Southern Culture on the Skids frontman Rick Miller hangs out with Kyle Meredith to discuss the band’s new album, At Home with Southern Culture on the Skids . Miller reflects on how the pandemic changed their style of writing and recording. The two also get into the Chapel Hill band’s famous mix of psychedelic sounds, how their love of campy horror movies influenced their music, and being part of I Know What You Did Last Summer . We also hear about covering Dear Mr. Fantasy while taking inspirati...
Mar 29, 2021•28 min•Ep. 451
Harry Connick Jr. catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Alone With My Faith , a set of Christian gospel songs he recorded as a source of comfort during the pandemic. The singer/pianist/composer discusses what faith means to him in this setting, recording the iconic "Amazing Grace", and the long history of jazz and faith music. On the acting side of his career, however, Connick chats up his new movie with Katherine Heigl called Fear of Rain , a thriller about auditory and visual hallucinati...
Mar 26, 2021•33 min•Ep. 450
Manchester Orchestra masterminds Andy Hull and Robert McDowell sit down with Kyle Meredith to unpack their new album, The Million Masks of God . Together, they discuss how its themes of life, death and the afterlife were inspired by the passing of McDowell's father and why the record plays like a seamless, rock opera. They also digress on their process of giving into jams, and detail what the plan is for the live version when the time comes to return to the stage. Follow on Facebook | Podchaser ...
Mar 24, 2021•19 min•Ep. 449
Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick hops on the line with Kyle Meredith to talk about When Life Was Hard and Fast . The new solo record finds the Irish songwriter taking stock of the past and Warwick tells us about having Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and Guns N' Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed as guests, the loss of mystery in rock, and carrying Thin Lizzy’s legacy forward. There’s also a bonus disc of covers on the new record, and Warwick talks about covering the Britney Spears cl...
Mar 22, 2021•15 min•Ep. 448
Damon Johnson hops on the line with Kyle Meredith to discuss his new solo record, Battle Lessons , which finds the former Alice Cooper and Thin Lizzy member recounting his past with big rock sounds. Johnson tells us about embracing his past in this set’s music and the puzzle of songwriting. Also as a founding member of '90s band Brother Cane, Johnson discusses the impact of being featured on the soundtrack to Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers . Follow on Facebook | Podchaser | Twitter --- Th...
Mar 19, 2021•14 min•Ep. 447
Junkie XL catches up with Kyle Meredith to discuss his score to Zack Snyder’s Justice League , what he calls his Mt. Everest of scores to go along with the new, four-hour version of the DC film. Thomas Holkenborg talks about the intensity of the music as he wrote and composed in isolation, genre hopping while staying seamless, and how classical music and choirs can be scary. The producer also tells us about some of the character themes that bled over from Batman vs. Superman and Wonder Woman , B...
Mar 17, 2021•30 min•Ep. 446
The one and only Leslie Jordan catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new album, Company’s Comin’. Said company includes famous friends Dolly Parton, Eddie Vedder, Brandi Carlile, and more, who act as his duet partners on a set of Baptist hymns. In addition to his new album, the TV legend discusses his work in the sitcom Call Me Kat , last year’s sudden viral fame through his Instagram posts, and the campaigns to get him on Saturday Night Live . And that’s not all! Jordan is also part o...
Mar 15, 2021•35 min•Ep. 445
Ben Howard catches up with Kyle Meredith to tell us about Collections From The Whiteout . The new album finds him teaming up with The National’s Aaron Dessner and getting more experimental. To that end, Howard discusses writing about real-life characters such as Donald Crowhurst and Richard Russell, weaving dark humor into his art, and being influenced by the cities he tours. Follow on Facebook | Podchaser | Twitter --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. ht...
Mar 12, 2021•20 min•Ep. 444
Tash Sultana grabs some hang time with Kyle Meredith to talk about Terra Firma , a record that finds them collaborating with other writers and musicians for the first time on an album. The Australian groove artist tells us about having a new Fender guitar line and being a saxophonist in their high school band. Sultana also talks about finding their center while writing these songs after losing focus of themself while traveling the globe, and being absolutely in love with their partner. Follow on...
Mar 10, 2021•39 min•Ep. 443
Lake Street Dive frontwoman Rachael Price talks with Kyle Meredith about the band’s new album, Obviously . Price discusses working with producer Mike Elizando due to his work with huge hip-hop artists, writing in pairs for the first time, and digging into her teenage diaries for inspiration. The soul-pop vocalist also takes us through the heavier topics on the album, how the songs change depending on what’s happening in the world, and the challenge of putting an important message in a song. --- ...
