Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond

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Sharon Van Etten May 31, 2022

Show notes

Sharon Van Etten joins us today—the singer/songwriter who Pitchfork recently crowned an “indie rock institution.” Earlier this month, Van Etten released her sixth and arguably best album, We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong. On today’s episode, Broken Record producer Leah Rose talks to Sharon Van Etten about recording her new album in her L.A.-based home studio during lockdown while attempting to balance domestic life. Sharon also explains how her inner Jersey girl comes out onstage. And why wearing leather pants and heels on stage post-pandemic feels so daunting.

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord.

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com.

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite Sharon Van Etten's songs HERE.

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Tom Jones May 24, 2022

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Today we’ll hear Rick Rubin talk to one of his all-time favorite vocalists, Tom Jones. With his soulful baritone and unique interpretation of the American R&B and gospel, Jones became a mainstay at hip venues in London, New York and Las Vegas with now-timeless hits like “It’s Not Unusual,” and “Green Green Grass Of Home.”

On today’s episode, Tom Jones shares stories with Rick from his remarkable career, including the first time he met Elvis on a movie set in Hollywood—and the night he turned down an invitation to join Little Richard on stage out of fear he’d be deported. Tom also talks about why he thought Burt Bacharach’s lyrics to “What’s New Pussycat” were a joke the first time he heard them.

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord.

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com.

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite Tom Jones songs HERE.

If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belle and Sebastian May 17, 2022

Show notes

Today we’re talking to Stuart Murdoch and Stevie Jackson from the Scottish folk-pop band, Belle & Sebastian. After seven years, the indie pop band is releasing their ninth studio album, their first in seven years – A Bit of Previous. The album was recorded in Belle & Sebastian’s hometown of Glasgow, after plans to record in LA fell through because of the pandemic.

Bruce Headlam talks to Stuart and Stevie about their new album and the band plays songs live from the new project. Stuart also talks about how getting sick at 21 was a critical moment in his music career, and how he is not personally itching to get back out in front of a live audience.

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord.

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com.

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite R.E.M. and Michael Stipe songs HERE.

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Michael Stipe Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

Today we have a conversation between old friends Rick Rubin and Michael Stipe. Along with his former band R.E.M., Stipe's expert, open-hearted lyrics gave voice to the sensitive and misunderstood among us with hits like “The One I Love,” “Everybody Hurts,” and “Losing My Religion.”

After R.E.M. broke up a little over a decade ago, Stipe followed other creative pursuits like photography. But now Stipe has found his way back to music and is working on his first ever solo album. On today’s episode, Michael plays Rick his new song, “Future If Future” produced by Andy LeMaster. Michael Stipe also talks about why he decided to record a solo album, and how he always intended to be super famous—and what it was like when that actually happened.

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord.

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com.

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite R.E.M. and Michael Stipe songs HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chad Smith Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

Today we have the final interview in our month-long series with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in celebration of their new album, Unlimited Love, produced by Rick Rubin. There’s only one Chili Pepper left, Mr. “I eat-drums-for-breakfast” himself, Chad Smith.

Chad has always been a bit of an outlier in the band, he’s the only member who isn’t from L.A. He’s from the suburbs of Detroit and he was reared more on classic rock than punk like the rest of the band. But Chad is an integral member of the Peppers. His hard hitting style is the band’s foundation. And as we’ll hear him tell Rick, Chad fell in love with the Chili Peppers the day he auditioned for them close to 35 years ago.

On today’s episode Chad and Rick talk about the lost demo sessions the Chili Peppers recorded nearly a year before they made Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Chad also talks about how “Californication” started out as what he calls “a bad reggae song.” And he remembers the time he and Flea got chased—nearly naked—by cops in Green Bay.

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers songs HERE.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flea Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

This is the third episode in our four episode run with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, celebrating their new album, Unlimited Love.

