Alejandro Escovedo is a Texas-born singer/songwriter who comes from a rich family of musicians including his niece, Sheila E. Alejandro started out in the pioneering San Francisco punk band the Nuns in 1975. From there he moved to New York, and then eventually settled in Austin where he started playing rootsy rock with bands like Rank and File, as well as The True Believers.

In March, Alejandro Escovedo released his latest album, Echo Dancing, a retrospective of his career that spans five decades. Inspired by artists like Brian Eno and Suicide, Alejandro Escovedo both re-imagines and re-records his previous work on the new album.

On today’s episode Bruce Headlam talks to Alejandro Escovedo about his upbringing in San Antonio and Huntington Beach, where he’d sometimes pretend to be Hawaiian to avoid getting beat up. He also tells some great stories about his swings through Austin and San Francisco—like being on the bill for the Sex Pistol’s final show.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Alejandro Escovedo songs HERE.

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2024 has been a career-defining year for St. Vincent. In April she released her self-produced seventh album, All Born Screaming. Then in November she released the Spanish language version of the same album, called Todos Nacen Gritando, as a tribute to fans she met in Spain and Latin America. The album doesn’t serve to replace the English language version, but instead supplements it brilliantly and provides a renewed listening experience. Of all the St. Vincent projects dating back to her debut album in 2007, this is the one that feels the most steeped in a singular vision

On today's episode St. Vincent talks to Justin Richmond at Amazon Music’s Studio 126 about the difficult production process behind her latest release. She also sheds light on her experience touring the album, which continues well into the new year with some dates featuring Olivia Rodrigo and Nick Cave. And she talks about how she developed what she describes as her high-level taste despite growing up in the middle of the country pre-internet.

Check out the full video version of this episode HERE.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite St. Vincent songs HERE.

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This week we're sharing an episode from one of Slate's podcasts called Hit Parade. A decade ago, Rolling Stone magazine called 1984 “Pop’s Greatest Year.” A bold statement…but a lot of critics agree. A confluence of factors—the comeback of dance music, the peak of MTV, the Second British Invasion and the emergence of metal and hip-hop—made the radio a great place to be.

Join Chris Molanphy in this episode of Slate's Hit Parade as he dissects eight reasons why 1984 was awesome for pop fans and walks through all 20 of the year’s No. 1 hits: from “Jump” to “Hello,” “Karma Chameleon” to “Caribbean Queen,” “Let’s Go Crazy” to “Like a Virgin.”

You can listen and subscribe to the Hit Parade podcast on your favorite podcast player. 

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Conor Oberst's music is dynamic, deeply smart, captivating, funny, and sometimes biting. His extensive catalogue dates back to the early '90s and includes music with Bright Eyes, Desaparecidos, the Mystic Valley band, the Faint, Commander Venus, Monsters of Folk, a collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers, and of course his solo material.

On today's episode Justin Richmond and Conor Oberst discuss Conor's deep catalogue, and Conor recalls how he got his start by sending valentines to his favorite indie labels. He also explains how he was able to build an independent musical movement in his native Omaha, Nebraska.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Conor Oberst songs HERE.

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Hiatus Kaiyote is an incredibly talented group of four Australian musicians?vocalist and guitarist Nai Palm, drummer Perrin Moss, bassist Paul Bender and Simon Mavin on keys. But those aren?t permanent stations for any of them, they often move between instruments and all contribute to writing some of the most beautiful soulful music of the last decade.

Their latest album, Love Heart Cheat Code, came out earlier this year. It's the group?s fourth proper album and features some of their strongest songwriting yet while still managing to weave in some of the incredibly complex musical ideas they?re known for.

For today's episode, Justin Richmond met up with Hiatus Kaiyote at NRG Studios in Los Angeles, at the end of their US tour to talk through their new album. They also touch on their role as collaborators within?and outside of?the group, and we'll hear them perform a live set.

To see the full video version of this episode along with the band?s performance, visit YouTube.com/BrokenRecordPodcast.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Hiatus Kaiyote songs HERE.

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Today we have Aoife O?Donovan on the show who was nominated for two Grammy awards this year: Best Folk Album for her latest release, All My Friends, as well as Best American Roots Song for the album?s title track.

Aoife is a wonderfully prolific singer and songwriter from the Americana tradition?who also has an academic background, having studied improvisation at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her latest album is a gorgeous set of songs inspired by the life and work of suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt, and it celebrates the 100 year anniversary of women securing the right to vote in the United States.

In Aoife?s conversation with Bruce Headlam on today?s episode you?ll hear her perform some songs live and hear her talk about how this project crystallized for her, and some of the challenges it posed.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Aoife O?Donovan songs HERE.

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Kim Deal is an indie-rock icon. In the mid-80s, she joined The Pixies as the band?s original bassist and co-vocalist. After the release of their debut album Come On Pilgrim in 1987, followed by the alt-rock classics Surfer Rosa and Doolittle, Kim took a break from The Pixies to form her own band, The Breeders. With the help of Kim?s twin sister Kelley on lead guitar, The Breeders released a couple EPs and four studio albums, including the platinum-selling ?90s hit, Last Splash.

This year after a run with The Breeders opening up for Olivia Rodrigo's worldwide Guts tour, Kim Deal is once again heading out on her own with the release of her first solo album, Nobody Loves You More. The album was recorded by the late Steve Albini, a close friend and longtime collaborator of Kim?s, and it features a slew of her other old friends and collaborators, including Slint?s Britt Walford on drums, and The Breeders Josephine Wiggs, Jim Macphearson, and of course Kelley Deal.