Mar 08, 2021•21 min•Ep. 442
Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix and up-and-coming rocker Jeris Johnson sit down with Kyle Meredith to talk about their new releases and “Last Resort” collaboration. The two discuss what the 2000 hit has come to mean with regards to mental health, with Shaddix diving back in time to talk about Infest ’s 20th anniversary, while Jeris is dropping his first EP. Jacoby also talks about alcohol abuse and getting clean and how Jeris sees that while navigating new fame. Johnson, who broke out within ...
Mar 05, 2021•37 min•Ep. 441
Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill gives a ring to Kyle Meredith to talk all about the band’s new album, When You See Yourself . It's a record that finds Followill with his most poetic lyrics to date, and he explains why. The Tennessee-born songwriter also gets into the impact that Western movies and TV shows have had on him, and how they find their way into the album, with nods to Pancho & Lefty and Johnny Guitar. He also talks about recalling the band’s classic sound on this set, creat...
Mar 03, 2021•28 min•Ep. 440
Cheap Trick singer-songwriter Rick Nielsen catches up with Kyle Meredith to play some guitar while talking about In Another World . The lead guitarist discusses some of the Easter eggs within the new songs, writing about the passage of time, having the Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones guest, and covering John Lennon’s "Gimme Some Truth". Given the band's recent cover of "Rebel Rebel", Nielsen reminisces about his friendship with David Bowie as well as the time he hung with Jennifer Lopez. Later, he prev...
Mar 01, 2021•49 min•Ep. 439
I DON'T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME singer-songwriter Dallon Weekes talks with Kyle Meredith about the band’s debut LP, Razzmatazz . Weekes tells us about the breakthrough single “Leave Me Alone” being inspired by Bowie, Prince, and Don Henley, growing up on the Gen X / Millennial line, and the importance of keeping the band a bit mysterious. He also talks about theatrics and the beauty of a spoken word bridge. The former Panic At the Disco member also hints at a possible graphic novel in the wor...
Feb 26, 2021•27 min•Ep. 438
Sammy Hagar catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new album, Lockdown 2020 . The album was recorded in quarantine with his bandmates in The Circle that includes Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Vic Johnson as they run through covers of their heroes, peers, and his own Van Halen catalogue. The Red Rocker talks about tackling the scream on The Who’s "Won’t Get Fooled Again" and regretting writing such a high vocal part for Van Halen’s "Dreams". He also discusses the way Van Halen’s “Ri...
Feb 24, 2021•33 min•Ep. 437
Jon Bon Jovi hangs out with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new album, 2020 , and writing topical as a witness to history. The frontman compares his latest songs to his '80s and '90s output, and shares how they revolve around school shootings, the pandemic, and his work with JBJ Soul Kitchen. Bon Jovi also gives us the story behind his new single “Story of Love", which finds him digging into his childhood and reminiscing about family, the beauty in simplistic songs, and his love of Dire Straits ...
Feb 22, 2021•38 min•Ep. 436
The Weather Station mastermind Tamara Lindeman talks with Kyle Meredith about Ignorance , her new LP that finds the folk artist taking on a new beat-driven, piano led set of songs. The Toronto-based songwriter talks about the local avant-garde jazz scene that she includes herself in, writing cinematically, and the complex arrangements that fill out this poppier set. Lindeman also dives into the themes of climate change, truth, trust, and how they intersect with personal statements while speaking...
Feb 19, 2021•27 min•Ep. 435
Wyclef Jean hangs out with Kyle Meredith to dive into his new podcast series, Run That Back , and his Bob Marley cover for Amazon Music. The Fugees member also celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Score , speculates on what a third LP from the group would have sounded like. Jean then regales us with stories of disguising Van Halen songs in his church and starting as a jazz musician while wanting to be a composer. Later on, he gives updates on his recent 2020 singles, his Netflix movie Prince o...
Feb 17, 2021•39 min•Ep. 434
Max Schneider, better known under the mononym MAX , catches up with Kyle Meredith to detail Colour Vision . Together, they discuss his penchant for theatrical writing and taking influence from Van Dyke Parks, who MAX portrayed in the Brian Wilson biopic, Love and Mercy . The actor/musician also tells us about his love of soul classics, envisioning a musical word that’s Disney-meets-Wes Anderson, and his new outlook after having vocal surgery. MAX then talks about his collaboration with SUGA from...
Feb 15, 2021•23 min•Ep. 433
Weezer multi-instrumentalist Brian Bell joins Kyle Meredith to talk about OK Human , the band’s latest LP that finds them working with an orchestra on a seamless thematic piece. The guitarist discusses playing the acoustic guitar and organ since the record has no electric instruments, the importance of human voices, and using the Fibonacci sequence in one of their songs. Bell also dives into how the band continues to work on multiple records at once, gives an update on the delayed Van Weezer LP,...
