Stay ConnectedEnjoy debating font sizes on festival lineups? Or better yet, ever make a fake Coachella poster and fill it with emo bands? This is your podcast. Each Thursday morning, Billboard staff writer Chris Payne chats with musicians and music writers about what’s going on in alternative music; we’ve got behind-the-scenes stories, chart insight, ~inspirational moments~ and yes, RED HOT TAKES straight from Billboard’s New York City office.
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You know "No Roots" but do you know what's coming next? The English-born, German-raised artist chats with host Chris Payne about the forthcoming jams on her debut album 'Mint' (due Jan. 2019). She also details the quick ascent of her debut single -- all good advice for up-and-coming artists looking to do the same.
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The Get Up Kids' Matt Pryor and Jim Suptic chat about all sorts of things, most notably the new LP they're working on for Polyvinyl Records with Peter Katis. Also, plenty of behind-the-scenes reminiscing from the glory days of '90s emo. Here's a link to Jim's charity event we talked about: https://thundergong.org/
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It took her almost a decade to get her debut album out, but soon after 2015's 'Sorry,' Meg Myers was dropped by Atlantic Records. The alt-rock artist explains how she found her artistic identity, a new label (300 Entertainment), and took control of her mental health. Her new album 'Take Me to the Disco' is out tomorrow (July 20)!
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Joe Mulherin -- aka nothing,nowhere. -- makes striking, visceral music combining impassioned, emo-inspired vocals over trap beats and hazy guitars. We chat with him and his producer JayVee about working with Chris Carrabb and Travis Barker, battling anxiety and depression, being inspired by Juice WRLD, meeting a bear in the Vermont wilderness, and much more.
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We asked Dan Campbell and Matt Brasch to name the songs and other random details from Wonder Years shows in 2010, and their responses were kinda incredible. Also, hear us discuss the most emotional moments of their new album 'Sister Cities' and what lies ahead as the band members stare down real adulthood.
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We talked the talk with James Bay, delving into why he'll never make the same record twice, what it's like backstage at "SNL," his love of Maroon 5's "Songs About Jane," and the random guy who filmed in performing in a pub one night, and wound up getting him signed by Republic.
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IT'S ABOUT TO GET HEAVY. Frontman Brent Smith and bassist Eric Bass get deep and personal about Shinedown's new album, their insane streak of top-five radio hits, and what it means to be one of their era's most successful rock bands. They also dropped news about their future at Atlantic Records and upcoming albums.
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Vocalist Spencer Chamberlain and drummer-vocalist Aaron Gillespie were remarkably frank and open, discussing the Florida-based rock band's decision to regroup after a two-year hiatus, dropping its long held "Christian" label, getting over addictions and judgements, and crafting this year's excellent "Erase Me" -- their first LP since 2010.
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While out at sea as performers on Paramore's Parahoy! cruise, mewithoutYou guitarist Michael Weiss and drummer Rickie Mazzotta join host Chris Payne for a deep-dive on the one-of-a-kind Philly band's long, shape-shifting history. We battle seasickness to talk about the new album they're recording with Will Yip, how Paramore became such big fans, how they wound up on a Christian rock label, and more.
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Walter Martin has seen a lot, and he's got stories to tell. These days, he's an affable, well-adjusted dad whose solo work explores art history, kids' songs about zoo animals, and a particularly lonely solo Australian tour, which he turned into a barber shop quartet extravaganza at a recent NPR Tiny Desk Concert. But the events that brought him here are a whirlwind three decades' worth of American rock 'n roll lore.
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New York City rock icon Albert Hammond, Jr. swung by Billboard's office last Thursday morning, just hours after playing the biggest solo headlining show of his life. Of course he'd played to massive crowds around the world with the Strokes, but this one was special -- a sold-out gig on his home turf playing only tracks from his decade-plus solo career. We talked about the killer new LP 'Francis Trouble,' his role in the popular book 'Meet Me in the Bathroom,' why he's always kind of wanted to change his name, and a whole lot more.
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The new LP from Calgary-bred post-punks Preoccupations is one of the best alternative albums we've heard so far this year. They also have a great story about playing Third Man Records while Jack White attempted one of his patented vinyl experiments. Join Matt Flegel and Scott Munro as the band formerly known as Viet Cong recounts how it got fans to start looking past their controversial old moniker.
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Alternative pop troubadour BØRNS has stories for days. This includes: trekking from his native Michigan to play ukulele songs for Max Martin in L.A., hanging with Halsey at a Playboy Mansion party, serenading Taylor Swift's #squad with "Electric Love" at Coachella, collaborating with his pal Lana Del Rey on his new album "Blue Madonna." He also plays us a voice memo off his phone which may or may not make it onto his third LP.
