Caroline Polachek, known for her work in Chairlift, discusses her intoxicating new solo LP and key moments in her creative journey: from learning the basics of music transposition playing Disney songs on a keyboard her dad brought home, to her teenage nu-metal band, to the ladies’ choir where she performed a cappella versions of Enya and Brandy & Monica tunes. Plus, a 2001 interview with Stone Temple Pilots’ Scott Weiland, where he discusses sobriety, bipolar disorder and STP’s place in rock...
Oct 30, 2019•1 hr 3 min
Singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart talks about his earliest creative experiences, growing up in Venezuela and Southern California, falling in love with music by artists as varied as Caetano Veloso, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Radiohead and Modest Mouse. Plus, an interview with David Cross about his tastes in music and comedy, and a fascinating discussion of the writing process he uses to put together his albums and TV specials.
Oct 18, 2019•1 hr 20 min
Indie rock legend Stephen Malkmus chats with LSQ about early influences (Devo, Sex Pistols, Stones), how his songwriting has changed since the Pavement days, and what he thinks of modern artists like Vampire Weekend and Frank Ocean. Plus, highlights from a 2018 interview with Angel Olsen, on the eve of her new album, All Mirrors.
Sep 26, 2019•47 min
Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace reflects on the music that inspired her as a kid, how her songwriting practice has evolved, and what she's learned from twenty years on tour. She also discusses her excellent debut solo album, Bought To Rot, and addresses whether Against Me! is likely to make another album.
Sep 12, 2019•45 min
On the eve of releasing a fantastic new album, Engines of Paradise, Adam Green (formerly of The Moldy Peaches) joins Jenny for a lively dissection of his creative process and the influences that have shaped his art. We also discuss his quest to figure out what cologne David Bowie wore. Plus! Royal Trux legend Jennifer Herrema talks about getting the band back together, and how she found her way to being one of her generation's most iconoclastic artists.
Aug 28, 2019•1 hr 14 min
A wide-ranging conversation with Interpol’s Paul Banks about his childhood musical influences (Nirvana, Bruce, the song “Tears of a Clown,” and more), his passion for surfing, and how songwriting can feel like an archaeological dig. Also, actor and documentary filmmaker Colin Hanks talks about how early experiences hearing Bowie on the radio or seeing hair metal give way to alt-rock on MTV shaped his taste in music.
Aug 14, 2019•54 min
A fascinating deep-dive with The Drums' Jonny Pierce about how his songwriting journey was shaped by his strict religious upbringing (including being subjected to conversion therapy by his parents), and how he's learning to let go of the idea that he needs to be sad to be creative. Plus, from the archive, a backstage interview with The Raconteurs' Jack White and Brendan Benson, recorded at Lollapalooza 2008.
Jul 25, 2019•53 min
As the legendary indie label Merge Records prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in Chapel Hill, its founders — Superchunk’s Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance — join LSQ to talk about the evolution of the imprint, and their separate experiences growing up as punk rock kids in the Eighties. Plus, Helium/Wild Flag/Ex Hex’s Mary Timony explores the influences that forged her current approach to songwriting.
Jul 04, 2019•1 hr 9 min
Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds discusses his creative journey, examining influences ranging from Harry Nilsson and ska music to spiritual crisis and self-acceptance. And actor-activist Busy Philipps chats with Jenny about various musical obsessions, from Tori Amos to Father John Misty.
Jun 12, 2019•1 hr 10 min
Singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas, who releases his intensely captivating music under the name Perfume Genius, talks about early creative influences including the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack, Liz Phair’s Whip Smart, a babysitter with a small role in the Twin Peaks tv series, and more. Plus, an excerpt from a 2003 interview with the brilliant Chan Marshall of Cat Power, on the subject of motherhood.
May 23, 2019•41 min
Singer-songwriter Kevin Morby discusses some of the defining influences on his music, including musical heroes such as Bob Dylan and Mountain Goats, as well as the bigger life stuff: the midwestern cities he moved between as a kid, the panic attacks he suffered during high school, the death of a best friend he made after moving to NYC. We also talk about his excellent latest solo LP, Oh My God, and how Morby’s creative process has evolved since he was in the bands Woods and The Babies nearly a d...
May 03, 2019•1 hr 10 min
The magnetic and sharp-witted Lauren Mayberry joins Jenny in Los Angeles for a chat about her creative journey, from growing up in Scotland idolizing artists like Gwen Stefani and Kathleen Hanna to discovering how to tap into her own powerful onstage persona as frontwoman for electro-pop trio Chvrches. Plus, from Jenny’s archive, an excerpt from a 2000 phone interview with PJ Harvey about the making of her brilliant Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.
Apr 12, 2019•43 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Twin Shadow's George Lewis Jr. delves into the evolution of his sound, from the time he was a little kid emulating Boyz II Men, through his early years playing punk and indie rock, and his more recent drive to explore sounds from his native Dominican Republic. Also: A clip of Nick Jonas in 2009, at the height of Jonas Brothers' fame, discussing how he went from singing on Broadway to being a pop superstar.
Mar 21, 2019•52 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Indie rock icon Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü, Sugar) discusses his creative journey -- a childhood obsessing over jukebox 45s he got from his dad, his experiences in the Minneapolis/St. Paul punk scene, his current life in Berlin -- and how those touchstones inform his excellent new album, Sunshine Rock. Also featured: an excerpt of a backstage interview with gospel and R&B legend Mavis Staples at Lollapalooza 2010.
