On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by JP Saxe.

Whether it’s for his own solo work or the myriad of artists he works with, Saxe wears his heart on sleeve, transforming reflections on love and grief into irresistibly relatable songs.

Following 2023’s A Grey Area, Saxe has returned with the new single “Safe,” which he premiered at a benefit show for LA wildfires at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom in January.

In a wide-spanning conversation with Madden, the Grammy-nominated musician opens up about the loss of his mother, writing songs for Sabrina Carpenter and Lewis Capaldi, and his upcoming album, Articulate Excuses.

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Michael Clifford of 5SOS.

Clifford is best known as 5SOS’ lead guitarist and backing vocalist with vibrant hair, helping to shape the band through his energetic presence. He’s also been unafraid to acknowledge his struggles with mental health, telling us that “it gets bad before it gets better” and using the feeling to fuel his songwriting.

As the years have passed, each of the members has branched out with solo music while holding the band close — and now Clifford will release his debut solo single, “cool,” through his new home Hopeless Records (out tomorrow, April 2).

In a conversation with Madden, he dives into fatherhood, his long career, and the humanness of songwriting.

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by G-Eazy.

In his early days, G-Eazy played 2012’s Warped Tour alongside Pierce the Veil and the Used. Since then, he’s racked up millions of listens with “Me, Myself & I” (feat. Bebe Rexha), collaborated with Halsey, and been nominated for Grammys.

Following last year’s Freak Show, G-Eazy released his latest album, Helium, in February and will head out on a North American tour in April.

The rapper connected with Madden before hitting the road, opening up about his close relationship with his brother, the challenges he faced getting started in music, and touring for the first time after a six-year hiatus.

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Morray.

Morray experienced a rapid come up, including a feature on J. Cole’s 2021 album, The Off-Season, and receiving a Grammy nomination for that very song.

Following a four-year break, where the Fayetteville-born MC was unable to release new music, Morray shared his second album, Long Story Short, in February.

In conversation with Joel, he opens up about fatherhood, working with J. Cole, the importance of transparency in the music industry, and his triumphant return.

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is bringing you an encore episode of his conversation with Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria.

As the frontman for Coheed and Cambria, Sanchez has mapped out entire worlds through intricate concept albums. That craftsmanship has spilled into his own comic series, The Amory Wars, which has acted as a companion to most of the band’s catalog.

Coheed recently embarked on a series of rare full album playthroughs of their 2005 LP, Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness, which includes Furnace Fest, When We Were Young, and two shows in Australia.

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Sam Carter of Architects.

After a busy couple of years opening for Metallica and headlining festival stages, Architects recently returned with their new album, The Sky, The Earth & All Between.

Produced by former Bring Me the Horizon member Jordan Fish, the band set out to capture that raw energy, melding their live intensity with melodic depth.

In a conversation with Madden, the Architects vocalist opens up about stories from his serendipitous relationship with Good Charlotte, his gratitude for a life of music, and the band’s latest album.

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Cody Hanson of Hinder.

Since forming in 2001, Hinder have made their mark through soaringly catchy anthems. Each of their albums has prioritized intention and growth, from the grunge-y beginnings of 2005’s Extreme Behavior to the introspective headspace of 2017’s The Reign.

In conversation with Madden, the Hinder frontman details how the band have evolved over the years, the 20th anniversary of their multi-platinum hit “Lips of An Angel,” and their new upcoming single, “Bring Me Back to Life."

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Brent Smith of Shinedown.

For the past couple of decades, Shinedown have been relentless in their mission, channeling pain, addiction, and the power to overcome into seven studio albums and countless shows.

During the pandemic, they cracked the mainstream, subverting their hard-rock roots with the viral piano ballad “A Symptom of Being Human” and inviting Jelly Roll onstage for “Simple Man” at Blue Ridge Rock Fest in 2021.

As Shinedown prepare for a busy year, Smith connected with Madden about his diverse musical influences, the journey of building the band’s 20-plus-year career, and their highly anticipated headlining tour with Bush and Beartooth.

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is bringing you an encore episode of his conversation with Lainey Wilson.

Over the past decade, Wilson has blossomed into a bonafide country star and recently performed in the 2025 Grammy Awards.

The Southern-bred singer has written tracks with Luke Combs, made her acting debut in Yellowstone (as well as had her songs featured on its soundtrack), and devised her own genre, “bell bottom country.”

The sound combines Southern rock, soul, and a distinctly Nashvillian POV, where she now resides. That’s best heard on her latest album, Whirlwind, which continues to play with the boundaries of her sound and includes a wistful duet with Miranda Lambert.

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Bert McCracken of The Used.

From the beginning, The Used have captured the outpouring of McCracken’s rawest emotions.

“It’s more than my journal. It’s so intimate. It’s terrifying… I can’t help it. It’s a big part of what I believe music is about,” McCracken reveals.

From 2002’s self-titled to 2024’s MEDZ, the band have navigated lineup changes, inner turmoil, and loss — and then channeled that pain into unrelenting songs that ripple with urgency and emotional intensity. In a conversation with Madden, The Used frontman opens up about being an outsider, putting tragedy into his music, and the band’s 25-year career

Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at Veeps. 

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Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden

Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King

Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary

Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer

Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray

Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray

Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer

Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices