Triumph are currently celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 1989 hits collection, Classics, with a deluxe vinyl edition. Co-founder Mike Levine spoke with Kyle Meredith about going for a higher audio experience and expanding the LP with live tracks from the 1983 Us Festival and their 2008 reunion at the Sweden Rock Festival. The two also discuss getting ahead of punk with their mid-70's garage rocker "Rock & Roll Machine" and finding their highest charting success with "Somebody's Out Th...
Jan 13, 2020•15 min•Ep. 271
David Foster, the super-producer/songwriter behind songs from Christina Aguilera, Peter Cetera, Chicago, Alice Cooper, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and who also wrote the theme to St. Elmo's Fire, gives Kyle Meredith to discuss his live album, An Intimate Evening. Foster discusses the theatrics that have become his songwriting calling card and how songwriting changes with new eras. We also get the stories behind two of the biggest show-stopping notes in pop history, fir...
Jan 10, 2020•13 min•Ep. 270
Foy Vance gives Kyle Meredith a ring to discuss the two albums he released in 2019. With the soul-flavored From Muscle Shoals, Vance talks about working with the legendary Swampers, famous for backing Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and how the entire project only took two days in the studio to complete. Then with To Memphis, we hear about how the Northern Irish songwriter found himself creating Americana, steeped in Baptist hymns and gospel music. It also gav...
Jan 08, 2020•20 min•Ep. 269
Vagabon singer-songwriter Laetitia Tamko speaks with Kyle Meredith about how her self-titled, sophomore LP wound up with a very different sound. Tamko explains how a lack of community amidst a disappearing Brooklyn DIY scene left her with an opportunity for a chosen isolation. She discusses working with bathroom choirs, writing in French, and the expectations from being a multi-cultural artist. Tamko also gives the story behind a song originally written for Tegan and Sara, and her newest single:...
Jan 06, 2020•23 min•Ep. 268
David Yazbek, the artist behind the music for Broadway's The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, and this year's Tootsie, jumped on the line to speak with Kyle Meredith about the lyrics and music for 2017's The Band's Visit. Yazbek, who also co-wrote the theme for Where In the World Is Carmen Sandiego, speaks about the musical's extremely relevant themes of cultures coming together. He also shares his own family history, growing up in multi-ethnic New ...
Jan 03, 2020•20 min•Ep. 267
Desmond Child -- the songwriter behind dozens of Billboard hits -- gives Kyle Meredith a call to discuss his first live album. Child shares the tips and tricks of how he came up with so many chart-toppers, a late-70's mentorship with Bob Crewe, and the details on his upcoming biography. He's also the producer behind an upcoming documentary based on the career of the disgraced (and deceased) boy-band mogul Lou Pearlman, who launched the careers of Backstreet Boys and N'SYNC, and Child gives the u...
Dec 30, 2019•14 min•Ep. 266
Sheila E. gives Kyle Meredith a ring to talk about her latest single "No Line", which features Snoop Dogg. The legendary drummer shares how the recording session turned into a much broader jam, resulting in around eight songs that she eventually plans to release. Later, she takes a moment to revisit "Holly Rock", one of the singles that Prince wrote for her. And she also teases a number of projects coming down the pipeline, specifically a second autobiography featuring backstage stories, a child...
Dec 27, 2019•13 min•Ep. 265
Over the weekend, Tatyana Ali (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Young and The Restless) checked into Lifetime's Christmas Hotel. Today, she joins Kyle Meredith to discuss the thriving holiday movie genre and working with singer Telma Hopkins. Ali also discusses how she shot much of the movie just weeks after having a new baby and stresses how important it is for parents to have support for when they return to work. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This epi...
Dec 23, 2019•11 min•Ep. 264
Angels & Airwaves mastermind Tom DeLonge sits down with Kyle Meredith to discuss the band's latest single, "Rebel Girl", one-off track "Kiss & Tell", and how it all fits into the idea of a bigger multimedia project. The blink-182 co-founder discusses Bikini Kill , how writing for multiple platforms affects his songwriting, and how he distances himself from his early punk sound. DeLonge cites The Cure and early U2 as current inspirations and says that the upcoming record has a story arch ...
Dec 20, 2019•24 min•Ep. 263
Filter frontman Richard Patrick jumps back in time with Kyle Meredith to discuss the band's 1999 LP, Title of Record. Patrick goes in detail about how much of the lyrics were inspired by his then-secret relationship with D'arcy Wretzky of The Smashing Pumpkins. The former Nine Inch Nails member also talks about his love of Pantera, scoring Jim Carrey's Dark Crimes and 2017's Last Rampage, fan shock after hearing more melodic songs like "Take A Picture", recording the record while drunk and on dr...
