter Alex Gaskarth rings up Kyle Meredith to get into the details of Wake Up, Sunshine. Gaskarth discusses how the new album returns to the band’s roots and is a cathartic flip against the themes from last year’s Simple Creatures. He also waxes on about pop punk and how he’s taken inspiration from both Foo Fighters and Britney Spears. The lead singer also discusses having Blackbear and The Band CAMINO guest on the new LP and how COVID-19 has forced artists into creative...
Apr 01, 2020•23 min•Ep. 304
Stephen Malkmus talks to Kyle Meredith about his latest record, Traditional Techniques. The former Pavement frontman discusses using '60s and '70’s acoustic music as the inspiration, specifically the lighter side of Led Zeppelin. The legendary rockers have been on Malkmus’ mind after tweeting his track ranking of the Zozo album, so this interview gives him a chance to defend his lineup. Malkmus also talks about the generational bickering that arrives in the song “Flowin’ Robes” and Generation X’...
Mar 30, 2020•43 min•Ep. 303
Best Coast returns with Always Tomorrow following a five-year gap that found Bethany Cosentino struggling with a creative block and dealing with her mental and physical health. The Los Angeles singer-songwriter calls Kyle Meredith to detail how she finally found her path forward. She also shares her deep love and appreciation for '80s-era Fleetwood Mac, her fandom for the Deftones, and what it’s like to play a Bernie Sanders rally. To top it all off, she even gives a quick shout out to White Rea...
Mar 27, 2020•44 min•Ep. 302