On today?s episode Leah Rose talks to Kim Deal about working with Steve Albini on The Pixies Surfer Rosa, and why he always regretted a specific contribution to that album. Kim also recalls recording The Breeders? first two albums, and she remembers how a group of surfers on a druggy trip to Nantucket helped inspire her new lead single, Coast.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Kim Deal songs HERE.

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Soccer Mommy is one of the stand-out singer/songwriters to emerge over the last half decade. She was born Sophia Allison and raised in Nashville, Tennessee where she started playing guitar at six years-old.

Sophia started posting her songs on Bandcamp in 2015 under the name Soccer Mommy the summer before moving to New York to study the music business at NYU. Two years later she dropped out after signing her first record deal with Fat Possum.

Since then she has released four albums and toured with artists like Vampire Weekend, Phoebe Bridgers and Mitski. Soccer Mommy?s latest album Evergreen is a reflection on grief and loneliness, and was described recently by Pitchfork as the, ?most laid back and pastoral music of her career.?

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Soccer Mommy songs HERE.

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Billy Bragg came up in East London?Barking, Essex to be exact. It's fitting given the characteristic howl of his vocals. Listening to him these days, it?s hard not to recall the late-great Joe Strummer or the modern brilliance of Archy Marshall, a.k.a. King Krule. In the mid-80s, a musical era driven by production, Billy Bragg was all about songs. He was one of the great standard bearers of political music carried on from both the folk and punk traditions.

On today's episode Bruce Headlam talks to Billy Bragg about using music as a political tool, and whether it can truly affect change. Billy also reminisces about his first trip to the U.S. in ?84 opening for Echo & the Bunnymen, and his collaboration with Wilco to bring unpublished Woody Guthrie songs to life.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Billy Bragg songs HERE.

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We occasionally field emails and DMs from Broken Record listeners telling us who they?d like to hear on the program. The past handful of years, one name has come up more than others: Julian Lage. Now, if you?re not part of the converted, not a member of one of his devoted legion of fans that may come as a surprise. But if you get the chance to spend some time with his music after listening to this episode? I have one word for you: welcome.

Julian?s path in music has been as unique as his gifts. He picked up the guitar at five years old and quickly became obsessed with the instrument. That obsession and what must be some level of innate abilities led to his designation as a ?child prodigy? and, as you?ll hear, the opportunity to play live on stage with Carlos Santana live at eight and live on a Grammy telecast at 13.

But it?s his development as an artist, over the course of four albums in four years on Blue Note that?s most impressive. His album Speak to Me came out earlier this year and is impressionistic in its beauty rather than prodigious, often quiet, rather than flashy.

For the last episode in our series celebrating the creative legacy of Blue Note Records over 85 years, Don Was and I spoke with Julian Lage in front of a live audience at the Blue Note club in NYC. We talked about his upbringing as a prodigy, about the writing and recording of his new album and about his unique approach to learning and playing guitar. Oh, and he plays a little too.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Julian Lage songs HERE.

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A conversation with Charles Lloyd feels like a veritable interaction with the pages of history. I was continuously surprised throughout my conversation with Charles, along with Don Was, about the depth of his experiences?and the wisdom too.

Charles is an inordinately beautiful tenor player from Memphis, Tennessee - who grew up at a time where the region was brimming with talent? Elvis Presley, Howlin' Wolf, Junior Parker, Billy Lee Riley, B.B. King and so many more were from there or made their careers there. It was also a popular destination for touring artists giving a young Charles an incredible musical education.

On today?s episode of Broken Record, another in our series celebrating the 85th anniversary of Blue Note Records? I have Don Was as my co-host and we talk to Charles Lloyd about his colorful upbringing in Memphis and about the early Los Angeles jazz scene he became a part of after moving to California to attend USC. This conversation goes a lot of places? from Elvis to Quincy Jones to the Beach Boys and far beyond. And please be sure to check out his wonderful new album out on Blue Note, The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Charles Lloyd songs HERE.

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Meshell Ndegeocello doesn?t fit neatly into any ?jazz? label - or any label of any kind for that matter. She?s a phenomenal bass player, deep songwriter, beautiful interpreter of song, wonderful band leader and has had one bad ass career. It?s fitting that after a circuitous journey through the industry that started as one of the premiere artists on the Madonna helmed Maverick Records in the early 90s, that she?s now released two albums on Blue Note Records under Don Was.

The first was last year?s The Omnichord Real Book ? a project with a fascinating origin we?ll be discussing on today?s episode. The latest is 2024?s No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin ? a tribute to two of the great Black American writers and thinkers of the last century: James Baldwin and Audre Lorde.

That might sound heady but consider the source: Meshell is the product of a Washington DC upbringing ? a city awash in culture like Go-Go Music and also politics, think tanks and the like. Like her DC home, Meshell?s a great synthesizer of music and ideas.

Joining Meshell, Don Was and myself in our chat is Abe Rounds ? an in-demand drummer and musician who?s been playing with Meshell since she picked him out of Berklee College of Music. And has also worked closely with Andrew Bird, Nick Hakim, Blake Mills and many more. In today?s episode he helps us gain some valuable insight into what it?s like to be a close collaborator of Meshell Ndgeocello?s.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Meshell Ndegeocello songs HERE.