Dec 18, 2019•39 min•Ep. 262
Milky Chance hop on the line with Kyle Meredith to discuss their third album, Mind the Moon. Clemens Rehbein and Philipp Dausch talk about teaming up with Tash Sultana and Ladysmith Black Mambazo and using artists from around the world in a time when governments are becoming more insular. The duo also tell of a jet-lagged Australian jam session that led to "The Game" and explain Milky Change, their project for implementing eco-friendly practices within the music world. For information regarding ...
Dec 16, 2019•18 min•Ep. 261
Gregg Rolie speaks with Kyle Meredith about his new solo record Sonic Ranch. The original lead singer of Santana, who would go on to form and front Journey alongside Steve Perry until his early 80's departure, has spent the last decade working on the LP. He was first sidetracked by joining Ringo Starr, followed by a Santana reunion in 2016, and then reconnecting with Neal Schon in 2018. Rolie shares how working alongside The Beatles drummer inspired the song "What About Love", the benefits of co...
Dec 13, 2019•13 min•Ep. 260
Devendra Banhart calls up Kyle Meredith to discuss Ma, his new album that analyzes motherhood in both the literal sense, universal experience, and writing the record for his hypothetical future child. Banhart also goes in depth about the current state of his home country of Venezuela, how it's being crippled by a dictator, the immigration exodus happening within, and the difficulty of supplying relief and getting aid into the area. On the lighter side, Banhart also waxes poetic on his heroes Vas...
Dec 11, 2019•18 min•Ep. 259
Chicago are back with a new holiday album, Chicago Christmas, which yes, if you're counting, is their fourth time singing the holly-jollies. Co-founder Lee Loughnane calls up Kyle Meredith to discuss what brought them back to the X-mas format, making an album of holiday originals, and the stories behind several of the songs. Loughnane also discusses producing the record while touring, their current lineup's ability to find that classic Chicago sound, and what to expect from the upcoming 2020 wit...
Dec 09, 2019•12 min•Ep. 258
The Mowgli's have returned with "Fighting With Yourself", a single that finds Katie Earl taking the lead in the band for the first time after a lineup change. She and guitarist Josh Hogan jump on the phone with Kyle Meredith to discuss a band that's been in flux a few times before, the feelings of starting over, and how it all relates to the new track. The three also discuss their early 2019 EP American Feelings, "Normal Rockwell", writing the Big City Greens theme song, and guesting on Sesame S...
Dec 06, 2019•23 min•Ep. 257
Cursive frontman Tim Kasher calls in to talk with Kyle Meredith about their new record, Get Fixed, which comes only a year after 2018's Vitriola. Kasher discusses the differences between the two albums, especially its themes of dark times, nationalism, and politics. Kasher also goes on to talk about how his songwriting process has changed throughout the years, finding answers from songs rooted in questions, and being known as the guy you turn to when you're going through a breakup. For informati...
Dec 04, 2019•17 min•Ep. 256
Bishop Briggs gives Kyle Meredith a shout to discuss her sophomore LP, Champion. Together, the two discuss the art of the anthem, writing with K.Flay, and stories behind the title track, "Jekyll & Hide", and "My Shine". No stranger to using her voice for big causes, Bishop also chats about speaking against the Alabama abortion laws and the duality of living in the US but not being able to have a vote in the upcoming elections. And as a massive My Chemical Romance fan, we hear what it was lik...
Dec 02, 2019•21 min•Ep. 255
Neon Trees frontman Tyler Glenn speaks with Kyle Meredith about the band's comeback single, "Used To Like", and forthcoming new album. Glenn also takes us back through the past few years, which saw him coming out as a gay man, breaking away from the Mormon Church, and starring on Broadway in Kinky Boots. He also teases plans to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough debut album, Habits. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out B...
Nov 29, 2019•21 min•Ep. 254
Patrick Watson speaks with Kyle Meredith about his latest record, Wave, and how it's inspired by Thom Yorke, Frank Ocean, and Talk Talk. Watson dives into his appreciation for the architecture of hip-hop's song structures, how well-worn formulas have started to pass, and his work on the final Leonard Cohen album. We also hear about his appreciation for visuals and how Twin Peaks makes a strong showing in this new album. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- Thi...
Nov 27, 2019•18 min•Ep. 253
Cold War Kids frontman Nathan Willett calls up Kyle Meredith to get into the details about New Age Norms 1, the first LP in a proposed trilogy that finds the alt rockers going full-on funk and disco with certain tracks. Willett discusses being more lyrically focused than in past sessions, the art of writing an effective political song, and what we can expect from the forthcoming sequels. In fact, the next edition will arrive in early 2020, comes produced by Sean Everett, and we're told will be a...