Feb 12, 2021•38 min•Ep. 432
The Avalanches grab some time with Kyle Meredith to dive into the creation of their new concept album, We Will Always Love You , which finds the sample masters teaming up with dozens of famous artists to create songs about the universe, mortality, and the afterlife. Together, Robbie Chater and Tony Diblasi discuss the importance of songwriting over sampling and working with Mick Jones. Later, we get a glimpse into what the upcoming tour will look like, which should find the two bringing back the...
Feb 10, 2021•19 min•Ep. 431
The legendary Jane Birkin catches up with Kyle Meredith to discuss Oh! Pardon tu dormais (Oh! Sorry you were sleeping) , a new album of original songs that stem from her theatrical play of the same name and the passing of her daughter Kate Berry. Birkin talks about what attracted her to writing about ghosts, the cinematic nature of the music, and finding new ways to bring Serge Gainsbough’s poetry to people. The singer/actress also talks about the work her daughters Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou ...
Feb 08, 2021•25 min•Ep. 430
3OH!3 sit down with Kyle Meredith to detail their upcoming return-to-form record, NEED. Nate Motte and Sean Foreman explain how this new set speaks to their earlier songs, meeting fan expectations, and writing a sad anthem against the abundance of positive songs in pop music. The electronic duo also discuss maturing into middle age and how that finds its way into the music, the 00’s resurgence, and a teaser of the album’s special guests and upcoming 303 Day. Follow on Facebook | Podchaser | Twit...
Feb 05, 2021•30 min•Ep. 429
Gracie Abrams sits down with Kyle Meredith to discuss her debut album, Minor , and the recently released followup single "Brushfire". Abrams tells us how the two are thematically linked, writing the track with Tobias Jesso Jr., and the process of letting go during co-writing. The indie-folk songwriter also takes us into the story behind songs "21" and "Friends", being inspired by Lorde’s Pure Heroine early on, and finding her own voice with the title track. Already working on new music, we’re al...
Feb 03, 2021•21 min•Ep. 428
The Staves return with Good Woman , a record that finds the trio of sisters at their most honest amidst volatile times. Both Jessica and Camilla Staveley-Taylor join Kyle Meredith to discuss whether or not they wanted to continue as an outfit, having songwriting in their lives, working with producer John Congleton, experimenting with their sound, and taking inspiration from The War on Drugs. Bonus: We've also included a 2017 interview with Jessica. Follow on Facebook | Podchaser | Twitter Our Sp...
Feb 01, 2021•28 min•Ep. 427
Ten Years After co-founder Ric Lee talks with Kyle Meredith about his new autobiography, From Headstocks to Woodstock , which recounts his early life up until the moment the band played the legendary festival. Lee discusses the enduring legacy of their song "I’d Love To Change the World" and why we continue to revisit the late '60s era, as well as a very different atmosphere that they found at The Isle of Wight festival that same year. The legendary drummer also revisits the time he taught Led Z...
Jan 29, 2021•15 min•Ep. 426
Depeche Mode songwriter Martin Gore hops on the line with Kyle Meredith to discuss The Third Chimpanzee . The new instrumental solo album finds him thematically bridging primates to humans in both the sounds he’s making and the inspiration he draws from. Gore dives into the ways he makes instrumentals speak to something, and the state of panic and anxiety he felt over the past four years. The electronic innovator also talks about being on the forefront of computerized music, his thoughts on AI s...
Jan 27, 2021•31 min•Ep. 425
Jon Batiste speaks to Kyle Meredith about his upcoming album, We Are , how he's branching out, and writing between his gigs at The Late Show and for Pixar's Soul . The New Orleans raised musician goes in depth about the importance of artistry and what it was like working alongside Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Also included is an interview from last summer, which took place during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. ' Follow on Facebook | Podchaser | Twitter --- This episode is spons...
Jan 25, 2021•36 min•Ep. 424
Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett meets up with Kyle Meredith to discuss Under the Mediterranean Sky , an orchestral album built around his nylon guitar. Hackett talks about what attracted him to the region, his journey from harmonica player to world musician, and the political undertones within his music and the players who make up his bands. Hackett also updates us on his next tour, which will include a solo set and one with his band and will cover the Genesis live album Seconds Out in it...
Jan 22, 2021•56 min•Ep. 423
Joss Stone sits down with Kyle Meredith to tell us all about her latest single, "Walk With Me", having the legendary Booker T Jones on it, and how it went from a love song to being more reflective of the world. The soul singer also talks about her love of collaboration, like writing with Mick Jagger in the supergroup Super Heavy, and what to expect from her new album, which she says is more songwriter based and inspired by Burt Bacharach. Stone also discusses her podcast A Cuppa Happy , why she ...
Jan 20, 2021•35 min•Ep. 422