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We?re continuing our celebration of Blue Note Records? 85th Anniversary this week with a conversation with a certified living legend: Ron Carter. For starters Ron Carter was a key member of a group that?s on the shortlist for greatest band of all time: The Second Great Miles Davis Quintet featuring Mr. Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams and, naturally, Miles Davis.

And although many conversations with Ron start and end with that period of his life from 1964 to 1968, at 87 years of age and as a life long seeker, there?s a lot more to the Ron Carter story.

Blue Note president Don Was and Justin Richmond interviewed Ron Carter on stage at the Blue Note club in NYC. They set out to learn about his life growing up in Detroit, and his classical aspirations. Maestro Carter delivered an emotional stream of consciousness response as well as insights into a few key people from the Blue Note's esteemed history.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Ron Carter songs HERE.

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Blue Note is one of the first and longest standing institutions of Jazz music. Since its formation in 1939 the label has put out albums by Robert Glasper, Lee Morgan, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Gergory Porter, Bobby McFerrin, and so many more.

To celebrate 85 years of music from this iconic label, Justin Richmond and Blue Note?s current President Don Was recorded a series of interviews with the label?s past present and future: Ron Carter, Meshell Ndegeocello, Charles Lloyd, Julian Lage and today, Norah Jones.

Norah has been with Blue Note Records since releasing her juggernaut 2002 debut album, Come Away With Me. Her latest album, Visions, was created with New York?s Leon Michels of El Michel?s Affair. Their two distinctive sounds blend beautifully to make an album that stands out not only as a new texture in her discography, but some of her strongest work to date.

On today's episode, Norah Jones details her musical upbringing and what it was like striking it big with her debut album. She also performs for us, and talks about the musical freedom she's found as part of the Blue Note family.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Norah Jones songs HERE.

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We have a two-part episode for you today in honor of the great Stevie Wonder. First we will hear the Pulitzer Prize winning writer Wesley Morris talk about the making of his new Audible original, The Wonder of Stevie.

Then, Justin Richmond talks to the pioneering electronic music producer Robert Margouleff, who in 1968 together with Malcolm Cecil, built the world's largest analog synthesizer known as TONTO.

Over a four year period, Stevie Wonder worked closely with Robert, Cecil, and TONTO to record a string of albums now known as Stevie?s ?classic period:? Music Of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Fulfillingness? First Finale.

On today?s episode Robert Margouleff talks about recording those classic albums, and Stevie?s creative process. Robert also remembers how Stevie changed after surviving a near-fatal accident in 1973.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Stevie Wonder songs HERE.

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At just 8 years-old, Lainey Wilson announced to her family that she was destined to become a country music star. There were no other musicians in her family to speak of?for five generations her people had been farmers in a tiny Northern Louisiana town with the population of 180.

After graduating high school, Lainey drove North to Nashville in a camper trailer that she lived in alone for three years. Success did not come easy. In those first three years, Lainey wrote over 300 songs, and it wasn?t until year eight that she finally signed a record deal. All of her hard work finally paid off in 2021, when her debut single ?Things A Man Oughta Know? raced up the country music charts. Several radio hits followed, and last year Lainey swept the award season, winning a ton of trophies including the Grammy for "Best Country Album" and ?Entertainer Of The Year? at the Country Music Awards.

In August, Lainey scored her first crossover hit with the release of her latest album, ?Whirlwind,? which debuted at number three on Billboard, and became the highest-selling album of her career.

On today?s episode, Leah Rose talks to Lainey Wilson about how grit and determination became one of the central pillars of her success. Lainey also opens up about being physically objectified online, and the reality of playing alongside some of her musical heroes like The Rolling Stones and Dolly Parton. Check out the full video of this interview and other recent episodes at youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Lainey Wilson songs HERE.

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Crowded House had one of the most enduring hits of the 80s with ?Don?t Dream It?s Over.? The commercial and critical success of that song launched the Australian-New Zealand band and its esteemed Kiwi songwriter, Neil Finn, to pop stardom. The band made three more critically acclaimed albums before breaking up in ?96. But over the years the band has come back together at various times to put out new projects including their latest, Gravity Stairs.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Crowded House songs HERE.

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Raphael Saadiq is one of the great R&B writers and producers of the last 30 years. He started out fronting and playing bass in the group Tony! Toni! Toné! with his brother D?Wayne Wiggins on guitar. The Tony?s had an amazing four album run from ?88 through 1996 with hit singles like "It Never Rains (In Southern California)," "Feels Good," "Anniversary," and "If I Had No Loot."

Raphael?s also released five solo albums starting with 2002?s Instant Vintage. His most recent album, Jimmy Lee, is a collection of very personal songs about the real traumas he and his family experienced growing up in Oakland, CA.

Raphael?s also done some amazing work behind the board. He?s produced and written for the likes of D?Angelo, TLC, Mary J. Blige, Solange, Earth Wind and Fire and just recently he worked on a handful of songs on Beyoncé?s Cowboy Carter. He?s also earned an Academy Award nomination for his work as a film composer.

This week Justin Richmond talks with Raphael Saadiq from his studio in Los Angeles about some of the incredible work he?s done recently. Raphael breaks down his collaboration with D?Angelo on the classic track ?Lady,? and how Sly Stone bassist Larry Graham influenced a generation of musicians coming up in the Bay Area. 

To see the full video version of this episode, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@BrokenRecordPodcast/videos

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Raphael Saadiq songs HERE.

