Broken Record

Margo Price’s new album, Hard Headed Woman, was recorded in the heart of Nashville at the legendary RCA Studio A—the very place where the “Nashville Sound” was born, and where greats like Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Charley Pride have all recorded. It’s the perfect setting for Margo, who’s as much a student of country’s rich history as she is a fan of its fearless rule breakers. She’s never taken the straight path herself, a journey she tells in her 2022 memoir, Maybe We’ll Make It. On today’s episode, Bruce Headlam talks with Margo Price about the making of her new album and her creative partnership with her husband and longtime collaborator, Jeremy Ivey. Margo also shares her thoughts on the inauthenticity of mainstream country, and why she continues to stay committed to pouring both extreme craft and care into every song she writes. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Margo Price songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

Soaring, lush and steeped in soul, Annahstasia has a voice that feels distant and intimate all at once. She was scouted in high school for a career in pop music but after some strange dealings set out down the road of self discovery. You can hear what she uncovered about herself and her artistry on her serene new album, Tether. The album was recorded live in studio and is stripped to the bone allowing her voice and poetry to shine through unencumbered by any hint of pop production. Justin Richmond spoke to Annahstasia about her journey through music, which includes earning a four-year degree, opening for the great Lenny Kravitz, and co-starring in Kendrick Lamar’s “Luther” music video. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Annahstasia songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chrystia Cabral is the experimental, often mystically-inclined Oakland artist who records as Spellling. Since her 2019 debut, she’s built a reputation for richly imaginative music that defies easy categorization. Her third album, The Turning Wheel, earned a rare perfect 10 from notoriously discerning online critic Anthony Fantano, who called it “stunning and beautiful.” Today, Spellling joins Justin Richmond to talk about the making of her latest release, Portrait of My Heart—a bold evolution that deepens her blend of avant-garde, pop, and rock by adding new layers of mysticism and theatricality. She also reflects on her transition from teaching to touring, the intention behind every element of her sound, and the early days of her music-making, when she first began experimenting with gear. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Spellling songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daron Malakian first made his name as the enigmatic guitarist and songwriter behind System of a Down. Between 1998 and 2005, the band released five albums—three of which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. In 2006, System announced an indefinite hiatus. Eager to keep creating, Daron launched a new project: Scars on Broadway. Their debut album arrived in 2008 to critical acclaim. Since then, he’s reunited with System for a series of live performances—including a recent South American tour that drew massive crowds. Their final stop in São Paulo, Brazil, attracted an estimated 75,000 fans. Now, after seven years in the making, Daron is releasing Addicted to the Violence, the third Scars on Broadway album—featuring what he considers some of the best songs he’s ever written. On today’s episode, Leah Rose sits down with Daron to talk about why he believes he was destined to be a rock star, and how his parents’ journey from Baghdad to Hollywood helped

Today, we’re joined by one of the most inventive and electrifying vocalists in modern soul music: Bilal.  Since the release of his debut album 1st Born Second in 2001, Bilal has defied categorization by design and by circumstance. With a voice that shifts effortlessly from a whisper to a wail, and from jazz to gospel to outer space, he’s carved a singular path through the world of music. Whether lending hooks to Kendrick Lamar or collaborating with Erykah Badu, Bilal has long been your favorite singer’s favorite singer. Now, he’s back with a brilliant new project: Adjust Brightness. Bold, cinematic, and emotionally raw, it’s his most cohesive work since his debut—a swirling, psychedelic blend of soul, jazz, hip-hop, and feeling. And as if that weren’t enough, Bilal has also just released Live at Glasshaus, an intimate and explosive set that captures the unpredictable energy of his live shows. Today, Bilal opens up to Justin Richmond about the making of Adjus

Mike Shinoda took a bold step last fall when he reintroduced Linkin Park with a new lineup featuring drummer Colin Brittain and singer Emily Armstrong as lead vocalist—taking on the role once held by Chester Bennington, who died by suicide in 2017. Mike, who co-founded Linkin Park in 1996, has long served as the group’s de facto producer, as well as its MC and keyboardist. The band rose to massive success in the 2000s, with a run of genre-blending albums that have collectively sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. In November, Linkin Park released From Zero, their eighth studio album and the first with Emily Armstrong as frontwoman. The record has already surpassed three billion streams online. On today’s episode, Leah Rose talks to Mike Shinoda about why he chose not to retire Linkin Park—and instead took the creative risk of reinventing the band nearly 30 years after its formation. Mike also shares his favorite Linkin Park songs of all time and explains how the band manag

Jesse Malin quite literally came of age onstage in the gritty clubs of New York City. At just 12 years old, he fronted Heart Attack—one of the earliest hardcore punk bands. After the band broke up in ‘84, Jesse went on to play in other groups, including Hope, and later co-founded D Generation, a glam-punk band that toured extensively through the '90s, opening for acts like Kiss, the Ramones, and Social Distortion. In the early 2000s, Jesse launched a solo career, trading hardcore for a more singer-songwriter-driven approach. As a solo artist, he’s collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, and Billie Joe Armstrong. A true musician’s musician, Jesse has long been a beloved figure in the rock community. So when he suffered a rare spinal stroke in 2023 that left him temporarily paralyzed from the waist down, that community rallied around him. The result was Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin—a 2024 tribute album featuring