Nov 25, 2019•37 min•Ep. 252
Cigarettes After Sex frontman Greg Gonzalez gives Kyle Meredith a ring to dive into the details behind the band's sophomore album Cry. The two get into how location has always been important to how he creates art. Gonzalez also points out that it's no coincidence that their two albums share a lot of the same aesthetics since his idea for the group has some pretty specific parameters. We also hear how cinema factors into his writing, his hopes to get into scoring and soundtracking in the near fut...
Nov 22, 2019•27 min•Ep. 251
FKA twigs has returned with her sophomore LP, Magdalene, once again showcasing her unique melodies, abstract movements, and heartbreaking lyrics. The artist born Tahliah Barnett jumps on the phone with Kyle Meredith to discuss how the meaning behind the album's songs have changed, the compassion within the lyrics, and whether or not she finds the songwriting process cathartic. Twigs also talks about reference points in artists such as Kate Bush, Adam and The Ants, and Nina Simone, how her career...
Nov 20, 2019•16 min•Ep. 250
Alice Cooper chats with Kyle Meredith about his latest album, Breadcrumbs, which finds the legendary shock-rocker digging into his Detroit roots to cover MC5, Bob Seger, Suzi Quatro, and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. The two discuss some of the history of Motor City punk, how the city's sound is still evident in artists like Jack White, and how it's influenced his own sound through the years. Cooper also teases next year's album and revisits his recent venture with Hollywood Vampires. An...
Nov 18, 2019•15 min•Ep. 249
Edward Norton speaks with Kyle Meredith about the soundtrack and score to his new film, Motherless Brooklyn, which he wrote, directed, and stars in. Norton discusses how jazz in the 1950's broke race barriers by making household names out of its stars, and how the genre itself is an analogy for the tourettes that his character Lionel suffers from in the film. We also hear about his collaborations with Wynton Marsalis to create the music that dominates the soundtrack, and how his work juxtaposes ...
Nov 15, 2019•25 min•Ep. 248
Craig Ferguson dials up Kyle Meredith to discuss his new six-part docuseries, Hobo Fabulous, which just arrived on Comedy Dynamics. The former host of The Late Late Show takes us through the concept of his most recent tour -- a full show with no politics -- and the behind-the-scenes look we get that reveals his process along with interviews from his team and family. Ferguson also talks about what it's like to go from doing a new nightly monologue during his late night stint to having the same se...
Nov 13, 2019•20 min•Ep. 247
Beck jumps on the phone with Kyle Meredith to talk about his 14th LP, Hyperspace. The alt legend digs into the album's unsettling themes, working with Pharrell Williams to find its futuristic laid-back sound, and life in the information age. Also known for his iconic music videos, we hear what it's like to be nostalgically tied to a four-minute image, and as a fashion icon, what Beck gets from that art form as well. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy --- This ep...
Nov 11, 2019•19 min•Ep. 246
Nick Offerman joins Kyle Meredith to discuss his latest stand-up tour, All Rise, which finds the humorist widening the scope of our current political era to encompass the follies of all humankind. We hear about Offerman's ties to Kentucky farming through his friendship with author/poet Wendell Berry, whose 2017 documentary Look & See Offerman produced, teaming up with wife Megan Mullally to direct the latest stage show, and his musical collaborations with Mark Rivers (of Mouse Rat, for you P...
Nov 08, 2019•24 min•Ep. 245
Simple Creatures, the super-pairing of Blink 182's Mark Hoppus and All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth, quickly followed their early 2019 debut with a follow-up EP, Everything Opposite, further exploring their mixture of big synth sounds and gothic undertones. Today, Gaskarth speaks with Kyle Meredith about how the collaboration is still finding its sound, citing The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, The Chemical Brothers, and Butthole Surfers as influences. He goes on to explain how the lyrics touch on the duali...
Nov 06, 2019•26 min•Ep. 244
Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. speaks with Kyle Meredith about Mr., which is being billed as his first album of all original material. The former Aaron Burr details his time spent at Skywalker Ranch, creating music that speaks to past legends like Nat King Cole and Cab Calloway, and preparing for his first national tour. Odom is also starring in the new film, Harriet, and the soon-to-be-released Sopranos prequel, and discusses how both of those projects found their way into the lyrics and themes ...
Nov 04, 2019•18 min•Ep. 243
Push Baby singer-songwriter Jake Roche, who splits time on the mic and on screen in films like Finding Neverland, joins Kyle Meredith to talk about the four-year hiatus that found the band searching for their own voice and sound. More specifically, learning a new songwriting craft and changing their entire identity, starting with their name. Roche also details the process of injecting art into pop on their debut EP Woah, tackling themes such as toxic masculinity, and his love of The 1975, which ...
Nov 01, 2019•20 min•Ep. 242