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Suki Waterhouse started professional life as a model and actress in the UK. A full-fledged music career might?ve seemed far-fetched but she quickly found an authentic voice as a singer-songwriter. And put out some beautiful demos that caught the attention of the legendary Sub Pop label which put out her first album, I Can?t Let Go and her latest, Memoir of A Sparklemuffin.

Suki?s music first started catching on with audiences through TikTok. But her sophomore album wasn't made for social media audiences. It?s an eighteen song journey through the life of a thirty year old woman who had some wild times in her twenties, survived the sadness memorialized on her first album and has come to find happiness and even a family on the other side.

On today?s episode Justin Richmond talks with Suki Waterhouse from Amazon's Studio 126 about building an organic career in music, what it was like opening for Taylor Swift at Wembly stadium just last month and she tells a great Jack White story that inspired one of my favorite lines from her first album.

To see the full video version of this episode, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@BrokenRecordPodcast/videos

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Suki Waterhouse songs HERE.

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This week we're sharing an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, One Song. You'll hear hosts Diallo Riddle and Luxxury tackling ?Cherub Rock? by The Smashing Pumpkins.

The guys go deep on the early 90?s indie rock scene, band frontman Billy Corgan?s quest for musical family, and the Pumpkins? complicated relationship with the indie rock community.

On each episode of One Song friends Diallo Riddle (Emmy-nominated star and creator of HBO Max?s South Side and IFC?s Sherman?s Showcase) and Blake "LUXXURY" Robin (Music Producer & TikTok creator) hilariously break down one song from the pop music canon that you know - or need to know - but have never heard quite like this. Listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

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Madeleine Peyroux is a jazz-inspired singer songwriter who got her start singing in street bands in Paris as a teenager. In 1996, Atlantic Records released Madeline?s debut album where she covered tunes from the ?30s and ?40s by artists like Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday?and then later she recorded songs by Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

This year Madeleine Peyroux released Let?s Walk, her first album of all-original songs co-written with her long-time touring guitar player, Jon Herington.

On today?s episode Bruce Headlam talks to Madeleine and Jon Herington about their creative process throughout the pandemic and they play a couple songs from their new album. Madeleine also remembers her early days busking with a bohemian ex-pat named Dan William Fitzgerald who became her musical mentor. And she explains how Dr. Cornel West became her guiding light during a recent bout of personal despair.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Madeleine Peyroux songs HERE.

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Singer, songwriter Remi Wolf burst out of the pandemic like a ray of light, spreading joy with her infectious production, capricious outlook and jaunty hooks.

She appeared to come to us fully formed. But Remi?s been working hard on her craft for the last decade. She started performing with local bands around the Bay Area during high school and she eventually wound up studying music in LA at USC where she met many of the people she still collaborates with.

On today?s Broken Record, Remi Wolf talks with Justin Richmond live from Amazon?s Studio 126 about finding her musical footing in Los Angeles, walks us through the writing of her new album ?Big Ideas,? and talks about her summer experience opening up for Olivia Rodrigo in Europe.

Check out the full interview on YouTube HERE.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Remi Wolf songs HERE.

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Captain Kirk Douglas is the longtime guitarist for The Roots. Over the past 21 years he?s seen the group evolve from a touring act, to the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, to having their own successful music festival in Philly. All the while continuing to record albums for themselves and others.

Between The Roots' many commitments, Kirk has also found time to record a solo project under the name Hundred Watt Heart. His most recent offering ?New Unknown?  was recorded in the basement of his childhood home on Long Island where he first fell in love with the music of Van Halen, Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, and so many others.

On today?s Broken Record Justin Richmond talks with Captain Kirk from the Roots? green room in 30 Rock about the seductive pull he felt as a little kid seeing electric guitars on the cover of an old Kiss album. He also reminisces about his early days gigging around New York City in the ?90s while also working as a preschool teacher. And he recalls the elation he felt when Prince played one of his guitars on the Tonight Show, only to smash it onstage at the end of the performance.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Captain Kirk Douglas & The Roots songs HERE.

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While Paul Banks is technically the lead singer of Interpol, he sees himself more as a member of a gang of musicians. Interpol formed in 1997 after lead guitarist Daniel Kessler invited Paul?who was a student at NYU at the time?to watch the band rehearse.

In 2002 Interpol released their era defining album, Turn On The Bright Lights, to widespread critical acclaim. At the time they were lumped together with New York City?s emerging ?indie sleaze? movement with bands like The Strokes, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Their sophomore album Antics in 2004 surpassed critics' expectations and further evolved their sound. September marks the 20th anniversary of Antics, and to celebrate, Interpol is embarking on an international tour where they will play the album in full.

On today?s episode Leah Rose talks to Paul Banks about how he wrote the lyrics to key tracks on Antics. Paul also explains why he hasn?t listened to rock music in over 20 years. And he remembers watching a boxing match with John Frusciante and RZA from Wu-Tang, and how John forever changed the way Paul thinks about musicality in hip-hop.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Interpol & Paul Banks songs HERE.

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Tinashe?s changing what success in pop music can look like. Back in 2014 her song "2 On" featuring Schoolboy Q hit big on Billboard. With major success looming, Tinashe released projects that missed the charts but gained her a strong, loyal fanbase. In 2019 she left her major label to go independent. And judging from her massive online following today, her fans have stuck behind her.

In April, she dropped the highly meme-able track "Nasty" that many are calling the song of the summer. ?Nasty? comes from her album Quantum Baby, the second part in a trilogy of new albums.

Justin Richmond spoke to Tinashe from Amazon Studio 126 about her new albums and what it took to go independent. They also talk about her role in The Polar Express and working with Tom Hanks.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Tinashe songs HERE.

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True to her Texas roots, Edie Brickell can seemingly find a song anywhere?including out of thin air. Here It Comes is the new album from Edie and her collaborators, CJ Camerieri and Trever Hagen who are known as Heavy MakeUp.

Heavy MakeUp is, of course, only the latest musical iteration for Edie who?s found herself ever evolving over her career. From her first hit with the New Bohemians, co-writing their massive 1988 single ?What I Am,? she?s never stopped looking for songs. She even spent the better part of a decade writing and performing with Steve Martin on their very own musical?Bright Star?that ran on Broadway in 2016.

On today?s episode, Bruce Headlam talks with Edie, CJ and Trever about the origins of Heavy MakeUp and the recording of their new album. We'll also hear a short performance demonstrating the unique improvisational nature of their work.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Heavy MakeUp & Edie Brickell songs HERE.

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Shannon & The Clams were long time regulars in the Bay Area music scene. The band?s two main songwriters?Shannon Shaw and Cody Blanchard met in college in Oakland, California. They remained there for about a decade until a number of events set them adrift physically and spiritually.

The band?s new album, The Moon Is In the Wrong Place, is taken from a phrase Shannon?s fiancé, Joe Haener uttered shortly before his passing. Much of the album is anchored around Shannon?s grief. On today's episode Justin Richmond talks to Shannon Shaw and Cody Blanchard about moving away from Oakland, the aftermath of losing a loved one, and about their Dan Auerbach-produced album, The Moon Is In The Wrong Place.

You can hear a playlist from Shannon's late fiancé, Joe Haener, HERE.

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Randy Bachman is the Canadian guitarist and songwriter behind a slew of hits with the bands The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive. Although he was based far from the '60s powerhouse music scenes of Laurel Canyon and Swinging London, Bachman first made a name for himself performing across the Great White North.

On today?s episode Bruce Headlam talks to Randy who dissects his hits including ?American Woman? and ?These Eyes.? He also explains how he became one of the great guitarists of his generation.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Randy Bachman songs HERE.

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Serj Tankian made his first foray into public life as the idiosyncratic lead singer of the late ?90s metal band System Of A Down. After releasing five platinum-selling albums with the band, and establishing himself as one of modern-day music?s most outspoken human-rights activists, in 2007, Serj left System to pursue his own artistic pursuits. Since then he?s released solo albums, composed symphonies, scored documentaries, and most recently started producing a line of Armenian coffee.

In May, Serj also released a memoir called ?Down With The System? that details his personal story that starts in Beirut before his family emigrated to Los Angeles during the Lebanese Civil War in the ?70s. Serj?s memoir also details his family's history in Armenia, and their chilling plight during the genocide of 1915.

On today?s episode Leah Rose talks to Serj Tankian about why he always felt like an outsider?including in System Of A Down. He also explains why it was so essential for him to exercise his demons on stage, and the one fundamental change that needs to take place in order for him to record new music with the band.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Serj Tankian songs HERE.

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Camila Cabello is in the midst of a creative revival. Her brand new album, C,XOXO was recently dubbed ?hyper-pop? by Rolling Stone in the wake of the frenetic first single, ?I Luv It,? featuring Playboi Carti. The track is an entirely new direction for Camila who first rose to fame in 2012 as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony.

On her new album Camila is racing into uncharted territory with her sound. She enlisted producers Jasper Harris and El Guincho, who?s known for his work with Rosalia. Together they introduce a variety of new sounds into Camila?s orbit including the newest sounds in hip-hop. The result is Camila?s edgiest album yet.

Today Justin Richmond talks to Camila about the very particular set of creative influences that inspired her new album, including a book by Joan Didion. She also talks about having features from Drake on her album, why she wanted to make music for Miami Spring breakers.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Camila Cabello songs HERE.

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John Leventhal is a bit of a secret weapon in music. Though he started out as a session musician in the '80s, he quickly found writing and producing music for other artists was his true calling. That gift has led to six Grammy Award wins and songs like ?Sunny Came Home? by Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn?s ?Walk Through the World? and ?Crossing to Jerusalem? by his wife Rosanne Cash. John and Rosanne have been married for almost 30 years and over the course of their union have become great collaborators.

Bruce Headlam talks to John Leventhal on today?s episode about the beginnings of both his musical and romantic relationship with Rosanne, and also about stepping out from behind the scenes to release his very first debut album. A beautiful instrumental project called Rumble Strip.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite John Leventhal songs HERE.

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"Genesis" the new work from RAYE discussed in this episode is out now: https://raye.orcd.co/genesis

RAYE is an English pop singer/songwriter whose debut album, My 21st Century Blues, snagged Album Of the Year at this year?s Brit Awards. One of a historic six wins that evening. For a 26 year old artist who's already survived a tumultuous ride through the music industry, the ceremony was a coup.

On today?s episode Justin Richmond talks to RAYE about how a quote from Nina Simone gave her the courage to take control of her career and she explains the inspiration behind her sprawling new, multi-part single, ?Genesis.?

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite RAYE songs HERE.

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Michael McDonald?s husky baritone is one of the most instantly recognizable voices from the ?70s and ?80s. As a member of The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, and a hitmaking solo artist, Michael McDonald?s career is one for the books.