Today you’ll hear a very special conversation between Rick Rubin and Flea. Flea’s one of the most iconic bass players of all time and, along with singer Anthony Kiedis, one of the all time great musical ambassadors of Los Angeles.

Flea talks with Rick on today’s episode about how he “rock-starred” his way into USC recently to study music theory. He remembers tearfully telling John Frusciante how much he missed playing with him, and why he reverts back to his 15 year-old self whenever he argues with Anthony.

Make sure to check out next week's episode with the one and only Chad Smith!

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers songs HERE. And check out our favorite songs featuring Flea HERE.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Frusciante and Anthony Kiedis Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

We’re continuing our run of episodes celebrating the release of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ new album, Unlimited Love, produced by Rick Rubin. We left off our episode last week with Anthony Kiedis popping in to join Rick’s conversation with Chili Peppers' guitarist John Frusciante. Today we have part two of Rick’s conversation with John and the band’s iconic frontman.

On this episode we'll hear Anthony talk about how some of the new song lyrics came together, the lengths he went to commute to the studio in Hawaii where he was recording vocals with Rick. And both Anthony and John give their accounts of John’s thirdreturn to the band.

Make sure to check out Rick's interview next week with the almighty Flea.

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers songs HERE.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Frusciante Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

Today is the start of a month-long run of episodes in celebration of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ newest album, Unlimited Love. We kick things off with Rick Rubin in conversation with the Chili Peppers' guitarist, John Frusciante. If you’re a diehard fan you know why the release of their new album is so exciting. Unlimited Love is their first record with John in 16 years.

In this episode, you’ll hear John tell Rick about his deep musical exploration as a young guitar player. He also talks about how he fell in love with the Chili Peppers as a teenager, and what it was like joining the band he’d become such a big fan of at just 18 years-old. And in the end, John and Rick are joined by a very special guest.

Part Two of this conversation continues on the next episode . . .

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers songs HERE.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missy Elliott Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

Missy Elliott is one of popular music's greatest innovators. This year is the 25th anniversary of Missy’s classic debut album, Supa Dupa Fly. When that album dropped, Missy’s unconventional rhyme schemes paired with her childhood friend Timbaland’s futuristic production set a precedent for what was creatively possible in hip-hop. And throughout her career, Missy’s maintained that same level of playful creativity.

This year Missy broke records when she was recognized as having more platinum albums than any other female rapper. She’s also the first female MC to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for songs she's written for Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child and Aaliyah’s biggest hits: “One In A Million,” and “If Your Girl Only Knew.”

Today Rick Rubin talks to Missy Elliott about her wide-reaching influence and creative process. She explains what it was like writing for Aaliyah, who was one of the first artists to embrace Missy and Timbaland’s unique style. She also talks about why she and Timbaland made a pact not to listen to any other music while recording her debut album.

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite Missy Elliott songs HERE.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patti Smith Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

Today we have the one and only Patti Smith on the show. Patti is the prototypical downtown, New York City artist. Her 1975 debut album Horses is credited as one of the masterpieces of its time. It also cemented her as one of rock n roll's great lyricists. But her writing extends far beyond music. Her 2010 memoir, Just Kids, won the National Book Award for its brilliant portrayal of the ‘70s bohemian art scene in New York, and Patti’s experience living in the Chelsea Hotel with the famed photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe. Today Patti publishes near-daily offerings of poems, songs and serialized fiction on her Substack newsletter. It’s a journal of sorts that she started during the solitary days of the pandemic.

On today’s episode, Malcolm Gladwell talks to Patti Smith about her writing in the studio Jimi Hendrix built, Electric Lady. It was there, she tells Malcolm, that she met Hendrix in 1970—just weeks before he passed away. Patti also talks about hanging out with and writing lyrics for Janis Joplin, and she recalls the fun she had during a failed attempt to cover Adele in concert.

Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews: https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecord

You can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.com

Hear a playlist of all of our favorite Patti Smith songs HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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