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We heard about the up-and-coming indie musical Pop Punk High and had to get them on the show. The New York City-based show combines all the touchstones of early 2000s pop-punk culture -- suburban high schools, Avril Lavigne, skateboarding, dick jokes -- into an awesomely original production that we think "has legs" (that's what they say in theater right?) They're going places! Here's our chat with three of its stars.
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Here's the legend himself chatting about many, many things: getting his start in the Florida punk scene, the labels that shaped him, what went on in the 2000s emo boom, and new album 'Crooked Shadows,' the first Dashboard Confessional album in 9 years.
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Jenna and Jake from Syndey, Australia's Tonight Alive discuss coming of age on their brand new fourth album, "Underworld." This line from Jenna sums it up: "The more polished our sound became, the less polished my image became.”
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First episode of the new year! Our weekly podcast (new one every Thursday!) kicks off with a chat with punk cult hero Jeff Rosenstock. We discuss how he's been using all resources available to him -- online and off -- to release music on his own terms for almost two decades. This includes his new LP 'POST-', released on New Year's Day and the tunes he's been working on for a new Cartoon Network series. We also talk about Alkaline Trio and ska a lot.
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For our last episode of the year, we go deep on all things emo, welcoming Tom Mullen, who has ran the blog/podcast/DJ night Washed Up Emo since 2007. We chat about interviewing the likes of Dashboard Confessional and the Get Up Kids for his just-released book 'Anthology of Emo, Vol. 1' along with plenty of other tales from defining and defending the genre the past 10 years.
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Weaves are an awesome Toronto punk band who like their guitar riffs weird and their mosh pits friendly. Frontwoman Jasmyn Burke and guitarist Morgan Waters chat about their killer 2017 LP 'Wide Open' -- "a classic rock road record, but filtered through a female point of view," as Burke puts it.
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Front Bottoms singer-guitarist Brian Sella chats about his band's decade-long DIY success story, and all the friends he's made along the way. We'll talk about new album 'Going Grey,' keeping the old fans happy, going to a barbecue at Mark Hoppus' place (!!!), and plans for a new addition to the band's "Grandma Series." We swear the state of New Jersey did not sponsor this episode.
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Electro-pop artist Lights comes by to discuss her 2017 album 'Skin&Earth' and how she took it upon herself to simultaneously adapt it into a six-part comic book series, which she wrote and drew herself! She's got advice for how you can get into comic-making, as well as suggestions for comics to get into. We also randomly talked about MTV's 'Hills' spinoff 'The City' and exploring the Arctic a lot.
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It's almost Halloween and we've got PVRIS frontwoman Lynn Gunn on the show to talk past costumes, spooky books and movies, and growing up near Salem, Mass. We also discuss touring life, the band's new sophomore album, covering Tegan and Sara, and shout out some of her favorite Twitter followers.
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First, music internet extraordinaire Paige Williams returns to the 'cast to critique Halsey's fall tour and suggest a couple of under-the-radar October albums. And next up, Alicia Bognanno! The Bully frontwoman told us fans don't ask her about her guitars and gear very often, so we asked her! Here's the low down on her "Frankenstein guitar," personal pedal board, and how she used it all to craft Bully's shred-heavy sophomore album 'Losing,' out tomorrow (Oct. 20) on Sub Pop.
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Nika Danilova -- who just released her fifth album as Zola Jesus -- comes by the New York office for a deep talk about creation, inspiration, and preservation. 'Okovi' is one of this year's standout indie/electronic/experimental albums, and we cut to the core of how nature and returning home to rural Wisconsin helped create it. That is to say, we talk about hanging out in the woods a lot. Here's her Instagram feed, which we discuss in the 'cast: https://www.instagram.com/zolajesus/?hl=en
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Lauren D from Worriers comes by to talk about the melodic punk band's awesome new LP "Survival Pop": signing with SideOneDummy, defying the gender binary, how to write great choruses. We also talk about New Jersey a lot. There's a second interview in this one, too! Kevin Rutherford from the Billboard charts department updates us on Brand New's quest for a hit song at radio and how far up the top 10 Portugal. The Man's "Feel It Still" can go.
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The Movielife are back with their first album in 14 years and it's pretty damn good. We chat with guitarist-vocalists Vinnie Caruana and Brandon Reilly about how it all came together. Stereogum's Michael Nelson also joins to take a trip back to the Long Island punk/hardcore scene that birthed the Movielife, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday and less-remembered others (who we give well-deserved shouts to). We also talk about the big Jawbreaker reunion at Riot Fest.