Enter Paul Reiser?the comedic actor and writer behind New York Times best-selling books, popular movies and TV shows. Before the start of the pandemic, Paul met Mike McDonald at a party and the two became fast friends. Listening to Michael?s incredible stories, Paul found himself trying to piece together the arc of Michael?s career. They began recording their conversations and soon they had over 600 pages of stories that they eventually turned into the memoir, What A Fool Believes. The book chronicles the highs and lows of Michael?s career, his struggles with addiction, and his lifelong insecurities.

On today?s episode Justin Richmond talks to Michael McDonald and Paul Reiser about their unlikely working relationship. Michael also talks about why his proposed Quincy Jones-produced solo album never materialized. And he remembers the time one of his childhood heroes?Ray Charles?chewed him out while wearing a bathrobe.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Michael McDonald songs HERE.

And you can grab your copy of this fantastic memoir HERE.

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Sarah Jarosz is a singer/songwriter who also happens to be a killer banjo, guitar, and mandolin player. The Wimberly, Texas-native's latest album, Polaroid Lovers, was produced by former Broken Record guest Daniel Tashian. It?s her seventh album and so far the best at highlighting the power of Sarah?s songwriting over her virtuosity.

In this episode you?ll hear Sarah Jarosz tell Bruce Headlam about the Friday night bluegrass jams that shaped her playing, and why she?s turned down co-writing songs with artists she respects. You'll also hear her dabble with some of her instruments and maybe even perform a song or two.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Sarah Jarosz songs HERE.

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DJ Premier is one of the most celebrated producers in hip-hop history. Known as the architect of hip-hop?s venerated boom-bap sound, Preemo first caught people?s attention with Guru in Gang Starr in the late ?80s. Guru?s lyrical precision over Premier's jazzy, sample-based beats made Gang Starr one of the most influential rap duos of the next decade.

Outside of Gang Starr, DJ Premier has produced classic records for a long list of hip-hop luminaries including New York?s big three?Biggie, Jay-Z, and Nas. His expert ability to create a patchwork of musical and lyrical samples is both instantly identifiable and impossible to replicate.

On today?s episode we?ll hear a live conversation Justin Richmond recorded with DJ Premier for the On Air podcast festival. Premier talked in detail about hanging out and working with his late friend, The Notorious B.I.G. He also reminisces about when he and Guru lived with Branford Marsalis in Brooklyn, and he recalls what it was like to work with D?Angelo on that fateful night at Electric Lady Studios when they recorded ?Devil?s Pie.?

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite DJ Premier songs HERE.

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Corinne Bailey Rae independently released one of our favorite albums of 2023: Black Rainbows. Justin Richmond spoke to Corinne over Zoom at the end of the year about the place that inspired the album, the Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago. And then when she came to Los Angeles around Grammy time they decided to meet up to discuss Reflections / Refractions At the Stony Island Arts Bank, a beautiful new book Corinne put together to catalogue the items that inspired her new music and creative awakening.

The conversation touches on Corinne recording her third album, The Heart Speaks in Whispers, at Capital in Hollywood, to finding her spiritual home in Chicago, to discovering a mid-century New York subway pageant that inspired her raucous song, ?New York Transit Queen.?

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Corinne Bailey Rae songs HERE.

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Ann Wilson is the powerhouse lead singer of the band Heart, whose celebrated classic debut album, Dreamboat Annie, came out nearly 50 years ago. Last week we featured an interview with her sister and longtime bandmate Nancy Wilson, so make sure to check that out if you haven?t already.

Today we?ll hear from Ann, who?s responsible for belting out and co-writing some of Heart?s most iconic early hits, like ?Magic Man,? ?Barracuda,? and ?Crazy On You.? Four years older than Nancy, Ann was the first Wilson sister to join Heart, a band that started out as a cabaret cover band. Despite undergoing multiple lineup changes since the '70s, Heart has released top 10 albums in nearly every decade in the last 50 years, and sold over 20 million albums worldwide.

Outside of Heart, Ann has also released solo material, including an album in 2023 with her band, Tripsitter.

On today?s episode Leah Rose talks to Ann Wilson about Heart?s current world tour, and the Elton John album she sings before every show to warm up her voice. Ann also explains how she would strategically place guitars around her house when having parties at her Seattle home in the '90s to encourage jam sessions with guests like Lane Staley and Chris Cornell. And she remembers singing on stage with Grace Slick and Stevie Nicks, who Ann says really is a good witch.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Heart songs HERE.

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Guitarist and songwriter Nancy Wilson is one half of the rock band Heart, along with her older sister Ann Wilson. Nancy and Ann have been the face of the band since the mid-70s. Heart?s first album, Dreamboat Annie, was released in 1976 right as the band was making traction opening for big acts like Rod Stewart and The Bee Gees. Soon their songs, like ?Magic Man? and ?Crazy On You,? started to take off in the States, and Heart quickly became a headlining act.

Nearly 50 years since their debut album, Heart has experienced career highs?like a string of chart-topping hits and an induction into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame?as well as their fair share of personal and professional adversity. Today Ann and Nancy remain steadfast in continuing Heart?s legacy. This month they embarked on a world tour?their first in five years.

To celebrate Ann and Nancy Wilson?s massive contribution to rock n roll history, we will feature conversations with both sisters over the next two weeks. Today we?ll hear Leah Rose talk to Nancy about how the popular drugs of the ?70s and ?80s influenced Heart?s sound. She also describes how being accepted by the musicians of Seattle?s grunge scene helped her overcome Heart?s fraught experience recording power ballads in the ?80s. And she describes the lo-fi setup she used to score the soundtracks of her ex-husband Cameron Crowe?s hit movies: Almost Famous, Vanilla Sky, and Jerry McGuire.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Heart songs HERE.