The youngest Haim sister, Alana, started playing music with her older sisters, Danielle and Este, when she was just four years old. Back then, the three of them were part of their family band, Rockinhaim, playing charity gigs all over L.A. and the San Fernando Valley where they grew up. After high school, Danielle was jamming in Laurel Canyon when Jenny Lewis spotted her and invited her to join her touring band. Not long after, she hit the road again—this time playing guitar and drums for Julian Casablancas. But eventually, Danielle came back home, ready to start a band with her sisters. In 2012, Haim dropped their first EP, Forever, to critical acclaim. Pretty soon they were opening for A-listers like Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. On today’s episode, Leah Rose sits down with Alana, Danielle, and Este to talk about their new album, I Quit—co-produced with longtime collaborator Rostam. The album dives into the highs and lows of single life in your 30s. The sisters

Today on Broken Record, we’re joined by the one and only Bootsy Collins. Bootsy burst onto the scene in the early ’70s as James Brown’s young, electrifying bass player. But it was with Parliament-Funkadelic that he truly found his voice—or rather, his voices—balancing raw, uncut funk with a psychedelic, intergalactic persona that would go on to inspire artists from Prince to Thundercat. In this conversation with Justin Richmond, Bootsy reflects on what it’s been like to navigate life as both William Collins—the introspective, spiritually grounded man from Cincinnati—and Bootsy, the rhinestone-rimmed avatar of groove. He also opens up about his legendary songwriting partnership with George Clinton and keyboard genius Bernie Worrell, and how the three of them helped create some of the most joyful and mind-bending music in American history. Even now, more than 50 years into his career, Bootsy remains on the cutting edge—embracing new technology, collaborating

Today, Justin Richmond is joined by the Starchild himself—KISS co-founder and frontman, Paul Stanley. Born and raised in New York City, Paul fell in love with music at an early age, attending shows at iconic venues like the Fillmore East. Over the course of more than 50 years with KISS, he helped build one of the most devoted fan bases in rock history, turning theatrical spectacle into an art form. Now that KISS has officially retired from touring, Paul reflects on life beyond the stage. He opens up about what continues to fuel his creativity, and what it means to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the KISS Army. He also shares his personal top five KISS albums—and gives us a preview of KISS: Storms Vegas, the upcoming Las Vegas residency that proves the end of touring doesn’t mean the end of the show. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Paul Stanley and Kiss HERE. Get ad-free episodes to Broken Record by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin

Shirley Manson rose to '90s fame as the magnetic front woman of Garbage, but she was already a seasoned singer when guitarist Steve Marker spotted her in a music video for her previous band, Angelfish. She joined the Garbage in 1994. The band was made up of Steve Marker and producers Duke Erikson and Butch Vig—renowned for his work with Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins. Nearly 30 years and over 17 million albums later, Garbage is preparing to release their eighth studio album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light. Shirley’s voice remains as sharp and compelling as ever. On today’s episode, Leah Rose sits down with Shirley Manson to discuss how an unexpected piece of advice from an acting coach during her time on the Fox sci-fi series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles continues to shape her creative process. Shirley also opens up about the challenges of communicating with her bandmates—and shares a hilarious story about meeting one of her musical heroes, Patti Smith—o

Today, we're revisiting a gem from our archives. In late 2020, Wilco's frontman and acclaimed songwriter Jeff Tweedy released his compact yet powerful book, "How to Write One Song" – a remarkable guide for unlocking anyone's creative potential through songwriting. This exploration of creativity immediately resonated with Broken Record host Malcolm Gladwell, leading to a fascinating conversation about the book and examining what has established Tweedy as one of the most distinctive songwriters of the 21st century so far. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Jeff Tweedy & Wilco HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For close to three decades, Ben Kweller’s been crafting deeply personal indie rock that's both intimate and expansive. From his early days fronting the band Radish as a teenager in the '90s to his acclaimed solo career that began in the early 2000s, he's consistently delivered songs that feel raw, honest and almost conversational. But his latest album, Cover the Mirrors, finds Ben in a different place entirely. It's an unflinching examination of grief, healing, and the complicated process of moving forward after unimaginable loss. In today’s episode we’ll talk with Ben about the death of his teenage son, Dorian. How Ben and his family embraced grief and managed to not retreat from their lives and work. And what it means to return to making and releasing music. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Ben Kweller songs HERE. Get ad-free episodes to Broken Record by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobook