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The All-American Rejects frontman swings by Billboard to discuss the band's new EP and its plans to release new music in the near future. How that music arrives or how much of it there is remains largely undecided, and he's pretty upfront about that. He's also upfront about fashion week, his breathtaking cheekbones, growing up a fat kid, and more than we can really mention.
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Yeah, we can still hardly believe it, but Brand New has the No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, at least until this weekend. So we went all out! First, charts manager Kevin Rutherford gives a behind-the-scenes look at how they sold so many albums and which "Science Fiction" track is already getting rock radio play. Then, music writer Maria Sherman calls in for a expert critical take on growing up emo, why critics are finally getting on board, and what their final shows will be like, if they really are breaking up in 2018.
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All five members of Neck Deep join us from the Billboard studio, just hours before last week's release of new album 'The Peace and the Panic.' We talked about Brexit, Donald Trump, Jeremy Corbyn, conspiracy theories, and maintaining relationships on the road. There's also a lot of talk about hanging out on Warped Tour and riding around on mini-bikes, "hogs," as they call them. You'd want to hang out with these guys, so consider this the next best thing.
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Lætitia Tamko, who makes poignant indie rock and electronic soundscapes as Vagabon, stops by Billboard to fill us in on her crazy journey of the past three years. Since teaching herself guitar and playing frequent DIY shows around New York, the Cameroon-born artist has made moves she never would have expected when she started: a bona fide headlining tour, dates opening for Tegan and Sara, a Pitchfork Best New Music distinction for her debut album "Infinite Worlds." Here's how she did it, and how you can do it, too.
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Start listening to Bleached. The L.A. rockers write intense, catchy tunes and as a live act, they're near unstoppable. Though still relatively under the radar, the in-the-know are starting to take notice. They just got off a tour with Paramore and behind their 2017 EP 'Can You Deal?" they launched a zine featuring first-had stories from women across the music industry. We interviewed them at Panorama Fest in NYC, and before that -- in our opening segment -- hear Billboard staffers Lyndsey Havens and Taylor Weatherby talk about their time at Lollapalooza last weekend.
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The kids are crazy about Pinegrove! We chatted with their frontman to find out why. We also came away with some info on the new album they’re recording. Here’s Pinegrove’s Evan Stephens Hall chatting with us at last weekend’s Panorama Festival, along with a fest wrap-up from Billboard staffers Lyndsey Havens, Chris Payne, and Dan Rys.
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What interviews are ahead on the 'cast? We know this episode's short but we've got big things ahead.
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Arcade Fire, the National, Grizzly Bear and maybe even St. Vincent are scoring radio hits, and charts manager Kevin Rutherford stops by to explain the unlikely takeover, along with a chart update on Paramore and an introduction to a Midwestern group who could be our next big hard rock act. Also, music editor Jason Lipshutz stops by to recap his weekend at Pitchfork Fest, which included a (near) life-changing experience at Pinegrove's set.
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Haim's "Something To Tell You" was released last week to generally positive reviews, Billboard included. Is it one of those special albums we'll be talking about at the end of the year? Is pop stardom in the Haim sisters' futures? Chris Payne, Jason Lipshutz, and Lyndsey Havens discussed this, along with Jet's bizarre return with an EDM-rock track and a little iPod talk. Is "Baby Driver" bringing us to a new era of iPod nostalgia?
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Stereogum's Gabriela Tully Claymore & James Rettig come by the podcast to chat about their favorite releases of the year so far. What's on our lists? Listen up for takes on some of the best -- Priests, Lorde, MUNA, Feist, Perfume Genius, Julie Byrne, Vagabon, Half Waif, and more -- as well as a challenge/invitation to Father John Misty.
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Brooklyn-based, self-described "bubblegrunge" band Charly Bliss released one of 2017's most delicious debuts and all four members -- Eva, Spencer, Sam, and Dan -- stop by the Billboard office to discuss "Guppy," the new music they're already performing, and do some impromptu singing of Hinder and Breaking Benjamin songs. There's a lot of singing in this one. Also, charts expert Kevin Rutherford has updates on Lorde's first-week sales (and her next potential hit) and whether or not All Time Low's latest album was a commercial failure.
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All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat discuss new album "Last Young Renegade," including its new alt-pop sound and collaboration with Tegan and Sara. They shouted out some fans they always see at meet-and-greets and explained why they always close with "Dear Maria, Count Me In" (it has to do with Blink-182). Also, Billboard contributor Paige Williams critiques new music from Fall Out Boy, the 1975, Harry Styles, and the Maine.
