Tears for Fears sit down with Kyle Meredith to talk about The Tipping Point , their first album in nearly twenty years. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith discuss the ”painful process” that lead to the album’s completion, including a series of covers and speed dating with young producers that resulted in a record that was abandoned before putting trust in their own partnership. The two then discuss some of the heavy themes on the LP, including how what was happening globally was to be represented in ...
Feb 04, 2022•25 min•Ep. 569
Jonathan Van Ness sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new Netflix series, Getting Curious , which is based on his podcast of the same name. The Queer Eye member discusses how episodes about his curiosity with hair, binary and gender identity, figure skating, and skyscrapers offer the opportunity to give voice to underrepresented people. JVN also speaks on where the fun and quirky songs within the series come from, and previews his upcoming comedy tour, which will feature some on-stage...
Feb 02, 2022•13 min•Ep. 568
Michael Ealy sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window , the new satirical limited series on Netflix that also stars Kristen Bell . The actor takes us through the process of making a satire of psychological thrillers and the challenge of playing his role in a sincere way, plus his upcoming role in The Devil You Know , which also finds him executive producing. The Stumptown star also discusses the possibility of directing in th...
Jan 31, 2022•22 min•Ep. 567
Raine Maida, leader of the band Our Lady Peace , joins Kyle Meredith to talk about Spiritual Machines 2 , the sequel to the band's 2000 album of the same name. The Canadian songwriter first takes us back to the original LP and how OLP linked up with futurist Ray Kurzweil, who happens to appear on both Spiritual Machine and Spiritual Machines 2 . Maida talks about all of the predictions Kurzweil made that have since come true, and the band's plans to have him appear in their upcoming live shows h...
Jan 28, 2022•30 min•Ep. 566
Will Sergeant sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about his autobiography, Bunnyman , which tells his story from childhood up until Echo & The Bunnymen began making their first full album. The guitarist discusses how WWII and the Cold War had a strong influence on his coming-of-age and the music that he would create, pop culture’s importance in the last century, and how artists create their own mythology. Sergeant also tells us about accidentally coming up with the riff to “The Killing Moon...
Jan 26, 2022•37 min•Ep. 565
Jessica Frances Dukes sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about Season 4 of Ozark on Netflix and how her character fits into the final season’s storyline. Dukes digs into the absolute darkness of Ozark ’s story, being surprised at how people received the show considering real life turmoil, and how her Agent Maya Miller wants to be the voice of morality. We also get to hear about the parallels between her and Jason Bateman, what it’s like to know it’s the final season, and whether or not she thi...
Jan 24, 2022•22 min•Ep. 564
Kiefer Sutherland sits down with Kyle Meredith to dig into his new album, Bloor Street . The actor/musician discusses the romantic balance between the songs, how the pubs of England left their stamp on the material, and why his time filming Designated Survivor put him in a reflective mood. Sutherland goes on to tell us about his multiple times in jail inspiring one of the record’s centerpieces, the crossover between his love of Americana music and the roles he sometimes plays, as well as portray...
Jan 21, 2022•22 min•Ep. 563
Miles Kane gives Kyle Meredith a call to talk about Change the Show , his new solo album that finds the British artist leaning into his love for Motown. The co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets tells us about his duet with Corinne Bailey Rae, writing about age, where his love of boxing intersects with music, and his new clothing line. Kane also dishes about co-writing with Lana Del Rey , getting advice from Paul Weller, the future of The Jaded Hearts Club , and playing some of The Last Shadow ...
Jan 19, 2022•28 min•Ep. 562
Alyssa Milano gives Kyle Meredith a ring to talk about her new Netflix movie, Brazen , and its themes of empowering women. The actor/activist talks about how the movie ties in with the popularity of true crime and why that genre seems to make such a big impression with women. She also touches on the film arriving during the #MeToo era and what it offers to the conversation, as well as how much of her real self she allows in her characters. Milano also speaks on how her '80s sitcom Who’s the Boss...
Jan 17, 2022•18 min•Ep. 561
Eels frontman E catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Extreme Witchcraft , an album that arrives just over a year from 2020’s Earth to Dora . The indie rock legend tells us about working with John Parish for the first time since 2001’s Souljacker , and how this new album can be looked at as a continuation of that record on its 20th anniverasry. He also touches on taking some inspiration from '70s soul; how the lyrics look at mortality, aging, and how we consider ourselves; the 30th anniver...