Over the past few years, Kali Uchis has released three standout albums: Red Moon in Venus, Orquídeas, and now her latest, Sincerely. Each has made a powerful contribution to the evolving legacy of R&B and Latin music—but Sincerely marks a striking leap forward in her artistic journey. So it’s no surprise that in her conversation with Justin Richmond, Kali reveals she took a different approach this time—writing most of the album on her own before stepping into the studio. It also, heartbreakingly, makes sense that Sincerely was shaped in the shadow of a traumatic, life-altering experience involving her mother. In today’s episode, Kali opens up about that experience, along with her reflections on parenthood, her family’s immigration story, and the challenges of her first tour. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Kali Uchis songs HERE. Get ad-free episodes to Broken Record by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.f

Rico Nasty is a genre-defying force in contemporary hip-hop, known for her raw, unapologetic style and fearless experimentation. Rico started releasing mixtapes while still in high school in Maryland, with early tracks like “iCarly” and “Hey Arnold” catching fire online. After dropping five mixtapes independently, she signed with Atlantic Records in 2018 and introduced the world to her signature “sugar trap” sound—a blend of aggressive nu-metal energy and trap production—on breakout tracks like "Smack a Bitch" and "Rage." Today, Leah Rose sits down with Rico as she prepares to release her fourth studio album, Lethal. They dive into everything from the beautiful chaos of female-heavy mosh pits at her shows, what it was like to suddenly come into lots of money as a teenager early, to how she landed her first acting role in the upcoming A24/Apple TV series Margo’s Got Money Troubles. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Rico Nasty songs HERE. Get

Daryl Hall stands as one of the greatest pop songwriters in music history. As the iconic half of Hall & Oates, his classic tracks like "Sara Smile," "Rich Girl," and "Maneater" earned the duo coveted spots in both the Songwriters and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Yet beyond his chart-dominating success throughout the '70s and '80s, Daryl remains a profoundly gifted, soulful creator whose musical talents transcend genres. On today's episode, Justin Richmond talks to the legendary Daryl Hall about his early career with Gulliver on Elektra Records—where he shared a label with The Doors—and diving into the creative process behind classics like "She's Gone" from the seminal album Abandoned Luncheonette. Daryl also talks about his latest artistic endeavor, D, a collaborative album he made with Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart. This episode is brought to you by Defender – A vehicle engineered to meet challenges head-on, so you can explore with confidence. Adventure seekers and risk-takers can

Richard Thompson is a London-born guitar virtuoso whose career started in 1967 as part of the groundbreaking folk band Fairport Convention. The following decade Richard formed a duo with his former wife Linda Thompson, and together they released six albums, including the critically acclaimed, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. Richard then struck out on his own, writing songs that have since been covered by artists like Robert Plant, Elvis Costello and Bonnie Raitt. On today’s episode Bruce Headlam talks to Richard about his love of traditional Scottish music, and how he’s reworked old folk songs over the years. Richard also plays examples of his unique playing style on the guitar and talks about the time he played alongside Jimi Hendrix. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Richard Thompson songs HERE. Get ad-free episodes to Broken Record by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive

Jim James, the frontman of My Morning Jacket, has lived many lives over the band’s 27-year career. He started as a hopeful young musician, chasing the magic of his musical heroes—while secretly fearing he’d never measure up. Later, he spiraled into heavy drinking and self-doubt, teetering on the edge of leaving the band. But today, Jim is in a much different place. Healthier, more grounded, and full of self-acceptance, thanks in part to a mix of traditional and psychedelic therapies he turned to during the pandemic. This month, My Morning Jacket returns with Is, their tenth studio album—and their first made entirely with an outside producer, the legendary Brendan O’Brien. On today’s episode, Leah Rose sits down with Jim to talk about the ayahuasca journey that helped him learn how to truly love himself. He also looks back on writing the band’s ambitious second album, At Dawn, and recalls the surreal moment he saw Bob Dylan disappear into the music while playing with h

Join us for an intimate conversation with legendary producer and songwriter Daniel Lanois, captured live at Brooklyn's premier podcast event, On Air Fest. Host Justin Richmond sits down with Lanois before an audience filled with musical luminaries—including Prince's former guitarist Donna Grantis, performance artist Laurie Anderson, and ambient music pioneer Laraaji. In this special episode, Lanois shares fascinating insights from his storied career producing albums with Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and The Neville Brothers. He also delves into the creative process behind his exceptional solo work, punctuating the conversation with a mesmerizing live pedal steel performance that showcases his unique musicality. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Daniel Lanois songs HERE. Get ad-free episodes to Broken Record by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subs

Justice, the French electronic music duo composed of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay is the gift that keeps on giving. They just released an incredible new album called Hyperdrama that not only sounds like the best possible night out in Paris, but brings in touches of jazz and experimentation that feel new for the group. They also just co-produced the opening track of The Weeknd’s latest album, a song called “Wake Me Up” that finds a  brilliant way of harkening back to Michael Jackson's “Thriller.” Today Justin Richmond discusses the creative process behind The Weeknd track, Justice's new album, and whose drums they sampled on their first album Cross. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Justice songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.