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Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament are two of the Seattle scene?s most foundational musicians from the 80?s and 90?s. Stone and Jeff started playing together in 1984 as members of Green River, which eventually dissolved, leading singer Mark Arm to form Mudhoney.

Later, Jeff played bass and Stone played guitar in Mother Love Bone until their lead singer Andrew Wood died of an overdose just days before their major label debut in March of 1990. Reeling from Andy?s death, Jeff and Stone started recording with Soundgarden?s Chris Cornell on a side project called Temple Of The Dog that featured vocals from a then unknown singer from San Diego named Eddie Vedder.

Later that year, Jeff and Stone asked Eddie to join their new band with guitarist Mike McCready. As Pearl Jam, they released their debut album Ten in August of ?91?the album went 13 times platinum and charted on Billboard for nearly five years.

Since then, Pearl Jam have released 11 more albums and built a die-hard fan base thanks in part to their outstanding live shows. Last week they released their latest album, Dark Matter, which was produced by Andrew Watt, who's recently worked with Miley Cyrus, Iggy Pop, Post Malone and Ozzy Osborne.

On today?s episode Leah Rose talks to Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament about how Andrew Watt?s encyclopedic knowledge of Pearl Jam helped inspire some of their best performances to date. Stone and Jeff also open up about the inner-workings of their professional relationship, and Stone remembers the first time he met Eddie Vedder, who marked the occasion by passing him a hand-written poem.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Pearl Jam songs HERE.

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16 years have passed since The Black Crowes released an album of new material. The world has changed a lot since then?and so have the Robinson brothers. Chris and Rich Robinson are, of course, the backbone of the band. They started playing together back in Georgia in 1984 as Mr. Crowe?s Garden before moving to NYC, signing to Def American, and changing their name to The Black Crowes.

The band?s debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, set them up as the torchbearers of Southern rock for the '90s and beyond. As you?ll hear in today's conversation, the brothers Robinson have had a competitive relationship for a long time. Their ups and downs have meant hiatuses for the band over the years. But now they?re back united and seemingly in it for the long haul with their new album, Happiness Bastards.

On today?s episode Justin Richmond talks to Chris Robinson about his growing up in Georgia with Rich, their dad?s rockabilly career, and how his road habits have changed from indulging in champagne and other substances to reading Herman Melville.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Chris Robinson & The Black Crowes HERE.

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Famed drummer for the Police and composer Stewart Copeland has one of the more fascinating bios in modern music. His father was a founding member of the CIA and his mom worked in British Intelligence.

After playing in the successful UK prog rock band Curved Air in the mid 70s, Stewart started a new band called the Police with bassist and lead singer, Sting?and eventually guitarist Andy Summers. Over the next decade the Police would go on to become one of the top-selling rock bands of all time, selling over 75 million records.

Last year Stewart released the book, ?Stewart Copeland?s Police Diaries,? which includes his personal notes dating back to the band?s formation in 1976 through 1978, when they started to take off.

On today?s episode Bruce Headlam talks to Stewart Copeland about the first time he saw Sting play and how he was able to successfully lure him into his then non-existent band. Stewart also explains why he and Sting eventually had a musical falling out, and how the Arabic rhythms he heard growing up influenced his highly lauded drumming style.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Stewart Copeland and The Police HERE.

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Justin Timberlake is one of the most high achieving pop phenomenons of the past three decades. In 1993 he helped relaunch the Mickey Mouse Club where he sang and danced alongside Rylan Gosling and other now luminaries. Then he broke records and sold over 70 million albums worldwide with *NSYNC. And if that weren?t enough, he launched an incredibly successful solo career in the early aughts where he found a musical soulmate in Timbaland who Justin's worked with in some capacity over the course of his six solo albums.

So with all that hard earned success behind him, it?s been interesting to see the online drubbing JT's taken the last couple of years. Curious about how he might respond musically, it turns out, his new album Everything I Thought It Was, is everything you?d hope to hear from JT including a surprise *NSYNC reunion.

On today?s episode Justin Richmond talks through Justin Timberlake?s new album with him as he dissects key tracks from it. JT also recalls how Micheal Jackson helped inspire his solo career, he breaks down the motivation behind each one of his solo albums, and he talks about why he felt now was the right time to reunite with his boy band brothers in ?NSYNC. This episode was recorded at Amazon?s Studio126.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Justin Timberlake songs HERE.

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Brandi Carlile?s knack for uplifting the musicians she loves is exemplary. After her own hard-earned ascent to fame over the course of seven studio albums, Brandi started to turn her sights to producing albums for artists she deeply admires, including Tanya Tucker who she?s been on Broken Record with in the past but also Brandy Clark. Then there?s Joni Mitchell?who, thanks to Brandi?s encouragement?has recently made a glorious return to performing live.

Brandi?s passion for the projects she works on is infectious. The latest is an EP she produced for 18-year-old singer/songwriter Tish Melton called, When We?re Older. Over the course of the five-song collection, Tish pulls influence from artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. Tish, whose mom is the New York Times bestselling author Glennon Doyle, is teeming with talent on her EP, which includes heartfelt songs that expertly capture a wise-beyond-her-years self assuredness.

On today?s episode Leah Rose talks to Tish Melton and Brandi Carlile about their creative partnership and the impermeable sense of self Brandi has found in both Tish and Joni Mitchell. And Brandi teases her upcoming collaboration album that she calls ?monumental,? plus she talks about why she thinks Beyonce might be country music?s saving grace.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Tish Melton and Brandi Carlile along with all the tracks mentioned in this episode HERE.