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Halsey's sophomore album "Hopeless Fountain Kingdom" is out tomorrow! How many copies will it sell? Where will it chart? How high on the Hot 100 will "Now Or Never" go? We've got expert takes on all those questions, plus an interview with a Halsey expert! Paige Williams discusses how she got to know the artist in her early Tumblr days and wound up being one of the first advocates for her at Universal Records. What's it like to hang with h and her friends? Find out!
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First up, Billboard editors debate the question, "Who's the Best Popular Rock Band of the 21st Century?" Paramore, Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, and Linkin Park all get discussed a lot and -- GUESS WHAT -- we've also got an interview with a member of one of those bands later in the episode! It's VW bass player Chris Baio, who joins host Chris Payne to discuss his Bowie- and Brexit-inspired sophomore solo album "Man of the World," due out June 30 on Glassnote Records.
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My Chemical Romance split in 2013, but in the years since, their legend has grown considerably. Next week, Billboard is breaking some news about one of its members' new projects. The writer of that piece, Maria Sherman, joins us to debate the chances of an MCR reunion, and what it would mean for each member. Also, Kevin Rutherford from the charts department hops aboard to preview this week's Billboard 200. How will Harry Styles' and Paramore's albums sell first week? Who gets the top spot? Listen up!
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Two great interviews in this week's episode! First, music journalist Maria Sherman stops by for a chat about punk and indie rock albums we're excited for this year. And then, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley comes by for a truly eye-opening discussion. Years of alcohol abuse nearly killed him in 2014, but he's taken his life back and has Sum 41's latest album to show for it. He also reminisced on playing SNL in the early 2000s and what he was like in high school.
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What's it like to interview the man behind Gorillaz? Billboard's Andrew Unterberger recounts a recent hang with Damon Albarn for a Billboard mag story, and discusses how the band's cartoon identity gives it a timelessness that eludes those comprised of actual humans, since, you know, humans get old and die. Then, former Walkmen frontman Hamilton Leithauser stops by to discuss his new live album with former Vampire Weekender Rostam, who's embarking on a solo career of his own.
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Before Fall Out Boy dropped its new single "Young and Menace," we discussed their recent success on the charts and what it'll take them to have a 2017 hit. Later on, Stereogum's Michael Nelson stops by to talk one of the year's best punk records: Charly Bliss' hook-filled debut "Guppy." We've also got an update on how Paramore's "Hard Times" is doing on the charts as well as up-and-coming hits from new bands on alternative radio.
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Four years after their last album, Paramore’s new single is finally here. “Hard Times” is an addicting, Talking Heads-inspired jam that sounds like it could follow “Ain’t It Fun” as a Hot 100 smash. But will it? On the premiere episode of #AlternativeFacts, Billboard investigates.
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Billboard's new rock and alternative music podcast is here! Here's an intro to the new weekly show -- hosted by staff writer Chris Payne -- that will launch with its first full episode Thursday, April 20. Expect insider discussion from around the Billboard office about artists like Paramore, Vampire Weekend, the 1975, Twenty One Pilots, Grimes, Panic! at the Disco, Haim, Blink-182 and more. We'll also have artist interviews, chart analysis and insight from those who know best your favorite artists.
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Matador Records has an impressive history of discovering indie rock talent and their latest up-and-comer is Virginian singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus. 2016 debut "No Burden" is destined to appear on a lot of year-end "Best Of" lists and the musician behind it has an inspirational story to tell. There's no viral moment, no big city scene, no gimmick here -- just a recent college grad with stories to tell.
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The "True Trans Soul Rebel" herself is this week's guest! Laura Jane Grace chats with host Chris Payne about Against Me's new album "Shape Shift With Me" (out Sept. 16) and her autobiography, "Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock's Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout," due Nov. 15. Take a listen for a candid preview of both, along with updates on how Laura Jane's been doing lately and some crazy anecdotes from her past. Strip club tabs, machete-wielding drug dealers and drunk tattoos are all involved.
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Like synthpop? Get into Cardiknox -- one-time members of the pop-punk scene, now navigating the pop world. Lonnie Angle and Thomas Dutton talked about their old band, Forgive Durden, Cardiknox's debut album "Portrait" and what they're planning next.
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Domino Records mainstays Wild Beasts have been messing with rock 'n roll norms and reinventing their sound for five albums now. Hayden Thorpe and Tom Fleming chat with host Chris Payne about new album "Boy King" and recount a decade making music: sharing a bill with a young Adele, trolling lads in their hometown of Kendal, and how Britpop never quite happened in America.
