JoJo sits down with Kyle Meredith to discuss her new EP, Trying Not To Think About It, it’s firth single “Worst (I Assume),” and the building the new songs around mental health, negative patterns, and how depression affects your relationships. The singer/songwriter/actress goes on to discuss how Joni Mitchell’s Blue album lent a heavy dose of inspiration when looking toward the lyrics, musically looking towards classic Usher, Justin Timberlake, and Aaliyah, and more recent artists like H.E.R, Vi...
Aug 30, 2021•21 min•Ep. 509
Aaron Dessner catches up with Kyle Meredith to discuss How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last , the sophomore record with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon in the band Big Red Machine. The producer/songwriter takes us through the process of bringing in more friends for this album, including Sharon Van Etten and Taylor Swift, and how the set came to focus on themes of mental health, depression, and family dynamics, especially on a song written for the late Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchinson. On wo...
Aug 27, 2021•47 min•Ep. 508
Creedence Clearwater Revival ’s Doug “Cosmo” Clifford catches up with Kyle Meredith to discuss For All The Money In the World , a record he wrote and recorded with Steve Wright in the mid-80s and kept inside his Cosmo’s Vault until now. The drummer/producer talks about why he sat on the album for so long, tapping Joe Satriani to play guitar, and the other vault records that will be seeing release soon—including collaborations with Bobby Whitlock, Doug Sahm, and a solo LP. Clifford also tells us ...
Aug 25, 2021•36 min•Ep. 507
Paul Reiser sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about his role in The Kominsky Method , for which he’s Emmy nominated for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series." The actor/writer/musician discusses how the Netflix series shines a light on friendships as you get older, finding success later in a career, and the meta-moment where his character is watching the movie Diner , which Reiser also starred in 1982. The two also hit on the lasting appeal of Mad About You, his 2017 series There'...
Aug 23, 2021•35 min•Ep. 506
Laura Marling and Mike Lindsay catch up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Animal , their sophomore release as LUMP. The British electronic duo take us through taking musical inspiration from Bowie’s Berlin Years, visualizing the world of LUMP as a sort of Stranger Things’ Upside Down, and the possibilities of expanding the visual presence of the project. For her part, Marling also discusses finding meaning within her free-form lyrics, portraying a more masculine side of her personality, and the A...
Aug 20, 2021•39 min•Ep. 505
Jimmy Cliff grabs some talk time with Kyle Meredith to tell us about his new single, “Human Touch,” and the upcoming album, Bridges . The reggae legend tips us on working with Tarrus Riley in the producer chair, reveals where his unending source of positivity comes from, and shares some stories about hanging with Muhammad Ali and Cat Stevens. Cliff will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Harder They Come next year, and shares his thoughts on why the landmark soundtrack resonated so much ...
Aug 18, 2021•12 min•Ep. 504
David Duchovny catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new album, Gesturland , and the many influences that are evident in his third album. The actor/author/musician puts the spotlight on Neil Young, U2, Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, and Paul McCartney as favorites, and even shares his appreciation for a good cowbell placement. Duchovny also gives a quick update on his current film and TV projects, including the upcoming Amanda Peet series The Chair on Netflix, and his hopes to do a full on...
Aug 16, 2021•53 min•Ep. 503
Jungle ’s Tom McFarland catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Loving in Stereo , the British electronic duo’s third studio album. McFarland discusses how writing to a choir helped their songs become more inviting and encouraged community, their collaboration with hip hop artist Bas, and being influenced by The Strokes and Arcade Fire in their younger days. With Jungle also notable for their music videos full of amazing choreography, the “Keep Moving” songwriter tells Kyle Meredith about ho...
Aug 13, 2021•36 min•Ep. 502
STYX ’s James “JY” Young catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Crash of the Crown , a socially reflective new LP from the Chicago-born rock band. The guitarist takes us through an album that musically resonates with every era of the band, and Tommy Shaw’s lyrics that show a responsibility to lead listeners in a positive direction while singing about some of the atrocities of the past few years. Young also reflects on his own playing, how his guitar furthers the songs' stories, and his earl...
Aug 11, 2021•37 min•Ep. 501
Ellen Foley hops on the line with Kyle Meredith to talk about her new album, Fighting Words . The actor/musician takes us through her writing partnership with Paul Foglino and working with Karla DeVito, who lip-synced Ellen’s part in the video for Meat Loaf’s "Paradise By the Dashboard Light." Speaking of Meat Loaf, Foley also tells us why she covered “Heaven Can Wait” on this latest set, and then takes us back to 1981 when she had The Clash as her backing band and songwriting partners on the al...
