Kyle Meredith With...

The Goo Goo Dolls’ Johnny Rzeznick catches up with Kyle Meredith to detail the band's new Rarities compilation and next album. The two dive into the lost art of the b-side and the idea of their biggest hit, Iris, starting as a b-side on the City of Angels soundtrack. Further on that subject, Reznick also remembers their long string of soundtrack cuts, from Freddie’s Dead, Ace Ventura (where they cover INXS’s Don’t Change) and Batman & Robin, to more recent releases for Transformers and Finding Neverland. The “Name” singer also discusses their changing sound, going from punk in the early days to mainstream success with pop rock, and tells us that their upcoming 2022 album harkens back to their earlier, more raw way of writing and recording.

Tom Jones catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Surrounded By Time, his latest record alongside longtime co-producer Ethan Johns. The legendary singer discusses going in a new direction for sound that is both atmospheric and psychedelic at times and the surprise of having a number one album in the UK, breaking the record for oldest artist to do so, which was previously held by Bob Dylan. Speaking of Dylan, Jones tells us about covering “One More Cup of Coffee,” as well as Cat Stevens’ “Pop Star” and what that song means for him that is different from when Stevens released it. Tom also looks back at the psychedelic rock period of the late 60s and his reaction to it at the time, and what to expect from the upcoming live shows.

Wolf Alice catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Blue Weekend. Ellie Rowsell and Joff Oddie discuss everything from alternate versions of some of the songs to writing about the balance of human emotions. The London songwriters also tell us about building a world with their music videos, of which they’ll have one for every song on the new record, and the story behind the song “Play The Hits,” involving a night out, some great punk guitars, and a discarded version over twice as long.

Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock speaks with Kyle Meredith about The Golden Casket, the band’s first album since 2015. The lead man tells us about the sound experiments he has been working on over the past few years, having kids, and the album he had talked about releasing after Strangers To Ourselves (which he still has, and likes). Brock goes on to discuss his penchant for writing about the universe, the unseen parts of our environment that includes sound waves, and aliens. In fact, there is quite a bit of talk of UFOs, 3rd Eye Spies, and the Phoenix Lights, both in relation to his own experiences and how they work themselves into the record.

Rag’n’Bone Man’s Rory Graham sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about Life By Misadventure, a record that finds the British songwriter traveling to Nashville and linking up with Natalie Hemby and other top writers for a soulful, live set of songs. Graham discusses his love of John Prine, how he might apply the aesthetics from this record to the work he does inside the drum‘n’bass scene alongside Roni Size, and what it was like to have Wendy Melvoin from Prince & the Revolution recording on the record.

Yola sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about Stand for Myself, a record that finds the English musician in a "genre fluid" mood as she tries out several new sounds. Along with the musical diversity, she also discusses the divide-and-conquer politics that appears in some of the songs; her base in poetry; and working and living with friends Aaron Lee Tasjan, Allison Russell, and Amythyst Kiah. Yola will also be playing Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic, and we get to hear all about the part as well as Tharpe and queer women’s role in creating rock & roll.

John Lodge of The Moody Blues hops on the line with Kyle Meredith to talk about his new solo EP, On Reflection. The legendary singer-bassist tells us about the lead single “The Sun Will Shine” and the emphasis that positivity plays within his music, and how he used the lockdown to explore his past for inspiration. Speaking of the past, this year marks 40 years for The Moody Blues album The Long Distance Voyager, and John discusses what draws musicians to write about space, especially as we find ourselves in an age of renewed interest. Lodge also talks live music, from the upcoming live LP The Royal Affair and After that spotlights his 2019 tour with Yes and Asia, to next year’s Flower Power Cruise that will see him play alongside Procol Harum, The Hollies, and The Zombies.

Japanese Breakfast catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about her New York Times bestselling book, Crying In H Mart, and new album, Jubilee. Michelle Zauner discusses the memoir recounting her relationship with and losing her mother, and how it led her to wanting to make an album about joy. Zauner tells us about wanting to be musically ambitious and the bright sounds that touch on the 80s, as well as being inspired by Bjork’s music videos.

Shirley Manson catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about the new Garbage album, No Gods No Masters, which takes direct aim at the events of the past four years in one of the band’s most powerful statements to date. The Scottish-born singer discusses her use of Go and religion that appear in these songs, the benefits of being an outsider, and the ay their songs Queer and Androgony have come to speak to today. Manson also dives into the post-punk and new wave influences that the band recall in the LP’s music, the chance for a deluxe edition of 2001’s Beautiful Garbage, and the possibilities for collaborations on the upcoming Alanis Morissette / Liz Phair tour.

Neil Finn sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about Dreamers Are Waiting, the first Crowded House album in eleven years. The songwriting legend discusses how joining Fleetwood Mac resulted in him wanting to revive Crowded House, and the messages that eventually made their way into the songs, including grandstanding in the media, great things emerging from chaos, and positivity as a form of rebellion. With those ideas in mind, Finn also reflects on so many young artists covering the band's classic “Don’t Dream It's Over", as well as having Tame Impala and Unknown Mortal Orchestra remix "To the Island", and his hopes that the current lineup of Fleetwood Mac will make an album.