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He's in the studio working on the new Paramore record and he's getting ready to unveil the fresh vibes of his new solo album as Halfnoise. The man is Zac Farro and he stopped by Billboard's Alt In Our Stars podcast to chat about both new albums, and how he mended ties with Hayley Williams and Taylor York after a quitting the band six years ago.
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Blink-182’s “California” went No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and people are wondering (yet again) if pop-punk and emo are on their way back. But did they ever leave? And how does a band like Blink-182 — even after well-publicized inner turmoil — earn so much commercial success in 2016? Host Chris Payne and cultural critic/emo historian/podcast MVP Andy Greenwald discuss all this while reflecting on his 2003 book, “Nothing Feels Good: Punk Rock, Teenagers, and Emo.”
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A new album is on the way for L.A.'s Local Natives. "Sunlit Youth" drops Sept. 9, and the band stopped by Billboard's New York office to reflect on almost a decade of existence. How do you push your band to the next level when you've entered your early 30s? Kelcey Ayer and Matt Frazier discussed artistic reinventions, artistic goals (festival appearances, film soundtracks) and why they decided to get political and endorse Bernie Sanders this year. Now how do they feel about Hillary as the nominee?
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The opening track on Pup’s rollicking 2016 album 'The Dream Is Over" is literally about wanting to kill your bandmates. But don’t get it twisted -- these Torontonians are just about the nicest band you’ll ever meet. Frontman Stefan Babcock and drummer Zack Mykula stopped by the Billboard office to chat about Canadian politeness,, being nominated for the 2016 Polaris prize, keeping fans safe at rowdy punk shows, and more.
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How do A-list festivals choose their A-list headliners? And why do so many of these lineups look really similar? Why are there so few female headliners? Why are there so many new festivals popping up in New York City, and is there room for all of them? Billboard writers Chris Payne, Joe Lynch and Natalie Weiner answer all these questions and reveal what makes a great music festival.
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Critics love “Puberty 2” and there’s good reason why — Mitski’s first album for Dead Oceans Records is raw, poignant indie rock from an artist with charisma and wisdom to share. At Billboard’s New York office, Mitski chatted about her Twitter game, her Myers-Briggs personality type, and why she thinks the press writes about her the way it does.
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If you just know them from "that whistle song," it's time to get your head in the game. Peter Bjorn and John are back with their first album in five years, and "Breakin' Point" is pure alt-pop fireworks. The Swedish trio stopped by Billboard's New York office to discuss how new attitudes in the indie rock game helped them get on board with superstar producers like Paul Epworth, Greg Kurstin, and Emile Haynie.
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You know "Higher," "With Arms Wide Open" and "One Last Breath" -- but do you know Scott Stapp? Following the hits, the Creed frontman dealt with some very public difficulties around bipolar disorder and drug abuse. But he's turned his life around and he stopped by the Billboard office to talk about it. Stapp is touring solo, fronting a new project, and what about a Creed reunion? Scott spoke about all this, in addition to telling the story of how Creed broke big while he was at Florida State.
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Are they reviving emo? Are they reviving pop-punk? Let's just agree that these Philly punks are ensuring sincere, life-altering music remains something we can all aspire to. On their 2016 album "Holy Ghost" Modern Baseball's songwriters took on heavy subjects -- Brendan Lukens tackled his triumph over addiction and self-harm, and Jake Ewald, his grandfather's death. The whole band stopped by Billboard's New York office for an occasionally somber -- but mostly lighthearted -- chat on all things MoBo.
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Chicago emo revivalists Into It. Over It. have an inner circle of wildly devoted fans, yet they still think they're misunderstood. Maybe it's because their sound keeps evolving; maybe it's just because they've released so much music over the years. The band chatted with host Chris Payne about what they're really about... and how they've found their way onto some of the most carefully-curated concert bills you'll ever see.
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Will Toledo -- aka Car Seat Headrest -- was a Bandcamp legend by the time Matador Records signed him last year. He released 10 albums via the DIY platform and now, he's releasing his first LP of new material through the esteemed indie label. Will took us into the mindset of a musician making the big jump, and what it was like trying to secure the rights to use bits of Cars, Dido, and Neil Diamond songs on "Teens of Denial."
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"Spirits" is an alternative radio hit, and it just might become an even bigger one. All this is relatively new for the Strumbellas, a Toronto-based folk-rock band that's come a long way since playing its first show in a farmer's market. Host Chris Payne chats with Simon Ward and Izzy Ritchie about how they've gotten this far and how they're handling their recent success.
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New music, her Grammy nomination, Australian suburbs -- there was plenty to talk about when we caught up with Courtney Barnett before her performance at Coachella 2016's first week. She discussed how life's been since her breakthrough debut LP dropped last year and took us through her creative process in crafting new tunes.
