Kyle Meredith With...

Comedic legend Harry Shearer gives Kyle Meredith a call to talk about The Many Moods of Donald Trump, a new album that finds The Simpsons voice talent getting into character as our current president. Shearer discusses how he chose to parody which events, singing about Jared Kushner, the hurricane map, and the Very Stable Genius moment, the motion-capture videos he’s been making, and having members of The Meters and Dumpstafunk help out.

Harvey Mason Jr., chairman and interim CEO of the Recording Academy and Grammys, and Milana Lewis, founder of Stem, both join Kyle Meredith With... to discuss how the two companies are spearheading new ways to make sure artists get paid for their work.

First, Harvey Mason Jr. takes us through the Recording Academy’s Summer of Advocacy, namely how they're bringing aid to the music community and their efforts to lobby Congress. Mason also discusses activism in the pop world, partnering with the Color of Change organization, their continuing efforts with MusiCares, and the 2021 Grammy ceremony.

Milana Lewis takes over in the second half to tell us about founding Stem in 2015 as a way to help artists navigate a new digital and streaming industry and to get paid for their work. Lewis also talks about the importance of monetizing an artist’s core fans, giving $100,000,000 in artists advances earlier this year, the importance of good investments, the harm of bad ones, and how 2020 is ultimately an opportunity for musicians to get creative and the industry to reinvent itself.

Ani DiFranco speaks with Kyle Meredith about her collaboration with the Prison Music Project on Long Time Gone. DiFranco takes us through her team up with Zoe Boekbinder, who brought in songs from inmates incarcerated within New Folsom Prison, and how it’s set to be adapted into a stage play. The legendary musician and activist also weighs in on capital punishment, citizen journalism, her hopes for Joe Biden, and the importance of voting in November’s election.

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Liza Anne speaks with Kyle Meredith about her new album, Bad Vacation, and the Instagram Live series she’s been leading called Emotional Health 2020. The Georgia-born Nashville resident discusses the crossroads of heart and politics and using 2020 as an opportunity to change for the better. She also meditates on her own success with antidepressants and therapy, balancing joy and sorrow in her writing, and how this all comes together on Bad Vacation.

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The Pretenders' legendary singer-songwriter Chrissie Hynde gives Kyle Meredith a call to talk about the band's new record, Hate For Sale. Hynde talks about writing with her touring guitarist James Walbourne, looking back to the '50s and '60s for their sound, and the return of original drummer Martin Chambers. She also goes on to speak about hate as a strong word, love as a drug addiction, and her Bob Dylan quarantine covers series.

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Bob Mould speaks with Kyle Meredith about his politically-charged new album Blue Hearts. The former Hüsker Dü frontman discusses the diversity of the Minneapolis scene during his band’s early days, what it’s been like to watch his old town during the George Floyd era, and the differences between '80s politics and today. He also reminisces on his then-struggles as a gay man and how they informed the band's iconic Zen Arcade. Mould then goes on to to talk about the upcoming presidential election, how helping trans people is the current focus in the LGBTQ+ community, and how his new song “Forecast of Rain” reflects on his religious upbringing.

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Maya Hawke jumps on the line with Kyle Meredith to discuss her debut album, Blush. Hawke charts her path to what she calls “an accidental record" and shares why she finds songwriting as a way to communicate with others. She also tells us about the folk, rock, and jazz she heard around her house growing up, the biggest differences in writing poetry vs lyrics, the similarities between how she approaches songwriting and acting, and the importance of a great soundtrack.

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Kansas lead singer Ronnie Platt gives Kyle Meredith a shout to discuss The Absence of Presence. This is the second Kansas album with the former Shooting Star frontman, and Platt speaks about his new confidence going into this set, in addition to how the new music speaks to their legacy. Platt also talks about his lyrics behind the song "Circus of Illusion", which unintentionally speaks to an isolated world.

Singer-songwriter Ed Roland sits down with Kyle Meredith to give an update on the new music he has ready, including two Collective Soul albums and an EP for Record Store Day, a solo set, and a new band that's inspired by The Cars. From there the two discuss Craft Recordings' 25th anniversary deluxe edition of 1995’s self-titled LP, touring with Van Halen, and the crushing legal woes with their management. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of 2000’s Blender, and Roland shares why he’d love to remix it one day, covering Morphine (“You Speak My Language”), and dueting with Elton John (“Perfect Day”).

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Bootsy Collins calls Kyle Meredith to talk about “Stars". The new single finds the legend collaborating with EmiSunshine, Cornel West, Bela Fleck, and a “collage of cultures” from around the world. Together, they discuss how the collaboration was created during quarantine, donating to MusiCares, and the way it sets up the new album out this Fall. Collins also discusses global themes of togetherness, the tragedies that bring us together, and how we’re missing “the hippie side of things.”

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