Kyle Meredith With...

Legendary LA punk band X gave us the surprise release with Alphabetland, their first album in 27 years, and first with the original lineup in 35 years. John Doe speaks with Kyle Meredith about what it took to get the band back in the studio, their ensuing tradition of writing about culture on the edge and moments of crisis, and taking on class divide and gentrification. The singer/bassist also describes why the band used a racial slur in their landmark debut Los Angeles as a stand against racism, and why they don’t sing that word now. Doe goes on to talk about how he and co-vocalist Exene Cervenka influence each other, how a trio of older cuts made the album, and what the future of X may look like.

Filmmaker Mark Duplass speaks with Kyle Meredith about Volcano, I’m Still Excited, the band he fronted in the early 2000’s whose debut EP has been re-released on Polyvinyl Records. Duplass takes us back through the history of the group, which found him switching to keyboards after spending the '90s as “an overly earnest singer-songwriter." He also discusses his influences, his classical music upbringing, and ultimately his decision to leave it all behind to make movies. Even so, Duplass shares how he applies what he learned during those years to film projects that he’s worked on over the past couple decades.

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Jesper Anderberg of The Sounds speaks with Kyle Meredith about the band's first album in seven years, Things We Do For Love. Anderberg discusses the importance of taking a few years off to keep the band going, contending with fans' expectations, and nursing their legacy. The guitarist/keyboardist also talks about how vibe plays a big part in their songwriting, citing the Blade Runner soundtrack as a favorite, and using darkness as a writing tool.

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Barenaked Ladies singer-songwriter Steven Page gives Kyle Meredith a call to discuss his new single "Isolation", in addition to Here’s What it Takes, the musical he’s been working on for the past seven years that was about to open right before the global pandemic. He also dives into his history of theatrical writing, recently teaming up with Broadway stars for an online collaboration, and performing a show with his own son. Page also talks about the success of his home shows over Zoom, and says he has an album’s worth of songs that could hopefully see the light of day sooner than later.

Gerry Cinnamon calls up Kyle Meredith to discuss his sophomore LP, The Bonny. The Scottish singer-songwriter, who is seeing massive success in the UK, talks about what it’s like to achieve this kind of fame in his 30s, the DIY road that he follows, and how he sees songwriting as a lost art form. Cinnamon also goes on to talk about how Reservoir Dogs, Neil Young’s Powderfinger, and his bouts of insomnia have influenced his career and songs.

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STRFKR frontman Joshua Hodges speaks with Kyle Meredith about the group’s surprise new record, Future Past Life. The Portland-based singer-songwriter discusses how the record finds the band taking a more acoustic-led direction, the raw honesty in the lyrics, and the dark stories that make up the set. Hodges also talks about having an astronaut fan who took their music to space and how they repaid the favor with a few Easter eggs.

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Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls give Kyle Meredith a ring to discuss Look Long, their latest record that finds the folk rock duo reuniting with their lineup from ‘99’s Come On Now Social. Ray and Saliers discuss finding new sonic territory and how the lyrics take stock of their past. As social crusaders, both still find the activist fire burning strong and take a moment to speak about the environmental opportunity the world currently has with everyone staying at home.

Avril Lavigne gives Kyle Meredith a call to discuss her new single "Warriors". The Canadian-French pop star shares why she rewrote the anthem as a tribute to frontline workers, and how she’s able to keep anthem-sized ideas personal. She also retraces the journey behind her latest album, Head Above Water, which found her dealing with Lyme disease and nearly quitting music.

Paul Banks calls up Kyle Meredith about his latest collaborative project Muzz. The Interpol frontman takes us through his history with his new bandmates and explains why trios seem to be his sweet spot these days. Of the lyrical content, we’re told many of the songs deal with mental health and its relationship with art, and were inspired by Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young. Finally, Banks says he wants to make another record with RZA and confirms more Interpol records in the future.

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Perfume Genius mastermind Mike Hadreas speaks with Kyle Meredith about new album Set My Heart On Fire Immediately. Together, they discuss how movement informed the record and its connections to the dance and music collaboration The Sun Still Burns Here. Hadreas also weighs in on writing songs with big changes, themes of masculinity, guitar sounds that recall My Bloody Valentine and Motown, and his dream-team backing band of Jim Keltner, Pino Palladino, and Matt Chamberlain.

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