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For X Ambassadors, success didn’t come overnight. The Ithaca, N.Y.-based band hit it big with the first single off their first full length, but an awful lot of pavement pounding preceded “Renegades” and the attention that came with it. On board Paramore’s Parahoy! cruise last month, we chatted with Sam and Casey Harris about the X Ambassadors story.
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Shamir's fans go by many names -- Shaqueers, Ratcheteers, Baby Ratchets. Whatever they're called, they're being inspired to challenge binary norms and follow their hearts by Shamir's funky, swaggering synthpop. It's brought Shamir from Vegas to an arena tour with Duran Duran, which he chatted about on this week's episode.
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Wolf Parade is reuniting and Operators just rolled out an excellent debut album. Dan Boeckner, the witty vocalist from both bands (and previously, many others)talked about the new tunes Wolf Parade recorded (and when to expect them) along with what Operators has kicking. And get ready to be inspired; Boeckner reflected on toiling through numerous dead-end jobs to forge a full-time life in music.
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Out at sea, Chvrches joked and talked serious (but mostly joked) about sailing on Paramore’s cruise, fighting sexism in the industry, their diverse fanbase, new merch ideas (scratch ’n sniff and health goth, naturally), and wanting to see sharks.
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Onboard Paramore’s Parahoy! cruise, Lights chatted about all sorts of things: her forthcoming “Midnight Machines” mini-album, traveling with her two-year old daughter, getting a "World of Warcraft" in-game item named after her, and getting noticed on MySpace a decade ago. For longtime fans and those who missed Lights' performances on the cruise, this is a must-listen!
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Pvris is destined for big things. The Massachusetts-based rock band built a formidable grassroots following behind its 2014 debut album "White Noise," which put them on the 2015 Warped Tour and nabbed them an opening slot on Fall Out Boy’s current arena tour. Members Lynn Gunn, Alex Babinski, and Brian MacDonald chatted with Chris Payne about how they got so far and what's next (hint: a second album).
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New York City punks Big Ups came together several years back while studying music at NYU, so they’ve got plenty of good advice for students looking to get a new band off the ground. They explained the lyrical growth on their killer new record "Before a Million Universes" and why they're down for a nu-metal revival.
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Yeasayer gave a hilarious interview at with host Chris Payne. They've got a new album on the way ("Amen & Goodbye,” out May 1) and they reflected on being a band for a whole decade. Topics include how they've seen Brooklyn and Manhattan change before their eyes, Billy Joel, and why they might not want to still be alive in 2080.
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Chairlift's Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly stopped by the Billboard office and had plenty to talk about: how R&B and new age music have shaped them, how Caroline has names for her different singing voices, how Patrick's studio approach is different from many producers. Both agree that driven artists with a clear vision enjoy the most success in the music world. Prepare to be inspired.
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Ra Ra Riot frontman Wes Miles chats with Alt In Our Stars host Chris Payne about the band's new album "Need Your Light": collaborating with Rostam Batmanglij, pushing his voice to the limit, and how childhood friendships still affect his art today. Also, he explains what it's like to sing the National Anthem at an NFL game. It's kind of surreal.
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Børns chats with Alt In Our Stars host Chris Payne about his 2015 debut album "Dopamine," how to convince him to take a selfie, how Coachella is different from Bonnaroo, and how vocalists can protect their voices on tour.
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Host Chris Payne sat down for a fact (and sometimes opinion) -filled chat with Billboard chart staffers Emily White and Kevin Rutherford about some of this year’s most anticipated releases: Paramore, M83, LCD Soundsystem, The 1975, Weezer, and more.
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The political, saxophone-charged punk band Downtown Boys stops by Billboard for an interview with host Chris Payne. Topics include the new music they’re writing, wanting to perform with Bruce Springsteen, singing in both English and Spanish, how to get people to dance at shows, and how to keep that dancing non-violent and friendly.
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Panic! frontman Brendon Urie swung by Billboard’s New York office to chat with host Chris Payne about new album "Death of a Bachelor." He also spoke on getting permission from the B-52s to sample “Rock Lobster,” performing in the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and being the kind of guy who rocks fedoras. The new album is heavily influenced by Frank Sinatra, after all.
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Out promoting his Springsteen-esque country-rock album "Wild Ones," Kip Moore hops on the podcast for a revealing talk with host Chris Payne. He invites us into the psyche of a songwriter who fought for years to break into Nashville, and explains how to defeat the doubt -- and occasional depression -- that can plague musicians. He also reveals that he already has "three other projects" he's been working on since "Wild Ones."