Aug 09, 2021•12 min•Ep. 500
Foghat’s Roger Earle catches up with Kyle Meredith about the band’s new live album, 8 Days On the Road. The co-founder/drummer talks about connecting with their classics through the years, how new members change the dynamics, and when “Humble Pie joined Fogat” with Charlie Huhn’s hiring. Earle also takes us back to the 70s when they wrote the title track of this live album and Slow Ride’s lasting impact, especially with younger fans when it arrived on Guitar Hero, then dives into their 1981 albu...
Aug 06, 2021•24 min•Ep. 499
Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp jumps on the line with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new solo album, INSOLO. The musician/actor tells us how playing in Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason’s new band was the impetus for doing a new album and finding himself looking back at his coming-of-age years for inspiration in both the music and lyrics. In fact, Kemp namechecks David Bowie, 10CC, and Paul McCartney’s Wings as definite touchpoints, and goes on to discuss his thoughts on 70s songwriters and why we keep...
Jul 28, 2021•12 min•Ep. 498
David Crosby catches up with Kyle Meredith to tell us about For Free , his 5th album in 7 years. The legendary voice talks about the importance of songwriting and music in his life and the optimistic outlook he’s found after living through some very difficult and dark personal times. We also get to hear a lot about his friends and collaborators, including Michael McDonald (“my favorite voice”), Steely Dan (“my favorite band”), Joni Mitchell (“the best singer songwriter”), and Joan Baez, who’s po...
Jul 26, 2021•49 min•Ep. 497
Kevin Smith sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about Netflix’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation. The Dogma writer/director dishes on what it was like to create the continuation of He-Man and the Eternia crew, meeting fan expectations, and working with people’s nostalgia. Smith draws on his own experiences from seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark with his dad to his own Marvel superfandom. Packed with a huge cast of voice actors, Smith also discusses what it was like to have Henry Rollins on boar...
Jul 23, 2021•38 min•Ep. 496
Stone Temple Pilot’s Robert DeLeo sits down with Kyle Meredith to take us through the 25th anniversary of Tiny Music…Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop. The bassist and lead songwriter recalls the environment that led the band to exploring new sounds, including bossa nova, jazz, and glam, and the musical conversation that happens between him and brother Dean. DeLeo also remembers the MTV Spring Break show that is included in the deluxe edition of the album package and how he got food poisoning aft...
Jul 21, 2021•29 min•Ep. 495
Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament catches up with Kyle Meredith to dig into his new solo album, I Should Be Outside, a pandemic record that finds him mirroring the world’s news and the loss in his own life. The bassist/guitarist tells us about the art series that coincides with the record, as well as his art for some of Pearl Jam’s most iconic LPs, including No Code, which is celebrating twenty five years. Ament takes us back to the writing and recording of that pivotal album and how his side project Three...
Jul 19, 2021•45 min•Ep. 494
Carla Gugino catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about her new Netflix film, Gunpowder Milkshake. We hear all about making a visually fantastic film, incorporating famous authors into the story, and having Janis Joplin’s version of Piece of My Heart soundtracking one of her fight scenes. The Haunting of Hill House actress goes on to tell us about the music that influenced her early years, which includes The Cure, Oingo Boingo, Liz Phair, and her recent favorites like Lana Del Rey and Coutney B...
Jul 16, 2021•19 min•Ep. 493
Barenaked Ladies lead singer Ed Robertson sits down with Kyle Meredith to dish on Detour de Force, the Canadian band’s 16th album. The BNL co-founder takes us through the political moments of the record that includes writing about the questioning of facts, the fracturing of humanity, and watching people fall into the conspiracy trap. Robertson also discusses one of the song’s commentary on the band’s career ups and downs, a different life where he may have been an Americana artist, and if the gr...
Jul 14, 2021•36 min•Ep. 492
AJR sit down with Kyle Meredith to tell us about OK Orchestra, their new album that finds the brothers looking back to their formative years in 8th grade and drawing the parallels to the present day obstacles. Jack & Ryan Met then take us through the political moments of the LP and performing in an era where it’s less taboo for an artist to take a stance and speak out, and then give us insight on their penchant for writing songs that sound like samples from the 30s & 40s. They also talk ...
Jul 12, 2021•39 min•Ep. 491
Margaret Cho catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about her latest Netflix movie, Good On Paper. The comedian/actor/musician gets into movies that reflect the movie and tv industry, as well as the music world, and the differences between them all, and then takes us through some of the more cringe moments in Good on Paper and her own dating horror stories from the early chatroom days of Y2K. Cho also discusses some of her current favorite songwriters such as Soccer Mommy, Beach Bunny, and Phoebe...