Jan 14, 2022•45 min•Ep. 560
Janis Ian sits down to talk with Kyle Meredith about The Light at the End of the Line , which has been announced to be her final studio album. The legendary folk songwriter tells us why she is choosing to close this chapter of her career, the public perception of artists after the spotlight has moved on, and leaving easter eggs within the new set that speak to some of her past classics. Ian goes on to discuss writing a song about Nina Simone and their complicated friendship, as well as writing “...
Jan 12, 2022•30 min•Ep. 559
Dave Holmes sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new podcast, Waiting for Impact , which tells the story of '90s group Sudden Impact, who disappeared after making an appearance in Boyz II Men’s “Motownphilly” video. The former MTV VJ discusses lost pop cultures of the past, pop music’s need for weirdness, the monoculture of the '90s, Soundscan’s impact on the music industry, and how our collective perception of certain eras tend to leave out much of the reality of the time. He goes on ...
Jan 10, 2022•51 min•Ep. 558
Courtney Barnett catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about her latest LP, Things Take Time, Take Time (one of the best albums of 2021 ). The Australian singer-songwriter discusses how the pandemic limited her musical resources, noticing the way people communicated during the lockdown, and doing a bulk of her writing from bed (her favorite place). Barnett also gets into some of the guitar moments on the record, having a theme of writing letters to other people, and covering The Velvet Undergrou...
Jan 07, 2022•41 min•Ep. 557
Kevin Morby and Hamilton Leithauser stopped by the WFPK studios during their tour together and spoke with Kyle Meredith about the history of their friendship and writing the song "Virginia Beach" together. The pair also perform the song, as well as Morby's "Campfire" and Leithauser's "The Stars of Tomorrow." Morby then spoke about releasing the demos to Sundowner and both artist’s experience with demoitis (a phenomenon by which you listen to one version of something so frequently that the proper...
Jan 05, 2022•44 min•Ep. 556
The Go-Go’s drummer/singer Gina Schock hops on the line with Kyle Meredith to talk about her new book, Made in Hollywood: All Access with The Go-Go’s , which takes us back to the band’s early '80s explosion through phots and essays from some of their famous friends. Schock talks about those early days of van touring, having Paul Reubens as their opening act in his Pee-wee Herman character, and the support given and received from other women artists of the time, including B-52’s Kate Pierson and ...
Jan 03, 2022•38 min•Ep. 555
Steve Perry sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about The Season , his latest entry into the cannon of holiday albums. The former Journey singer tells us how last year’s absence of a Christmas feeling and missing loved ones led him to seek a reconnection with this year’s season. He discusses how The Season was inspired by the memories and songs of his childhood, especially the timelessness of original classic holiday tracks. Perry also touches on occasionally injecting his own lyrics into those...
Dec 13, 2021•25 min•Ep. 554
Dream Theater frontman James LaBrie hops on the line with Kyle Meredith to talk about A View From the Top of the World , the progressive metal band’s 15th studio album. The Canadian vocalist takes us through the process of the band constructing their own studio and putting the album together during the pandemic, writing the song "The Alien" after hearing an interview between Joe Rogan and Elon Musk interview, and using hope as a destination in their music. LaBrie also tells us how he ended up co...
Dec 10, 2021•13 min•Ep. 553
Katelyn Tarver sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about her first full length album, Subject to Change . She tells us about the source of the heavy subject matter, how she was viewing love and relationships as some of her friends were divorcing, and not taking advice from people under 50. The actress/musician also takes us into her side-project with Parachute’s Will Anderson and doing more songwriting for other artists, as with her massive UK success from Cheryl using “Crazy Stupid Love." List...
Dec 08, 2021•28 min•Ep. 552
Serj Tankian sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new art and music exhibition, Not For Touching: The Intangible Exhibition , which finds the System of a Down frontman animating his paintings, setting them to music, and presenting them in the NFT world. The songwriter/activist takes us back to the moments that he began painting as a way to see his music come to life, how System of a Down’s albums Hypnotize and Mesmerize inspired his use of clocks in his work, and then gives us the stor...
Dec 06, 2021•31 min•Ep. 551
Caleb McLaughlin sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about his debut single, "Neighborhood," as well as Stranger Things 4 . The actor/singer touches on the four-year journey to releasing his own music, coming up in Broadway and opera, and growing up loving the music of Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind and Fire. McLaughlin also tells us about sharing his music and getting advice from Idris Elba on the set of Concrete Cowboys , what it's like having so many musicians on the set of Stranger Things , a...