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HEALTH's "Death Magic" was one of our favorite rock albums of 2015. The band revisits the record in an interview with Billboard's Chris Payne -- pushing guitar music to the future, working with Haxan Cloak, projectile vomiting for a music video, and coming up in the L.A. noise scene centered around a venue called the Smell.
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Arthur Ashin — the man behind the experimental R&B project Autre Ne Veut — will inspire you to do amazing things with your voice. And if you’re not much of a singer, he’ll give you plenty to think about regarding all things R&B and soul. He stopped by Billboard’s New York office for a chat with host Chris Payne about his dazzling new album Age of Transparency, why he prefers to be called “failure pop” instead of “PBR&B,” and much more.
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Ashley Monroe visits the Billboard office just before kicking off her 2015 tour in New York. Host Chris Payne interviews her about her new album "The Blade," working with Jack White, whether or not we'll get more Pistol Annies music, what the Nashville songwriting circuit is like, and much more.
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How come musicians in emo bands never want to be called "emo"? Could an artist in today's so-called "Emo Revival" break through to the mainstream? And are we ever getting another Brand New album? Alt In Our Stars host Chris Payne discusses all of this and more with Tom Mullen, the genre expert behind the website/DJ night/podcast, Washed Up Emo.
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Butch Vig chats with Billboard's Chris Payne about drumming in Garbage and producing bands like the Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins. He gives a behind-the-scenes look at making the Foos' 2014 album/HBO series "Sonic Highways" and previews what lies ahead for them and Garbage in 2016.
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Beach Slang's debut album "The Things We Do to Find People Like Us" is one of the year's best punk records. Frontman James Alex chats with Billboard's Chris Payne about influences (Jawbreaker, Repalcements, Goo Goo Dolls), his lyrics, and why he's kind of trying to be like John Hughes. He also reveals that he's already working on the next album.
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Billboard's Chris Payne interviews Greek singer Monika about her American debut "Secret in the Dark," and what it's like to promote the album worldwide after earning a strong following in her homeland. She also chats about signing with Other Music, making her album with the Dap-Kings' Homer Steinweiss, and the Greek language album she's working on.
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Host Chris Payne interviews Bully frontwoman Alicia Bognanno and drummer Stewart Copeland about their debut album "Feels Like," being a punk band on a major label (it's pretty cool!), living in Nashville, tips for touring in a van, and favorite Thanksgiving foods.
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Majical Cloudz frontman Devon Welsh is interviewed by Billboard’s Chris Payne about new album “Are You Alone?,” opening for Lorde, guesting in a Grimes video, having his audience do a push-up competition, and his thoughts on Pope Francis’ new song.
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Host Chris Payne and Billboard rock charts specialist Emily White discuss their most anticipated Fall 2015 indie and alternative releases, including Grimes, CHVRCHES, Deerhunter, Deafheaven, Beach Slang, Ought, Majical Cloudz, and more.
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Why aren’t there more female stars in country? Could alt-country favorites like Jason Isbell and Caitlin Rose ever cross over? How is Sam Hunt kind of like country’s Drake? Why are fans new to country so into Kacey Musgraves? Chris Payne and two special guests — writers Caitlin White and Nick Murray — discuss where the genre’s at in 2015.
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Silversun Pickups keyboardist Joe Lester and drummer Chris Guanlao stopped by Billboard for an interview with Chris Payne about their new album "Better Nature," starting their own label (New Machine Recordings), being interviewed by Nardwuar, recording with Jacknife Lee, and much more.
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Candy Hearts frontwoman/social media maestro Mariel Loveland stopped by Billboard’s New York office for a chat with Chris Payne on the band's next album, Warped Tour, singing with Weezer at the APMAs, being friends with Paramore, malls in New Jersey, and much more.
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Potty Mouth stops by the Billboard office just minutes after releasing "Cherry Picking," their first new song in two years. In an interview with Billboard's Chris Payne, they talk about shooting music videos, being a band in Massachusetts, self-releasing their music, and a lot more. They also prank call their friend, a definite first for the Alt In Our Stars podcast.
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Billboard's Chris Payne interviews Speedy Ortiz (Sadie Dupuis, Devin McKnight, Darl Ferm, Mike Falcone) about their album "Foil Deer," wanting to meet Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, why MTV wants to censor their music video, Rap Genius, and more.
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Vampire Weekend bassist Chris Baio discusses his debut LP “The Names.” Chatting with Billboard’s Chris Payne, Baio’s deadpan humor also touches on Vampire Weekend’s next album, living in London, getting lunch with randos, and why he loves wearing blazers.