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Natalia Lafourcade is a force. As you?ll hear when she sings during our conversation today she has a gorgeous voice. But she?s also a deft songwriter who?s able to weave together traditions that feel both modern and old at once.

And she?s also a beautiful interpreter of song?take for instance the phenomenon that was the song ?Remember Me? from Pixar?s film Coco. Or take the many instances where she?s recorded some of the classic songs from across Latin America?performing on songs by greats like Violetta Parra from Chile and Agustín Lara from Natalia?s home state of Veracruz, Mexico. After spending the last seven years interpreting those masters, Natlia?s released De Todas Las Flores, her first album of originals since 2015.

On today's episode Justin Richmond talks to Natalia Lafourcade about the evolution of her artistry over the last 25 years. She recalls the time a hummingbird inspired her to move past a creative rut, and how the logistical challenges of recording her latest album to tape wound up creating an urgency that ultimately fueled the creative process.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Natalia Lafourcade songs HERE.

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In recognition of this month's World Happiness Day, we are presenting one of our favorite episodes from last year with Janelle Monàe and her longtime collaborator, Nate Wonder. Janelle's latest album, The Age Of Pleasure, was created in part as a celebration of black love and community. And as Nate Wonder shares in this interview with Justin Richmond, one of his guiding principles when making the album was to make Janelle smile.

As part of Pushkin Industries' network-wide celebration of World Happiness Day, we will also be sharing an episode of The Happiness Lab from our brilliant colleague, Laurie Santos later this month.

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At 70 years-old, Kim Gordon?the former bassist and founding member of Sonic Youth?is just now making the most abrasive music of her career. She just dropped her second solo album, The Collective, with producer Justin Raisen, who?s previously worked with artists like Drake, Lil Yachty, and Charli XCX. Kim?s spoken-word-like vocals on The Collective are the perfect accompaniment to Justin?s distorted trap-style beats.

On today?s episode Leah Rose talks to Kim Gordon about her latest solo album, as well as her memoir, Girl In A Band, that detailed her split with ex-husband Thurston Moore. Kim also delves into why she always felt like an outsider in New York City?s thriving downtown art scene. And she recalls Sonic Youth?s storied tour in the early ?90s opening up for Neil Young.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Kim Gordon songs HERE.

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To kick off our month-long celebration of Women's History Month, today we're featuring an interview with Polly Jean Harvey, a.k.a. PJ Harvey, who is without question one of the most gifted songwriters of our time.

Her debut album, Dry, came out in 1992 and was what the LA Times called a near ?instant classic.? The same with her sophomore release, Rid of Me?which became an inspiration for Nirvana?s last album: In Utero.

Ten albums later and Polly continues to be not only a remarkable songwriter on her new album ?I Inside the Old Year Dying? but...maybe more impressively...continues to find new musical territory and new voices to write from. Keeping her songs and artistry as interesting as it was when she first put music out 30 years ago.

John Parish, who?s been a frequent collaborator of Polly?s since the 1980's produced the new album?along with Flood?and joins Justin Richmond in conversation with Polly to discuss their process of working together, the beauty of Polly?s last few albums and how they bonded long ago over Captain Beefheart.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite PJ Harvey & John Parish songs HERE.

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For the last installment of our Thursday Black History Month drops, how could we not revisit our episode with the incomparable Sonny Rollins? Listening to Sonny is like history coming right off the page. He?s living, breathing black history and one of the greatest tenor players of all time.

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The last couple of years have been huge for Jason Isbell. The Alabama-born singer-songwriter?s latest album Weathervanes won the Grammy for Best Americana album this year. He also snagged a role in Martin Scorsese's film, Killers Of The Flower Moon, which is up for Best Picture at this year?s Oscars.

There was also a critically acclaimed HBO documentary released last year about the making of Isbell?s previous album with the 400 Unit, Reunions, that put his personal life on full display.

On today?s episode I talk to Jason Isbell about his exhilarating experience filming Killers of the Flower Moon and how he prepared to act in scenes opposite Leonardo DiCaprio (heads up?there are some major spoilers in this conversation). Jason also contemplates how he will write about the dissolution of his marriage, and why he struggles to write a balls-out rock song.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Jason Isbell songs HERE.

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We?re halfway through Black History month and although we didn?t intend to rerun some of our older conversations to celebrate the month, after realizing we needed to do something to mark Usher?s Super Bowl performance and the release of the new Bob Marley biopic ?One Love,? we figured we might as well keep going and celebrate the whole month long?because now we have a country album from Beyonce on the way.

Beyonce released two songs from her upcoming album the night of the Super Bowl??16 Carriages? and ?TEXAS HOLD ?EM??to a rapturous response. Not only are the songs good. But they sparked a lot of meaningful conversations about the usefulness of genres, the way marketing shapes our listening and gatekeeping in music. Those are all things very close to Rhiannon Giddens? heart. As a black banjo player, steeped in the Americana tradition?and its Transatlantic roots?she?s been living this conversation her whole career.

Rhiannon also happens to play on the song ?TEXAS HOLD ?EM? with Beyonce. Which just this week hit number one on the country chart, making her the first time a black woman has ever held that spot.

So let?s flash back to when we had Rhiannon on Broken Record back in 2021 to speak with Bruce Headlam about her album They?re Calling Me Home.

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