Dec 03, 2021•20 min•Ep. 550
Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen jumps on the line with Kyle Meredith to talk about Servant of the Mind , an album made after a prolific writing period during the first lockdown. The Danish musician discusses the heaviness of the record, what draws him to his dark lyrics, and taking musical inspiration from Black Sabbath. Poulsen also tells us about the supernatural experiences he’s had and how they made their way into the set, and what we might expect from Volbeat's upcoming tour with Ghost. (T...
Dec 01, 2021•29 min•Ep. 549
Aimee Mann catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Queens of The Summer Hotel , an album that was written as the musical accompaniment for a planned stage adaptation of the book Girl, Interrupted . The singer-songwriter discusses the heavy subject matter, her own experiences with depression and mental health, dissociation, spending time in a treatment center, and how it all relates to the characters and lyrics within the songs. Mann also tells us about the freeing nature of writing stage mus...
Nov 29, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 548
Zakk Wylde sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about the new Black Label Society album, Doom Crew Inc. , in particular the album’s showcasing of the band's twin guitar attack. The legendary guitarist digs into his thoughts on the prowess of other musicians, being a reflection of the music we listen to, and how the lockdown had him sidelined at home for the first time in decades. He also shares stories about the ridiculous fun BLS had shooting the videos for "End of Days" and "Set You Free." Wyl...
Nov 26, 2021•27 min•Ep. 547
Houndmouth ’s Matt Meyers and Shane Cody catch up with Kyle Meredith to talk about their new album, Good for You . The pair called in from the very practice space and recording studio that they made the record, affectionately known as The Green House. Coming from Southern Indiana (just across the river from Louisville), Houndmouth take us inside the characters that populate the new LP's songs and tell about basing the lyrics in the Midwest with a Southern Gothic twist. They also explain why they...
Nov 24, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 546
Justin Hawkins of The Darkness sits down with Kyle Meredith for an interview about Motorheart , the explosive new album from the British rock band. The lead singer tells us about making sure this wasn’t a pandemic record, the loss of mystique with direct access to artists, and writing as a character with disappointing relationships. In fact, its those relationships that finds the album’s narrator hooking up with a sex robot and singing about Jussy’s Girl, which is and isn’t a nod to the Rick Spr...
Nov 22, 2021•31 min•Ep. 545
Sting catches up with Kyle Meredith to give us the details behind his new album, The Bridge . The legendary The Police musician talks about the themes of characters in transition, his penchant for writing about very specific professions, and the water symbolism that finds its way into his art. Elsewhere, we get to hear how Sting ended up in Hulu's Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. He reveals how he reacted to his character being a bit of a caric...
Nov 19, 2021•36 min•Ep. 544
Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles sits down with Kyle Meredith to detail her new covers album, Bright Lights . The singer-songwriter talks about the importance of cover songs in her career and performing the music of artists who tragically died, including Nick Drake, Chris Bell, and Prince. Hoffs also tells us about her history singing with Aimee Mann, who duets on a cover of Bad Finger’s "Name of the Game." Elsewhere, she discusses her wanting the Austin Powers band Ming Tea to reunite for next year...
Nov 17, 2021•30 min•Ep. 543
Maynard James Keenan of Puscifer joins Kyle Meredith to talk about the newly launched Puscifer TV . The frontman -- also known for Tool and A Perfect Circle -- takes us back to the birth of Puscifer and the influence of underground comedy in the '80s and '90s. He details plans for the new streaming hub, which include a pair of upcoming, unannounced concert films , and how it the whole project ties back to the music they make. Keenan also goes in depth about his wine vineyard, being adaptable to ...
Nov 15, 2021•33 min•Ep. 542
Michael Stipe and Mike Mills sit down with Kyle Meredith to remember R.E.M. ’s 1996 album New Adventures in Hi-Fi for its 25th anniversary. The rock legends talk about writing the bulk of the record while touring the Monster album, the idea of spontaneity within the songs, and Stipe using religion as a writing tool. We also hear what it was like for the lead singer to meet his idol Patti Smith for the first time, hearing Eddie Vedder and Jason Isbell’s recent covers of R.E.M. classics, and new m...
Nov 12, 2021•48 min•Ep. 541
Gavin Rossdale catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about the 20th anniversary of Golden State , a record that found Bush going back-to-basics but also with the unfortunate timing of releasing it right before 9/11. He tells us about having his songs recontextualized in the wake of the Twin Towers attack, signing with a record label who seemed to fail them at every turn, and eventually losing half of the band in the aftermath of it all. Rossdale also takes us into his acting career, including hi...
Nov 10, 2021•41 min•Ep. 540