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In an interview with Billboard's Chris Payne, Robert DeLong discusses the sound of his new album "In the Cards" (out Sept. 18 via Glassnote), his upcoming tour with Bleachers and Charli XCX, and why drones are taking over the world.
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Albert Hammond, Jr. is here for you. The Strokes guitarist is prepping an excellent new solo album (Momentary Masters, out July 31) and hopped on the Alt In Our Stars podcast ready to give advice. Topics included (but were not limited to) Snapchatting, scuba diving, men’s fashion, and how to get him to talk to talk to you on Twitter. For the record he now knows that being called “dad” is a good thing.
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Old 97s frontman Rhett Miller is interviewed by Billboard’s Chris Payne about his new solo album “The Traveler.” He also shares stories about meeting Joan Jett and R.E.M., loving MLB’s Texas Rangers, collaborating with Bob Dylan, and why it was tough being on the same label with Third Eye Blind back in the 90s.
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What does it take for rock music to enter the mainstream discussion these days? Host Chris Payne discusses with fellow music journalists Jill Mapes and Maria Sherman, who also share their favorite songs and albums of 2015.
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The Dø’s Olivia Merilahti and Dan Levy are interviewed by Billboard’s Chris Payne about new 2015 album “Shake Shook Shaken,” as well as making music in France, playing Bonnaroo, and their music videos.
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Meg Myers talks to Billboard’s Chris Payne about how she’s almost done with her debut album “Sorry” and what’s got her really excited about it. She also opened up about her childhood, musicians she admires, and L.A. hipsters versus New York hipsters.
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The Maine’s John O'Callaghan and Jared Monaco stopped by Billboard’s New York office and chatted with Chris Payne about new album “American Candy,” the Arizona rock scene, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and outgrowing MySpace and the pop-punk tag.
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Incubus discusses its new EP “Trust Fall (Side A),” touring with Deftones, “Star Wars,” the relationship of drugs and music, and much more with Chris Payne.
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Host Chris Payne talks with London quartet Wolf Alice. The band describes the sound of its forthcoming debut album "My Love Is Cool," compares England's rock scene to America's, and explains why it relates to "James and the Giant Peach."
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Streaming has been a hot-button topic for the music industry for years, and the arrival of Tidal is pushing it to the top of the business discussion. We all know what A-listers like Jay Z and Taylor Swift think about streaming, but what about independent artists? Host Chris Payne spoke to writers Andrew Flanagan, William Gruger, and Emily White, who broke down the business side of streaming into simpler terms and offered advice for smaller acts.
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Billboard’s Chris Payne chats with All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth and Rian Dawson on the release day for their new album “Future Hearts.” Topics include their role in the upcoming film “Fangirl,” recent Blink-182 drama, and the fact that All Time Low fan fiction is a thing that exists.
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The band discusses its new album “Imbue,” how to stay relevant after reuniting, and looks back on how the Drive-Thru Records roster has grown up.
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Host Chris Payne interviews Tanlines (Jesse Cohen and Eric Emm) about their new album "Highlights," as well as the band's album art, their "winky sad" logo, and Cohen's own podcast, "No Effects."
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Andrew McMahon reflects on his latest project "Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness," which released its first album in 2014. Also, he discusses his Broadway debut, NBC's "Smash," and his past with Jack's Mannequin, Something Corporate, and Drive-Thru Records.
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Billboard's alternative music podcast premieres the first 5 minutes of the audiobook version of Kim Gordon's autobiography "Girl in a Band," along with a never-before-heard Gordon song called "Close Your Eyes," and commentary from host Chris Payne and Billboard editor/writer Tye Comer.
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Did Beck deserve to beat Beyoncé? Would Kanye have protested Pharrell, Ed Sheeran, or Sam Smith winning? What alternative musicians could surprise us at the 2016 Grammys? How does the voting actually work? Chris Payne discusses these and more with Billboard writers Joe Levy and Jason Lipshutz, who were both in Los Angeles for Grammy weekend.
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How does this band keep getting better? The Screaming Females discuss their killer new album “Rose Mountain,” and recount the band’s early days. Billboard’s Chris Payne does some New Jersey bonding with the punk trio, who talk Don Giovanni Records, New Jersey Transit, and their upcoming tour plans.
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Billboard's Chris Payne chats with New Politics about their forthcoming third album "Vikings" -- what it sounds like, when to expect it, how New York inspired it, and yes, actual vikings.
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For the first episode of Billboard.com's alternative music podcast, host Chris Payne chats with Pete Wentz about Fall Out Boy's forthcoming album "American Beauty/American Psycho." Also, Billboard rock charts manager Emily White talks about Brooklyn's rapidly-closing D.I.Y. venues.
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