Feb 28, 2019•46 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Don't even get me started on how much I love Kurt Vile's music, and his entire presence as a dude. In this episode, hear the singer-songwriter discuss his musical evolution and his new album, Bottle It In. Also featured: An excerpt from a 2002 interview with Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, about finding ways to integrate more metal into his music.
Feb 07, 2019•41 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Proving herself a master multitasker, singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten made a brilliant new album in the midst of going back to college, starting a new side career in acting, and welcoming the birth of her first child. Hear her conversation with Jenny about her new album, Remind Me Tomorrow, and the creative journey that led her there. Plus, an excerpt from Jenny's 2004 interview with Gwen Stefani about her debut solo album.
Jan 17, 2019•48 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Singer-songwriter Eleanor Friedberger (formerly of Fiery Furnaces) joins Jenny for a discussion of the creative influences that shaped her early songwriting endeavors; how a long trip to Greece inspired her fantastic new album, Rebound, and more. The episode also includes an archive clip from one of Jenny's early '07 interviews with Amy Winehouse for Rolling Stone, wherein Amy talks about her own beginnings as a songwriter and performer.
Nov 29, 2018•44 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Few artists of David Longstreth's generation have pushed back as persistently at the boundaries of their own sound. But does that make Dirty Projectors' music "experimental"? That, among other nerdy tangents, populate a conversation about Longstreth's early influences -- his older brother, a book on Beatles' recording techniques, and more. He also discusses his creative process and perfectionist tendencies, and how they led to a last-minute remix of Dirty Projectors' new 'Lamp Lit Prose' LP.
Nov 08, 2018•48 min•Season 1Ep. 18
One of modern R&B's most intriguing new artists, singer-songwriter Leon Bridges discusses how his childhood love of dance evolved into the look and sound he's developed since his excellent 2015 debut, Coming Home. Bridges also talks about how he plans to continue expanding his sonic palette, as he begins to think about album three. Plus, from Jenny's interview archive, a 2007 clip where Jack White looks into the future and isn't stoked about what he sees.
Oct 24, 2018•37 min•Season 1Ep. 17
The second half of a rare, candid conversation with Conor Oberst about his life in music.
Oct 04, 2018•32 min•Season 1Ep. 16
The first part of a two-episode special with Conor Oberst, featuring a rare, candid conversation about his life in music.
Sep 27, 2018•42 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Interviews with two exceptional young singer-songwriters: Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield and Speedy Ortiz's Sadie Dupuis. Both artists discuss early musical influences, including, for Katie, the impact being an identical twin has had on her craft; for Sadie, how teaching songwriting to children opened up her own process.
Sep 06, 2018•48 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Benjamin Gibbard, leader of indie rock icons Death Cab for Cutie, discusses key moments in his musical journey, from teen years spent taking the ferry to Seattle to see all-ages shows, to making Death Cab's excellent new album, Thank You For Today. (An excerpt of a 2008 interview with Gibbard is this episode's archive clip.)
Aug 16, 2018•46 min•Season 1Ep. 13
A lively chat with Bethany Cosentino, leader of Los Angeles indie rock duo Best Coast, about her creative journey and how missing home helped her discover her voice as a songwriter. Plus, from the LSQ archive, an excerpt of a 2006 interview with Christina Aguilera.
Jul 26, 2018•46 min•Season 1Ep. 12
An exceptional multi-talent, the singer, songwriter, producer, & composer Rostam joins Jenny for a wide-ranging conversation examining his creative evolution: his classical music studies and early work on film scores, his years with Vampire Weekend, and his current solo endeavors. Plus, a 2014 excerpt of Beck talking about why he's come to find collaboration so rewarding.
Jul 09, 2018•54 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Alexis Taylor -- singer, songwriter, guitarist & keyboard player for U.K. electronic outfit Hot Chip -- discusses his early musical influences, from the Farfisa at his grandmother's house to the local record store owner who put out Hot Chip's debut EP. Plus, from the archive, an excerpt from a 2009 interview with Dave Matthews.
Jun 14, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Jenny visits Haim's middle sister and musical leader, Danielle Haim, at home in Los Angeles, for a conversation exploring the singer, songwriter and guitarist's creative journey -- from playing at a clown museum in the San Fernando Valley where she grew up, to touring the massive stages Haim now easily occupy. Also, an excerpt from a 2000 interview with TLC's late great Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
May 23, 2018•38 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather) discusses her evolution as a songwriter and artist, her early experiences on the road in the punk band Discount, and what she looks for in a musical collaborator. Plus, hear Kanye West explain why he thinks he's more "delusional" than arrogant, in a 2007 interview excerpt from Eliscu's vault.
May 03, 2018•52 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Grammy-winning songwriter, artist and producer Jack Antonoff (Bleachers, Fun., Steel Train) joins Jenny for a lively discussion of his NJ punk rock roots, his creative evolution, and what it means to be a working-class artist. Also, hear an excerpt from a 2000 interview with Rage Against The Machine's Zack de la Rocha, including his thoughts on the importance of making concerts a safe space for women.
Apr 12, 2018•55 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Singer-songwriter Angel Olsen describes her musical evolution (spoiler: her first band played ska punk) and discuss why it was important to her to take greater creative control on her critically lauded 2016 album 'My Woman.' Plus: an excerpt from an interview with Avril Lavigne for her 2003 Rolling Stone cover story.
Mar 22, 2018•55 min•Season 1Ep. 6