Jul 02, 2021•20 min•Ep. 490
Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath sits down with Kyle Meredith to discuss Nowhere Generation, the Chicago punk band’s ninth album. The frontman talks about who the Nowhere Generation is and who these songs are directed at, how the American Dream and what it means and stands for has changed, and what the older generations have done to the Earth and society. McIlrath also takes us back to their mainstream breakthrough, Swing Life Away, and how it gave the band permission to write softer songs, like this...
Jun 30, 2021•19 min•Ep. 489
The Goo Goo Dolls’ Johnny Rzeznick catches up with Kyle Meredith to detail the band's new Rarities compilation and next album. The two dive into the lost art of the b-side and the idea of their biggest hit, Iris, starting as a b-side on the City of Angels soundtrack. Further on that subject, Reznick also remembers their long string of soundtrack cuts, from Freddie’s Dead, Ace Ventura (where they cover INXS’s Don’t Change) and Batman & Robin, to more recent releases for Transformers and Findi...
Jun 28, 2021•55 min•Ep. 488
Tom Jones catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Surrounded By Time, his latest record alongside longtime co-producer Ethan Johns. The legendary singer discusses going in a new direction for sound that is both atmospheric and psychedelic at times and the surprise of having a number one album in the UK, breaking the record for oldest artist to do so, which was previously held by Bob Dylan. Speaking of Dylan, Jones tells us about covering “One More Cup of Coffee,” as well as Cat Stevens’ “Pop...
Jun 25, 2021•38 min•Ep. 487
Wolf Alice catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Blue Weekend. Ellie Rowsell and Joff Oddie discuss everything from alternate versions of some of the songs to writing about the balance of human emotions. The London songwriters also tell us about building a world with their music videos, of which they’ll have one for every song on the new record, and the story behind the song “Play The Hits,” involving a night out, some great punk guitars, and a discarded version over twice as long. --- Thi...
Jun 23, 2021•30 min•Ep. 486
Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock speaks with Kyle Meredith about The Golden Casket, the band’s first album since 2015. The lead man tells us about the sound experiments he has been working on over the past few years, having kids, and the album he had talked about releasing after Strangers To Ourselves (which he still has, and likes). Brock goes on to discuss his penchant for writing about the universe, the unseen parts of our environment that includes sound waves, and aliens. In fact, there is quite a...
Jun 21, 2021•27 min•Ep. 485
Rag’n’Bone Man’s Rory Graham sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about Life By Misadventure, a record that finds the British songwriter traveling to Nashville and linking up with Natalie Hemby and other top writers for a soulful, live set of songs. Graham discusses his love of John Prine, how he might apply the aesthetics from this record to the work he does inside the drum‘n’bass scene alongside Roni Size, and what it was like to have Wendy Melvoin from Prince & the Revolution recording on...
Jun 18, 2021•18 min•Ep. 484
Yola sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about Stand for Myself , a record that finds the English musician in a "genre fluid" mood as she tries out several new sounds. Along with the musical diversity, she also discusses the divide-and-conquer politics that appears in some of the songs; her base in poetry; and working and living with friends Aaron Lee Tasjan, Allison Russell, and Amythyst Kiah. Yola will also be playing Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic , and...
Jun 16, 2021•24 min•Ep. 483
John Lodge of The Moody Blues hops on the line with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new solo EP, On Reflection . The legendary singer-bassist tells us about the lead single “The Sun Will Shine” and the emphasis that positivity plays within his music, and how he used the lockdown to explore his past for inspiration. Speaking of the past, this year marks 40 years for The Moody Blues album The Long Distance Voyager, and John discusses what draws musicians to write about space, especially as we find...
Jun 14, 2021•33 min•Ep. 482
Japanese Breakfast catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about her New York Times bestselling book, Crying In H Mart, and new album, Jubilee. Michelle Zauner discusses the memoir recounting her relationship with and losing her mother, and how it led her to wanting to make an album about joy. Zauner tells us about wanting to be musically ambitious and the bright sounds that touch on the 80s, as well as being inspired by Bjork’s music videos. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest ...
Jun 11, 2021•23 min•Ep. 483
Shirley Manson catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about the new Garbage album, No Gods No Masters, which takes direct aim at the events of the past four years in one of the band’s most powerful statements to date. The Scottish-born singer discusses her use of Go and religion that appear in these songs, the benefits of being an outsider, and the ay their songs Queer and Androgony have come to speak to today. Manson also dives into the post-punk and new wave influences that the band recall in t...
Jun 09, 2021•1 hr 26 min
